- Though not well known, Canberra is one of the most expensive cities in Australia
- Asking prices in Canberra are still above $1 million
- The best suburbs all offer a range of schooling options, and most are surrounded by greenery
Canberra, a planned city only built because it couldn’t be decided whether Sydney and Melbourne should be the capital, is now home to over 462,000 people, the largest inland Australian city.
Given its public service workforce, the city has one of the highest median incomes in the world. This has flowed n to its housing, which is expensive, with rents high due to its transient population.
As SQM Research data shows, asking prices in the nation’s capital are still over $1 million, below Sydney and Melbourne, but well above the other cities.
Canberra
So, what are the best suburbs for families?
We have explored this in other capital cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, but have not yet explored Canberra.
The following suburbs take into account a range of factors, such as nearby schools and amenities, as well as input from an agent ‘on the ground’. It also covers a wide range of suburbs in terms of median prices, from outer suburbs to Yarramula.
20 Best & Most Liveable Suburbs for Canberra Families
- Forde
- Amaroo
- Crace
- Mawson
- Holt
- Deakin
- Hawker
- Ainsile
- Kaleen
- Nicholls
- Macgregor
- Yarramula
- Wanniassa
- Bonner
- Casey
- Gungahlin
- Weston Creek
- Evatt
- Red Hill
- Barton
Forde, 2914
Jess Doolan, Partner at Stone Real Estate Gungahlin, signalled out Forde as one of the best suburbs in Canberra for families.
“It is a master planned community, giving it a perfect mix of homes and recreational, cultural and retail amenities,” she said.
“As a result, there are amenities like a grocer and bar/café all close by, as well as one of the most prestigious schools in the region, Burgmann, giving Forde a self-contained community feel.
“On top of that, the neighbourhood is wrapped by Mulligans Flat Reserve, which provides plenty of walking and bike trails at varying levels of difficulty for the whole family.”
The median house price in Forde is $1.16 million, according to realestate.com.au, up 28.2% over the past year.
Amaroo, 2914
Ms Doolan also noted Amaroo as a very family friendly suburb, which is bordered by Yerrabi Pond, with parks and walking trails.
“There are plenty of top quality local amenities including a grocer, bar/café, and a vet,” she said.
“Meanwhile, the suburb is home to one of the biggest schools in the region, Amaroo Primary which is a super school home to over 2000 students from Kindergarten to Year 10.”
Amaroo has a median house price of $979,000, up 20.1% over the past 12 months.
Crace, 2911
Another recommendation is Crace, which is another master-planned community, and is one that has a strong sense of family and community, with a lot of events including Halloween and Christmas carnival activities.
“Its location is a big plus for families, with close proximity to the City, Belconnen Region and the Gungahlin Region, thanks to its very central area on the northside of Canberra,” she said.
“Crace has a range of local convenient amenities, including a grocer, bar/café, gym and chemist.”
Crace has a median house price of $832,000, down -7.6% over the past year – the only suburb on this list to have declined in value during the last 12 months.
Mawson, 2607
Located 10 kilometres southwest of Canberra is Mawson. It is popular with families given its various playing fields and is a relatively diverse suburb with a Mandarin Immersion Program in the local school, along with the Mandir Hindu Temple in the suburb. The median house price is $1.32 million, up 26.8%.
Holt, 2615
Located in the Belconnen District, Holt is an established yet relatively affordable suburb with a median house price of $810,000, up 18.2% over the past year. It has a range of amenities and greeny such as expansive nature reserve and the Murrumbidgee River.
Deakin, 2600
Known as one of or perhaps the most prestigious suburbs in Canberra, Deakin is home to leafy streets, large homes and elite schools. Right on the cusp of the CBD, its surrounded by amenities and access to trendy dining precincts of Manuka and Kingston. The quiet neighbourhood is home to the Prime Minister’s official residence and a handful of international embassies. The median house price is $2.03 million, up just 5.6% over the past year.
Hawker, 2614
Families in Canberra have been attracted to Hawker due to its strong education facilities and playing field. Also, it has the Pinnacle Nature Reserve as its backdrop. The median house price is $1.1 million, up 7.4% over the past 12 months.
Ainsile, 2602
Just three kilometres from the centre of Canberra, residents of Ainsile can enjoy a cultured and convenient lifestyle. The suburb is popular with families given its catchment of great schools and stunning streetscapes. Also, Corroboree Park is popular for picnics. Given its location, it has a high price tag of $1.7 million.
Kaleen, 2617
A relatively peaceful and established suburb in Canberra’s north, Kaleen is becoming increasingly popular for families with school-aged children thanks to its popular education facilities and the Kaleen Sports Club. It is near large shopping hubs such as Dickson and Belconnen. Kaleen has a median house price of $1.13 million, up 21% over the past year.
Nicholls, 2913
Home to the Canberra Walk-In Aviary, Cockington Green Gardens and Canberra Reptile Zoo, this suburb lies around 13 kilometres north of the CBD, and has streets named after various sportsmen and sportswomen. It has expansive green areas and two golf courses. It is home to a range of walking routes and bike trails, along with Federation Square, which has speciality shops and eateries. The median house price is $1.25 million.
Macgregor, 2615
Known for its nature reserve, covered with creeks and walking trails, Macgregor offers a range of affordable and high-end homes with the school community attracting younger families. There is shopping nearby at Kippax and Charnwood, with the city 20 minutes away. The median house price is $820,000, up 19% over the past year.
Yarralumla, 2600
One of the most prestigious suburbs in the city, well-heeled families continue to seek out houses in Yarralumla thanks to its lifestyle bolstered by Lake Burley Griffin. Residents have access to top-tier schools and childcare centres. There is a designated swimming beach, a yacht club and even mini golf in the suburb. Of course, it’s a short drive into the city centre too. All of this comes with a high price tag; $2.4 million is the median house price. It also means you could be neighbours with the Governor General.
Wanniassa, 2903
Located south of the city, Wanniassa offers easy access to desirable private and public schools. There is a range of bike tracks and lush parklands, being near the Mount Taylor Reserve. It offers various shops, a leisure centre and convenient city links. The median house price is $920,000.
Bonner, 2914
Bonner, 13 kilometres from the CBD, is home to a range of large blocks of land, making it popular with families. The nearby Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve allows for families to get close to wildlife, while Marketplace Gungahlin is less than 10 minutes away. The median house price is $977,500, up an extraordinary 27.5% during the past 12 months.
Casey, 2913
Located in the north, Casey is less than 10 minutes to Gungahlin and just over 20 minutes to the city. It is popular with families; a quarter of the population is 14 or under. It offers new and modern houses, along with a range of schools, shops and green spaces nearby. With a median house price of $832,500, it is more affordable than many suburbs on this list.
Gungahlin, 2912
One of the most desired suburbs in northern Canberra, Gungahlin has seen continuous development of its retail and commercial precincts. It is popular with first-home buyers and young families given its wide range of schools and health care services. The median house price is $960,000.
Weston Creek, 2611
Known for its convenient location, Weston Creek is located near a range of popular amenities and schools It is also around 12 kilometres from Canberra CBD. There is a strong sense of community, with a large community centre and hub, popular with families. The median house price is $1.11 million.
Evatt, 2617
Located nine kilometres north west of Canberra, Evatt is popular with young families thanks to its strong community vibe. There are plenty of parks with walking tracks in the area. There is also a range of schools to pick from, and sporting clubs too. The median house price is $900,000, having increased by 15.4% over the past year.
Red Hill, 2603
Located 6.5 kilometres southwest of the Canberra CBD, Red Hill is known for its expansive green space and proximity to the Canberra Grammar School. It is one of the oldest suburbs in the city, and is home just over 3,000 residents. The median house price is $2.24 million.
Lyons, 2606
Located in the Woden Valley district, Lyons is a popular hilly suburb with families thanks to the Okely Hill nature Reserve, walking trails and the nearby Westfield Woden. The median house price is $1.31 million, up 12.7% over the past year.
