Family-friendly Neighbourhoods: Canberra's 10 Top Suburbs For Families

There is good reason why young families are flocking to the nation’s capital. Canberrans are spoilt for choice when it comes to parkland, great schools and community-centric neighbourhoods. Here are 10 of the best suburbs to consider settling down in.

Macgregor

Flanked by a nature reserve with pretty creeks and walking tracks, Macgregor embodies tranquil living at its best. It offers a mix of affordable and high-end homes, with a vibrant school community enticing young families. Most properties are within walking distance to bus routes and playgrounds, while shopping at nearby Kippax and Charnwood cater to your daily needs. When the city beckons it’s an easy 20-minute drive away.

Deakin

Leafy streets, quality homes and prestigious schools; it’s easy to see why Deakin is one of Canberra’s most coveted enclaves. On the cusp of the city centre, it’s surrounded by amenity with easy access to the trendy dining precincts of Manuka and Kingston. This convenient, quiet neighbourhood is also the chosen spot for the Prime Minister’s official residence and a handful of international embassies – so you know you’re in good company.

Yarralumla

Prestigious Yarralumla continues to be sought-out by well-heeled families thanks to its enviable lifestyle on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin. It offers residents access to top-tier schools and childcare centres along with serene green spaces for a weekend picnic or BBQ. There’s a yacht club, mini golf and designated swimming beach at Weston Park. For commuters, it’s a short drive into the city centre.

Hawker

Growing families have long been drawn to Hawker. It offers excellent education facilities including a primary, high school and public college and a strong neighbourly spirit. There are playing fields, public transport connections and a local shopping village with a handful of restaurants. With Pinnacle Nature Reserve as its backdrop, Hawker is a haven for walking, cycling and horse riding.

Amaroo

Life in Amaroo was made for family living. Spacious homes, safe, leafy streets and plenty of parkland, all just minutes from the Gungahlin Town Centre. It’s known for its sense of community with first-rate local primary schools, playing fields and supermarkets. The suburb is bounded by Yerrabi Pond, with an adventure playground, skateboard park, barbecues and picnic areas.

Nicholls

Home to Canberra Reptile Zoo, Cockington Green Gardens and Canberra Walk-in Aviary, there’s plenty to keep kids busy in Nicholls. The suburb lies just north of the city centre, with expansive green areas and two golf courses. There are walking routes and bike trails to immerse yourself in nature, and Federation Square with its handful of specialty shops and eateries.

Ainslie

Families of Ainslie enjoy a cultured and connected lifestyle adjacent to the CBD. Its stunning streetscapes are lined with quaint heritage cottages, coveted by discerning buyers, and within the catchment of great schools. There are beautiful walking trails up Mount Ainslie, while Corroboree Park is a popular spot for a picnic. Foodies cross town for Ainslie’s lauded restaurant Pilot and gastro-pub Edgars Inn, while the local IGA has become somewhat of an institution.

Wanniassa

In the city’s south, Wanniassa is a family friendly oasis. It’s the perfect place to raise a family with easy access to desirable private and public schools and houses that embody low-maintenance living. Keen cyclists can make use of scenic bike tracks and lush parklands, being moments from Mount Taylor Reserve. There are shops and supermarkets, a leisure centre with a pool and convenient city links.

Kaleen

Kaleen is an established and peaceful suburb roughly 15 minutes north of the city centre. It’s an increasingly popular postcode for families with school-aged children to settle down, with good education facilities and the Kaleen Sports Club catering to a variety of sporting codes. Everyday essentials are taken care of by way of Kaleen village, while larger shopping hubs are close by in Dickson and Belconnen.

Bonner

The pleasant suburb of Bonner is known for its friendly atmosphere and generous blocks of land, making it perfect for growing families. It’s home to a primary school, sports fields and playgrounds, with plenty of room for locals to stretch out and bask in beautiful surrounds. Nearby, Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve allows families to get up close to native wildlife, while shopping and dining at Marketplace Gungahlin is less than 10 minutes’ drive away.