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Saturday 4 May 2024

Morning tour: 10am to 12.30pm
Afternoon tour: 2pm to 4.30pm

Take a guided walk in the Griffins’ Castlecrag and visit the interiors of two beautifully restored homes designed by Walter Burley Griffin.

Both houses have fascinating and innovative architectural features.

The Felstead House built in 1924 has a central open courtyard, now an atrium, and is built of knitlock, an interlocking building tile developed by Griffin.

The Duncan House, as seen on ABC TV’s ‘Restoration Australia’ last year, has an unusual design combining sandstone corner piers with French doors and knitlock.

On the guided walk between the two houses discover this unique Middle Harbour peninsula and its distinctive walkway and reserve network where the guiding Griffin principle was for the buildings to be subordinate to the landscape.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the sculpture to honour Marion Mahony Griffin, to be installed at Castlecrag later this year. Designed by artist Sandra Pitkin, the sculpture has been commissioned by the Walter Burley Griffin Society.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water.

Adults $80, Members $65

Tickets are strictly limited and essential for this special event. Book at Trybooking
https://www.trybooking.com/CPKCI

Note: Nearby on the same day, the Castlecrag Progress Association will be screening a short film The Paradise Plan which explores connections between Canberra and Castlecrag told through the gigante puppets of Walter and Marion. See National Trust Heritage Festival event The Paradise Plan, Castlecrag to book free tickets. The screenings will be at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 4.45pm.

Castlecrag has two cafes: Ganache Patisserie Francaise and Walter Providore. The Incinerator Cafe at Willoughby is 2km away in a building designed by Walter Burley Griffin.

Felstead House, Castlecrag.
Photographed by Michael Thomson 2021