An artistic render of the view from the refurbished Telstra Tower. Image: Architectus.
Canberra’s peak tourism body has welcomed news Telstra Tower will receive a slice of the ACT Government’s $15 million tourism budget this year.
Canberra Region Tourism Leaders Forum chair David Marshall told Region the tower was displayed on so much promotional material, yet people haven’t been able to visit it since 2021.
“It doesn’t look like the revolving restaurant is coming back … but we’re hoping to see it reopened by the end of 2026 with a cafe and a few little shops,” he said.
“It is still the best view of the city.”
Ahead of the full reveal of the ACT 2026/27 Budget tonight (24 June), the government announced it would spend $15 million on the city’s “tourism, events and iconic destinations”.
It includes amounts for the Canberra Convention Bureau, which works to attract national business events to the ACT, and the Aviation Stimulus Fund to provide incentives for more carriers to fly into and out of Canberra Airport.
Support will also continue for the ACT’s Major Events Fund, administered by the government’s tourism agency, Visit Canberra, as well as Brand Canberra and the National Capital Educational Tourism Project.
Sign of the times … at least until 2026. Photo: Josip Sladic, Canberra Notice Board Group, Facebook.
Extra funding will go towards this year’s Enlighten, Floriade and New Year’s Eve events and a return of Windows to the World.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the Budget supported a growing visitor economy, with targeted funding to further expand aviation access, bring new events to Canberra and showcase its strengths.
The government will also work with Telstra to deliver a “commercially viable and modern fit-out” of the iconic 157 m telecommunications tower atop Black Mountain.
Shops and at least one cafe will form the tower’s base. Image: Architectus.
“We want Telstra Tower to once again be part of a great Canberra tourism experience,” Mr Barr added.
“By working with Telstra … we can secure the future of this iconic landmark and boost tourism activity.”
The government declined to comment on exactly how much would go towards the project because it was commercial in-confidence.
However, it’s understood the amount will be determined later during further discussions with Telstra and the Federal Government, which is also understood to be contributing towards the project.
Telstra revealed its plans to turn the tower into a “premier destination” in 2023.
The viewing platforms would be fitted with digital technology to show Canberra as it appeared to the First Nations people, and the base of the tower – which has always housed a museum of sorts – would be complemented by “education programs on cultural history”.
Outside, there would also be “community engagement activities” such as market gardens, bush-tucker programs, art exhibitions and cultural demonstrations.
And yes, food and drink would be coming back with “culturally inspired dining facilities”.
Even though nothing seems to have changed at the site, Telstra said this week it had “already undertaken important steps by preparing the tower for redevelopment”.
More viewing platforms. Image: Architectus.
Telstra InfraCo CEO Brendon Riley said the company looked forward to supporting the ACT’s vision through detailed design collaboration and a staged re-opening.
“This project represents a strong commitment from both parties to create something enduring for the Canberra community and its visitors,” he said.
Mr Marshall said the new Budget largely continued with existing funding arrangements, and would be “greatly appreciated” by the sector.
He added the focus in coming years needed to be the new city convention centre.
“We miss out on many national events because our current convention centre is either too small, or not up to the standards. That’s tens of millions of dollars each year,” he said.
