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.

image: rising tide (marea crescente) 2025. Photograph courtesy of the artist
22 Aug – 19 Oct 2025

In the Riverbend room – NOT: rising tide (marea crescente)

Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on today
Photo of Cockburn Ranges, Kimberley, taken at Dusk.
3 May – 29 Dec 2025

The Great Kimberley Wilderness Virtual Reality Experience

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on today from 10:15am to 3:15pm
Theo van Doesburg Poster Kleine Dada Soirée, 1922, 30 cm x 30 cm. Centraal Museum, Utrecht, Netherla
7 Sep 2025

Lecture 12: War and peace – the proliferation of abstraction in a time of conflict

Coombs Lecture Theatre, Acton
Next on 7 Sep 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:15pm
Pandanus mat
17 Apr 2025 – 27 Jan 2026

Our Story: Aboriginal–Chinese People in Australia

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on today from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Taree Mackenzie, installation at Sydney Contemporary, 2022. Image courtesy Neon Parc, Melbourne
22 Aug – 19 Oct 2025

Light Source

Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on today
Challenge Canberra triathlete competing in Challenge Canberra 2023
14–16 Nov 2025

Challenge Canberra Triathlon Festival

Rond Terrace, Acton, Acton
Next on 14 Nov 2025 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Animation of young girl with blonder hair, blue dress and bow in her hair, surrounded by animals
5 Sep – 29 Nov 2025

Family Friendly Screenings this Spring at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 5 Sep 2025 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Black and white still of a woman and man sitting next to each other acting coy
13–16 Sep 2025

NFSA Restores Films for Spring

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 13 Sep 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
High Jinks Bar

High Jinks

Acton, ACT
Not specified
Bush tucker
1 Aug 2025 – 2 May 2026

Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 31 Oct 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00pm
Cameraman and actors shooting on a boat on water
4 Nov 2025

NFSA Restores: Tukana-Husat i asua | Special Screening at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 4 Nov 2025 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Cafe Sosta

Cafe Sosta

Acton, ACT
Not specified
Items on display in the ANU Classics Museum

ANU Classics Museum

Acton, ACT
A puppet of a rocket ship and Mr Squiggle
4 Jul – 13 Oct 2025

Mr Squiggle and Friends

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on today from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Animation of a group of women standing in a line wearing pretty dresses
12 Sep 2025

Puffs of Smoke at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 12 Sep 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Rowing for All - Inspiring Wellness - Fostering Community

Lakeside Functions at Red Shed

Acton, ACT
'Vanishing Point' 2019, exhibition installation view.

ANU School of Art & Design Gallery

Acton, ACT
Close up of women's shadows and hands painting the ancestral design of the Sugar leaf dreaming
21 Jun – 31 Aug 2025

Free weekend screenings of Australian documentaries at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on today from 10:30am to 3:30pm
Man wearing an akubra with eyes closed, water in background
20 Sep – 6 Nov 2025

Q&A Screenings at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 20 Sep 2025 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Nine people pictured smiling and laughing at camera celebrating
12 Jul – 19 Oct 2025

A Day At The Movies | Dementia-Friendly Screenings

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 19 Oct 2025 from 10:00am to 1:15pm
Older man sitting behind jail bars looking suspiciously at camera
26 Sep – 21 Nov 2025

Serial Spring | Cult Classics with Venus Mantrap at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 26 Sep 2025 from 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Attendees looking at artwork
7–9 Nov 2025

AIATSIS 2025 Indigenous Art Market

AIATSIS, Acton
Next on 7 Nov 2025 from 10:00am to 8:00pm
Woman with dark hair and green top looks up at the camera
4 Sep – 30 Nov 2025

Spring into Cinema at the NFSA: A Season of Stars, Stories and Spectacle

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 4 Sep 2025
black and white abstract fluid imagery
28 Aug – 16 Nov 2025

New NFSA Installation Inferno by Mikaela Stafford

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on today from 10:00am to 4:00pm
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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