Acton District Park

What you'll see

The protected northern foreshore of West Basin is a perfect starting point to enjoy Lake Burley Griffin.

At Acton Park, you can see:

• a historic grove of she-oak trees planted in 1927
• a largely deciduous landscape dominated by willows and a variety of poplar species (some of the poplars are special varieties raised by the Australian National University)
• a sign near Commonwealth Avenue Bridge with information on 5 different tourist drives in Canberra starting in Acton Park
• a memorial seat about 50-metres east of the ferry terminal commemorating planner and architect, Grenfell Rudduck (1914–1964) who helped to plan and build Canberra
• Canberra and Region Visitors Centre and Henry Rolland Park nearby.

European heritage

Lieutenant Arthur Jeffreys named the area 'Acton' in 1843.

Construction of Acton Park started in the late 1910s under the direction of Walter Burley Griffin. Earthworks for a 'West Basin Boulevard' were carried out roughly on the present shoreline of the basin. In 1922, Charles Weston, Canberra's first Superintendent, Parks and Gardens, planted trees nearby. The area now covered by water was for many years a place for sporting activities.

More construction was undertaken in the park in the early 1960s when Lake Burley Griffin was built.