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.

Cafe Sosta

Cafe Sosta

Acton, ACT
Not specified
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 24 Oct 2025 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Adults and children on board the Flora Explorer electric bus
30 Sep – 10 Oct 2025

Secrets of the Australian Bush - A Family Adventure

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Next on 30 Sep 2025 from 10:30am to 11:30am
Rowing for All - Inspiring Wellness - Fostering Community

Lakeside Functions at Red Shed

Acton, ACT
Learn to Row

Red Shed

Acton, ACT
a long exposure image of moving lights
4–18 Oct 2025

City Night Walk – a collective projection journey

Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on 4 Oct 2025 from 7:30pm to 9:00pm
bird
20–28 Sep 2025

Wake up with the birds

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Next on 20 Sep 2025 from 8:30am to 10:30am
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
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
Kien Situ
25 Sep 2025

(Metal) | Artist Talk with Kien Situ

CIW Gallery, Acton
Next on 25 Sep 2025 from 12:30pm to 1:00pm
a collage of vinyl album covers
7 Feb – 5 Dec 2025

Vinyl Lounge

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 3 Oct 2025 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm
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
Performer holding a blue bowerbird puppet during a performance.
10 Oct 2025

A Little Bit of Blue

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 10 Oct 2025 from 10:30am to 11:10am
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 20 Sep 2025 from 10:15am to 3:15pm
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 1 Oct 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Black and white image of camera people all participating in shooting
6 Sep – 30 Nov 2025

Free weekend screenings of Australian documentaries at the NFSA

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on today from 11:00am to 3:30pm
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
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
image: rising tide (marea crescente) 2025. Photograph courtesy of the artist
28 Sep 2025

Floor Talk – NOT: rising tide (marea crescente)

Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on 28 Sep 2025 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
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
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
Installation of Taree Mackenzie’s RGB Wave, 2025, in Light Source at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery.
5 Sep – 18 Oct 2025

Light Source floor talks

Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on 18 Oct 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Bush tucker
1 Aug 2025 – 2 May 2026

Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on 31 Oct 2025 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
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
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    Continue exploring the inner north

    A group of friends dining at Rizla, a restaurant in Braddon.

    Braddon

    Highroad cafe

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    City Centre