Blundells Cottage is a small, heritage-listed stone house museum on Wendouree Drive, beside Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. Built in the 1850s, it predates the capital and gives a close-up view of the home and belongings of people who lived here as Canberra grew. Visit the displays and, when it is open, take a tour with a volunteer. Outside, the cottage sits against a striking change of scene: the lake, distant hills and modern city buildings.
A cottage from Canberra’s early years
Blundells Cottage is a heritage-listed house museum on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin. Built in the 1850s, it was already standing before Canberra was chosen as Australia’s capital. The cottage is made of stone, including stone taken from Mount Ainslie.
The house is associated with three tenant families: the Ginns, the Blundells and the Oldfields. Over about a century, it also accommodated extended family members and boarders as the new capital grew. Displays inside give a sense of the lives lived in this modest home.
Inside the house museum
The cottage has six rooms, with historical objects and displays that help explain how its residents lived. The interior is compact, so there is not a large collection to work through. When the house is closed, you can still see much of the interior through the windows and read information boards around the site.
Volunteer-led tours add context about the cottage and its past. The public opening is limited to Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm, so check the schedule before planning your visit.
The cottage beside the lake
When the cottage was built, it overlooked the Molonglo River and stood among paddocks. The setting has since changed: Lake Burley Griffin now lies beside it, with Canberra’s modern buildings and the surrounding hills in view. That contrast gives the visit a clear sense of how much the area has changed.
The grounds are also a stopping point for people walking or jogging by the lake. If you are visiting outside the cottage’s public hours, the exterior, window views and information boards still provide a brief look at the site.
FAQ
When is Blundells Cottage open?
The cottage is open to the public on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Check the schedule before visiting.
Can you see inside when the cottage is closed?
You can look through the windows to see much of the interior and read the information boards outside.
Is parking available at Blundells Cottage?
Weekday parking is free for up to two hours between 7:30 am and 6 pm. Spaces can fill up.
How long should you allow for a visit?
Allow about 30 to 60 minutes to see the cottage and its displays or join a tour.
