Road Photos & Information: Australian Capital Territory
Northbourne Avenue, Vernon Circle, Commonwealth Avenue, State Circle, Capital Circle, Canberra Avenue, Hume Place and Monaro Highway (National Route 23) - Acton to Fyshwick

Statistics:

Route Numbering:

General Information:

In the ACT, NR23 serves as the main connector route through suburban Canberra.

The route varies from multi-laned dual carriageway in the urban areas of North and South Canberra to rural highway further south of the city. It passes directly past Australia's Parliament House and other significant areas containing offices for the administration of the country. It also passes through suburban areas, industrial areas at Fyshwick and Hume, plus farming zones and bushland.

Between the spans on the southern side of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge over Lake Burley Griffin, there's two granite stones from the 1817 Waterloo Bridge across the River Thames in London. These were presented to Australia after the 1817 Waterloo Bridge was demolished in the 1940s and replaced by a modern structure. A plaque reads, in part, "Stones such as these from the bridge were presented to Australia and other parts of the British world to further historic links in the British Commonwealth of Nations".

History:

Commonwealth Avenue:

State Circle:

Capital Circle:

Canberra Avenue:

Hume Place (Hume Circle):

Click here for photos of the old NR23 alignment along Sturt Avenue and Jerrabomberra Avenue.

Acton to Fyshwick   Fyshwick to Acton
Preview: Description:   Preview: Description:
Commonwealth Avenue Bridge:
Commonwealth Av approaching Lake Burley Griffin at Acton, October 2007.

Image © Paul Rands

  Entering South Canberra:
Canberra Avenue at Narrabundah as it enters the region of South Canberra, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

King Edward Terrace Junction:
Corner of Commonwealth Av and King Edward Tce at Parkes, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Nyrang Street Intersection:
Corner of Canberra Avenue and Nyrang Street in Narrabundah, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:
Supplemental AD sign at Parkes, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Dalby Street Junction:
Advance directional sign acting as an intersection directional sign at the junction with Dalby Street in Narrabundah, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Queen Victoria Terrace and Coronation Drive:
Inside the "Parliamentary Triangle" southbound, approaching the intersection with Queen Victoria Terrace and Coronation Drive, which is used for access to Yarralumla and parklands, which was once the workers town area of Westlake during the early days of construction of the capital. This area has restrictions on all forms of construction because of its important nature to the Nation. February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Approaching Hume Place:
AD sign approaching Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 / TD5), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching State Circle:
Southbound at Parkes, approaching State Circle, Capital Hill and Parliament House, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Trailblazer:
TD5 trailblazdr approaching Hume Place at Griffith. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Road Tunnel:
Southeastbound as you pass under Federation Mall on State Circle, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Hume Place:
Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 / TD5), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Road Tunnel:
Southeastbound as you pass under Federation Mall on State Circle, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Hume Place:
Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 / TD5), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Southbound Approaching Canberra Avenue:
Heading south near Barton & Capital Hill as you approach the turn for NR23 / Canberra Avenue, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Cunningham & Barrallier Streets:
Looking southeast on Canberra Av in Grffith at the junction with Cunningham and Barrallier Street, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

National Circuit Intersection:
Intersection directional sign at the corner of Canberra Avenue and National Terrace at Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Lefroy and Eyre Street Junction:
Canberra Avenue in Griffith at the junction with Eyre Street and Lefroy Street, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:
Reassurance directional sign on Canberra Avenue at Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Old Black Intersection Directional Signs:
Approaching the junction with, Manuka Circle, Captain Cook Crescent in Griffith, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Furneaux Street Intersection:
Manuka Circle approaching Furneaux Street at Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Captain Cook Crescent & Manuka Circle Junction:
Manuka Circle at the junction with Captain Cook Crescent in Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Flinders Way Junction:
Corner of Manuka Circle and Flinders Way in Griffith, June 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

  Flinders Way Junction:
Corner of Manuka Circle and Flinders Way in Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Captain Cook Crescent & Manuka Circle Junction:
Manuka Circle at the junction with Captain Cook Crescent in Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  National Circuit Intersection:
Canberra Avenue in Forrest at National Circuit. December 2009. Note Parliament House and St Andrews Church in the distance.

Image © Paul Rands

Captain Cook Crescent & Manuka Circle Junction:
Manuka Circle at the junction with Captain Cook Crescent in Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Canberra Av in Forrest, approaching State Circle and Capital Circle, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Captain Cook Crescent & Manuka Circle Junction:
Manuka Circle at the junction with Captain Cook Crescent in Barton, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  State Circle Intersection:
Corner of Canberra Avenue, State Circle and Capital Circle in Forrest. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Old Black Intersection Directional Sign:
Old black ID sign at the Dawes Street junction in Griffith, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  State Circle Intersection:
Corner of Canberra Avenue, State Circle and Capital Circle in Forrest. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Cunningham & Barrallier Streets:
Looking southeast on Canberra Av in Grffith at the junction with Cunningham and Barrallier Street, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Old Black Directional Sign:
AD sign as you approach Canberra Avenue on State Circle (ACT TD5 section) at Forrest. One of Canberra's oldest buildings is located in the distance: St Andrews Presbyterian Chuch. July 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Cunningham & Barrallier Streets:
Looking southeast on Canberra Av in Grffith at the junction with Cunningham and Barrallier Street, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Approaching Brisbane Avenue:
Heading north near the junction with Brisbane Avenue. Capital Hill is on the left of the road and the suburb of Barton is on the right, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Hume Place:
Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 / TD5), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

  Tourist Drive 6 Trailblazer:
TD6 (now defunct) trailblazer on Capital Hill near the junction with Brisbane Avenue, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Hume Place:
Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 / TD5), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

  Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign approaching Kings Avenue (TD5) at Capital Hill. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Hume Place:
Hume Place - the corner of Canberra Av (NR23 / TD5), Wentworth Av and Sturt Av at Griffith, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

  End Tourist Drive 6:
End TD6 (now defunct) trailblazer on Capital Hill near the junction with Brisbane Avenue, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Distance Sign:
Reassurance directional sign on Canberra Avenue, near McMillan Cr at Fyshwick, February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Federation Mall Overpass:
State Circle approaching the Federation Mall overpass on Capital Hill. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign approaching Dalby Street at Fyshwick, June 2013. Click here for a photo of this location from December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

  Commonwealth Avenue Overpass:
Advance directional sign near the Commonwealth Av overpass at Capital Hill, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Nyrang Street Junction:
Corner of Canberra Av and Nyrang St in Fyshwick, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

  Commonwealth Avenue On Ramp:
Intersection directional sign on the ramp from State Circle to Commonwealth Avenue, on Capital Hill, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Hand Painted Speed Limit Sign:
Old hand painted 80 km/h speed limit sign on Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

  Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign for the Flynn Drive intersection on State Circle, as viewed from the Commonwealth Avenue on ramp. December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick, approaching Monaro Highway (ALT-NR23, NR23 / TD5) and Ipswich Street. February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign approaching Queen Victoria Terrace and Coronation Drive in Yarralumla. October 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign on Canberra Avenue in Fyshwick, at the junction with Monaro Highway (ALT-NR23, NR23 / TD5) and Ipswich Street. February 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

  Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign at the junction with the Hyatt Hotel, near Kaye Street in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Monaro Highway Interchange:
The interchange with Monaro Hwy (ALT-NR23, NR23 / TD5) at Fyshwick, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

  Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign approaching Kaye Street in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

      Kaye Street Junction:
Corner of Commonwealth Av and Kaye St in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

      Commonwealth Avenue Bridge:
Approaching Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in Yarralumla, December 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Click here for the continuation of NR23 between Fyshwick and Gilmore
Click here for the continuation of NR23 between Downer & Acton

1 Canberra - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, John Overall, p. 12, ISBN 0-9593910-6-1
2 Canberra Times, Page 4, 2 October 1937
3 ACT Heritage Library, ImagesACT, Second Commonwealth Avenue Bridge
4 Canberra’s Engineering Heritage, 2nd edition, 1990
5 Northern Star, Page 7, 6 August 1923
6 Canberra Times, Page 1, 25 March 1929
7 Canberra Times, Page 4, 31 October 1929
8 Canberra Times, Page 2, 4 June 1945
9 Canberra Times, Page 3, 25 September 1945
10 Canberra Times, Page 3, 2 April 1946
11 Canberra Times, Page 4, 1 April 1947
12 Canberra Times, Page 5, 3 July 1958
13 Canberra Times, Page 3, 3 March 1960
14 Canberra Times, Page 9, 5 May 1961
15 Canberra Times, Page 3, 14 November 1961
16 Canberra Times, Page 6, 16 February 1962
17 Canberra Times, Page 1, 29 March 1962
18 Canberra Times, Page 31, 7 March 1963
19 Canberra Times, Page 3, 7 May 1963
20 Canberra Times, Page 1, 10 September 1963
21 Canberra Times, Page 1, 31 October 1963
22 ACT Heritage Library, ImagesACT, Commonwealth Avenue bridge, with Scotts Crossing in the foreground, the Albert Hall at left and the Canadian flagpole at Regatta Point at right
23 Canberra Times, Page 8, 19 January 1965
24 Canberra Times, Page 3, 21 June 1965
25 Canberra Times, Page 3, 2 October 1965
26 Canberra Times, Page 8, 5 June 1969
27 Canberra Times, Page 3, 27 June 1969
28 Canberra Times,
29 ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Commonwealth Avenue
30 Canberra Times, Page 10, 30 April 1984
31 ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, State Circle
32 Canberra Times, Page 10, 18 October 1958
33 Canberra Times, Page 2, 14 February 1959
34 Canberra Times, Page 3, 3 March 1960
35 Canberra Times, Page 19, 22 October 1968
36 Canberra Times, Page 8, 9 April 1969
37 Canberra Times, Page 1, 28 May 1969
38 Canberra Times, Page 1, 25 November 1969
39 Canberra Times, Page 3, 24 February 1970
40 Canberra Times, Page 1, 7 September 1970
41 Canberra Times, Page 6, 7 January 1983
42 Canberra Times, Page 8, 18 April 1983
43 Canberra Times, Page 11, 17 September 1983
44 Canberra Times, Page 10, 2 March 1987
45 Canberra Times, Page 7, 29 September 1987
46 Canberra Times, Page 8, 3 August 1971
47 Canberra Times, Page 8, 15 December 1971
48 Canberra Times, Page 3, 8 March 1974
49 ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Capital Circle
50 Canberra Times, Page 8, 18 April 1983
51 Canberra Times, Page 9, 25 October 1984
52 Canberra Times, Page 9, 25 October 1984
53 Canberra Times, Page 14, 12 October 1986
54 Canberra Times, Page 1, 12 December 1986
55 ACT Planning & Land Authority, Place Name Search, Canberra Avenue
56 Capital Hill Apartments, History
57 Canberra Times, Page 2, 28 February 1952
58 Canberra Times, Page 4, 16 May 1953
59 Canberra Times, Page 6, 16 February 1962
60 Canberra Times, Page 8, 10 June 1965
61 Canberra Times, Page 1, 6 December 1965
62 Canberra Times, Page 10, 21 December 1965
63 Canberra Times, Page 10, 20 September 1968
64 Canberra Times, Page 1, 30 January 1976
65 Canberra Times, Page 3, 30 July 1976
66 Canberra Times, Page 7, 6 May 1977
67 Canberra Times, Page 3, 15 August 1979
68 Canberra Times, Page 6, 16 April 1982
69 Canberra Times, Page 9, 6 February 1988
70 Canberra Times, Page 5, 22 November 1989

Last updated: 05-Feb-2019 22:21

This site © Paul Rands. All rights reserved. Some portions © (copyright) by their respective and credited owners. Permission must be obtained before using any images from this site. For details, please email by clicking here.