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Spinnaker Island

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Spinnaker Island

Spinnaker Island

Spinnaker Island is a small island located within Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. Named in reference to the local sailing culture, it serves as a visual landmark for those exploring the lake. Travelers typically visit to view the island and the surrounding water while walking or cycling along the lakeshore paths.

Getting There

The island is accessible from the Canberra city centre via the lake's network of pedestrian and cycling paths. Depending on your starting point in the center, it takes approximately 15 to 25 minutes by bicycle or a longer walk along the waterfront.

Time Requirement

Since the island is primarily viewed from the shore rather than visited as a destination with internal facilities, allow 20 to 30 minutes to stop, take photographs, and enjoy the view during a lakeside stroll.

When to Visit

The area is suitable for visiting throughout the year. Early morning or late afternoon provides the best light for viewing the lake. It does not typically get crowded, though the surrounding walking paths are more active on weekends.

Nearby Attractions

You can combine a visit to the island with other nearby sites along the lake:

  • Springbank Island: 0.6km
  • Lake Burley Griffin: 0.7km
  • Sullivans Creek: 1.2km
  • National Museum of Australia: 1.3km

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

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Stays near Spinnaker Island

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

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Spinnaker Island Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Canberra 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Canberra grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

3 nights, 4 days

Canberra 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Canberra grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Springbank Island

Nature

Springbank Island

A small island in Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. When the lake was created, only the higher ground of a former farm remained above water, forming the island as it looks today.

0.6 km away
Lake Burley Griffin

Nature

Lake Burley Griffin

Lake Burley Griffin is Canberra's iconic man-made lake, named after Walter Burley Griffin, the American architect who won the competition to design the city. It's a lovely spot for a lakeside walk with views of Canberra's skyline.

0.7 km away
Sullivans Creek

Nature

Sullivans Creek

This creek runs through central Canberra and belongs to the Murrumbidgee River catchment. It's a great spot for a walk that brings you close to nature right in the heart of the city.

1.2 km away
National Museum of Australia

Museums & galleries

National Museum of Australia

Australia's national museum, located in Canberra. It was established in the capital under a law enacted in 1980.

1.3 km away
Weston Park

Parks & gardens

Weston Park

Weston Park is a park on a peninsula on the western side of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. It's a pleasant spot for a relaxed stroll along the lakeshore.

1.3 km away
Australian National Botanic Gardens

Zoos & aquariums

Australian National Botanic Gardens

The Australian National Botanic Gardens are located in the Acton district of Canberra and opened in 1949. This historic garden showcases a wide variety of Australian plant life.

1.7 km away