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Place in Australian Capital Territory
Photo: Photo by en:User:Surgeonsmate, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Memorials, military sites, and parks all characterise North Canberra, a district comprised of several neighbourhoods in the District of Canberra Central.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
AWM
Not just a memorial, this is one of Australia's premier museums, covering Australian military history from the Federation to the present day and including fascinating exhibits of equipment, memorabilia, and battle dioramas. You could easily spend a full day here (it has a cafe, or bring a picnic lunch if the weather is nice and sit on the lawns at the front). Anzac Parade, leading up to the War Memorial has several memorials to different wars and those involved in wars. Free entry, allow 4–7 hours. The AWM opens its large storage warehouse in the industrial suburb of Mitchell to the public once every few years (usually in September or October), and this is a must-see event for people interested in military history. A Last Post Ceremony paying tribute to one of the soldiers on the Roll of Honour is held at 4:45PM every day, just before the memorial closes to the public for the day. Attendance at the ceremony is free but must be booked in advance due to the limited number of spaces. Every first and third Wednesday of the month from February to November, Australia's Federation Guard mounts a catafalque party at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier and performs a precision military drill as the catafalque party is dismounted as part of the Last Post Ceremony. The AWM is mid-way through a major expansion, and many of its galleries are closed.
ADFA
While the grounds of ADFA are open to the public they are of little interest to travellers. There's an excellent collection of books on military history in the ADFA library, and the library also sometimes has small exhibitions of historic items on its upper level. If you happen to be around in the area on the last Saturday in August, the Academy's open day is worth checking out – it boasts interesting displays of current military hardware, including armoured vehicles and helicopters, and displays of military marching and infantry tactics by the cadets.
The Australian Army's officer training academy was established in 1911 and pre-dates the city of Canberra by two years. Its grounds are open to the public, though access to most buildings is restricted. The Changi Chapel, halfway along Miles Road, was constructed by Australian prisoners of war being held in Singapore during World War II and was moved to Duntroon following the war.
This large office complex houses the administrative headquarters of the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Defence. While none of its buildings are open to the public, visitors can walk around the area. The large Australian-American Memorial is the only sight of any interest, however.
An 18-hole par 70 course set within the defence grounds of Duntroon. The public is permitted to play via booking, and the course hosts regular club and social competitions. Facilities include a small clubhouse, equipment hire, and an outdoor barbecue area.
An 18-hole par 70 parkland course featuring tree-lined fairways, bunkering, and active water hazards. The site includes on-site self-contained accommodation units, a fully licensed clubhouse, a pro shop, and bowling greens. Open to members and social players daily.
Haig Park is a park in the suburbs of Braddon and Turner near Northbourne Avenue. The park is named to honour Earl Haig, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Forces during the First World War, and spans the distance between Mount Ainslie and Black Mountain. The park comprises fourteen rows of trees planted to form a windbreak and shelterbelt.
Mount Pleasant Lookout
The hill which overlooks the Royal Military College — Duntroon and the nearby Australian Defence Force Academy is topped by the modest Royal Australian Artillery Memorial, which includes two historic cannons. The grave of General William Bridges, the first commander of the Australian troops at Gallipoli, is just off General Bridges Drive at the base of Mount Pleasant: Bridges was killed in May 1915 and is one of only two Australians killed in the war to have been returned home for burial (the other being the Unknown Soldier at the nearby Australian War Memorial).
A well-preserved cottage from the 1860s used by several families and tenants until 1960. Though it's now in the midst of an urban area when this cottage was first built, it was in the heart of rural New South Wales, but ever since the surroundings have changed, and today, it is a remnant of Canberra's rural past.
See an exhibition about the original Burley Griffin Plan for Canberra and how the city was planned and built. Good views over Lake Burley Griffin out to the museums on the Lake's south shore.
This carillon on Queen Elizabeth II Island was given as a gift by the British for Canberra's 50th anniversary and symbolises the relations between the United Kingdom and Australia. It's got 57 bronze bells, each weighing somewhere between 7 kg, and 6 tonnes (metric tonnes that is), and the tower rises to 50 metres.
An open-air event venue where many musical, cultural and sporting events are regularly hosted every year. Most of the events only draw local Canberrans, but some like Canberra's iconic Floriade festival draw flora enthusiasts from all over Australia.
Australian National Capital Artists Gallery
This gallery's several exhibitions feature the work of local Canberran artists. Contrary to what most art galleries do, there is no emphasis on quality though in practice, what you see here is just as good as any other art gallery.
Historic Duntroon Dairy
Built in 1832, this building is believed to be the oldest building in the ACT standing. It's only open on request, but you can still see the building very close to a small carpark off Kelliher Dr. There's plenty of informative signage, and you'll see some excellent views over Lake Burley Griffin.
A government-owned outdoor field hockey stadium containing three international standard water-based hockey pitches which are used for both international and domestic competition, as well as training activities.
Consecrated in 1845, this Anglican church is the oldest in Canberra and pre-dates the city's establishment by almost 70 years. It has a small schoolhouse museum.
Enjoy a coffee and explore an art exhibition. Comfy couches.
A restaurant specialising in modern-Afghani cuisine, a cuisine that few have tried which is a mix of South Asian cuisine and Middle Eastern cuisine. Bookings aren't required, but are strongly recommended by either filling out a form on their website or by giving them a ring.
Hopscotch Bar
A classic restaurant and pub with lots of good cocktails, a good vibe and some live music. Bookings are highly recommended, but time slots are limited to two hours.
Cheap and tasty Vietnamese, very popular with the local Vietnamese community and known for its good range soup. There's a good bar nearby too.
An upscale fine-dining restaurant specialising in French cuisine, in particular, seafood. The wines however, are unambiguously an Australianised version resembling French wines. The venue is explicitly 18+ only though.
A mid-range vegan restaurant, and a rare sight in Canberra with delicious soy-based versions of everything. If you're not used to eating vegan cuisine but want to try, this place is a great place to start. Though this restaurant is in Canberra's de facto Chinatown, it's actually a Vietnamese restaurant, but there's plenty of other Southeast Asian dishes.
It's been a long established budget favourite in Canberra for many. It specialises in Southeast Asian noodles with terrific laksa and is quite cheap if you put a bit of thought into the price.
A rather noisy budget cheap traditional dumpling restaurant with lots of beef, pork and noodle options on the menu.
A mid-range Korean barbecue restaurant with an extensive menu of noodles, hot pots, stews and soups, Korean pancakes and most importantly, chicken! Korean drinks are also available.
A very flavourful restaurant with some excellent laksa and noodles available. It's a mid-range restaurant, but there are plenty of budget options available if you're on a budget.
A teppanyaki restaurant specializing in Japanese and Taiwanese cuisine. Keep in mind however, that you'll need to make a booking 24 hours in advance before coming here, and there is also an additional deposit fee of $20.
It is Canberra's first Chinese restaurant with many barbecue dishes and noodles in soup options available. The chef's specialty is laksa though, not the former two mentioned. BYO available.
A mix of Thai and Lao cuisines – owners are very nice and friendly, and wait times are not too long. There is quite the emphasis on Lao, also because of how rare it simply is to encounter Laotian food in Australia, let alone Canberra.
Brewpub offering 18 taps of beer and cider brewed entirely on-site (such as Crankshaft IPA).
Large and popular pub
Classic pub and bistro.
Srawling, multi-level local institution.
Popular pub with food options.
Community-run suburban bar and cafe.
Café by day and gastropub by evening.
This local institution is a beloved cultural icon of North Canberra. It was founded in 1984 as a groundbreaking "female-only" establishment, but it has long since opened its doors to everyone and remains a nostalgic venue for live acoustic and jazz acts, both local and international.
Cocktail lounge designed to resemble a New York speakeasy from the post-Prohibition era.
Expansive community and sporting club.
A basic budget hotel operating in a former student residence building. Accommodation ranges from simple private single and double rooms with shared corridor bathrooms to multi-bedroom apartments. Facilities include a large shared guest kitchen, laundry facilities, a games room, and free on-site parking. Located directly adjacent to the Ipima Street light rail stop.
A basic 2-star motel providing budget-focused accommodation. Guest rooms are air-conditioned and include a small refrigerator, a microwave, an electric kettle, and a flat-screen television. On-site facilities are limited to a coin-operated guest laundry and free public vehicle parking.
A basic economy hotel offering compact rooms. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, climate control, an overhead bunk bed option, and an optional morning continental breakfast. Private on-site parking is available for a small nightly fee. The property is located a 15-minute walk from the EPIC and Showgrounds light rail stop, which provides a direct tram connection to the city centre.
An apartment-style hotel offering studio rooms as well as spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with fully-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities. Features an on-site atrium cafe, dry cleaning services, and undercover parking for a fee. A short walk from the Dickson light rail stop.
A modern hotel offering a mix of hotel rooms, spa suites, and one- or two-bedroom self-contained apartments. On-site facilities include secure underground parking, a fitness centre, and the Marble & Grain steakhouse restaurant. The hotel is located within short walking distance of both the Alinga Street and Elouera Street light rail stops, which connect directly to the city centre.
A classic mid-century hotel featuring standard hotel rooms and specialty suites. Facilities include a gym, an indoor heated pool, and several on-site dining and drink outlets, including Swan & King cocktail lounge and The Howling Moon rooftop bar. Near the Ipima Street light rail stop.
An art deco-themed hotel offering a mix of hotel rooms, one-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom apartments. On-site amenities include secure parking, a 24-hour gym, and Restaurant Two14, which serves Italian-inspired cuisine. Located near the Macarthur Avenue light rail stop.
formerly Capital Executive Apartment Hotel
A 4-star property configured with 59 studio apartments and 24 one-bedroom spa suites containing basic kitchenettes. Shared guest amenities include an indoor fitness room, a sauna, and two 8-person heated spa pools centered around a three-story indoor atrium layout. Secure undercover parking and electric vehicle charging stations are available on-site. Two blocks north of the main Civic boundary, close to the Elouera Street light rail stop.
MacArthur Canberra Hotel
A large hotel built inside a converted commercial office tower. Rooms range from standard studios to multi-bedroom suites. Facilities include an on-site gym, underground parking, and an in-house Greek-Mediterranean restaurant. The property is next to the Macarthur Avenue light rail stop, providing direct tram connections into the city.
A 4-star apartment hotel providing standard hotel rooms alongside one- and two-bedroom self-contained apartments with full kitchen facilities. Amenities include an indoor heated swimming pool, a sauna, a fully equipped gym, and the on-site Stock Kitchen restaurant. Secure underground parking is available for a daily fee. The hotel is situated a short walk from both the Elouera Street and Alinga Street light rail stops.
historically Hotel Ainslie
A heritage-listed hotel built in 1927, designed in the English Arts and Crafts style. Rooms feature standard modern amenities. The property is set around quiet inner courtyards and features an on-site sports bar and bistro, plus complimentary guest parking. The hotel is located about a 12-minute walk from the Alinga Street light rail terminal in Civic.
A 4.5-star hotel offering hotel rooms, spa suites, and apartments built around a large indoor tropical atrium. Features an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, and the on-site Atrium Restaurant and Bar. Secure on-site parking is free for guests.
A 74-room hotel owned and operated by the Tradies Group. Air-conditioned rooms feature standard amenities alongside small refrigerators, smart TVs, and work desks. All staying guests receive temporary membership access to the adjacent Tradies venue, which houses dining facilities, gaming lounges, bars, and a full fitness center. Free secure underground parking and Wi-Fi are included.
A 5-star hotel designed by architect Fender Katsalidis, featuring dark-toned decor and custom artwork. Rooms include a complimentary minibar. Facilities include a 20-metre indoor pool, a sauna, a gym, and an on-site restaurant. It is located directly adjacent to the Elouera Street light rail stop, which connects to the CBD.
A premium apartment hotel offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom self-contained suites equipped with kitchenettes and in-room laundry facilities. The property is pet-friendly by prior arrangement and features undercover parking for a daily fee. Located near Anzac Parade and the Australian War Memorial.
An art shop that sells all sorts of small but yet unusual small things as the name of the shop says. Several of their products incorporate elements of indigenous art, but the products are known to be very pricy.
Every Saturday in Braddon, just north of the city (easy walk). Crafts, second-hand items, antiques, international food in a lovely, grassy setting.
A small but vibrant community market with lots of diverse goods available.
This shop stocks a wide range of locally made products, including souvenirs aimed at tourists.
This small store stocks locally made items including jewellery, clothing and ceramics.
By car
The area is well connected by road. From the city, to get to places such as Dickson, use A23 Northbourne Avenue north while if you're heading to Campbell, use Parkes Way but east.
By light rail
North Canberra is the only place where some form of public transport that is not bus transport passes through.
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Canberra · Regional · CBR
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