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.

'Vanishing Point' 2019, exhibition installation view.

ANU School of Art & Design Gallery

Acton, ACT
Visitor looking at installation of Inferno by Mikaela Stafford
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
Black and white image of girl smirking and sitting down and boy with glasses looking down at her
29 Nov 2025

The Kid Stakes: with Live Accompaniment by CJ Shaw

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 29 Nov 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
woman looking past camera, image from film of picnic at hanging rock
16 Feb – 7 Dec 2025

Lights, Camera, Book Club | In partnership with Canberra Writers Festival

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 16 Nov 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Photo of a market vendor with her ceramics inside the Museums Gandel Atrium
8–9 Nov 2025

Museum Market

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 8 Nov 2025 from 9:00am to 3:00pm
Kien Situ
29 Jul – 14 Nov 2025

金 (Metal) Exhibition

CIW Gallery, Acton
Next on today from 9:00am to 5:00pm
South Korean girl group Aespa group photo.
12 Dec 2025 – 10 May 2026

Hallyu! The Korean Wave

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 12 Dec 2025 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Womans face gazes through stars in the sky
13 Aug – 19 Nov 2025

Science.Art.Film at the National Film and Sound Archive

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 19 Nov 2025 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Lady modelling outfit behind pink stairs and purple background
13 Dec 2025

Curators in Conversation: Hallyu! The Korean Wave

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 13 Dec 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Photo of Japanese books
25–26 Oct 2025

Japanese second-hand book market

Coombs Extension Lecture Theatre 1.04, Acton
Next on today from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Elizabeth Newman, Jazzy One, 2009. Fabric on linen, 108 × 85 × 3.5 cm. Acquired 2021, Australian Nat
24 Oct – 21 Dec 2025

ANU Art Collection: Conjunction

Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on today from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Andy Trieu doing a live DJ set  on stage doing a peace sign
12 Dec 2025

Opening party Hallyu! The Korean Wave

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 12 Dec 2025 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm
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 at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 31 Oct 2025 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
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
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 6 Nov 2025 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
High Jinks Bar

High Jinks

Acton, ACT
Not specified
Learn to Row

Red Shed

Acton, ACT
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 21 Nov 2025 from 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Cafe Sosta

Cafe Sosta

Acton, ACT
Not specified
Photograph showing south view of Garden of Australian Dreams, National Museum of Australia
4 Apr 2023 – 3 Apr 2026

Breathing Space

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on today
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 today
Rowing for All - Inspiring Wellness - Fostering Community

Lakeside Functions at Red Shed

Acton, ACT
a collage of vinyl album covers
7 Feb – 5 Dec 2025

Vinyl Lounge

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 7 Nov 2025 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Man in yellow spacesuit walks towards the camera in sci-fi spaceship surroundings
8–22 Nov 2025

Stanley Kubrick Spotlight at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 8 Nov 2025 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
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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