Canberra/Gungahlin

There are several highways from New South Wales, Belconnen, Civic and North Canberra.

From Civic, the most common route is to use the A23 Northbourne Avenue and turn onto Flemington Road by following the light rail to Gungahlin. Still, you could also use the A25 Barton Highway, which is more effective if you are heading to the Gold Creek Village.

From Hall, use the A25 Barton Highway southeast and turn left onto any one of the roads pointing towards Gungahlin – there will be signs pointing you to the town centre.

From Tuggeranong, use the unnumbered Tuggeranong Parkway north until the end of the freeway. Once at the end of the freeway, continue onto Gungahlin Drive, which should lead you to the town centre. Otherwise, if you're heading to the Gold Creek Village, take the A25 Barton Highway exit (note the signs still have the old National Route 25 route number and follow the brown signs toward Gold Creek Village.

If you're coming from the airport, take the M23 Majura Parkway north and continue up till the end of the freeway, and once the freeway ends, continue onto Horse Park Drive until you get into the town centre.

There are several bus lines to Gungahlin, but there is only one rapid route (excluding R1 which is used for the light rail): the R8 ( R8 from Belconnen. Other bus routes are usually more minor, localised services.

Gungahlin is linked to Civic through the R1 light rail line ( R1 ); the dynamic route winds through North Canberra and the Dickson Interchange, terminating in Gungahlin's town centre. Frequent services mean you will not have to plan.

Although unpopular in 2023, three of Canberra's long-distance cycling routes are present in Gungahlin.

C1 – from Civic, passing through the west of Dickson before making its way through Gungahlin suburbia and the town centre.

C7 – from Belconnen. It's mostly straightforward, but you will need to turn left past Barton Highway if you're visiting Gold Creek Village (it will be signposted).

C9 – from Canberra Airport, this route largely follows parallel to Majura Parkway (M23) and Horse Park Drive.

This is a "village" of specialty shops, attractions, hotels (for drinks), coffee shops, a native reptile museum, a butterfly enclosure, and garden supplies, in a group of separate buildings in a strip about 1 km long along Barton Highway. Locals and visitors alike use the area, especially on weekends. It was established during the 1990s in order to be under "one brand", and has since been attracting many visitors, both Canberrans and non-Canberrans ever since.

To get here from Civic, take A23 Northbourne Avenue towards A25 Barton Highway (left) then follow about 5 km to a major roundabout; go straight on about 2 km and follow signs to turn right. ACTION bus route 24 also passes by Gold Creek Village from both Belconnen and Gungahlin Town Centres, but these only operate around once every 30 minutes.

Though this system is often only found in rather large cities, Gold Creek also has a system of "one ticket, multiple venues" system, which can be found at the Gold Creek website, which covers the Canberra Reptile Zoo, Cockington Green Gardens, the Canberra Walk-in Aviary and the National Dinosaur Museum.

1 Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery, 19 O'Hanlon Place, Nicholls, ☏ +61 2 6230 2922, dream@aboriginaldream.com. Sa Su 11AM–4PM, M–F by appointment only. An art centre exhibiting exclusively the finest of all Indigenous Australian art. Since its establishment in 1989, this art gallery has only showcased ethically sourced art – so not Indigenous art that was created by non-Indigenous people marketed as "Indigenous" (which is a common scam in Australia). (updated May 2022)

2 Canberra Reptile Zoo, O'Hanlon Place, Nicholls, ☏ +61 2 6253 8533. Daily 10AM–5PM. A whole range of Australian reptiles on display, with thematic exhibits related to various climatic conditions. Be sure to check out the "Snake Tales" program to get up close and personal with some of the reptiles. Adults $7.50, children $6, concession $7, family tickets (2 adults & 3 or more children) $29, discounts available for group bookings.

3 Canberra Walk-in Aviary, 18 O'Hanlon Pl, Nicholls, ☏ +61 2 6230 2044, micklogan@iinet.net.au. Sep–Apr: 10AM–5PM; May–Aug: 10AM–4PM. A small family-friendly walk-in with plenty of our feathery friends – birds! The walk-in contains over 500 birds from over 60 species, and if you've ever felt like feeding birds, but didn't want to in the wild, you can do just that here. But be aware, the birds are known to take the mealworms off from you (before you feed it to them), but if you're lucky enough from that, they may land on you. (updated Jun 2022)

Outside the Gold Creek Village, there is not much to see nor do in Gungahlin, but there are a few venues. These barely get any visitors, and are only really visited by locals from Gungahlin, but there are some points of interests like the Canberra Centenary Trail that is done by many.

1 Gold Creek Country Club, 50 Curran Dr, Nicholls, ☏ +61 2 6123 0600, keith.lewis@goldccc.com.au. Though the golf course veers into the village, most of the golf course including the entrance is outside the Gold Creek Village, and requires you to drive a little bit from the village. It's an 18-hole course with par 72 layout, and golf courses of its size are rare outside the big cities. (updated Jun 2022)

2 Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, Warwick St. A multi-use stadium and the home ground for Gungahlin United, Gungahlin Jets, Gungahlin Bulls and Gungahlin Eagles. The venue has a seating capacity of 1,150 people and an overall capacity of 5,000. (updated Jun 2022)

7 Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary (Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve). A protected area with several trails for walking, running and cycling. The sanctuary functions as a fieldwork site for researchers studying native ecology. (updated Jun 2022)

See Hall for One Tree Hill Lookout. It's a lookout that's in Gungahlin but is most accessible via Hall.

There are several golf clubs located in Gungahlin.

3 Gold Creek Country Club, Curran Street, Nicholls, ACT 2913, ☏ +61 2 6123 0600, info@goldcreekcountryclub.com.au. An 18-hole par 72 championship course featuring a mix of open links-style holes and heavily bunkered layouts. Public social play is permitted outside of member tournament times. Facilities include a driving range, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a clubhouse. Green fees from $45. (updated Jul 2026)

4 Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club, 110 Gundaroo Drive, Nicholls, ACT 2913, ☏ +61 2 6242 4662, info@gungahlinlakesgolf.com.au. An 18-hole championship layout characterized by an extensive network of artificial lakes and ponds that come into play on more than half the holes. Includes a fully equipped pro shop, driving range, and a large modern community club and gaming lounge. Green fees from $40. (updated Jul 2026)

1 Northside Garden Cafe, Shop 8/39 O'Hanlon Pl, Nicholls, ☏ +61 2 5117 3998, northsidegardencafe@gmail.com. W 8AM–4PM; Th–Su 8AM–3PM, 5–8PM (closed M Tu). Taste some authentic Filipino cuisine from a chef who migrated from the Philippines. The menu is extensive, but the favourites are the pork sisig, the bulalo soup, and the pork adobo. Otherwise, you can always pop in for a coffee. (updated Aug 2023)

Fast food: There's a KFC and a Maccas available in the Gold Creek Village just near the roundabout at Nicholls Way. There's also another Maccas in Gungahlin Town Centre along with a Domino's and a few other small pizza chains.

2 Arirang (Arirang Restaurant), 43 Hibberson St, ☏ +61 2 6262 3959. Th–M 11:30AM–3PM, 5–10PM (closed Tu). Has great Korean flavours – Korean stews, soups, pancakes, chicken and BBQ. You guessed it, a classic Australian-Korean restaurant. However, the wait times have been said to be exceptionally long, so take that into consideration. (updated Jun 2022)

3 Da Nunzio Caffe Bar Ristorante, 76 Phyllis Ashton Cct, ☏ +61 2 6255 6003, admin@danunzio.com.au. W–Su 9:30AM–2PM, 5–9PM (closed M Tu). A waterfront restaurant by Yerrabi Pond with many great Italian specialties and an extensive menu of pasta, pizza and Italian wine. However, their coffee is a little bit below standard if you compare it to the average Australian coffee. (updated Jun 2022)

4 Jasmine House, cnr Ernest Cavanagh St and Gribble St, ☏ +61 2 6242 4788. M Tu Th–Sa 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5–9:30PM; W Su 5–9:30PM. An Asian (or specifically Chinese) restaurant with lots of good options for a spicy pot (what they seem to call a "hot pot"). However staff hospitality does not have a very good reputation. (updated Jun 2022)

5 Siren Bar and Restaurant, 30 Anthony Rolfe Ave, ☏ +61 2 6162 0377, enquiries@sirenbar.com.au. M–Th 8:30AM–midnight, F–Su 8AM–midnight. Has an upmarket feel with some outstanding pizza and seafood options. There's a great atmosphere, though some say that the food is a bit overpriced for what you'd get. (updated Jun 2022)

6 The Taste of Himalayas, 1 Wunderlich St, ☏ +61 466 049 610, nepaleseincanberra@gmail.com. Temporarily closed. Some Nepalese street food from a catering van inside the Yerabi Pond Park. It's temporarily closed as of June 2022, but otherwise lots of good momos and pani puris out there! (updated Jun 2022)

7 Young & Frisky, The Marketplace, Gungahlin Place West & Efkarpidis St, ☏ +61 2 6171 6257, info@youngandfrisky.com.au. M–Th 4–10PM, F–Su 11AM–10PM. Mostly specialising in a mix of American and Australian cuisines with plenty of food from other cuisines too, but rather a very Australianised or Americanized version instead. However, by far what Young & Frisky is known for is its fried chicken. (updated Mar 2022)

1 The Canberra Distillery, 1/70 Dacre Street, Mitchell, ☏ +61 493 438 430, info@thecanberradistillery.com.au. M-Sa 10AM-4PM; closed Su. Located in Gungahlin's industrial hub of Mitchell, this premium artisanal micro-distillery is well worth the detour for spirits enthusiasts. Operating out of a sleek warehouse, they focus heavily on small-batch, high-quality production and local, unique Canberra flavors. Visitors can drop by for complimentary walk-in tastings of their incredibly vast range, which includes creative craft gins (such as their famous Earl Grey gin), smooth vodkas, butterscotch schnapps, rum, and their highly popular sherry-cask single malt whiskies. (updated Jul 2026)

2 Cypher Brewing Co., Unit 3 & 4, 35 Hinder Street, Gungahlin, ☏ +61 423 244 404. M–Tu 11AM–9PM, W–Su 11AM–11PM. Located right next to the Gungahlin Place light rail terminus, this modern, industrial-chic craft brewpub is a standout addition to the northside. It features an impressive line-up of 14 beers on tap brewed directly on-site, ranging from crisp signature lagers to experimental seasonal sours. The open-plan space offers a vibrant community atmosphere with weekly live music, friendly staff, and an eclectic food menu that expertly blends traditional pub classics with diverse cultural flavors. Beers from $9. (updated Jul 2026)

3 Casey Jones, 15 Kingsland Parade, Casey (in Casey Market Town). M–Tu 3PM–late, W–Su 11:30AM–late. This warm, wood-panelled gastropub offers a sophisticated alternative to the standard local watering hole. The bar boasts a premium beverage list loaded with boutique Australian craft beers, winning local wines, and creative signature cocktails. Food is a major focus here, featuring a unique South American and Spanish fusion theme alongside classic pub fare. It is exceptionally popular for its lively mid-week trivia nights and relaxed weekend drinks. (updated Jul 2026)

4 Cornerstone Pub, 51 Hinder Street, Gungahlin, ☏ +61 2 6147 5518. Th–Sa 4PM–late (kitchen open 5:30PM–8:30PM); closed Su–W. This highly social, sports-focused venue serves as a fun neighborhood local. It features free ping pong tables, a relaxing balcony, musical bingo on Thursday nights, lively karaoke on Fridays, and "Pre's at the Pub" drink specials on Saturdays. The menu is casual and centered around stone-baked pizzas and classic finger foods. $10 weekly cocktail specials. (updated Jul 2026)

5 The District, Shop 7-8, 56 Abena Ave, Crace (in Crace Central Shopping Centre), ☏ +61 447 743 148, thedistrictcrace@gmail.com. M–Th 11AM–late, F 9AM–midnight, Sa Su 8AM–midnight. This highly rated, award-winning neighborhood local perfectly bridges the gap between casual café and cozy suburban pub. Boasting rustic exposed-brick walls and a spacious outdoor deck, it is celebrated for its warm, family-friendly vibe. The bar pours a fantastic selection of craft beers, seasonal mulled wines, and specialty cocktails, while the kitchen serves high-quality gastro-pub fare—including an exceptionally popular, award-winning steak menu.s. (updated Jul 2026)

6 Frankies at Forde, 1/26 Francis Forde Boulevard, Forde (in Forde Shopping Centre), ☏ +61 429 781 704, info@frankiesatforde.com.au. Tu 8:00AM–2:00PM, W–Sa 8:00AM–8:00PM, Su 8:00AM–3:00PM; closed M. This warm, charming local hub seamlessly blends a cozy suburban cafe with a vibrant, modern restaurant and bar. Highly popular among local families and small groups, the venue offers a fantastic, relaxed outdoor dining area perfect for evening drinks. The bar list is highly impressive, featuring a great range of craft beers, Australian wines, and beautifully prepared seasonal cocktails, while the kitchen specializes in gourmet sharing plates and hearty classic meals. Cocktails from $16. (updated Jul 2026)

7 Stonehouse Cafe & Pub, Marquee/12 Pioneer St, Amaroo (in Amaroo Shopping Centre), ☏ +61 2 7229 9563, info@pubstonehouse.com. This beloved neighborhood gastro-pub offers a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. It is celebrated for pouring the freshest Guinness on tap in the Gungahlin district, best enjoyed in its quiet, sun-drenched outdoor courtyard. Serving double duty as a cozy breakfast café in the morning, it transforms into a bustling pub by lunch and dinner, serving up hand-stretched wood-fired pizzas, high-quality chargrilled steaks, and gourmet burgers. (updated Jul 2026)

9 Gungahlin Lakes Club (The Lakes), 110 Gundaroo Drive, Nicholls, ☏ +61 2 6242 6283, lakes@ainsliegroup.com.au. Daily 10:00AM–2:00AM (stays open late on weekends). Functioning as a giant social hub for the northern suburbs, it features a spacious main bar, a sprawling lounge, and a massive LED screen perfect for catching major sporting events. Guests can grab a drink on the outdoor terrace overlooking the lakes, shoot a round of pool, or head to the Lakes Bistro for classic pub favorites, specialty steaks, and fresh pizzas. Facilities also include an indoor playroom for kids, making it a favorite for family groups. (updated Jul 2026)

10 Raiders Gungahlin, 23 Hibberson St, ☏ +61 2 6255 4111, info@raidersgroup.com.au. Daily 9AM–4AM. This massive club is the official northside home of Canberra’s NRL team, the Canberra Raiders. Featuring a spacious sports bar with giant television screens, a TAB lounge, and a family-friendly bistro (Zest), it is the ultimate spot to watch live rugby league. The venue becomes incredibly lively during the footy season when the Raiders play. Very affordable drink prices, an indoor kids' play area, and popular weekly events like Wednesday night meat raffles keep the club highly active. (updated Jul 2026)

1 Capital Country Holiday Park, 47 Bidges Road, Sutton NSW. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Located off the Federal Highway in Sutton, just across the NSW border and a 15-minute drive north of Gungahlin. Set on 10 hectares of manicured gardens around a private lake, this quiet holiday park features unpowered and powered caravan sites, individual fenced "Dog Freedom" sites, and fully self-contained villas and pet-friendly bungalows. On-site activities include an outdoor pool, a tennis court, mini-golf, a jumping pillow, and communal camp kitchens with a fire pit. Campsites from $56; cabins from $126. (updated Jul 2026)

2 Discovery Parks – Canberra (formerly Canberra Park), 26 Old Well Station Road, Gungahlin, ☏ +61 2 6130 1000. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Located on the corner of the Federal Highway and Old Well Station Road in Gungahlin, right next to the Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC). This modern holiday park caters primarily to motorhomes, caravans, and campers, offering spacious powered grass, slab, and drive-through sites. Facilities include modern guest laundry services, a playground, and a large communal camp kitchen equipped with barbecues, an oven, hotplates, and refrigeration. Sites from $62. (updated Jul 2026)

3 ibis Styles Canberra Eaglehawk, 1222 Federal Highway Service Road, Sutton NSW, ☏ +61 2 6241 6033. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Located on the Federal Highway Service Road just across the NSW border in Sutton, about a 10-minute drive from Gungahlin. This sprawling resort-style property is set within 30 acres of landscaped native gardens and bushland, complete with daily visits from free-roaming wild kangaroos. Accommodation includes 151 motel-style rooms and one-bedroom deluxe apartments equipped with kitchenettes. On-site facilities include the Winter Garden Restaurant, the Jolly Brewer Bar, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and guest laundry. From $95. (updated Jul 2026)

4 Leumeah Lodge, 48 O'Hanlon Pl, Nicholls, ☏ +61 2 6152 8388, leumeah.lodge@ymca.org.au. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Located inside the family-friendly Gold Creek Village in Nicholls, just off the Barton Highway. This modern lodge, operated by the Y (YMCA) Canberra Region, features both economy bunk-style rooms (without TVs) and standard queen, twin, and family-style hotel rooms with private ensuites. It is highly popular with school groups and budget travelers, and features accessible paths, on-site catering, CCTV security, and free guest Wi-Fi. From $110. (updated Jul 2026)

5 Northern Border Campground (Northern Border Campsite), Canberra Centenary Trail, Sutton, ACT, ☏ +61 2 6237 5307. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Accessed solely by foot or bicycle along the Canberra Centenary Trail corridor between Forde (6.5 km) and Hall Village (12.5 km); there is absolutely no vehicle access. This is an isolated, basic bush-camping site. Facilities are minimal, featuring bicycle racks, a pit toilet, covered picnic tables, and shaded grassy tent sites. Ground fires, dogs, and horses are strictly prohibited. Campers must pack out all rubbish, bring their own drinking water, and book online in advance through Parks ACT. From $7.33 per person. (updated Jul 2026)

6 Abode Gungahlin, Cnr Gribble Street and Anthony Rolfe Avenue, Gungahlin, ☏ +61 2 6108 4911. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Located at the corner of Gribble Street and Anthony Rolfe Avenue in the Gungahlin town centre, this modern 4-star apartment hotel features 61 self-contained rooms. Rooms are equipped with kitchenettes, in-room washer/dryer units, and Google Chromecast streaming. While there is no on-site restaurant, the property features a 24/7 grab-and-go pantry by reception, offers pet-friendly rooms (fees apply), and provides free guest parking. From $130. (updated Jul 2026)

7 Gold Creek Tourist Resort, 29 O'Hanlon Pl, Nicholls, ☏ +61 2 6241 3000, info@gctr.net.au. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Located in the heart of Gold Creek Village in Nicholls, this established 3-star resort features 65 fully refurbished guest rooms complete with new bedding, smart TVs, and mini-fridges. Ideal for visiting the local dinosaur museum and bird aviaries, the property has an outdoor swimming pool, guest laundry, and an on-site dining room that serves à la carte dinners Monday through Friday from 5:30PM. The resort heavily caters to school excursion groups during term times. From $120. (updated Jul 2026)