An Intern’s Guide to Acton
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From a girl who loves food, coffee, and a balanced lifestyle.
Many university degrees require students to complete an internship, often spending up to 100 hours within one location or office. Naturally, it’s only a matter of time before you start exploring your surroundings during lunch breaks (or in my case, to film content).
During my time here at HerCanberra, I have had a multitude of opportunities to explore around our Acton office. Here are some of my favourite places and things to do in and around Acton.
Dom’s Deli & Bar- Sandwich shop
Ever crave an authentic Italian-style deli sandwich but live in Canberra? Dom’s Deli & Bar has got you covered, offering some of the heartiest sandwiches perfect for the cold winter weather. Made with fresh ingredients and served on focaccia for sandwiches or sourdough for toasties, all that’s left to do is decide what to order.
If sandwiches aren’t your thing, and you prefer something more on the sweeter side, the pastry case will have your mouth watering. Whether you get a Butter Boy cookie or their homemade tiramisu, there truly is no bad choice.
Dom’s is also the perfect aesthetic cafe for studying when you need some physical motivation. With its warm walnut wood interiors, green leather seats, and old-school menus and signage, it is the new cool girl cafe.
Dom’s is the perfect lunch option or afternoon pick-me-up that every intern needs.
National Film & Sound Archive, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Prioritise your walk as much as your work
Credit: @travelswithmichelle for Visit Canberra.
With the food in Acton being too good to pass up, daily walks and exercise are a must for a balanced day. Lake Burley Griffin’s walking tracks are perfect no matter whether it’s a 15-minute stroll to soak up some lunchtime sunshine or an after-work jog.
If you aren’t intrigued by a scenic walk around the lake and prefer a stroll with more purpose, Acton is in the heart of the city, making it the perfect location for walking from place to place. Whether you walk to No Name Lane for some food (I love the Mont Blanc from Harvest) or the Canberra Centre, the location is unmatched.
Lake Burley Griffin | Google Map link here
And can you really be an intern without coffee?
Caffeine is a necessity within all university students’ lives, especially interns who are trying to do it all. Constantly having coffee at a multitude of places makes most students coffee snobs – I know I definitely am. Here are my top places in Acton for quality coffee.
Espresso Room Nishi is serving up delicious specialty ONA coffee, with the smell of coffee grounds filling the cafe from 7 am until 4 pm (weekends excluded).
Moćan & Green Grout is yet another cafe in Acton that prides itself on producing quality coffee and a flavourful menu. Open seven days from 7 am, the natural wood and plants throughout the store are a complement to the cosy yet fresh food and coffee served.
And of course, I have to mention Lil Brew the grab-and-go cafe located right under the office. Dangerous? Very.
Espresso Room: 2 Phillip Law Building, Acton | Močan & Green Grout: Unit 1/19 Marcus Clarke Street, City | Lil Brew: 2/15 Edinburgh Avenue, City
Palace Electric Cinema – The crown jewel of Canberra cinemas
Cinemas have recently become the ultimate hangout spot, with the abundance of exceptional movies to reach our screens. Palace Electric Cinema in Acton happens to be an exclusive cinema that makes your movie experience that much better.
Arguably the best part is their homemade snacks. The choc tops are irresistibly good, featuring Connoisseur ice cream in various flavours, including specialty flavours for movie launches – I would argue they are the sole reason to go to Palace Cinema over anywhere else. Not to mention their olive oil and sea salt popcorn, which is the only acceptable savoury movie snack.
And which university student doesn’t like a way to save some money? The student discounts available at Palace are also a great reason to attend, with $13 tickets on Wednesdays and $15 for general student tickets.
2 Phillip Law Street, City | palacecinemas.com.au
