Canberra's city or Civic is what is now Walter Burley Griffin's design for a Civic Centre. Established in 1927, it's one of the oldest centres of Canberra and is the central business district of Canberra surrounded by North Canberra and Acton. Unlike other cities, Civic is not particularly large and has very few tall sky-rise buildings, but it's the only CBD of its size located in inland Australia.

There isn't one agreed way to call this district, but Wikivoyage has chosen to go with "Civic" for simplicity. Other names for Civic include the city, Canberra CBD, or Canberra City Centre – what you see on highway signs may also be confusing, as whoever designed them couldn't pick a name for consistency.

Districts

Map of Civic's districts

Get in

35°16′52″S 149°7′45″E

Map of Civic

By car

Being at the centre of Canberra, Civic is well connected by several ways. Many are good quality roads, some of which are freeways.

From Tuggeranong:

• Use the freeway grade Tuggeranong Parkway and then exit onto Parkes Way. Continue until the end of the freeway passing Acton and at Coranderrk Street, turn left and then you've essentially arrived at Civic.

From the airport:

• Head west onto Pialligo Drive west and then onto Morshead Drive. Continue until Coranderrk Street from where you'll need to turn right and then you've basically arrived into Civic

From South Canberra

• Cross Lake Burley Griffin onto Commonwealth Drive and you'd have entered Civic

By light rail

Civic has connections to and Gungahlin passing by North Canberra. From Gungahlin, the route starts at the town centre and heads east for a few metres until it changes direction and heads south, passing Dickson Interchange before terminating at the -35.27796149.1293251 Alinga Street station, just north of the Alinga Street/Northbourne Avenue intersection. The route is fairly short, and services are frequent, so you won't need any special planning ahead to use the light rail.

See

When it comes to things to see, Civic has very little to offer. Unlike Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, most of Canberra's museums aren't located in Civic, but rather the areas surrounding Civic. Nevertheless, the Civic has some buildings with some unique architecture, making Canberra quite a different CBD compared to other Australian CBDs.

Most of Civic's sights are located in -35.281269149.1310181 Civic Square, a small block in 180 London Cct, including the Legislative Assembly building, Canberra Museum and Gallery, Civic Library and Canberra Theatre.

• -35.2823149.12522 Artworld ADG, cnr London Cct and Gordon St, ☏ +61 2 6230 2922, [email protected]. F 11AM–6PM. An Aboriginal art gallery that is sister to the Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery in Nicholls. It's a smaller version of the art gallery in Nicholls, but there are still plenty of Aboriginal artworks and artifacts on display. However, do note this place is not wheelchair accessible. (updated May 2022)
• -35.2807149.1313 Canberra Museum and Gallery, 176 London Circuit, ☏ +61 2 6207 3968, [email protected]. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su noon-5PM. A museum and art gallery featuring works and exhibits of the local region. Also features the Sydney Nolan Collection - the works of Sir Sydney Nolan, a famous Australian artist. Free.  
• -35.279149.134 Sydney and Melbourne buildings, Corner of London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue, Civic (the Sydney Building is on the east side of Northbourne Avenue, and the Melbourne Building is on the west side). These two large buildings in the centre of Civic were the first commercially-funded buildings in Canberra, and have been important local landmarks since the 1920s. Both buildings are surrounded by loggias modelled on those of buildings in Florence, Italy. They are occupied by a mix of restaurants (most of which are quite good), nightclubs, pubs and small businesses, but much of the Sydney Building is in a fairly poor state of repair. Plans to revitalise the buildings are regularly proposed, but never go far. 

There are a few memorials and monuments in Civic, though only a fraction when you compare it to just ANZAC Avenue alone in Campbell, North Canberra. They're not popular destinations, and if you're time limited, you can see them while driving and still not miss anything important or notable about these memorials and monuments.

• -35.2808149.1325 ACT Memorial (Australian Capital Territory Memorial), London Circuit (opposite Civic Square). A war memorial erected in August 2006 to honour those from the Australian Capital Territory who served in all wars. (updated Apr 2022)
• -35.2814149.1296 Canberra Centenary Column. A 8.5-m sculpture built to commemorate the Canberra's centenary, and unveiled on 11 March 2014. The top of the base is inlaid with glass tiles and has a steel covering etched with images depicting Canberra's 100-year history and was designed by local artist Geoff Farquhar-Still. The design was inspired by the "Commencement Column" that was proposed to have been built when Canberra was founded, but was never completed. (updated Mar 2022)

Civic has its fair share of government offices, both a mix of federal (that's no surprise as it's the ACT) and territory government offices. Most of the territory buildings are of little interest, and if you're to be honest, would you really want to go and visit some random old building that you cannot enter? The same goes with federal, except there aren't any of interest as all of the important ones are in South Canberra.

• -35.2816149.13127 Legislative Assembly Building, Civic Square, London Circuit, ☏ +61 2 6205 3016, [email protected]. The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly Building, also known as the South Building, which although may first seem like any other "government building", the building does indeed have some educational programs, and you can make a booking if you want to visit the assembly – see the website for more details. (updated May 2022)
• -35.2804149.1278 Reserve Bank of Australia Building, 20-22 London Circuit. A heritage-listed bank building designed by Howlett and Bailey in 1962 and built from 1963 to 1965 by Civil & Civic which was the old RBA building. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004. (updated May 2022)

Do

• -35.2833149.1341 Casino Canberra, 21 Binara St, ☏ +61 2 6243 3700. Daily noon–4AM. Perhaps Canberra's equivalent of Melbourne's Crown Casino, with multiple gambling areas, a sports bar, and an eatery but the casino is quite compact. (updated Mar 2022)
• -35.2818149.13052 Canberra Theatre Centre (Canberra Theatre). Canberra’s central performing arts venue, Australia’s first performing arts centre, and the first Australian Government initiated performing arts centre to be completed having opened on 24 June 1965 with a gala performance by the Australian Ballet. (updated May 2022)

Buy

• -35.2794149.13361 Canberra Centre, Bunda St, ☏ +61 2 6247-5611. A large shopping mall in Civic, covering a large section of the central Canberra shopping district. It has department stores, food hall and eateries, specialty shops for adults and kids fashion both upmarket and basic. There are also electronics, books, CDs, souvenirs and Australian made products. (updated Feb 2015)
• -35.28039149.132512 City Walk. An outdoor pedestrian mall in Civic that is home to a large range of shopping outlets, alfresco dining and a few bars. The mall is also home to the Canberra Merry-Go-Round and the Canberra Times fountain.  
• -35.28042149.13283 Dymocks Canberra, Shop CL17 Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Civic (behind the escalators in the Canberra Centre's food court), ☏ +61 2 6257 5057. While part of a fairly unexciting national chain, this branch of Dymocks has a unusually well-chosen stock. Other, and less interesting, Dymocks branches are located in Belconnen Mall and the Tuggeranong Hyperdome. 
• Lonsdale Street in Braddon houses a growing number of boutiques which specialise in independent clothing labels, other designer objects, and many, many, coffee shops and casual restaurants. The southern end of Lonsdale Street contains many of Canberra's outdoor clothing and camping stores and some several bicycle shops.

Eat

Budget

• -35.278828149.12881 Civic Asian Noodle House, Sydney Building, 34 Northbourne Ave, ☏ +61 2 6247 5145 (landline), +61 405 558 353 (mobile). Good laksa at reasonable prices (ranging around $15) in a relaxed atmosphere. 
• -35.27766149.13342 CBD Dumpling House, Shop FG13C Canberra Centre (148 Bunda St) (enter from Scotts Crossing), ☏ +61 2 6262 8855. 11:30AM–3PM, 5–10PM. Large and very popular Asian restaurant. Specialises in dumplings, but has a good mix of other Asian dishes. (updated Jul 2017)
• -35.2848149.1233 Fekerte’s Ethiopian, Phillip Law St (near Ovolo Nishi). A budget Ethiopian restaurant with some very flavourful spicy dishes and a whole slew of vegan and vegetarian options. It's one of only two Ethiopian restaurants in Canberra (with the other being Ethiopia Down Under in Woden). Both dine-in and takeaway available. (updated Jun 2022)
• -35.2782149.13164 Happy’s Chinese Restaurant, 1/17 Garema Pl, ☏ +61 2 6249 7015. Lunch: W–M 11:30AM–2PM (closed Tuesdays), dinner: Su–Th 5–9PM F Sa 5–10PM. A simple Cantonese restaurant that's been in this area for quite a long time. The menu is not very extensive, but nearly all of them are value-for-price. The size of the restaurant is a bit small though. (updated Jun 2022)
• -35.2782149.13235 Kebaba, Shop 4, 86-96 Bunda St, ☏ +61 2 6113 0346. Su–W 9AM–midnight; Th 9AM–2AM; F Sa 10AM–5AM. Has some traditional Turkish adana kebabs, pide and falafel. However, the portions are known to be rather small compared to a typical HSP (halal snack pack). (updated Jun 2022)
• -35.2798149.12576 LanZhou Beef Noodle (Lanzhou Beef Noodle), 28 University Ave, ☏ +61 493 395 023. Su–F 11AM–8:15PM (closed Saturdays). A small noodle shop that brings the flavours from Lanzhou (a city in northwest China) and best known for its Lanzhou beef noodles. There are some rather exotic meals on the menu, but otherwise nearly everything found is either chicken or beef. (updated Jun 2022)
• -35.2784149.13247 Ms Ba Cô (Ms. Ba Cô), 4-6/108 Bunda St, ☏ +61 2 6230 5396, [email protected]. Daly 8AM–8PM. Though it's only a budget restaurant, it's a Vietnamese favourite in Canberra. It's a family-owned restaurant, so there's some family recipes too and its name, Ba Cô , translates to "three girls" in English, symbolising the family's three daughters. (updated Jun 2022)

Mid-range

• -35.2846149.12398 Bicicletta Restaurant, 1/15 Edinburgh Ave (near Peppers Gallery Hotel), ☏ +61 2 6175 2222, [email protected]. Tu–Sa 5–10PM (closed Su M). Find some excellent homemade pizza, pasta and other Italian favourites in this authentic Italian restaurant, but with local ingredients. The wine list is a pretty selective one, and so are the daily specials. (updated Jun 2022)
• -35.277149.132059 Blu Ginger, 2/5-21 Genge St, ☏ +61 2 6247 2228. Su–W 11AM–3PM, 5–10PM, Th–Sa 11AM–3PM, 5–10:30PM. Lots of authentic classic curries in a very traditional, cozy setting that resembles a traditional Indian structure. It's best known for its butter chicken and korma, but their other options are also well worth a try. The tables can fill up quickly, so try and make a booking if you can. (updated May 2022)
• -35.2779149.132210 Chez Kimchi, 68/70 Bunda St, ☏ +61 2 6247 5525. M Tu closed, W Th Su 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5–9:30PM, F Sa 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5–10:30PM. A modern Korean restaurant with a good variety of chicken available. You can't go past the Gangjung, a very flavourful and tasty chicken and Chez Kimchi's local specialty. (updated May 2022)
• -35.2799149.131711 The City Labor Club (Canberra Labor Club), 16 Petrie Plaza, ☏ +61 2 6230 0404, [email protected]. M–W 9AM–midnight, Th F 9AM–1AM, Sa 10AM–1AM, Su 10AM–midnight. It's Civic's branch of the Canberra chain Canberra Labor Club with a nice relaxed atmosphere with rather spacious lounges with modern Australian cuisine. The modern Australian restaurant has great cocktails, lunch, gaming machines and Wi-Fi. (updated Jun 2022)
• -35.27934149.130212 Kebaba Turkish Grill Bar, 11 East Row, ☏ +61 2 5105 4757. A Turkish grill bar that offers both dining in and takeaway. Depending on what you order, there is a chance that you can see your own meal being made. (updated Mar 2022)
• -35.27971149.132813 Koko Black, Bunda St, Canberra Centre North Quarter. Warm and tasty chocolate shop with a second to none chocolate selection as well as an innovative and interesting hot chocolate and drink menu. Nice, welcoming decor. 
• -35.278993149.127914 Madam Lu Malaysian Restaurant, 20/42 West Row, ☏ +61 2 6247 5201. 11AM–2:30PM, 5–9PM (closed Sundays). A Malaysian restaurant though it has many Chinese influences too. However, do be aware that the food here come in large portions, and so be careful in what you order – it could be larger than what you might be expecting. (updated Mar 2022)
• -35.2849149.12515 Močan & Green Grout (Močan and Green Grout), 1/19 Marcus Clarke St, ☏ +61 2 6162 2909. Daily 7AM–4PM (kitchen closes 2PM. A classic ordinary typical modern-Australian restaurant, but it has an open-air kitchen. Unfortunately, the menu is very limited and there's a 10 per cent surcharge on weekends and public holidays. (updated Jun 2022)
• -35.2791149.124716 The Golden Drum, 1/14 Childers St, ☏ +61 2 6162 1882. M–F 11AM–2:30PM, 5–9PM Sa Su 5–9PM. Classic traditional Chinese restaurant with lots of beef and pork options. Do be aware that there are some items on this menu that may seem "exotic", but there are plenty of meals that aren't. (updated May 2022)

Splurge

• -35.2778149.131417 Akiba, 40 Bunda St, ☏ +61 2 6162 0602. M–W 5–11PM, Th–Su 11:30AM–midnight. A modern Asian BBQ store with some great flavours and cocktails, particularly specialising in Japanese cuisine and barbecue. Do be aware though, that the portions are very large, so don't go ordering too much. (updated May 2022)
• -35.276251149.126918 Courgette Restaurant, 54 Marcus Clarke St., ☏ +61 2 6247 4042. noon–3PM, 6–9PM (closed Sundays). Sister restaurant to Aubergine Restaurant, fine dining. And as the name of the restaurant suggests, the restaurant specialises in zucchini based meals. 
• -35.278923149.130419 Iori Japanese Restaurant, 41 East Row, ☏ +61 2 6257 2334. M–Th 6–9PM, Fr Sa 6–9:30PM closed Sundays. A Japanese restaurant with some cosy settings with a mix of Japanese and Western food. The lighting tends to be quite nice, also being a mix of Western and Japanese styles. A particularly popular special of their's is the Seared Salmon Roll. (updated Mar 2022)
• -35.279526149.130720 SoLita Pizzeria, Restaurant & Bar, 143 London Cct, ☏ +61 2 6247 1010. Tu–Th noon–2PM, 5–9PM, Fr noon–2PM, 5–9:30PM, Sa 5–9:30PM, closed Su M. A mix of Naples (an Italian city in Campania, Southern Italy) cuisine and Australian cuisine. The name of the restaurant comes from "South of Little Italy", and the range of pasta coming from Canberra may surprise you – because it's quite a lot. (updated Mar 2022)
• -35.277491149.131821 Wilma, 1 Genge St. (cnr Bunda and Genge Streets), ☏ +61 2 6171 2092. Sister to several Canberran restaurants, this splurge restaurant perhaps has some of the finest seafood and barbecue meat one could find in Canberra. Base banquets are from $75 per person while baller banquets are $95 per person. (updated Apr 2022)

Cafes

• -35.278427149.12823922 Blue Olive Cafe, 56 Alinga St, Canberra, ☏ +61 2 6230 4600. M–F 7AM–3PM. Famous for their delicious New York style sandwiches. Great coffee and breakfast menu, wonderful service. (updated Feb 2015)
• -35.2778149.131923 Gus's, 8/68 Bunda St, ☏ +61 2 6248 5729. M–F 7:30AM–2:30PM; Sa Su 8AM–2:30PM. This cafe opened in 1969 and later became the first outdoor pavement cafe in Canberra. It is one of the oldest and best known cafes in Canberra and one of the first European-style cafes in Australia. It has both outdoor and indoor dining areas. (updated May 2022)
• -35.2788149.133324 The Moment Canberra, Shop EG01B, 148 Bunda St, ☏ +61 410 925 122. Su–Th 11AM–8PM; F 10:30AM–8PM; Sa 10:30AM–8:30PM. A bubble tea store (boba tea for speakers of American English) all ranging between $6 and $7 (which is actually quite cheap by Australian standards). (updated Jun 2022)

Drink

You may encounter that nearly every bar, club and pub is closed during Sundays, but there is always some available at Bunda Street if you're desperate for a drink or two on a Sunday.

• -35.2792149.12871 Bleachers Sports Bar, 33 Northbourne Ave, ☏ +61 2 6113 9058. Daily 9AM–11PM. A mid-range bar with a large great emphasis on sport (well, that's why it's in its name), and Asaki beer, a type of Japanese beer. The range of food is reasonable, but not very large by Canberra standards. (updated May 2022)
• -35.279652149.13122 Cube, 33 Petrie Plaza, Civic (downstairs from Antigo's cafe), ☏ +61 2 6257 1110. Opens Th 8PM, F 9PM, Sa 10PM, Su 9PM; closes 5AM. Canberra's only gay nightclub with a variety of theme nights. Fridays and Saturdays are busiest. 
• -35.278111149.13153 Hippo Co (Hippo Lounge), Upstairs, 1/17 Garema Place, Civic. Cocktail bar with an intimate setting amidst Baroque-meets-student-digs decor. There's also live Jazz on Wednesday nights. (updated Feb 2022)
• King O'Malleys, inside City Walk Hotel building, Ground floor. Large Irish pub with a relaxed atmosphere, does pub-style meals lunch and dinner and a home for all types. (updated Feb 2022)
• -35.279366149.12974 Mooseheads (East Row - London Cct - City), 105 London Cct. A bar with local history. It burnt down and was restored, Mooseheads is famous as an Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) hangout. 
• -35.284925149.12395 Parlour Wine Room, 16 Kendall Ln (Behind Rydges Lakeside), ☏ +61 2 6257 7325. Very intimate comfortable lounge bar, great selection of wines. 
• PJ O'Reilly's West Row, Another Irish themed bar like King O'Malley's.
• -35.279249149.13026 sideway, Level 1/21 E Row, Civic, ☏ +61 410 476 791. Rough and tumble reputation. (updated Feb 2022)
• -35.278626149.12857 The Highball Express, 1/82 Alinga St, Canberra, ☏ +61 2 6179 8973, [email protected]. A high-end pub that specialises in American and Central American drinks – not the ordinary kind of pub in Canberra. (updated Feb 2022)
• -35.277795149.12898 White Rabbit Cocktail Room, 65 Northbourne Ave, ☏ +61 2 6257 7779. Cocktail and tapas venue with polished floors and patterned wallpaper, hosting DJ nights. (updated Feb 2022)

Sleep

Budget

• -35.281662149.13241 Canberra City YHA, 7 Akuna Street, ☏ +61 2 6248-9155, fax: +61 2 6249-1731, [email protected]. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Beds in a shared dormitory from $26 per night. Double or twin rooms from $76 per night. Family rooms $96 per night. 

Mid-range

• -35.2847149.12282 Nishi Boutique Hotel (Ovolo Nishi), 25 Edinburgh Ave, ☏ +61 2 6287 6287. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A very unusual shaped boutique hotel with traditional spacious rooms. The precinct includes a bar, a restaurant and an indoor gym, and is known to be LGBT friendly. However, the events hall downstairs can get very noisy during night, disturbing your sleep. (updated May 2022)
• -35.277615149.12893 Novotel Canberra Hotel, 65 Northbourne Ave, ☏ +61 2 6245-5000, fax: +61 2 6245 5100, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Novotel Canberra accommodates business and convention visitors, and families travelling with children. Directly above the Canberra Coach Terminal. Rate range $150–250. 
• -35.2845149.12384 Peppers Gallery Hotel Canberra, 15 Edinburgh Ave, ☏ +61 2 6175 2222. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. A lively art-themed hotel that includes free parking, Wi-Fi and breakfast. The rooms are fairly spacious, and the staff are known to be very friendly, but housekeeping services are not great. (updated May 2022)
• -35.283611149.1255565 QT Canberra, 1 London Cct, ☏ +61 2 6247 6244. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Rydges Lakeside Canberra is on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, walking distance to Civic. Has large rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a grill and some excellent views over the lake.  
• -35.2815149.13216 The Sebel Canberra Civic, 197 London Cct, ☏ +61 2 6267 5675, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. A small hotel but with reasonably sized rooms and staff are known to be friendly. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, breakfast and laundry service. (updated May 2022)

Connect

There are plenty of places you can go to in Civic that has CBRfree public Wi-Fi, mostly inside restaurants at at the museum. As it's the central business district of a capital city, there is good 5G coverage by all the three major providers.