Acton Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Acton showing modern architecture and café lifestyle
This northern Canberra suburb offers natural beauty alongside engaging planned cityscapes and urban design, inviting you to learn, browse, eat and buy.

Visit Acton to stroll along the lake, learn about Australia’s scientific achievements and explore innovative architecture. Bordered by Black Mountain and City West, this diverse suburb offers enjoyable and relaxing experiences. 

Step into the science labs at the CSIRO Discovery Centre, open on weekdays. See what’s under the microscope or bubbling away in beakers and learn about important moments in Australian research. At the National Film and Sound Archive, watch and listen to treasures from Australia’s audio-visual history, including music, TV and radio recordings. Learn about a very early feature film The Story of the Kelly Gang.  

In the east, the National Museum of Australia looks over the water. This colourful modern complex reviews Australian society, Aboriginal history and the nation’s relationship with the natural environment. On Acton’s western side, the Black Mountain Peninsula juts into Lake Burley Griffin. Picnic or play in vast open parkland, dive into the water or launch a boat off the ramp for a pleasant day on the lake. 

Visit Australian National University’s main campus to glimpse Australia’s academic life. Experience live performances at theatre restaurant Teatro Vivaldi or attend a public concert at the ANU School of Music. 

After seeing historical wonders and places of learning, venture to modern Canberra at NewActon, a contemporary city precinct near the banks of the lake. See striking modern architecture all around, particularly the fascinating Nishi building. Browse gardens, boulevards, cinemas, art galleries and boutiques. Enjoy art and design exhibitions and live performances, dine in trendy wine bars and restaurants, stay in some of the city’s best modern hotels and relax in the day spa. Discover the work of local street artists adorning the walls and lobbies here. 

Hire a bike to get the most out of a visit to Acton and ride around the lake’s edge at West Basin. From here, it’s easy to get to the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Telstra Tower and the National Convention Centre.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Acton Hotel Deals

Ramada Encore by Wyndham Belconnen Canberra
Ramada Encore by Wyndham Belconnen Canberra
4 out of 5
110 Benjamin Way, Belconnen, ACT
The price is AU$139 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$139
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Canberra. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,014 reviews)
"Just an old property with no love ! Although bed was good as was shower and the internet was worse than dial up ! Just don’t over pay !"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Ramada Encore by Wyndham Belconnen Canberra
ibis Styles Canberra
ibis Styles Canberra
3 out of 5
203 Goyder Street, Narrabundah, ACT
The price is AU$156 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$156
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this golf hotel in Canberra. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
6.6/10 (1,001 reviews)
A good Canberra base
"My stay was for business. The beds are comfortable, the rooms accommodating, though this time the bathroom was rather small. I never use the restaurant, the ambience is poor and the food rather pricey. I stay at this hotel regularly, and this time the curtains were good, this is often not so. And ..."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

ibis Styles Canberra
Deco Hotel
Deco Hotel
4 out of 5
214 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon, Braddon, ACT
The price is AU$156 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$156
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Canberra. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,020 reviews)
Good stay experience
"It is surprisingly comfortable with excellent conditions in the one-bedroom room. All facilities are provided including white goods that are very handy for travellers no matter how long or short the stay is. Car park had sufficient spaces, although the entrance and exit need to drive with a bit of ..."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2024

Deco Hotel
Rydges Canberra
Rydges Canberra
4 out of 5
Corner Canberra Ave & National Circuit, Forrest, ACT
The price is AU$179 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$179
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Canberra. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (478 reviews)
"I didn’t like that parking is not free."

Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2024

Rydges Canberra
Crowne Plaza Canberra, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Canberra, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
1 Binara Street, Canberra, ACT
The price is AU$169 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
AU$169
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Canberra. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"The hotel is tired with the exception of the elevators which are very fast and reliable."

Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2024

Crowne Plaza Canberra, an IHG Hotel
Avenue Hotel Canberra
Avenue Hotel Canberra
5 out of 5
80 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon, ACT
The price is AU$198 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$198
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Canberra. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"A great place to stay very clean and comfortable good location to food and Canberra centre for shopping staff were very friendly and helpful. Only thing I would say is bed is very soft but for me still passable i would highly recommend the Avenue"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Avenue Hotel Canberra
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Acton

Australian War Memorial featuring a memorial and flowers

Canberra City Centre

4/5(1,992 area reviews)

The ample dining options and fantastic lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Canberra City Centre. A stop by Canberra Museum and Gallery or Canberra Theatre Centre might round out your trip.

Canberra City Centre
Australian War Memorial featuring a memorial and flowers

Northern Canberra

4/5(1 area review)

Northern Canberra is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Canberra Museum and Gallery and Civic Square, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Canberra.

Northern Canberra
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Braddon

Abundant dining options and relaxing spas are well-reviewed features of Braddon. Make a stop by top sights like Canberra Contemporary Art Space while you're exploring the area.

Braddon
National Portrait Gallery showing modern architecture and art

Parkes

You'll enjoy the restaurants and museums in Parkes. You might want to make time for a stop at National Portrait Gallery or High Court of Australia.

Parkes
Melbourne showing a city, night scenes and heritage architecture

Yarralumla

Unique features of Yarralumla include the restaurants and art galleries. Make a stop by Royal Canberra Golf Club or Lake Burley Griffin while you're exploring the area.

Yarralumla
Parliament House showing an administrative building

Capital Hill

4.5/5(1,004 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and interesting museums are top of the list for many visitors to Capital Hill. A stop by Parliament House or National Archives of Australia might round out your trip.

Capital Hill


Acton Travel Guide

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