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Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet
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Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet

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Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet
3.5
67 reviews
#74 of 237 things to do in Canberra
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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171 within 6 miles
National Capital Exhibition
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Lake Burley Griffin
1,930
0.3 miBodies of Water
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
67 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
26
Average
17
Poor
5
Terrible
4
AndyJohn74
Sans Souci, Australia2,656 contributions
Memorial Jet.
Feb 2023 • Business
This water jet is located within Lake Burley Griffin, just south of the National Capital Exhibition. Dedicated in 1970, it was designed to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Captain James Cooks journey to, what is now known as, Australia.
Written February 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia12,471 contributions
Water feature commemorates great explorer
Jul 2022
This water jet is a Canberra landmark. It resembles the water jet in Lake Geneva in Switzerland, from which it was derived, after many diplomatic high-level negotiations. The water jet is a Canberra landmark, it can be seen from most parts of the city. The water is drawn from Lake Burley Griffin, and then returns there. The water jet is often coloured on special occasions. The water jet commemorates the bicentenary of the sighting of south-eastern Australia by Captain James Cook RN on 19 April 1770. Cook was an seaman, explorer, navigator, cartographer and practical dietician.
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
westy54
Sydney, Australia8,739 contributions
First time I have seen this water jet operating on many visits to Canberra.
Mar 2022
The Memorial Jet was built to commemorate the Bicentenary of Captain James Cook's first sighting of the east coast of Australia. It was officially inaugurated in April 1970.

When operating, the jet can send water up to a height of 152 metres, pumping water from, and returning it to, Lake Burley Griffen.

I have read where it normally only operates from 11am to 2pm daily but also may not operate if it is too windy, or the water quality is poor.
Written May 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia42,596 contributions
Canberra landmark!
Sep 2019
The Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet is a Canberra landmark. It is a great sight and can be seen from a number of spots at some distance. We have seen it on many occasions when visiting Canberra, although on a few it has not been in operation. It operates quite regularly, from 11am to 2.00pm every day. The water jet is part of a memorial for Captain James Cook who arrived on the eastern coast of Australia in 1770 for the British government. The other "half" of the Memorial is a sort of bronze sculpture of the globe showing Cook's journeys. Quite fascinating.
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Niccers16
Bundaberg, Australia371 contributions
Amazing to see
Aug 2019 • Couples
Spent 5 days in Canberra and the water jet is visible from many locations. Not sure how often the jet is on as it wasn’t working everytime we went past, but we stopped on a couple of occasions just to take photos.
Worth stopping for a photo as it’s seen in lots of photos of Canberra.
Written August 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Xanerin
Alice Springs, Australia1,486 contributions
Shoot For The Stars
Jul 2019 • Couples
This looks beautiful in the lake and makes a lovely setting. It certainly powers up to a great height but even though it does this, it is not something I would go purposely to see. If you are going past, then it makes a good photo.
Written July 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jessie L
Melbourne, Australia49 contributions
Disappointment
May 2019 • Family
Travelled to Canberra and waited till 12:30 to see the water jet before we drove back to Melbourne.
Water jet wasn’t on. It was ANZAC day so not sure if it was because of that.
Written May 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oscar Smith
Newcastle, Australia2,553 contributions
Not working, nothing, zilch, not even a dribble
Mar 2019 • Solo
I visited a couple of times and it wasn't working. A bit of an anti climax if you are wondering what I think.
Written March 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SerendipityIndia
New Delhi, India1,244 contributions
Central fountain in the lake
Jul 2018 • Friends
The jet in the middle of Lake Burley Griffin is instantly recognizable and made for a nice panoramic photo with the backdrop of mountains and the city. It added that extra zing to the walk around the lake.
Written March 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
llsaPortElliot
Port Elliot483 contributions
Pretty speccy
Sep 2018 • Couples
When you read the stats on the power of the pumps and the amount of water they move it is easy to be impressed!
A nice backdrop to the Constitutional Museum providing a special view.
Written October 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet, Canberra

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