Ngamawari is steadily coming to life at Acton Waterfront, with construction progressing well on this exciting new lakeside park, due for completion in 2028.
Designed in partnership with the Ngunnawal community, Ngamawari will be a place for people to connect, gather and learn. Through native gardens, community spaces and integrated artworks, the park will celebrate the stories, flora and fauna of Ngunnawal Country and create new opportunities to experience and connect with Country.
More than 700 tonnes of boulders are being placed across the site. These impressive natural features will play an important role in shaping the landscape, incorporating engraved artworks and storytelling elements while creating sheltered spaces for gathering and reflection.
The boulders also help reinforce the meaning of the name Ngamawari, which translates to "cave place". Their placement will create cave-like landforms throughout the park, giving visitors a unique and immersive experience that reflects the cultural significance of the location.
The boulders have been naturally rounded and shaped by weathering over millions of years. Sourced from Ngunnawal Country in Wee Jasper, and Wiradjuri Country in the Forbes area in the Central West region of NSW, they come from the same granite rock fault line that runs through Ngunnawal Country in Canberra.
Varying in size from 5 to 30 tonnes, each boulder must be carefully lifted and positioned using cranes. Their installation requires a high level of precision and expertise to ensure every piece is placed safely and in accordance with the park design.
As work progresses, the vision for Ngamawari is becoming increasingly visible, offering a glimpse of the welcoming destination that will become a key part of the Acton Waterfront neighbourhood. The park will include an adventure playground, artworks, extensive native gardens, new toilets, two pavilions, and event spaces.
We are excited to watch this new space come together.
If you want to know more, have a read of Ngamawari: the story behind Canberra's newest public park
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
