The memorial to the famous seafarer Captain James Cook, the first European to discover Australia, is one of Canberra's most important icons.

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The memorial was unveiled in 1970 to mark the bicentenary of Captain James Cook first sighting the shores of Australia.

The monument on the shore and the fountain in the lake

The memorial is divided into two parts.

At the walking and cycling promenade on the shore at a place called Regatta Point is a bronze globe made of bars representing parallels and meridians.

A much more prominent part of the memorial is right in the middle of Lake Burley Griffin.

The monumental fountain is located about 80 metres from the shore and the water reaches up to 114 metres high.

This fountain is open 24/7 year-round.

How to get there

You'll find the monument near the Exhibition Pavilion in Commonwealth Park, about a 10-minute walk from the centre or Anzac Parade.

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