Green Suburbs: Canberra’s Most Leafy Neighbourhoods

With lush, leafy streets and plentiful parkland, these are nine of the greenest neighbourhoods in Canberra for those looking to put down roots.

Campbell

Lying at the base of Mount Ainslie, green space is one of Campbell’s biggest drawcards. The neighbourhood showcases impressive tree-lined streetscapes, while enjoying close proximity to the city and Lake Burley Griffin. Locals can keep active walking the nature trails of Mount Ainslie, while taking in stunning 360-degree views from the summit. At the suburb’s southern border sits Mount Pleasant Nature Reserve with its popular walking trails, peppered with wildflowers and native flora.

Watson

Northeast of the city, Watson is a lovely, tree-lined neighbourhood surrounded by parks and ovals. For those looking to immerse themselves in nature, Mount Majura Nature Reserve provides ample opportunities for hikers, with various trails through woodland and open forest. Cyclists can also get their thrills on the historic trails of Majura Pines. When it comes to essentials, Watson offers local shops and is close to schools and universities. Plus, it has the Capital Region Farmers Market only moments away.

Mawson

In the heart of the beautiful Woden Valley, Mawson is a peaceful and quiet suburb with sprawling recreational spaces, nestled just 15 minutes south of the city centre. Among its verdant streets, residents enjoy a tennis club, sports fields, parks and playgrounds. Families are attracted to the area’s great local schools, easy public transport links and the convenience of Mawson Southlands shopping precinct catering to their everyday amenity.

Florey

With its wide streets and mature gardens, the residential suburb of Florey strikes an ideal balance between nature and city convenience. To the east sits Lake Ginninderra, rich in walking and cycling trails, and offering a picturesque foreshore sprinkled with picnic facilities and sandy coves. Families flock to idyllic John Knight Memorial Park, which features a flying fox, water rapids and tree house. Florey has a shopping village for daily essentials and is minutes from Westfield Belconnen, while ensuring a seamless commute into the CBD.

Nicholls

The Gungahlin suburb of Nicholls promises a picture-perfect lifestyle, prized by everyone from growing families to professionals and empty nesters. It is coveted for its spacious homes on large blocks of land with excellent community amenities and expansive greenery. The premier suburb has two golf courses, ample kids’ playgrounds and walking tracks through Percival Hill Nature Reserve. Nicholls is also home to Canberra’s iconic family attraction, Cockington Green Gardens, set within beautifully landscaped grounds.

Griffith

Known for its walkability, the cherished neighbourhood of Griffith is home to some 20 parks, giving residents plenty of space to spread out. This leafy and refined suburb provides an enviable lifestyle, where locals have everything at their fingertips. From elite schools to playing fields and playgrounds, a shopping strip and cafes, Griffith offers a fantastic quality of life. The inner south suburb is minutes from Manuka and the Kingston Foreshore, revered for its dining, shopping and entertainment.

Red Hill

Next door, the garden suburb of Red Hill offers residents access to bushland and expansive green spaces right on their doorstep. The neighbourhood is bounded by Red Hill Nature Reserve, with its hiking trails capturing impressive views over Canberra, and abundant native wildlife including kangaroo. In Red Hill, streets are showcase many heritage homes and the neighbourhood is well serviced by amenity and just 15 minutes’ drive from the CBD.

Forde

The outer, residential pocket of Forde is one of Canberra’s greenest suburbs and a true slice of serenity. It is bounded by the wildlife sanctuary of Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve, popular for bird watching, bush walking and cycling. Locals gather at Heritage Park, with its playground and picnic areas, while the suburb also boasts a vibrant shopping hub and has the Gungahlin Town Centre just minutes away.

Hughes

The sought-after suburb of Hughes lies in the Woden Valley and is known for its friendly and close-knit community. Just 7km south of the city, locals can stretch their legs on suburban walking tracks, following pretty paths that capture views over Woden Valley to the Brindabellas. There are playgrounds, a tennis and golf club, local schools and shopping village, making it a sought-after suburb to raise a family.