With a population of over 92,000 people, Belconnen is the most populous district in Canberra and lies 7 kilometres north-west of the city centre. The encompassed Lake Ginninderra defines the region, as the area surrounds the water and receives beautiful sunset views over its western shoreline. Early settlers titled the area of Belconnen, and when planners designed the city, they decided to name the streets of the district after significant Lords and Mayors.
The University of Canberra is in Belconnen, and the large student population inspires the many pubs and bars, which line the shore of Lake Ginninderra and reflect evening lights upon the surface of the water. The lake is a beautiful attraction, the perfect place to swim or relax and, although artificially created, has a range of local wildlife including families of black swans. The town also hosts numerous cafes, the Australian Institute of Sport, a stadium and an impressive Westfield shopping mall.
There is a bus station in the centre of Belconnen, spread across three locations, which has services to other Canberra suburbs and the city centre. Alternatively, drivers can take two main roads, Belconnen Way and Ginninderra Drive, to downtown Canberra, or any one of the highways that eventually lead to other major Australian cities.
Belconnen was once an agricultural land within the watershed of Ginninderra Creek before officials constructed a dam to form Lake Ginninderra and built the suburb around it. The town centre of Belconnen officially opened in the 1970s. However, the original land belongs to the indigenous population of the Ngunnawal tribe, aboriginal people of Australia.