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.

Australian National Botanic Gardens Jindii Eco Spa massage in the rainforest.
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
An armchair in front of a turntable and a lava lamp
1 Mar – 6 Dec 2024

Vinyl Lounge

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 7 Jun 2024 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Promotional image for Newsfront showing two men with news camera equipment
30 Jun 2024

Newsfront

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 30 Jun 2024 from 1:00pm to 2:50pm
Still from Nightcrawler showing a man standing outside at night
29 Jun 2024

Nightcrawler

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 29 Jun 2024 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Photo of a young boy enjoying a crafting activity against a stylised pyramid orange background
7 Feb – 4 Sep 2024

Pyramid Making

National Museum of Australia, Acton
Next on tomorrow from 10:30am to 11:00am
Still from Scrapper showing a child lying on their back, looking up, with shadows across them
13 Jun 2024

Scrapper

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 13 Jun 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
shadows in a window
1–2 Nov 2024

Old Airs

Drill Hall Gallery, Acton
Next on 1 Nov 2024 from 7:30pm to 8:30pm
Composite from The Big Steal showing a man holding a woman in front of a car and a man in a suit
2 Jun 2024

The Big Steal (35mm) + Q&A with Nadia Tass

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 2 Jun 2024 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm
Banner for series
13 Feb – 10 Dec 2024

The Journey of Australian Science: Tracing our History, Discovering New Paths

Shine Dome, Acton
Next on 11 Jun 2024 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Still from The Last Daughter showing the profile of a woman looking out over a body of water
1 Jun 2024

The Last Daughter | Reconciliation Week screening

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 1 Jun 2024 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Nikki Lam 'the unshakeable destiny'
15 Feb – 24 May 2024

Assembly

Australian Centre on China in the World (CIW), Acton
Next on today
Still from Temple showing a Galah
5 Apr – 30 Jun 2024

Temple

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on today
Sashi Perera
31 May 2024

Sashi Perera - Boundaries

Drama Theatre, Acton
Next on 31 May 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Still from The Paperboy showing a man and a woman in a car looking out the open windows
6 Jun 2024

The Paperboy

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 6 Jun 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:45pm
Items on display in the ANU Classics Museum

ANU Classics Museum

Acton, ACT
Man smiling looking at camera in front of leafy background
24 May 2024

Harley Breen- Sustainably Organic Free Range Comedy

KAMBRI, ANU - T2, Acton
Next on 24 May 2024
Promotional image for The Trust Fall showing Julian Assange with his arms crossed across his chest
25 Jun 2024

The Trust Fall: Julian Assange | Special Screening + In Conversation

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 25 Jun 2024 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
'Vanishing Point' 2019, exhibition installation view.

ANU School of Art & Design Gallery

Acton, ACT
Challenge Canberra triathlete competing in Challenge Canberra 2023
26 Nov 2023 – 17 Nov 2024

Challenge Canberra Triathlon Festival

Rond Terrace, Acton, Acton
Next on 16 Nov 2024 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Still from Toomelah showing a boy holding a football in front of a sign that reads 'Toomelah'
1 Jun 2024

Toomelah | Reconciliation Week screening

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 1 Jun 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:40pm
Diprotodon at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
1–31 Jul 2024

Magnificent MEGAfauna: Hide and Seek

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Next on 1 Jul 2024 from 8:30am to 5:00pm
Promotional image for Rats in the Ranks showing a man wearing a fur coat in front of a red curtain
23 May 2024

Special Event: Rats in the Ranks + Q&A with Bob Connolly

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Acton
Next on 23 May 2024 from 6:30pm to 8:45pm
Family walking along a path at the Australian National Botanic Gardens
26 May 2024

Botanic Gardens Day - more than just a garden

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton
Next on 26 May 2024 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Page 2 of 2
    Filter by
    Loading results

    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