
Area Hotlist — South Canberra ACT
20 lifestyle anchors proven to sell property across the South Canberra area
Area Hotlist — South Canberra
Kingston Foreshore
912 votesKingston Foreshore’s waterfront boardwalk hums day and night with brew-pubs, gelato bars and chic apartments overlooking the marina. Locals paddleboard at sunrise, stroll the art trail to the Glassworks, then meet friends for tapas without ever starting the car—inner-city living with a relaxed, harbour-side vibe.
Lake Burley Griffin
890 votesCanberra’s showpiece lake wraps around South Canberra, offering 40 kilometres of shared paths, rowing courses and picnic lawns. Weekends bring sailing regattas and sunset e-bike laps, while commuters relish traffic-free rides to the Parliamentary Triangle—proof that everyday exercise and postcard scenery can happily overlap.
Parliament House
289 votesThe nation’s capital literally centres on Parliament House, its sweeping lawns and striking flag mast crowning Capital Hill. Free tours, landscaped walking tracks and memorable fireworks displays make it more than a workplace for politicians—it’s a walk-able civic landmark anchoring Barton, Forrest and Deakin lifestyles.
Narrabundah College
229 votesRenowned for its International Baccalaureate program and creative-arts studios, Narrabundah College draws Years 11-12 students from across the ACT. A leafy campus, specialist science labs and on-site career advisers set graduates up for university success, while excellent bus links minimise parent drop-offs.
Manuka Village
211 votesTree-lined boulevards, designer boutiques and European-style cafés give Manuka Village an effortless cosmopolitan charm. Locals grab pastries from century-old Manuka Bakery, catch arthouse flicks at the heritage cinema, then linger over champagne brunch—all a pleasant 10-minute stroll from historic red-brick homes.
Telopea Park
181 votesStretching between Barton and Kingston, Telopea Park’s majestic poplars shade BBQ rings, playgrounds and an off-leash dog run. Families walk here after school, office workers jog the creek-side loop, and community festivals fill the lawn—all within earshot of cafés on Giles and Bougainville Streets.
Fyshwick Markets
169 votesOpen Thursday to Sunday, Fyshwick Markets deliver Canberra’s freshest seafood, continental delicatessens and specialty butchers under one roof. Savvy shoppers arrive early for warm pastries, while home cooks stock up on seasonal produce straight from surrounding farms—cheap, authentic flavour minutes from Kingston apartments.
Canberra Grammar School
169 votesSet on 20 hectares in Red Hill, co-educational Canberra Grammar blends century-old tradition with cutting-edge STEM centres, rowing sheds on the lake and international exchange programs. Boarding options and private bus routes broaden its catchment, underpinning steady demand for nearby family homes.
Manuka Oval
157 votesFrom summer Big Bash cricket to winter AFL showdowns, boutique-sized Manuka Oval punches above its weight for atmosphere. Residents wander over with picnic rugs, enjoy twilight matches under new LED lights, then spill into Manuka’s wine bars without worrying about parking chaos.
Telopea Park School
144 votesHoused in grand 1920s red-brick buildings, Telopea Park School offers French-Australian bilingual streams from Year 7. Its central Barton location lets students cycle beside Lake Burley Griffin to class, and parents praise the seamless transition into Narrabundah College two kilometres up the road.
Canberra Airport
142 votesWith a gleaming terminal, fast security and direct flights to every mainland capital, Canberra Airport makes interstate business trips painless. Secure parking, frequent rapid-bus services and a 12-minute drive from Kingston Foreshore ensure travellers spend more time home and less stuck in transit queues.
Kingston Shops
123 votesThe original Kingston Shops retain an old-school village feel: think family-run grocer, butcher and bookshop alongside buzzy brunch spots. Tree-shaded footpaths, ample bike parking and alfresco tables invite weekend lingering, while essential services save residents trips into Civic.
Canberra Hospital
121 votesAs the ACT’s largest tertiary hospital, Canberra Hospital provides round-the-clock emergency care, specialist clinics and medical research hubs. Its presence delivers peace of mind for families and underpins strong rental demand from nurses, interns and allied-health professionals seeking short commutes.
Griffith Shops
88 votesNestled among established gums, Griffith Shops serve up artisan bread, small-batch coffee and a legendary corner-store chicken. Locals pick up gourmet groceries on foot, mingle at twilight wine tastings, then wander home along quiet, wide verges—suburban convenience without sacrificing charm.
Canberra Centre
78 votesJust a short lake-side drive north, Canberra Centre’s 300-plus retailers, rooftop dining and eight-screen cinema lure South Canberra shoppers year-round. Secure cycle storage and express buses make popping in for mid-week errands easy, keeping boutique purchases and fresh-food hauls hassle-free.
Red Hill Nature Reserve
74 votesEarly risers hit Red Hill’s wooden stairs for sunrise workouts, rewarded with sweeping views across the Parliamentary Triangle. Wildlife sightings, military-history plaques and a summit café encourage slower weekend strolls, while mountain-bike trails test adventurous locals—all starting minutes from Deakin and Hughes driveways.
Red Hill Primary School
61 votesRed Hill Primary’s popular International Baccalaureate program, community gardens and vibrant arts festivals see households keen to buy within its leafy catchment. Safe walking paths and a dedicated kiss-and-drop lane ease morning traffic, while after-school care lets parents balance busy professional schedules.
St Edmund’s College
50 votesSt Edmund’s College, a boys’ Catholic school in Griffith, pairs academic rigour with a proud rugby tradition and cutting-edge design-tech workshops. Boarding options draw regional families, and quick bus routes link students to Manuka and the Foreshore for weekend downtime.
Old Bus Depot Markets
45 votesEvery Sunday the historic Kingston Powerhouse fills with handcrafted jewellery, gourmet doughnuts and lively buskers for the Old Bus Depot Markets. Locals sip espresso while browsing stalls, then wander the foreshore boardwalk home with artisan goodies—an effortless weekend ritual.
St Clare’s College
44 votesSt Clare’s College in Griffith provides girls from Years 7-12 with modern science labs, performing-arts studios and strong pastoral care. Regular inter-school debating and athletics competitions foster confidence, while convenient public-transport links mean students can travel independently from suburbs across South Canberra.