Captain Cook Memorial Jet

The basics

The Captain Cook Memorial Jet was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II on her Royal Visit to Australia in 1970. To see the jet in action, head to the central basin of Lake Burley Griffin. On shore is the other half of the Captain Cook Memorial, a bronze globe that illustrates the famed cartographer’s voyages and provides details of his travels along its handrail. The jet usually operates from 11am-2pm.

Things to know before you go

• The best place to admire the Captain Cook Memorial Jet from is Regatta Point, the area near the National Capital Exhibition in Commonwealth Park.

• Both the lakefront path and the area around the Captain Cook Memorial have been designed for people in wheelchairs or with access needs.

• On special occasions, the jet is activated outside of usual operating hours and sometimes illuminated with lights at night.

How to get there

Visitors to Canberra can reach the Captain Cook Memorial in several ways, depending on where they’re coming from in the city. Walking to the globe on the waterfront takes roughly 20 minutes from the city center and is near other places along the lake. There are several car parks at Regatta Point for travelers arriving by car, while many city buses stop at the nearby Regatta Point bus stop on Commonwealth Avenue.

When to get there

To see the Captain Cook Memorial Jet in action, you’ll need to come down to Lake Burley Griffin in the late morning through early afternoon, as it only operates for a few hours each day (usually 11am-2pm). It’s best to plan a visit at a time when there aren’t high winds, as the jet automatically turns off at certain high wind speeds to prevent it from becoming a hazard.

Things to see at Lake Burley Griffin

Lake Burley Griffin is the unofficial center of Canberra, and its shore is home to an assortment of landmarks and attractions. While on a walk between the bridges of Commonwealth Avenue and Kings Avenue, visitors can stop at the National Capital Exhibition, Rond Terrace viewpoint, 19th-century Blundells Cottage, and the melodic National Carillon on its own little island.