Mount Ainslie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Ainslie |
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Mount Ainslie viewed from the Telstra Tower
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 843 m (2,766 ft) |
| Prominence | 163 m (535 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Ainslie
Location in Australian Capital Territory
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| Location | Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Geology | |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Silurian |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Drive |
Mount Ainslie is a hill in Canberra, Australia. It stands about 843 meters (2,766 feet) high. You can find it in the northeastern part of the city. This special hill is also part of the beautiful Canberra Nature Park.
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A Sacred Place
For the Ngunnawal and Ngambri Aboriginal peoples, Mount Ainslie is a very special and sacred place. It's especially important for women's traditional activities and ceremonies.
Where is Mount Ainslie?
Mount Ainslie is located next to Canberra suburbs like Campbell, Ainslie, and Hackett. The hill is named after James Ainslie. He was an early settler in the 1800s. He managed a big farm called Duntroon nearby.
The top of Mount Ainslie has a popular lookout point. From here, you get amazing views of central Canberra. You can see Red Hill to the south and Black Mountain to the west. The views are especially beautiful around sunset.
In 1922, an article said this lookout "will afford an ever changing bird's eye and panoramic picture of the city's buildings and beauty spots." It also mentioned the lovely plains that stretch towards the Yass Plains. There's also an air beacon at the summit. This beacon helps guide planes flying to the nearby Canberra Airport.
The Kokoda Summit Trail
A walking trail starts behind the Australian War Memorial and leads to the top of Mount Ainslie. It's called the Mount Ainslie Kokoda Summit Trail. This path is well-kept with steps and is paved. About 200 people use this trail every day.
Along the trail, you'll find plaques. These plaques remember the battles fought during World War II on the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. The plaques are placed as if you are walking the actual Kokoda Trail. There is also an old quarry about 200 meters from the peak.
Canberra's Design
Mount Ainslie is the northernmost point of a special land axis. This axis was planned by Walter Burley Griffin, who designed Canberra. This line stretches through North and South Canberra. It includes important landmarks like the Australian War Memorial and the old and new Parliament Houses.
In 1912, Walter Burley Griffin won an international competition to design Australia's capital city. He described the area as an "irregular amphitheatre." His wife, Marion Mahony Griffin, also helped with the design. In 2013, the view from the summit of Mount Ainslie was named "Marion Mahony Griffin" in her honor.
Improving the Summit
In 2016, the ACT Government and the National Capital Authority held a design competition. The goal was to create a ten-year plan for the Mount Ainslie summit. The winners were Sue Barnsley and Jane Irwin. They suggested new parking areas, signs, picnic spots, lawns, and plantings to make the summit even better.
