15 Best Suburbs of Canberra to Live

Canberra, the bush capital of Australia, offers a laid back lifestyle with an abundance of green spaces and nature reserves surrounding its vibrant districts and suburbs. While renowned for its stately parliamentary buildings and cultural attractions, Canberra’s true charm lies in its diverse array of family-friendly neighbourhoods. 

From the gracious heritage precincts of the inner south to the modern master-planned communities further afield, Canberra’s suburbs cater to every pace of life. Affluent enclaves like Yarralumla and Deakin showcase grand estates along leafy streets, while vibrant hubs like Kingston and Braddon blend fashionable apartment living with trendy dining and entertainment districts.

Families flock to the expansive parklands and quality schools in suburbs like Campbell, Cook, and Fadden. Meanwhile, up-and-coming developments in Gungahlin, like Crace and Casey, offer affordable housing and a true sense of community living.

No matter if you crave an urban village lifestyle, bushland serenity, or functional family living, Canberra has a suburb to suit. This guide explores 20 of the capital’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, detailing their unique character, amenities, and lifestyles on offer for those seeking to call this verdant city home.

Yarralumla

Yarralumla is an affluent inner south suburb known for its large estates and diplomatic residences. The prestigious suburb has a village-like feel with leafy streets, parks, and walking trails along Lake Burley Griffin. Residents enjoy a tranquil lifestyle with easy access to the city centre.

Deakin

Deakin is an established suburb with a mix of older heritage homes and modern infill housing. It has a suburban village atmosphere with local shops, cafes, and green spaces like the Deakin Anticline Nature Reserve. Families are drawn to the quiet streets and quality public schools in the area.

Griffith

Trendy Griffith offers a vibrant lifestyle with hip cafes, boutiques, and the Manuka Oval for sports fans. Residents love the community vibe and ability to walk or cycle around the suburb’s tree-lined streets. It’s a short drive to both the city centre and Lake Burley Griffin.

Kingston

The revitalised suburb of Kingston has become a hotspot for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Its lively precinct offers everything from gourmet delis to trendy bars in a compact area. Housing ranges from modern townhomes to renovated heritage cottages near the picturesque lake and parks.

Red Hill

Red Hill is a leafy established suburb perched atop one of Canberra’s iconic hillsides. It offers stunning panoramic views and a peaceful bushland setting while still being just minutes from the city centre. Residents enjoy hiking trails, parks, and quality public schools. 

Campbell

Centrally located Campbell is a family-friendly suburb with a mix of federation homes, modern houses, and apartment complexes. It has excellent amenities including schools, shops, and green spaces like Hassall Gardens. Residents can easily walk or bike to the city centre.

O’Connor

The charming suburban village of O’Connor has a relaxed vibe with local shops, cafes, and parks dotting its quiet, tree-lined streets. Housing includes renovated older cottages and modern townhomes catering to families and professionals working in nearby Civic.

Forrest

Historic Forrest features gracious heritage homes alongside contemporary infill developments. Its leafy streets offer a peaceful environment close to inner-city amenities and parklands like Manuka Pool and the Australian National University campus.

Cook

Cook offers an ideal family lifestyle with spacious houses, quality public schools, and abundant green spaces including Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve. The quiet suburban atmosphere is complemented by local shops and proximity to the Hyperdome shopping centre.

Fadden

The well-planned suburb of Fadden provides affordable housing options from townhomes to large family houses. Residents enjoy modern amenities like the Gungahlin Town Centre and have easy access to nature trails at Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve.

Harrison

Harrison is a modern, family-focused suburb in Gungahlin with parks, bike paths, and quality schools. Its new housing developments offer a range of home styles, while the Franklin parks and recreational facilities provide plenty of space for an active outdoor lifestyle.

Crace 

The master-planned development of Crace emphasises community living with a neighbourhood oval, cycle paths, and interconnected parks and playgrounds. A variety of home designs cater to different budgets and lifestyles in this up-and-coming north Canberra suburb.

Casey

Located in the growing Gungahlin district, Casey has a young, vibrant population attracted to its affordable new housing options and community-centred design. The suburb features a town centre, multiple parks, sports fields, and ponds for recreation.

Banks

Banks offers a peaceful family lifestyle in Canberra’s north with plenty of green spaces like the Hills Ridges and Bushlands Reserve. Houses range from townhomes to large family residences, with local shops and schools servicing the community.

Macgregor

Macgregor is an attractive new suburb in West Belconnen focused on environmentally sustainable living. Interconnected parks, ponds, and green corridors invite an active outdoor lifestyle for its young, family-oriented population in modern homes.