Lindsay Pryor National Arboretum — Attraction in District of Canberra Central

Generous parking (no shade) for dog-friendly walking access to lake with medium-aged forest trees and tracks

Text on the sign:

"YARRAMUNDI REACH

LINDSAY PRYOR NATIONAL ARBORETUM

This place was named as an arboretum in 2001, the centenary year of the Australian Federation. The arboretum commemorates the contribution to the nation of the late Professor Lindsay Pryor AO (1915–98), eminent Australian forest scientist, botanist and landscape architect. It was established as a place for recreation, scientific research and public education and in recognition of the great importance of trees and forests to Australia in the centuries ahead.

Originally this site was part of Walter Burley Griffin's 1915 proposal for a large 'continental arboretum', which was not built.

In the period from 1954 to 1957 Lindsay Pryor, then Director of Parks and Gardens, planted the area with mixed indigenous, deciduous and coniferous trees. Fifty different tree species were used. The catalyst for the planting was a comment by then Governor-General Field Marshal Sir William Slim who was keen to improve the northerly view from Government House.

The arboretum will evolve as a place of significance to the nation, ensuring enhanced public recreation and further development of the collection and scientific research and public education. The wooded character of the Government House - Yarramundi Reach precinct will be maintained and strengthened. The arboretum reflects Professor Pryor's contribution to forestry, botany and landscape architecture and, particularly, the development and protection of the landscape...

It's a nice space, lovely to walk amongst the trees and by the lake. It is a little run down, somebody set it up a few years ago but obviously not spent much on maintenance, but I love the old trees and good tracks to explore. I also think it's got a nicer view of Yarralumla than the lookout on Lady Denman Drive, especially in...

This is also a very large offleash dog area, after you cross the bike path adjoining the carpark. Two main access points to the lake (check algae levels in summer). The arboretum trees are growing well and with original vegetation and earlier plantings a...