Mount Ainslie Lookout

Mount Ainslie rises 843 metres immediately northeast of Canberra's centre, and from the lookout at the top the city's design becomes legible in a way it never is at ground level: the land axis runs dead straight from the Australian War Memorial below, down Anzac Parade with its memorials, across the lake, through Old Parliament House and up to the flagpole of Parliament House on Capital Hill. Burley Griffin planned it that way. A walking track climbs about two kilometres from behind the War Memorial, gaining around two hundred and sixty metres, and a sealed road reaches the summit for those driving. Kangaroos are common on the lower slopes at dusk.

What you actually see

• The land axis - the straight line from War Memorial to Parliament House.
• Anzac Parade - the memorial avenue running down from the lookout.
• The city plan - Canberra's geometry visible as a whole.
• The bushland walk - the track up through nature reserve with kangaroos.

When to go

Year-round; sunset gives the best light down the axis and is the busiest time. Winter mornings can be foggy in the valley with clear air above. Summer afternoons are hot on the walking track.

Honest expectations

The summit car park is small and crowded at sunset. The walking track is steeper than expected and has no water. There is nothing at the top beyond the platform, with no café or facilities.

Nearby

The Australian War Memorial is at the foot of the hill; the city centre lies beyond it.