Telopea Park, Canberra

Telopea Park is one of Canberra’s oldest and most beloved green spaces, first laid out in 1922 as part of the city’s original garden city design. Stretching between Manuka and Kingston, the park was named after the waratah flower (Telopea speciosissima), a native Australian plant known for its striking red blooms. Over the decades, it has remained a central gathering place for locals, families, and visitors alike, offering a blend of heritage charm and everyday leisure. Mature trees line the park’s paths, creating shaded avenues that reflect early 20th-century landscaping ideals while also serving as a welcome escape from Canberra’s summer sun.

The park’s long, narrow layout follows a natural drainage channel that has been integrated into its design, giving the landscape a gentle, meandering character. A highlight for families is the well-equipped children’s playground, while sports enthusiasts can enjoy the open lawns for cricket, football, or casual games. Throughout the year, Telopea Park provides a peaceful setting for picnics, walks, and community events, with its combination of open grass and tree-filled areas making it a versatile and welcoming public space.

Visitors will also notice the park’s connection to Canberra’s heritage, as many of the original plantings remain in place, representing an important part of the city’s urban planning history. Its central location near Kingston Foreshore and Manuka Oval makes it an easy stop while exploring Canberra’s cultural and dining precincts. Whether you come to relax under the canopy, enjoy a barbecue, or simply stroll through its leafy paths, Telopea Park offers a glimpse of Canberra’s early vision for a “city within a park” brought to life.