Mocan and Green Grout

Acton

It’s a precinct that blends cultural experiences perfectly with nature, where modern offices are draped in living greenery set alongside heritage buildings and the vast Australian National University campus. NewActon is the  edgier hipster slice of this ‘hood and features hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants. You’ll find two of Australia’s social history museums here, too.

Highlights of the area

Heritage meets modern architecture

From the UFO-like Shine Dome to the eco-friendly Nishi building and visually spectacular National Museum of Australia, design is in this area's DNA.

Gardens house our national treasures

Walk through the biggest collection of Australian flora housed in the sprawling Australian National Botanic Gardens at the base of Black Mountain.

Close to the city

Acton is home to some of the city's pre-eminent cultural jewels connected by lush greenery and public art trails.

Couple walking across bridge surrounded by large, green ferns.
Featured

Australian National Botanic Gardens

Opened in 1970, the Gardens give you the opportunity to explore approximately one‑fifth of Australia’s diverse and spectacular flora in a bushland setting. With over 4,300 species set within 35 hectares, a journey through this oasis is a journey through Australia's many eco-systems.

Nestled within the Gardens refuel at Pollen Cafe, be inspired at the bookshop, or recharge with a massage at Jindii Eco Day Spa.

Australian National Botanic Gardens
A plate of food being served at Rebel Rebel, an eatery in NewActon.

Perfect Sunday in Acton

9am: Coffee at Mocan and Green Grout

10am: Visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens

12pm: Lunch at Monster Kitchen and Bar

1pm: Check out Drill Hall Gallery

3pm: Explore the National Film and Sound Archive

6pm: Dinner at Rebel Rebel

8pm: Watch a movie at Palace Cinemas

Discover Acton’s popular cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, and tours below to create your own ultimate day out.

An aerial view of the National Museum of Australia, Canberra.

National Museum of Australia

TripAdvisor rating2122 reviews
Acton, ACT
Family looking over Canberra from the Telstra Tower lookout

Telstra Tower

TripAdvisor rating1364 reviews
Acton, ACT
Garden's Ranger with international visitors

Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating754 reviews
Acton, ACT
Flora Explorer

Flora Explorer

by Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating754 reviews
Acton, ACT
Adults and children on board the Flora Explorer electric bus

Secrets of the Australian Bush - A Family Adventure

by Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating754 reviews
Acton, ACT
A volunteer guides leads a free guided walk

Daily Guided Walks

by Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating754 reviews
Acton, ACT
Mist in rainforest

Australian National Botanic Gardens

TripAdvisor rating754 reviews
Acton, ACT
See the latest exhibition at the Gardens' Visitor Centre Gallery

Australian National Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Gallery

TripAdvisor rating754 reviews
Acton, ACT
Fresh food with a funky vibe

Mocan & Green Grout

TripAdvisor rating498 reviews
Acton, ACT
Between $20 and $30
Views from the bush walk

Black Mountain

TripAdvisor rating95 reviews
Acton, ACT
Grab a drink from our licensed bar before your film!

Palace Electric Cinema

TripAdvisor rating57 reviews
Acton, ACT
Image: installation of Backwash, ANU Drill Gallery, 1 Sept - 22 Oct 2023.

Drill Hall Gallery

TripAdvisor rating12 reviews
Acton, ACT
Hire bikes for the family

Lake Burley Griffin

TripAdvisor rating12 reviews
Acton, ACT
NFSA building facade, McCoy Circuit entrance

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia

TripAdvisor rating224 reviews
Acton, ACT
Plate of fresh food with a Pollen napkin

Pollen

TripAdvisor rating118 reviews
Acton, ACT
Under $20
Badger & Co - Bar

Badger & Co

TripAdvisor rating17 reviews
Acton, ACT
Under $20
A person is sitting in an audience holding a microphone
27 Mar 2025

On Shakespeare, Power and Politics

National Film and Sound Archive, Acton
Next on 27 Mar 2025 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
sunset cinema, outdoor cinema, openair cinema, movies, Canberra, Australian National Botanic Gardens
21 Nov 2024 – 22 Feb 2025

Sunset Cinema

The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Next on today from 6:30pm to 11:30pm
Richard Larter, Untitled (detail), 1966, Courtesy the Estate of the Artist and Utopia Art Sydney
3–19 Jan 2025

Exhibition - Richard Larter: Free Radical

ANU Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on tomorrow from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Ocean Film Festival 2025 HERO IMAGE
4–6 Mar 2025

Ocean Film Festival Tour 2025 | Canberra

National Film & Sound Archives, Acton
Next on 4 Mar 2025 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Banff Mountain Film Festival 2025 Hero Image
6–9 May 2025

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival 2025 | Canberra

National Film & Sound Archives, Acton
Next on 6 May 2025 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
High Jinks Bar

High Jinks

Acton, ACT
Not specified
Person examines artworks by Sidney Nolan in For the Term of His Natural Life exhibition
1 Feb 2025

For the Term of His Natural Life | Reconstructed, 4K | Arc Cinema

Arc Cinema, National Film and Sound Archive, Acton
Next on 1 Feb 2025 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm
A man stands in the desert
1 Dec 2024 – 28 Feb 2025

Summer Film Series

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on today
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    Continue exploring the inner north

    A group of friends dining at Rizla, a restaurant in Braddon.

    Braddon

    Highroad cafe

    Dickson and surrounds

    Customers enjoying their meal in the outdoor dining area at Verity Lane Market.

    City Centre