John Douglas Gordon, after whom the Queen Elizabeth II Island footbridge is now named, played the inaugural recital.

[4] The carillon features moderate-size function facilities for small gatherings offering views over Lake Burley Griffin and central Canberra.

The carillon is in regular use, chiming every quarter-hour and playing a short tune on the hour along with tours and recitals on many days.

The best place to listen to the carillon is suggested to be within 100 m (330 ft) of the building though the sound can usually be heard much further away in the Parliamentary Triangle, Kingston and Civic.

The quarter-hourly chimes of the National Carillon are reminiscent of those of Big Ben at London's Houses of Parliament.

[5][6] The adjacent National Workers Memorial was constructed with the idea that people attending would hear the sound of bells from the carillon, which would assist them in remembering their loved ones.