TourismChris ThomsonTue 04 Aug 26
Pencils Pushed to End Five-Year Shutdown of Canberra’s Telstra Tower
The planned 2027-28 reopening of the ACT’s most visible tourist attraction, closed to the public since Covid, is transpiring in a very Canberra manner: pursuant to a heads of agreement between the ACT government and Telstra.
Last week, the territory and Telstra signed the agreement that both say will pave the way for the next stage of planning for the 195m Telstra Tower.
Strikingly visible from around much of the national capital and parts of surrounding New South Wales, the tower rises atop the 812m Black Mountain, meaning the tip of its spire is more than a kilometre above sea level.
ACT chief minister Andrew Barr said the agreement was an important step in transforming the tower into a renewed destination for Canberrans and visitors.
“Telstra Tower is one of Canberra’s most recognisable landmarks and this milestone brings us closer to seeing it reimagined as a destination for future generations,” he said.
“Its revitalisation will help strengthen our tourism offering while creating another place for Canberrans to connect with the stories, culture and innovation that have shaped our city.”
In 2024, after Telstra and the ACT government had signed a letter of intent, national firm Architectus began design work to help reinstate the tower as a premium attraction.
The once-popular tourist attraction, opened in 1980 by then Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, closed in July 2021 during Covid after it was deemed unsuitable for further visitation.
Barr anticipates the lofty tower, which once offered visitors panoramic views of the national capital, will reopen to the public in late 2027 or early 2028, subject to completion of detailed planning, approvals and delivery milestones.
He said the agreement with Telstra established a framework for detailed planning, design, costing and operational work that would “inform final decisions on the project”.
The vision for the tower centres around four themes: the cultural significance of Black Mountain and its surrounds, Canberra’s contemporary character, the story of the tower itself and Australia’s telecommunications history.
Conditional works approval for the tower’s rebirth has been gained from the National Capital Authority.
