It has been at the centre of many of the big moments in Australian political history, and on Saturday thousands of people got the chance to peep inside the former sheep station turned official residence.
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Government House is the first stop for the prime minister before embarking on an election campaign, and the gates were thrown open for the public to take that same trip down Dunrossil Drive.
Governor-General David Hurley said the house's real purpose was for inviting Australians in.
"Not just on this open day like today, but many of the organisations we're involved with and engage with, we'll hold functions here for them. And it's really a recognition and acknowledgement of the great work they do," he said.
"So the house really has a purpose in that sense."
General Hurley, who spends about half his time in Canberra between trips across the country, said it was a privilege as governor of NSW and now governor-general to interact widely with the community.
"We love engaging with people across the board. One of the beauties of my previous job and this job is you get access into so many lives and so many great organisations, so that's an important part of [the role]."
Thirty-six charities and organisations had stalls on the grounds of the house, which feature expansive lawns and tranquil gardens first mapped out by Charles Weston, who oversaw many of the early tree plantings in the fledgling capital.
We enjoyed moving back to Canberra. We're going to retire into Canberra. Being on a house on the water, not too bad a start. But my next house won't be like this one.
- Governor-General David Hurley
The federal government bought the house in 1913. It was first built in 1891 has been extensively renovated, remodelled and extended over the years since.
When Parliament opened in Canberra in 1927, Lord Stonheaven was the first governor-general to move in.
in 1913, and it has been home to governors-general and provided accommodation for visiting members of the royal family.
"Well, living in Yarralumla is not normal," said General Hurley, who became the 27th governor-general in July.
Modern heating did wonders for the solid old building during Canberra's long winters, and it was hard to go past a view over the water, he said.
"Of course, we enjoyed moving back to Canberra. We're going to retire into Canberra. Being on a house on the water, not too bad a start. But my next house won't be like this one."
General Hurley and his wife, Linda, lived in Canberra between 2008 and 2014 while he served as vice-chief and then chief of the Defence Force.
He told the Sunday Canberra Times the start and end of each day at Government House was often "quite spectacular".
"When we'd moved to Sydney, five years ago, I'd forgotten about the Sydney dawns, how spectacular how they are over the harbour," he said.
"And then when we came back again we said, 'Yes, the sunsets'. But the dawns here have been delightful in the morning as well."
Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
