Canberra: nation’s heart offers monumental time

Compact, cultured and green, Canberra can sometimes be overlooked as a great student city – but it really shouldn’t be.

Home to renowned universities the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra (UC), the nation’s capital offers a first-class student experience without the hustle and bustle of larger cities such as Melbourne and Sydney.

Located just two hours from the coast and surrounded by natural beauty, Canberra is the best of both worlds: a cosmopolitan city nestled within the iconic Aussie bush.

An aerial view of Canberra from Belconnen in the morning.Credit: iStock

The city’s arts scene is to die for, with access to incredible galleries and museums such as the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery all within a few kilometres of each other.

History buffs can immerse themselves in the Australian War Museum and various other political landmarks, while the great outdoors – featuring waterfalls, gorges, forests and snow-capped mountains just a 45-minute drive from the city – will enchant all.

For students, this makes choosing which suburb to live in pretty easy: you’re guaranteed access to both nature and culture in close proximity.

But, as with all things, there are better locations for those interested in living the true student life (read: great bars and near uni), so we’ve rounded up some great options below.

CANBERRA CENTRAL/CIVIC

More of a district than a suburb, Canberra Central/Civic – or city centre – is consolidated around Lake Burley Griffin, the city’s biggest artificial lake, and close to Canberra’s national monuments and institutions.

These include the National Museum of Australia, the National Library of Australia, and, crucially for students, the Australian National University (ANU), all with easy car, public transport and bike access.

Balloons over Lake Burley Griffin.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The City Centre also has a vibrant nightlife, with bars, clubs, restaurants and cafes to suit every taste. From ANU’s local pub Badger & Co to Mooseheads, a relaxed vibe by day and banging night club on the weekend, you’ll never be short of places to party.

ACTON

Dubbed by some as the cultural and hipster capital of Canberra (NewActon is the hip part), Acton is filled with greenery, low-rise heritage buildings, bars, restaurants and cafes, and close to one of the city’s natural treasures – the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

It’s also home to ANU and close to the National Film and Sound Archive, Palace Electric (the place for international cinema, arthouse and quality new-release films) and the Australian Academy of Science, and offers heaps of other interesting cultural touchpoints to visit on days off.

And while Acton may be on the quieter side, the views of Lake Burley Griffin and Black Mountain are amazing, and the proximity to cafes, bars, supermarkets, a newsagency, post office and medical centre make it one of the most convenient suburbs around.

BRADDON

Once a light industrial area, Braddon has evolved into an eclectic, hip suburb where renovated industrial spaces along Lonsdale Street buzz with artisan coffee roasters, eclectic cafes and cool modern Australian eateries.

The cutting-edge Ori and Nibu x Palko developments host unique shops offering indie fashion, specialty groceries and distinctive homewares.

Braddon neighbourhood is also home to the Gorman Arts Centre and intimate performing arts venues, adding cultural flair to the area.

It’s also pretty connected: whether your ride of choice is a bike, bus or car, or whether you just like to walk a lot, Braddon is home to strategic walking and cycling networks that connect it to all sorts of nearby suburbs and landmarks.

BELCONNEN

Situated along the shores of Lake Ginninderra, Belconnen is the place to be if you’re after convenient and affordable housing options for students.

Designed as one of Canberra’s satellite centres and nearby to universities (the University of Canberra and CIT’s Bruce campus are just around the corner) and Belconnen Mall (Westfield Belconnen), you’ve got basically every need covered.

And with the suburb’s banging nightlife – Belconnen boasts great pubs and clubs like Pot Belly, The Lighthouse Pub (which overlooks Lake Ginninderra) and live music venue The Baso – it’s a serious alternative to the city’s central region for a great night out.

DICKSON

If you’re after cheap, great food with an Asian flavour, Dickson is your place.

Located close to ANU, Dickson College, Daramalan College and University of Canberra College (UC College), Dickson is the largest shopping hub in the Inner North, with a supermarket, library, pharmacy and Asian grocery stores all just around the corner.

Notable eateries include Au Lac and Kingsland, which feature delicious vegan menus, while the Asian Noodle House is ideal for a night out with friends.

There are also plenty of other options, including Korean, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian cuisines.

GUNGAHLIN

While it’s 20 minutes from the city, this northern suburb is one of the fastest-growing regions in Canberra.

Canberra’s light rail has been a gamechanger. Credit: Rohan Thomson

Home to a new light rail line, which connects Gungahlin directly to the city, the suburb features modern houses, access to great sporting facilities and easy access to mountains and lakes.

There’s also a plethora of independent, specialty and chain stores and cafes that students will love. Bookface, the local bookstore, stocks all the best reads; BanMe, the local bánh mì place, makes a mean crackling pork roll; and Gelatissimo is perfect for a sweet tooth.

Gungahlin also comes with perks for foodies and coffee aficionados: haunts such as Caffe al Lago, located right near the Yerrabi Pond, and Da Nunzio Italian Restaurant, which makes delicious, fresh and simple meals are guaranteed to satisfy a penchant for pasta.