Parkes

ACT 2600 • Australian Capital Territory

0
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
3.07 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricHeritageCBD-Adjacent

About Parkes

Parkes is a prestige diplomatic and institutional suburb in the heart of Canberra, postcode 2600, forming part of the Parliamentary Triangle between Lake Burley Griffin and Capital Hill. The 2021 Census recorded zero permanent residents across its 3 square kilometres, reflecting Parkes' function as the home of Australia's most significant national institutions and diplomatic missions rather than a conventional residential suburb. The locality is named after Sir Henry Parkes, a founding father of the Australian federation.

Parkes is home to a remarkable concentration of national assets, including the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, the High Court of Australia, the National Library of Australia, Questacon (National Science and Technology Centre), and numerous foreign embassy buildings. The suburb sits between Lake Burley Griffin's northern shore and the slopes of Capital Hill, with grand boulevards, wide open spaces, and formal parkland creating one of Australia's most architecturally distinctive streetscapes. It is a major visitor and tourist destination for Canberra.

Parkes falls under postcode 2600 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Murrumbidgee electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2600
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.30°, 149.20°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
3.07 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Transport Canberra Route 3, 9 — Canberra City (Civic) 8-15 min

Commute to Canberra CBD (Civic)

Distance
2 km
By Train
No direct rail; frequent buses and cycle paths
By Car (Peak)
5-12 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
4-8 min

🛣️ Excellent walking and cycling links via Lake Burley Griffin paths; bus connections to CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Extensive walking paths and cycling routes around Lake Burley Griffin; no local shops but nearby CBD and Kingston accessible

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
0
0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
N/A
Personal Income 2021
N/A
0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Parkes ACT known for? +

Parkes is known as the home of Australia's most significant national institutions, including the Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia, High Court, National Library, and Questacon, as well as dozens of foreign embassy buildings.

How far is Parkes from Canberra CBD? +

Parkes is approximately 2 kilometres south-east of the Canberra CBD (Civic), easily accessible by bus, bicycle, or a pleasant walk along Lake Burley Griffin.

Does Parkes have public transport? +

Yes, Transport Canberra bus routes serve the Parkes precinct, with stops near the major national institutions.

What is the population of Parkes? +

The 2021 Census recorded zero permanent residents in Parkes, as the suburb is entirely dedicated to institutional, diplomatic, and national heritage purposes.

Can visitors explore Parkes ACT? +

Absolutely. Parkes is one of Canberra's top visitor destinations, with free or low-cost entry to the Australian War Memorial, National Gallery, High Court, National Library, and Questacon.

What is the postcode for Parkes? +

The postcode for Parkes is 2600.