Canberra Hospital

915 votes

The ACT’s major tertiary hospital anchors Garran with 24-hour emergency, new critical-care wing and expanding medical research hub. Proximity drives strong rental demand from doctors and students, while nearby green corridors and bike paths let staff stroll or cycle home within minutes.

2

Westfield Woden

648 votes

Westfield Woden mixes 260 retailers, rooftop dining and a six-screen cinema around a busy bus-interchange. Shoppers love undercover parking and late-night trade, while residents duck in for groceries, Pilates or tech repairs without braving Civic traffic.

3

Woden Town Centre

544 votes

Office towers, co-working studios and apartment high-rises form Woden Town Centre—a true “15-minute city”. Planned light-rail will slash commutes to the CBD, while new eat-streets add after-hours buzz that’s steps from Sky Plaza and Grand Central Towers.

4

Mount Taylor

349 votes

Early risers tackle Mount Taylor’s steep fire-trail for sunrise views across Tuggeranong Valley and Parliament House. The protected reserve shelters kangaroos and rare orchids, yet trailheads sit only five minutes from Pearce and Farrer cul-de-sacs—weekend adventure on the doorstep.

5

Canberra College

96 votes

Year 11-12 Canberra College in Phillip delivers university-style timetables, elite dance programs and a modern trades training centre. Students bus in from across the valley, then grab sushi at the Plaza or shift at Westfield after class—teen independence sorted.

6

Marist College

79 votes

Set on 15 hectares in Pearce, boys’ Marist College pairs academic rigour with a storied rugby tradition. New STEM labs, boarding facilities and direct bus routes attract families from regional NSW, underpinning steady demand for nearby four-bedroom houses.

7

Alfred Deakin High School

59 votes

Adjacent to leafy ovals, Alfred Deakin High serves Years 7-10 with French immersion, robotics and outdoor-ed programs leveraging Red Hill reserve. Parents praise smooth progression into Canberra College and the quick bike ride from Deakin, Hughes and Curtin streets.

8

Melrose High School

52 votes

Melrose High in Pearce features award-winning sustainability gardens, Japanese exchange and strong netball squads. Students stroll from Mawson or hop rapid buses that stop outside Westfield, making after-school part-time work and sport logistics a breeze.

9

Woden Plaza

48 votes

Often dubbed “the old Plaza”, this newly re-imagined retail strip adds alfresco eateries, artisan bakeries and co-working nooks on Bradley Street. Live music on Friday nights has turned the once-quiet thoroughfare into Woden’s go-to for after-work drinks.

10

Farrer Primary School

41 votes

Backing onto Mount Taylor Reserve, Farrer Primary blends inquiry learning with a celebrated kitchen-garden program. Safe cycling paths and wide verges see many families walk or ride, strengthening the suburb’s tight-knit community feel.

11

Curtin Primary School

41 votes

Curtin Primary’s bilingual Italian streams, inclusive education unit and vibrant fetes make it a perennial favourite. Parents drop kids, grab espresso at Southlands, then commute to Civic in ten minutes—true work-life convenience.

12

Southlands Shopping Centre

36 votes

Southlands in Mawson delivers everyday essentials—two supermarkets, Asian grocers, medical suites—plus a tasty eat-street of dumplings, pho and patisseries. Ample parking and bus links mean residents skip Westfield queues for quick weeknight errands.

13

Mawson Primary School

31 votes

Multicultural Mawson Primary offers Chinese and Korean bilingual classes, reflecting the suburb’s diverse dining scene. Spacious ovals, modern play equipment and walk-to-Southlands proximity make the school a magnet for young families.

14

Canberra City Centre

29 votes

Just 11 kilometres north via Tuggeranong Parkway, Canberra City Centre provides government offices, nightlife and major events. Rapid buses and plentiful park-and-ride options let Woden residents reach Civic coffee meetings in under 15 minutes.

15

Lake Burley Griffin

27 votes

Whether it’s Sunday cycling loops, dragon-boat regattas or fireworks over the water, Lake Burley Griffin is Canberra’s playground. Woden locals access the foreshore in ten minutes by car or 20 by e-bike, adding holiday vibes to everyday routines.

16

Garran Primary School

27 votes

Steps from Canberra Hospital, Garran Primary boasts Mandarin immersion and award-winning music programs. Tree-lined streets and cul-de-sacs make the morning walk safe, while on-site after-school care supports busy healthcare parents.

17

Hughes Primary School

27 votes

Hughes Primary leverages neighbouring Red Hill bushland for forest-school adventures and science projects. Community gardens, a thriving choir and easy bus access to Deakin HQs enhance the suburb’s family-friendly reputation.

18

Red Hill Nature Reserve

25 votes

From sunset picnics at the lookout café to weekday jogs on shaded trails, Red Hill delivers bush serenity minutes from inner-south streets. Echidna sightings, WWII history plaques and spring wildflowers keep locals returning year-round.

19

Holy Trinity Primary School

25 votes

Holy Trinity’s Catholic ethos, spacious playgrounds and strong sporting culture attract families from Weston Creek through to Deakin. Walkable distance to Curtin Oval and Southlands means after-school soccer and supermarket runs are all on foot.

20

Sky Plaza

23 votes

Soaring over Woden Town Square, Sky Plaza’s 22 storeys deliver panoramic Brindabella views, on-site gyms and ground-floor dining. Its mixed-use design puts residents an elevator ride from grocers, medical suites and the future light-rail stop—high-rise ease without CBD prices.

Area Hotlist — Woden Valley ACT