

Captain Cook Memorial Jet
In 1770, when Captain James Cook first sighted Australia and landed at Botany Bay, the height of the mast of his ship, Endeavor, was 129 feet. Imagine what he would think today knowing there is a fountain in the Australian capital nearly four times the height of his mast. Sure enough, however, the Captain Cook Memorial Jet has pumps that are strong enough to jettison water over 450 feet in the air. The fountain is located in Lake Burley Griffin off the shores of Commonwealth Park, and a sculpture of a globe on Regatta Point recounts Cook’s journeys to Australia.
The memorial was dedicated in 1970 to mark the 200th anniversary of Cook’s journey, and when the fountain is operating at full power, over six tons of water can be suspended in air before crashing back down to the lake. For visitors more interested in Cook’s journeys than the vertical force of the water, placards next to the large globe sculpture help recount the tales of his adventures. While the memorial itself takes just a short time to visit, it’s a highlight of strolling through Commonwealth Park and a unique tribute to Australia’s past.
Practical Info
Fountain hours can be somewhat irregular, but it usually operates between 2-4pm and from 7-9pm in summer. During periods of high winds, however, the fountain shut off completely, and the water can occasionally be colorfully lit during festivals and special events.
Trip ideas
- Things to do in Batemans Bay
- Things to do in Jervis Bay
- Things to do in Blue Mountains
- Things to do in Sydney
- Things to do in Hunter Valley
- Things to do in Port Stephens
- Things to do in Yarra Valley
- Things to do in Melbourne
- Things to do in Phillip Island
- Things to do in Launceston
- Things to do in Byron Bay
- Things to do in Victoria
- Things to do in New South Wales
- Things to do in Tasmania
- Commonwealth Park
- National Museum of Australia
- National Library of Australia
- Lake Burley Griffin
- Questacon: the National Science and Technology Centre
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- National Portrait Gallery
- High Court of Australia
- Australian War Memorial
- National Gallery of Australia
- National Carillon
- Australian Parliament House
- Mt. Ainslie
- Australian Institute of Sport
- National Zoo & Aquarium