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.

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

National Museum of Australia

TripAdvisor rating2119 reviews
Acton, ACT
Family looking over Canberra from the Telstra Tower lookout

Telstra Tower

TripAdvisor rating1362 reviews
Acton, ACT
Garden's Ranger with international visitors

Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating752 reviews
Acton, ACT
Flora Explorer

Flora Explorer

by Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating752 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 rating752 reviews
Acton, ACT
A volunteer guides leads a free guided walk

Daily Guided Walks

by Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating752 reviews
Acton, ACT
Mist in rainforest

Australian National Botanic Gardens

TripAdvisor rating752 reviews
Acton, ACT
See the latest exhibition at the Gardens' Visitor Centre Gallery

Australian National Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Gallery

TripAdvisor rating752 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 rating56 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 rating223 reviews
Acton, ACT
Plate of fresh food with a Pollen napkin

Pollen

TripAdvisor rating117 reviews
Acton, ACT
Under $20
Badger & Co - Bar

Badger & Co

TripAdvisor rating17 reviews
Acton, ACT
Under $20
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
Image of La Source stall at the Museum Market Day
23–24 Nov 2024

Museum Market Day

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 23 Nov 2024
Young child smiling with arms raised in the air
8 Dec 2024

Making Music: International Day of People with Disability

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 8 Dec 2024 from 10:00am to 2:00pm
Photograph showing south view of Garden of Australian Dreams, National Museum of Australia
4 Apr 2023 – 3 Apr 2025

Breathing Space

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on today from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Richard Larter, Untitled (detail), 1966, Courtesy the Estate of the Artist and Utopia Art Sydney
8 Nov 2024 – 19 Jan 2025

Exhibition - Richard Larter: Free Radical

ANU Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on today 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
Illustration by Paul Lalo of Chris the sheep in the wilderness being watched by a sneaky looking fox
24 Nov 2024

Talented Tales Workshop: A Woolly Tale

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 24 Nov 2024 from 10:30am to 12:00pm
An armchair in front of a turntable and a lava lamp
1 Mar – 6 Dec 2024

Vinyl Lounge

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 6 Dec 2024 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Page 1 of 2
    Filter by
    Loading results

    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