Road Photos & Information: Australian Capital Territory

Parliamentary Triangle Loop (Tourist Drive 1)

Statistics:

• Length: 9 km
• Roads That Form The Route: Commonwealth Avenue, London Circuit, Constitution Avenue, Russell Drive, Kings Avenue, State Circle
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities along route: Civic, Reid, Campbell, Russell, Parkes, Barton, Capital Hill and Yarralumla

Route Numbering:

• Current:
• Multiplexed With:

General Information:

ACT Tourist Drive 1 traverses arguably some of Australia's most important buildings and icons, all featured in the Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle. Buildings and landmarks include Parliament House, ANZAC Avenue leading to the Australian War Memorial, some international emabassies, and much more.

The route crosses Lake Burley Griffin twice, and is based on Walter Burley Griffin's original plan (albeit modified) for the capital, tracing the land axis formed by Capital Hill, Black Mountain Vernon (City) Hill and Mount Ainslie, which is one of the most prominent features of his design. For details and sketches of the plan, click here.

History:

• 1928: Construction of first Commonwealth Avenue Bridge *
• 1930s: Construction commenced on State Circle around Capital Hill **
• 1960s: State Circle fully complete after being only three quarters built for several years **
• 1964: Kings Avenue and associated bridge opened by Prime Minister Sir Robert G Menzies *
• 1988: Opening of Parliament House upon Capital Hill by HRH Queen Elizabeth II

Preview:	Description:
	Kings Avenue: Travelling northeast along Kings Avenue at Parkes near the National Archives of Australia. July 2006. Image © Paul Rands
	King Edward terrace: Looking northwest on King Edward Terrace at Parkes, near the intersection of Mall Road West and within Parkes Place, which leads to the steps of Old Parliament House. July 2006. Image © Paul Rands

* Information courtest of the National Library of Australia
** Information courtesy of the ACT Heritage Library