Neighbourhood: Gungahlin
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One of the best things about Canberra is its multitude of neighbourhoods – each with its own individual charm and attractions. And whether you’re looking to make that suburb your home or just explore its offerings, it’s always good to have an expert guide to show you around.
That’s where our Neighbourhood series comes in. In collaboration with our friends at HIVE, we’ll help you discover the soul of Canberra’s suburbs.
The Gungahlin we know today was established in the 1990s and is now one of the country’s fastest-growing regions. But it also a place of significant First Nations heritage, containing Indigenous archaeological sites dating back 20,000 years, and was one of the early areas white settlers established in the early 1800s.
Now a bustling town centre beloved by young families and a place of significant cultural diversity, Gungahlin is popular Canberra location for food, shopping and recreation.
SUBURB SNAPSHOT
One of Canberra’s newer suburban enclaves, Gungahlin has grown to be one of the city’s most densely populated areas, attracting a population of nearly 9,000 (which has almost doubled from 15 years ago).
Featuring smaller blocks and higher density living including a majority mix of apartments and townhouses, Gungahlin is the start point for the ACT’s light rail and has a significant commercial precinct off Hibberson Street. It has five major retailers (Coles, Aldi, Woolworths, Kmart, and Big W) as well as a plethora of specialty stores and eateries.
The rapidly expanding and young population has access to a mix of public and private schools, sporting clubs and the Gungahlin Public Library.
Access to the rest of the city has been improved via significant investment in roads as well as the light rail, and residents can decide whether to head into Civic (15 minutes) or Belconnen (10 minutes) away. However, the suburbs can boast relative self-sufficiency and have enough great reasons for the rest of the city to visit.
EAT
Le Bon Melange
Is it bad to start our list at dessert? Mais NON!
Le Bon Melange (G09/48 Gungahlin Pl & Bruning St) is one of Canberra’s best patisseries and a little slice of Paris within Gungahlin. Open every day between 8 am and 4.30 pm, this little corner of European flavour attracts a steady stream of locals needing a good coffee and a cinnamon scroll to go.
Otherwise, grab a cute little table and plough your way through a superior Croque Monsieur or Eggs Benedict.
Caffe al Lago
Caffe al Lago (60a Phyllis Ashton Circuit) is situated on the water at Yerrabi Pond and ranks among some of our eating discoveries in recent quests for the perfect sandwich.
The brainchild of Dragan Bektesh, and his wife Natalija, the inspiration for this gorgeous spot came when the couple were honeymooning in Europe and wanted to bring the same passion for fresh-out-of-the-oven bread (schiacciata and panini) loaded with freshly shaved cured meats and cheeses.
The most popular sandwich on the menu is the La Speciale, with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar. It has a cult following and many days you will need to queue.
If sandwiches aren’t your thing, they have macarons, gluten-free chocolate brownies, caramel walnut tarts, lemon tarts, carrot cake, and Ferrero Rocher cake. You can have a sweet treat of your choice with a cup of ONA coffee.
Canberra Momo House
Canberra Momo House (106, 89 Gungahlin Place) takes us straight to the foothills of the Himalayas via flavours of Nepal.
Offering a huge array of authentic dishes, snacks and takeaways that will cater for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike, Momos, or traditional Nepalese dumplings, are the name of the game of course.
This little place began life as a food truck serving steaming parcels of goodness to an adoring fan base. Now you can visit this bustling restaurant seven days a week.
Casey Jones
Nothing quite beats winding down a work week with a beer and a good old fashion burger.
A favourite of locals, Casey Jones (15 Kingsland Parade, Casey) has everything you want from a pub: great food, cold beer and friendly service.
Add in boutique brews and award-winning wines and you have your Friday night sorted, or any night when you think about it….
Frankies at Forde
Speaking of relaxed eating, Frankies at Forde (1/26 Francis Forde Blvd, Forde) is a great spot for a family meal or to meet a group of friends and fill up on good times and great food.
Taking the neighbourhood corner pub vibe and combining it with an ambitious and capable kitchen, we really rate the food coming from here beyond just the pizzas and steaks. For instance, the macadamia crusted snapper, served with black rice, broccolini, Dutch carrots, pickled onion, and a honey passionfruit glaze would be just at home in a fancy restaurant.
Lucky, northsiders don’t need to travel that far. It also has a great kids’ menu and serves a hearty breakkie and brunch menu.
Ikigai
Ikigai (139/43 Hibberson St) has been earning a city-wide reputation for an authentic ramen experience comparable to the deliciousness of dining in Toyko.
Tucked away in the suburban sprawl of Hibberson Street, Ikigai Ramen – a modern, cosy, minimalist Japanese restaurant – is serving up an authentic taste of Tokyo to those craving a taste of the popular and comforting dish.
But what makes this ramen restaurant stand out from the crowd – apart from Head Chef and owner Anj Sulit’s commitment to creating genuine and mouthwatering Japanese food – is that Ikigai Ramen serves up steaming bowls of noodles until the clock strikes midnight. Delicious at any time of night.
The District
The District (56 Abena Ave, Crace) is the kind of pub that feels like an old friend, where the food is hearty, the service friendly and the welcome genuine.
Props for allocating a dog-friendly area (facing Supabarn) and being genuine in extending the welcome beyond pets to children too! Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, we recommend booking for dinner and larger groups.
The District is a community as much as a venue, offering live music, theme nights and sponsoring local sports teams. There’s always something happening beyond a hearty burger, superior chips, and a cold beer.
Marketplace Gungahlin
Meanwhile, for locals who want to cook at home, there is absolutely no shortage of big-name supermarkets, food suppliers and ingredient shops galore to be found at Marketplace Gungahlin (30-33 Hibberson Street), plus anything else a modern family could possibly require.
While you’re out there, pop into exotic specialty Nepali Haat Bazaar (137/43 Hibberson Street) a Nepali, Indian and South Asian grocery store which stocks everything from fresh fruit, herbs and veg to meat, dried goods and an array of handcrafted and religious ceremonial goods.
PLAY
Yerrabi Pond
Yerrabi Pond (accessed via Mirrabei Drive and Gundaroo Drive) is the go-to path for walking or running in Gungahlin. Located a few minutes from the city centre, it’s well paved, and with bubblers and dog drinking stations at multiple points, it’s popular with locals and their furry friends. Keep in mind, Parkrun happens at 8 am on Saturday mornings, if you want to avoid the foot traffic!
There is possibly no better view of Gungahlin than from the loop around Yerrabi Pond, a winding reserve that is fringed by Gungahlin town centre, Forde, Amaroo and Ngunnawal. The loop is roughly 4.3 kilometres and is almost completely flat. There’s also an adventure playground on the southern side of the lake, including a tandem flying fox and a wheelchair-accessible Liberty Swing.
Mulligans Flat
Those looking to get a bit further from the town centre need look no further than the sweeping Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary. Located on the northern edge of Gungahlin, Mulligans Flat is a protected area that is home to an adorable selection of local creatures, including a much-loved echidna population.
Gold Creek Village
Gungahlin is home to Gold Creek Village, an entire universe in its own right!
If you have kids, you’ve probably already figured Gold Creek is an ideal family day out due to the not one, but three different kids’ attractions, and all the food on offer within strolling distance of this rustic attraction.
Federation Square is a delight to explore, boasting favourites such as Aarwun Gallery, pulp Book Cafe, Stripey Sundae, A Darn Good Yarn and a range of gorgeous boutiques.
Meanwhile, its going to be a case of drawing straws to decide which order to visit the National Dinosaur Museum (6 Gold Creek Road) for a prehistoric adventure, Canberra Walk-In Aviary and Canberra Reptile Zoo (O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls) to get up close and personal with some friendly birds, snakes, lizards and turtles, or Cockington Green (11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls), which is truly a magical experience of life in a miniature village which will delight kids and adults alike.
Fly Bungee
If you like your play a little more fitness-oriented Fly Bungee (30 Darling Street, Mitchell) fitness class is always an option. There’s a class for all fitness levels, with helpful instructors and great music to bop along to. The time goes by so quickly, you won’t realise you’ve done a 45-minute cardio workout!
Bookface
And at the other end of the spectrum, if you need a lie down with a good book, please make time for BOOKFACE (33 Hibberson Street) which is a favourite haunt of bibliophiles the city over.
From fiction to non-fiction, trending reads, something for the kids, or some hefty and impressive coffee table books, the helpful staff are full of recommendations, being avid readers themselves.
LOVE GUNGAHLIN?
You’ll love this very special property.
Tea Gardens Homestead – 10 Yirawala Street, Ngunnawal
A grand country mansion nestled in suburbia. Imagine an 1860s Southern Highlands estate – complete with ornate gardens and rolling hills – right in suburban Canberra. This historic homestead has been lovingly restored over five years to Country Style magazine perfection.
With bold interiors featuring a navy kitchen with Parliament House Jarrah floors, copper bathroom, custom bar, and gardens that host 100 guests around a sandstone firepit, it backs onto the golf course with views across Ginninderra Creek. Country living, minutes from Gungahlin.
See the full listing.
Photography by Andrew Ly, Nineteen Creative
