Rethink your routine during the National Multicultural Festival


Released 13/02/2023

Canberrans are asked to plan ahead and rethink their travel routine ahead of this weekend’s entertainment at the National Multicultural Festival.

The festival returns to the city for its 25th anniversary from Friday 17 February to Sunday 19 February.

People attending the National Multicultural Festival are asked to think about leaving the car at home and consider using public transport or a Park and Ride to connect with a bus or light rail service into the city, taking a free shuttle bus service from selected locations, or get active by walking, cycling or scooting to the event.

All Canberrans traveling through the City on Friday 17 February should note that additional lane closures on Vernon Circle could cause significant traffic disruption on Commonwealth Avenue during commuter peak hours.

London Circuit remains closed between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue as part of construction for light rail to Woden. Both cloverleaf ramps from Commonwealth Avenue to Parkes Way and London Circuit are also now permanently closed.

This is in addition to event specific closures (detailed below) and means that roads into the city from south Canberra, such as along Commonwealth Avenue and on Parkes Way via Kings Avenue and the Tuggeranong Parkway, will be busier than usual.

Road closures for the event in the city will be in place in the lead up to, during and after the event. Signage will be in place.

Event road closure details

Road closures from 8pm Tuesday 14 February to 8pm Tuesday 21 February

  • Bunda Street closed in both directions between Bible Lane and Akuna Street.

(Local access available for businesses during this time with entry one way from Mort Street).

  • Genge Street closed in both directions at Bunda Street.
  • Petrie Street closed in both directions at Bunda Street.

Road closure from 4 am Thursday 16 February 2023 to 8 pm Thursday 16 February

  • Ainslie Place closed at London Circuit.
  • London Circuit (eastbound direction) between Northbourne Avenue and Akuna Street, single lane closed.
  • There will be limited access for residents and businesses during this time. Details can be found on the National Multicultural Festival website.

Road closures/impacts from 8pm Thursday 16 February to 4 am Monday 20 February

  • London Circuit closed in both directions between Theatre Lane and Akuna Street.
  • London Circuit closed westbound between Northbourne Avenue and Theatre Lane.
  • London Circuit closed eastbound between Constitution Avenue and Akuna Street.
  • Ainslie Place closed.
  • Akuna Street closed in both directions between Cooyong Street and Rabaul Lane/Hillside Lane.
  • Bunda Street/Binara Street closed in both directions between the Crowne Plaza Hotel driveway and Akuna Street.
  • Vernon Circle northbound will be reduced to a single general traffic lane and a separate bus priority lane.
  • There will be limited access for residents and businesses during this time. Details can be found on the National Multicultural Festival website

Road closure on Saturday 18 February from 2.30pm to 6.30pm

  • Rabaul Lane closed in both directions at Akuna Street.

Changes to bus services

Due to the event road closures, some bus detours and stop closures will be in place in the city from Friday 17 February until Sunday 19 February.

Details of impacted services and stops with maps can be found at www.transport.act.gov.au.

More frequency to light rail services

For attendees taking a light rail service to the event, a special event timetable will be in place with increased frequency in both directions from 6.30pm Friday 17 February to 5.30pm Sunday 19 February.

For patrons who do not have a MyWay card, tickets for bus and light rail travel can be purchased from ticket vending machines at all light rail stops, major bus interchanges and the Canberra Airport.

Free shuttle bus service

In addition to the existing weekend bus services, to reduce congestion in the city, free shuttle buses (operated by CDC Canberra) will help attendees get to the festival without the hassle of city parking. Services will include a ‘Russell to city Loop’, ‘Parliamentary Triangle to city Loop’, ‘Belconnen to Woden Loop via City’ and ‘Woden to Belconnen Loop via City’ during these times:

  • Friday February 17 from 5.30 pm to 11.30 pm.
  • Saturday February 18 from 9 am to 11.30 pm.
  • Sunday February 19 from 9 am to 5.30 pm.

Details of the free shuttle bus service, including maps, can be found at the National Multicultural Festival webpage: www.multiculturalfestival.com.au

For detailed information on road closures in place for the National Multicultural Festival visit www.cityservices.act.gov.au.

For information on transport options and to plan your journey visit www.transport.act.gov.au

- Statement ends -

ACT Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate | Media Releases

Media Contacts

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Jeff Garner

6207 1422


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