Canberra/Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden

The following districts that are covered in this article listed from northwest to southeast.

Unlike some other parts of Canberra, these names are commonly used in daily speech, both in government and colloquial conversation. When it comes to signage Woden and Weston Creek are two major focal points, but Molonglo Valley rarely appears; often because you would normally have to enter through Weston Creek. Stromlo, being entirely rural sadly has no mention on the poor, unaesthetic signs; just head west of Weston Creek and you'll eventually arrive at Stromlo.

All three districts are well connected by road: there is a freeway that runs through the centre of the three districts, also making it convenient to get around.

If you are coming from Tuggeranong, use the unnumbered Drakeford Drive up northwest, and the continue on Tuggeranong Parkway once the freeway grade road begins. From here, depending on which district you are intending to visit, you'll have to take different exits. If you are intending to go to either the districts of Weston Creek or Woden, exit onto Hindmarsh Drive, while if you are intending to visit Molonglo Valley, exit onto either Lady Denman Drive or Hindmarsh Drive. The Lady Denman Drive exit has all the important points of interests clearly marked on a brown tourist sign, so make sure to look out for the names of tourist spots, not the ones of the suburbs or Molonglo Valley.

To get to Woden, the ACTION buses R4, R5 and R6 stop at 1 Woden Interchange, all come from South Canberra, while R4 and R5 lines also come from Tuggeranong.

To get into Molonglo, use the R10 ACTION bus from Civic – it too passes South Canberra but passes by the Australian Defence College to the north of the district. Meanwhile if you're looking to get into Weston Creek, use the R7 ACTION bus which runs parallel to R10 until Streeton Dr. After passing Cooleman Court Interchange, the line terminates at 2 Weston Creek Terminus.

There are no bus services to Stromlo – if you don't have a car, your best bet to reach Stromlo is to catch a taxi or an Uber. Walking is not advisable due to the long distances involved on non-existent paths. Just to give one example, the distance between the Mount Stromlo Observatory and Weston Creek Town Centre is 9.4 km, on a steep and requires you to walk on the road and you'll be a nuisance to drivers were you to walk on the road. Cycling is a better alternative to get around, but you'll often have to rent one closer to Civic.

The National Arboretum opened in February 2013 as part of the celebrations of Canberra's centenary. While the plants still need a bit more time to grow, the site has good views over Lake Burley Griffin. If you need to contact the arboretum, try emailing arboretum@act.gov.au or calling ☏ +61 13 22 81. It's open 6AM–8:30PM during daylight savings and 7AM–5:30PM during non-daylight savings, though individual sections of the garden may have different opening hours.

You can enter the National Arboretum free of charge, but you will need to pay for a parking ticket if you want to park at the village centre. Parking is very inexpensive – the max you'll have to pay is around $8 and funds usually go towards maintaining the arboretum.

1 Dairy Farmers Hill, 95 Forest Dr. If you're here for the good views, this hill is a must-see. Situated within the southwest of the arboretum, this viewpoint offers spectacular scenery looking east along the length of Lake Burley Griffin. (updated Jun 2022)

2 Village Centre and National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, Forest Dr, ☏ +61 2 6251 3371. Daily 9AM–4PM. It has an extensive collection of miniature trees and forests along with 70 artworks (ranging from modern, to artworks that are over a century old). The village centre also contains a restaurant, a cafe, an information centre, toilets and a small souvenir store called 1 The Curatoreum. (updated Jun 2022)

If you've got small children, the National Arboretum perhaps has one of the most creative-looking playgrounds. The 3 Big Acorn or Pod Playground is one of Australia's big things right next to the village centre between the carpark, village centre and the start of the Central Valley Path. It's kind of hard to not notice it while leaving towards the Central Valley Path and often does dazzle your mind a bit as to who designed it.

The 4 STEP Botanic Garden, with "STEP" short for Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park, is perhaps the closest that you could find in the region to bush tucker – there's a good albeit rather small bush tucker botanic garden along with the typical grasses, shrubs and trees or anything you would find in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. There's a 1.5-km walk that you can take starting from the village centre where parking your car shouldn't pose issues.

Another must-see in the arboretum, especially during winter is the 5 Himalayan Cedars. Apart from the impressive sculpture that reads "wide brown land", symbolising what inland Australia is like (but not Canberra though), these cedars are about 100 years old (as of 2022, that's more than 10 times older than the arboretum it's located in) and is the most well-grown out of the relatively new arboretum. There's a 2.1-km loop trail starting from the village centre, but alternatively you can take your car up to the lookout and do a shorter walk if you're not feeling like walking the entire trail.

7 Lindsay Pryor National Arboretum, Barrenjoey Dr. (opposite the National Arboretum), ☏ +61 2 6271 2888. It's a smaller version of the National Arboretum and in fact it's just opposite the freeway, but beside Lake Burley Griffin instead named after Lindsay Pryor, an Australian botanist. It's a great place to see some autumn colours and have a nice stroll by the lake, but maintenance has been a bit poor. (updated May 2022)

8 National Rock Garden, Forest Dr., Molonglo Valley (cnr Barrenjoey and Lady Denman Dr), ☏ +61 2 9290 2194. A new precinct with an abundant amount of rocks displaying the rick geological heritage from all over Australia. There are two main rock collections on display; the Federation Rocks and the Featured Rocks. Free. (updated May 2022)

9 National Zoo and Aquarium, 999 Lady Denman Drive, ☏ +61 2 6287 8400, frontdesk@nationalzoo.com.au. 10AM–5PM. This privately owned zoo and aquarium offers the standard service plus special tours that allow interaction with the animals. The range of tours offers opportunities to interact with animals (feed or touch) including tigers, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, bears, dingos, elands and snakes. The tours are quite special and certainly worth it if you love animals. Make sure that you turn up at the 'Check in time' for a tour instead of the start time as the two are different. Adult $45, senior/student $37, child $25.

10 Scrivener Dam, Lady Denman Drive (next to the National Zoo and Aquarium). This small dam across the Molonglo River was completed in 1963 in order to create Lake Burley Griffin. A viewing platform is located off Lady Denman Drive near the eastern edge of the dam.

11 Stromlo Cottage, Noffs Cres, Coombs, toll-free: 1800 777 952, mingle@act.gov.au. A cottage built in 1926 that once served as accommodation for an officer. Today, it tells the story of how Canberra became the way it is. (updated Apr 2022)

Government House Lookout is on the border of South Canberra and Weston Creek, but as Government House (the official residence of the Governor-General) is in South Canberra, see South Canberra § Government House for details on Government House.

1 HOYTS Woden, Westfield Woden Shopping Centre, Bradley Street, Phillip (in Westfield Woden). daily 10AM-late. This modern multiplex features 8 digital cinema screens, including a massive, high-impact HOYTS Xtreme screen with Dolby Atmos surround sound. Every single auditorium is outfitted with premium stadium seating and comfortable high-back chairs to maximize comfort. They showcase everything from major Hollywood blockbusters and family movies to curated international art-house film releases. Standard tickets approx. $18–$26. (updated Jul 2026)

2 Escape Rooms Canberra, 2/24 Dundas Ct, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 6281 5729, info@escaperoomscanberra.com. M–Th 9:30AM–9:30PM, F Sa 9AM–10:30PM, Su 9AM–10PM. This immersive attraction offers incredibly detailed, high-production escape rooms. Teams of 2 to 7 players are given exactly 60 minutes to solve a series of visual, linguistic, and lateral puzzles to achieve their objective—whether it's exploring witchcraft in Salem or stopping a rogue magic show. Uniquely, the venue features "Garden Party", a gorgeous hidden speakeasy cocktail bar and beer garden accessible only to customers to unwind in after their game. From $35-50 per person depending on group size. (updated Jul 2026)

3 Timezone Woden, Cnr Bradley Street & Corinna Street, Westfield Woden, Phillip (in Westfield Woden), ☏ +61 1300 421 567. Su-Th 9AM-10PM, F Sa 9AM-11PM. This massive 1,600-m² entertainment hub is a premier destination for families and thrill-seekers. It features a sprawling, immersive 230-m² post-apocalyptic sci-fi themed laser tag arena that fits up to 24 players at once. The venue also packs in six short-lane bowling alleys, bumper cars, over 85 state-of-the-art arcade games, and PIXEL—a high-tech floor game where players jump on colored panels. Tickets won can be traded for prizes at the large Winners Vault. Pay-per-play arcade games; Laser Tag from $16; Bowling from $14. (updated Jul 2026)

4 Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre, 1 Irving Street, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 6282 1660. M-F 6AM-7PM, Sa Su 8AM-7PM. While the surrounding site has approved multi-stage residential redevelopment plans on the horizon, this historic community hub remains fully operational for public ice skating and swimming. It features an Olympic-sized indoor ice skating rink that hosts daily public skating sessions, skating lessons, and local ice hockey matches. A heated outdoor 50-metre lap pool operates during the warmer months. Ice skating casual entry from $22 (includes skate hire). (updated Jul 2026)

5 Eddison Park, 40 Launceston St, Phillip. 24 hours daily. This premier community park is loaded with unique recreational facilities. It features a highly rated, championship-level 18-hole disc golf course that is completely free to play (just bring your own discs). The park is also home to a world-class, floodlit concrete skatepark and a massive nature playground complete with a wobbly rope bridge, climbing tunnels, water play features, walking tracks, duck ponds, and shaded electric barbecue pavilions. Free. (updated Jul 2026)

6 Oakey Hill Nature Reserve, Heysen Street, Weston, ☏ +61 2 6207 2087. 24 hours daily. Located as a natural green wedge nestled tightly between the suburbs of Weston and Lyons, this quiet nature reserve forms the geographic border between Woden and Weston Creek. The hill features several short, gravel walking trails winding through yellow box gum woodlands that were once agricultural grazing land before Canberra's expansion. It is one of the most reliable and convenient spots in the inner south to see wild mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos feeding at dusk without leaving the suburbs. Free. (updated Jul 2026)

7 Stromlo Forest Park, Dave McInnes Rd, Stromlo, ☏ +61 2 6207 8484, stromloforestpark@act.gov.au. daily 6AM-6PM (6AM-9PM during daylight saving). Located on the western boundary of the Molonglo Valley, this world-class, 1,200-hectare multi-use recreational sporting facility is a paradise for outdoor fitness enthusiasts. It features a massive network of custom-designed trails for mountain biking (from beginner flow trails to elite downhill tracks), cross-country running, walking, and equestrian trail riding. The facility also boasts a professional 1.2-km criterium cycling circuit and a dirt pump track. Free. (updated Jul 2026)

8 Stromlo Leisure Centre, Corner of Uriarra Road and, Dave McInnes Rd, Stromlo, ☏ +61 2 51142900. M-F 5:30AM-9:30PM, Sa Su 7AM-7:30PM. This state-of-the-art community aquatic and fitness hub features a heated indoor Olympic-sized 50-metre lap pool, a warm-water program pool, a fully equipped gym, and a popular outdoor splash park with water slides for children. Casual pool entry $8.50. (updated Jul 2026)

9 Mount Stromlo Observatory, Cotter Road, Weston Creek, ☏ +61 2 6125 0230, toll-free: +61 2 6125 0230, rsaa.enquiries@anu.edu.au. grounds daily 8AM-5PM. Located atop Mount Stromlo just west of the Weston Creek district, this iconic site serves as the headquarters for astronomy and astrophysics research at the Australian National University (ANU). Heavily impacted by the devastating 2003 bushfires, the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the original heritage telescopes remain on-site alongside rebuilt modern laser ranging facilities. The sweeping panoramic views over Canberra and the Brindabella Ranges make it a must-visit during the day. On select Saturday nights, they host popular public stargazing events where visitors can peer through professional scopes. Free entry to grounds; public stargazing nights from $5 donation/fee. (updated Jul 2026)

2 Cooleman Court, Brierly St, Weston, ☏ +61 2 6288 8800. M–W 9AM–5:30PM, Th 9AM–7PM, F 9AM–8PM, Sa 9AM–5PM, Su 10AM–4PM. A shopping centre with about 80 specialty stores, though as it is not a mall, don't expect the range to be as great as what you'd find in a mall. There are a couple of cafes in the shopping centre, though the range is not the best. If you are looking for a better range, some of the nearby malls will have a better range. (updated Mar 2022)

3 Westfield Woden, Keltie St, Phillip. A reasonably sized Westfield featuring a David Jones department store, a Big W, two supermarkets, approximately 200 specialty stores, and a food court. (updated Mar 2022)

4 Southside Farmers Market, Launceston St., Phillip (Woden CIT (formerly Woden High School) (Ainsworth Street near Hindmarsh Drive, Phillip)), ☏ +61 427 807 801, enquiries@canberrafarmersmarkets.com.au. Su 9AM-noon. While most markets are in the north or Canberra Central, this one is more conveniently in somewhere-not-the central or north. In this market, the sellers are the producers and all stalls are all food related.

5 Alexander Fax Booksellers, Shop 10, Mawson House, Southlands Shopping Centre, Mawson (near the post office), ☏ +61 2 6290 0140. W–Su 10AM–3PM. Second-hand bookshop which specialises in military history.

6 Harry Hartog, Ground floor, Westfield Woden, ☏ +61 2 6232 5832. An independent bookshop with a good range, though focused mainly on fiction. (updated Mar 2015)

1 Burger Villains, 24/2 Antis St, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 5119 2528. Daily noon–9PM. A small burger restaurant with not many options, but are cheap and for the most part, tasty and value for money. However, the chips have known to be soggy at times. (updated Jul 2022)

2 Chapman Cafe, Perry Dr., Chapman, ☏ +61 2 6288 4999. A fish and chip takeaway cafe with some great hot dogs, burgers (be aware that it comes with beetroot), pizza, seafood or any classic Australian hot food. (updated May 2022)

3 Hansel & Gretel, 40 Townshend St., Phillip, ☏ +61 2 6282 5009. M–F 7AM–4PM, Sa 8AM–4PM. Great European-style shop and cafe. Has a couple of easter bunnies during the easter season.

4 Pitch Black Cafe, 14 Rivett Pl., Rivett, ☏ +61 2 5136 5258, billpesi52@gmail.com. Daily 7:30AM–2:30PM. Serving great Seven Mile Roasters coffee, it is known for its variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets available. However, a must-try of this cafe is the tradies breakfast special, which is not just for tradies, but for everyone. (updated May 2022)

5 Turkish Pide House (Pide House), Woden Plaza, 97-99 Corinna Street, Woden, ☏ +61 2 6260 3016. Daily 10:30AM–9PM. A nice, inexpensive Turkish food in a proper restaurant that is open all day – one of the very few places to eat in Canberra that are open all day. (updated Feb 2015)

Fast food is available in all three urban districts. You'll find a Maccas in all three and a few other fast food chains like Oporto in Molonglo Valley or KFC in Woden, but these are generally not hard to find.

6 Bruno's Truffels, Unit 2, 106 Mawson Place, Mawson, ☏ +61 2 6286 6377. M–F 9AM–4PM, Sa Su 7:30AM–2PM. Nice cafe and shop for locally made chocolates and pastries. The building might look a bit dated though.

7 Canberra Southern Cross Club, 92-96 Corinna St, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 6105 9970, reception.woden@cscc.com.au. Daily 9AM–4AM. Casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with several dining establishments within it. Breakfast is usually served until 11AM though there are no limitations after that. It does get a little bit crowded afterwards, so it might be wise to make an online booking, but a credit card booking guarantee applies; $5 per person. (updated Jul 2022)

8 Daana, 83 Theodore St, Curtin, ☏ +61 2 5105 1048, chef@daana.com.au. M–Sa 5:30–9PM (closed Sundays). A vibrant South Indian restaurant but the chefs here have taken it further and blended Indigenous Australian ingredients (bush tucker) into their traditional recipes – creative! (updated May 2022)

9 Dumpling Social, Shop R02/9 Bradley St, Phillip, ☏ +61 409 246 888, eat@dumplingsocial.com.au. Daily 11AM–9PM. A modern Chinese-Australian restaurant with a very cozy and relaxed atmosphere with some yummy and flavourful dumplings! However, the price is rather expensive for what you actually get, but you'll get the true taste of dumplings compared to an $8 dumpling in Civic. (updated Jun 2022)

10 Lemongrass, 88 Corrina St, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 6282 1144. M–F 11AM–2PM, 5–10PM; Sa Su 5–10PM. A borderline budget–mid-range restaurant with simple Thai food that doesn't really differ from any other Australianised Thai restaurant, let alone its few branches elsehwere. Unfortunately, takeaways tend to get overly prioritised so you might have to wait a while before you get your meal. (updated Jul 2022)

11 Maestral Seafood Restaurant, 13 Trenerry Street, Weston Creek, ☏ +61 2 6287 3930. Serving Mediterranean and Croatian cuisines with lots of fresh seafood and steak. Offers dine-in, takeaway and BYO options.

12 Namaste India Restaurant, 28 Corinna St, ☏ +61 2 6282 0099. W–M 5–9PM (closed Tuesdays). Perhaps one of the most finest authentic Indian restaurants one could find outside Canberra Central. The most popular meal in this restaurant is their butter chicken, but their garlic naan is also popular. (updated Mar 2022)

13 Rama's, Shop 6, Pearce Shopping Centre, Hodgson Crescent, Pearce, ☏ +61 2 6286 1964, +61 2 6286 9437. Tu–Sa 5PM–8PM. Serving Fijian and Indian cuisine (and sometimes a mix of both), and has been long established with some of the finest curries in town. However, it can be very noisy at times.

15 Kickin'Inn, cnr Hindmarsh Dr and Ball St, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 8103 1828, woden@kickininn.com.au. Su–Th 11AM–9PM; F Sa 11AM–11PM. Why visit a seafood restaurant in an inland city you ask? It's a kajun seafood restaurant so food is quite spicy (a good place if you want to spice up your tastebuds) but prices soar up to $170 at times but in return, the portions are quite large. Sometimes the starters might be enough as a meal for one person. (updated Jul 2022)

1 The Alby, 45 Furzer St, Phillip (in Albemarle Building), ☏ +61 2 5127 6000, hello@thealby.com.au. M Tu 3PM-late, W-Su 7:15AM-late. This multi-layered venue is one of the southside's premier social hubs. It features a lively main bar with a central fireplace, a covered open-air beer garden, and a dedicated "Games Basement" where you can play Australia's first Duckpin bowling lanes, pinball machines, and pool tables. The kitchen serves up excellent wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and share plates. Pint of beer from $11. (updated Jul 2026)

2 No. 10 Woden, 10 Bowes Street, Woden (in Abode Woden), ☏ +61 2 6108 4958, info.woden@number10restaurantandbar.com. M-F 7AM-9PM, Sa Su 7AM-11AM. This sleek, contemporary venue is great for casual after-work drinks. The bar features a premium list highlighting local Canberra-region wines, cold craft beers on tap, and creative cocktails. It is highly popular for its weekday "Happy Hour + A Half" from 4:30PM to 6PM, offering excellent discounts on house drinks. (updated Jul 2026)

3 T-bone Coombs (Coombs Pub), 9/1 Fairhall Street, Coombs, ☏ +61 2 61818154. Tu 2-10PM, W Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-10PM; closed M. This sleek and spacious neighborhood pub is the premier drinking spot in the growing Molonglo Valley. It features an exceptional craft beer list, expertly poured classic cocktails, and a modern dining area. Popular with local families and young professionals, the pub runs highly rated weekly events including Tuesday night trivia, Wednesday burger specials, and live music on weekends. (updated Jul 2026)

4 The Denman Kitchen + Wine Bar, Denman Village Shops, G/1 Felstead Vis, Denman Prospect (in Denman Village Shops). Su-W noon-9PM, Th-Sa noon-10PM. This beautiful neighborhood venue offers an upscale yet highly approachable wine bar experience. Boasting elegant farm-to-table design and panoramic views of the Lower Molonglo Valley, the bar serves a curated selection of regional boutique wines, Australian craft beers, and specialty cocktails. The food menu focuses heavily on seasonal local ingredients, making it an exceptional spot to enjoy shared tapas and drinks with friends. Wine by the glass from $11. (updated Jul 2026)

5 Weston Bull (formerly Meating Room), 45 Liardet Street, Weston, ☏ +61 2 6189 5901. daily noon-10PM. This lively suburban tavern has successfully replaced the old "Meating Room". Led by Head Chef Bhishup, the pub serves as a fantastic neighborhood local with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. The bar pours a great selection of cold beers and wine, while the kitchen serves up premium steaks, pizzas, and subtle Indian-inspired gastropub specials. Weekly highlights include Tuesday night trivia, Wednesday night steak specials, and live acoustic music on Friday evenings. Pint of beer from $10. (updated Jul 2026)

6 Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson Street, Weston, ☏ +61 2 6288 5088. Su-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11:30PM. This legendary club has served as a little piece of Ireland in Canberra since 1975. Famous for pouring the finest, smoothest Guinness on tap south of the lake, the pub boasts a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. It is a major hub for live entertainment, hosting regular folk music, open-mic nights, and Celtic choir rehearsals. The on-site eatery, Molly Bloom's Kitchen, serves up exceptionally generous pub classics with Irish and Fijian influences. Pint of Guinness $12. (updated Jul 2026)

7 Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 6283 7200. Daily 9AM-4AM. This sprawling, modern social club is a beloved local anchor. The venue’s main bar, the Woden Central Clubhouse & Bar, features a warm double-sided fireplace surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs, pouring regional wines on tap and cold craft beers. The venue has numerous screens showing live sports, hosts a highly popular trivia night every Thursday, and offers casual dining at the leafy Patio dining area. (updated Jul 2026)

8 Hellenic Club of Canberra, Matilda Street, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 6281 0899. Daily 9AM-4AM. This massive, multi-faceted community club is one of Canberra's largest entertainment venues. It is home to the award-winning Woden Sports Bar & TAB, which features massive LED screens broadcasting live sports, and the relaxed, open-air Woden Beer Garden. If you're looking for local or Mediterranean wines, stop by Kivotos, their sophisticated Greek wine bar. Visitors can easily sign in at reception with a valid photo ID. Beer from $8. (updated Jul 2026)

9 Sharetea Woden, Westfield Woden, Keltie Street, Phillip (in Westfield Woden), ☏ +61 4 49618233. M-Th 10:30AM-5:30PM, F 10:30AM–8PM, Sa Su 10:30AM-5:30PM. This popular bubble tea shop offers a sweet, refreshing non-alcoholic alternative to the local pub scene. It is a highly popular stop for shoppers looking to grab a quick cold beverage on the go. Local favorites include their rich, caramelized Tiger Milk Tea, taro milk teas, and fruit-infused green teas packed with chewy boba pearls. Drinks from $6.50-9.50. (updated Jul 2026)

1 Cotter Campground, 1691 Cotter Rd, Stromlo, ☏ +61 2 6237 5307. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Set on the banks of the Cotter River near the confluence with the Murrumbidgee River, this is the most highly serviced public bush campground in the ACT. It accommodates tents, camper-trailers, and caravans. All sites are unallocated and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Facilities include hot showers, flushing toilets, drinking water, dishwashing areas, wash-up facilities, and electric, gas, and wood barbecues (bring your own firewood). Note that pets are not permitted, mobile phone reception is highly unreliable in the valley, and bookings must be made online in advance. From $18.42 per night. (updated Jul 2026)

2 Abode Woden, 10 Bowes St, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 6108 4950. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Located in the Woden town centre precinct, this modern 4-star apartment-style hotel offers 152 self-contained rooms equipped with kitchenettes, in-room washer and dryer units, and smart TV streaming facilities. On-site amenities include conference facilities and the No. 10 Restaurant + Bar, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wheelchair-accessible studios are available. From $120. (updated Jul 2026)

3 Abode Phillip, 6 Furzer St, Phillip, ☏ +61 2 6220 0120. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Located a short walk from the Woden Bus Interchange and Westfield Woden shopping centre, this contemporary 4-star apartment hotel features 54 self-contained studio layouts and one-bedroom apartments. Rooms are equipped with laundry machines, fully functional kitchenettes, and streaming services. The property is pet-friendly by prior arrangement (fees apply). Note that there is no on-site restaurant, but guests can easily walk to nearby dining options or breakfast at No. 10 Restaurant + Bar at the sister property (Abode Woden). From $110. (updated Jul 2026)

4 The Statesman Hotel, 14 Theodore St, Curtin, ☏ +61 2 6281 1777. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Located at the intersection of Theodore Street and Strangways Street, this fully renovated property features 64 modern motel rooms and apartments. Operating since 1967, the venue's on-site facilities include the Policy Restaurant (specialising in wood-fired steaks), three bars, a café, a bottle shop, and free covered guest parking. Note that the upper floors are accessible by stairs only. From $128. (updated Jul 2026)

5 Jamala Wildlife Lodge, National Zoo & Aquarium, 999 Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla (within the National Zoo and Aquarium), ☏ +61 2 6287 8444, info@jamalawildlifelodge.com.au. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Located within the zoo grounds along the Scrivener Dam edge, this all-inclusive 5-star luxury lodge is set within the grounds of the National Zoo and Aquarium. It features 18 African-inspired rooms split across three distinct hubs: uShaka Lodge (integrated with a shark tank and monkey enclosure), Giraffe Treehouses, and Jungle Bungalows (built directly alongside large predator enclosures). Packages include private guided zoo tours, all drinks, a three-course African-inspired dinner, and breakfast. Children under 6 cannot be accommodated. From $1,795. (updated Jul 2026)