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
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
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
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
'Vanishing Point' 2019, exhibition installation view.

ANU School of Art & Design Gallery

Acton, ACT
Animated still from Spider-Man showing Spider-Man in a cityscape
18 Sep – 27 Nov 2024

Science. Art. Film. | Free screenings + panel discussions

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 27 Nov 2024 from 6:00pm to 8:35pm
Learn to Row

The Red Shed

Acton, ACT
Still from The Legend of Molly Johnson showing a woman holding a rifle
22 Sep – 8 Dec 2024

Book Club at the NFSA | In partnership with Canberra Writers Festival

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 17 Nov 2024 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm
JulieRyder_Phycologia_australica
5–25 Nov 2024

Above/Below

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Next on today from 9:30am to 4:30pm
Promotional image for REP's Bloody Murder
21 Nov – 7 Dec 2024

Bloody Murder

Canberra REP Theatre, Acton
Next on 21 Nov 2024 from 7:30pm to 10:00pm
Pompeii immersive experience (detail), scenography Sylvain Roca © RMN–Grand Palais
13 Dec 2024 – 4 May 2025

Pompeii

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 13 Dec 2024 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
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
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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