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.

Australian National Botanic Gardens Jindii Eco Spa massage in the rainforest.
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 rating2100 reviews
Acton, ACT
Family looking over Canberra from the Telstra Tower lookout

Telstra Tower

TripAdvisor rating1361 reviews
Acton, ACT
Garden's Ranger with international visitors

Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating750 reviews
Acton, ACT
Flora Explorer

Flora Explorer

by Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating750 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 rating750 reviews
Acton, ACT
A volunteer guides leads a free guided walk

Daily Guided Walks

by Australian National Botanic Gardens Tours

TripAdvisor rating750 reviews
Acton, ACT
Mist in rainforest

Australian National Botanic Gardens

TripAdvisor rating750 reviews
Acton, ACT
See the latest exhibition at the Gardens' Visitor Centre Gallery

Australian National Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Gallery

TripAdvisor rating750 reviews
Acton, ACT
Fresh food with a funky vibe

Mocan & Green Grout

TripAdvisor rating497 reviews
Acton, ACT
Between $20 and $30
Views from the bush walk

Black Mountain

TripAdvisor rating95 reviews
Acton, ACT
CSIRO Discovery Centre

CSIRO Discovery Centre

TripAdvisor rating59 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 rating221 reviews
Acton, ACT
Plate of fresh food with a Pollen napkin

Pollen

TripAdvisor rating113 reviews
Acton, ACT
Under $20
Badger & Co - Bar

Badger & Co

TripAdvisor rating17 reviews
Acton, ACT
Under $20
Detail of scroll depicting four Egyptian  figures with hieroglyphics running along the top section
15 Dec 2023 – 8 Sep 2024

Discovering Ancient Egypt

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on today
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 5 Apr 2024 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Watercolour artwork of a Chequered Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus caeruleopunctatus)
29 Feb – 1 Apr 2024

A Charm of Native Bees Exhibition Cheryl Hodges

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Next on today from 9:30am to 4:30pm
Photo of a young boy enjoying a crafting activity against a stylised pyramid orange background
7 Feb – 4 Sep 2024

Pyramid Making

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 3 Apr 2024 from 10:30am to 11:00am
shadows in a window
1–2 Nov 2024

Old Airs

Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on 1 Nov 2024 from 7:30pm to 8:30pm
Banner for series
13 Feb – 10 Dec 2024

The Journey of Australian Science: Tracing our History, Discovering New Paths

Shine Dome, Acton
Next on 9 Apr 2024 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Nikki Lam 'the unshakeable destiny'
15 Feb – 24 May 2024

Assembly

Australian Centre on China in the World (CIW), 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