High Court of Australia

This concrete and glass structure beside Lake Burley Griffin houses three courtrooms with public galleries where hearings on constitutional and federal matters take place, alongside chambers for justices, spaces for legal practitioners and administrative staff, plus areas dedicated to storing legal documentation and historical records.

Established in 1903 as an independent judicial body, the institution initially convened in Melbourne before moving to a purpose-built structure in the capital designed by architect Colin Madigan in 1980, symbolizing the physical separation of the judiciary from executive and legislative branches within the Australian system of government.

This institution has shaped Australian society through landmark rulings on citizenship, Aboriginal rights, and the balance of power between federal and state governments, with decisions that continue to influence public debate and the relationship between different levels of government throughout the nation's constitutional framework.

Court sessions take place on weekdays and the public may attend without prior booking, entering through the main entrance where security screening applies. Parking facilities are available nearby and the building is accessible via public transport from central Canberra, while a small cafe inside offers refreshments during breaks in proceedings.

A polished granite sculpture by artist Robert Woodward adorns the facade, representing abstract legal principles and positioned above the entrance to remind visitors of the foundational values of justice before they step inside to witness proceedings in one of the three courtrooms within the building.

Inception: August 25, 1903

Website: https://hcourt.gov.au

GPS coordinates: -35.29889,149.13583

Latest update: December 1, 2025 08:34