The precinct
The NewActon Precinct in Canberra is a small group of buildings attached by gardens. We used to live there... We put together a guide to everything that is here.
Goodspeed bike shop
These guys make bikes. They also do same day bike service if you brought your own bike. The inner suburbs of Canberra are really best explored by bike. They let you see the trees and the birds and the weird mushrooms that pop up after the rain. The lake is right next door if you need to clear your head; and the National Gallery of Australia isn't at all far by bike if you want to catch the dawn or dusk show at James Turrell's 'Within Without'.
Goodspeed designs, manufactures, assembles and sells their own bikes. You can pick one up or ask Myles to custom make one just the way you like it.
| Type | Shop |
| Where | 1 19 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://www.goodspeed.com.au/ |
NewActon bike hire
The NewActon bike hire station is just across the road from the Palace Electric Cinema, out the front of the A.Baker gardens.
NewActon has bike hire. You can use their bikes for one ($11), four ($22) or 24 ($33) hours. They come with a helmet, lock and lights.
| Type | Do Travel |
| Where | 15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia |
| Info | Website http://newacton.com.au/place/newacton-bike-hire/ |
Yoga
May all beings have happiness and the cause of happiness. May they be free of suffering and the cause of suffering. - Two of the four immeasurables.
Odona leads yoga classes almost every day of the week.
Check the dates and times and book direct on Odona's website.
| Type | Health |
| Where | Level H, 25 Edinburgh Ave Canberra. |
| Info | Website http://www.flowyogacanberra.com/ |
Nishi Gallery
We curate the shows at the Nishi Gallery. Check the calendar to see what's on and for opening nights (there is always wine and always nice people).
The Nishi Gallery is a space dedicated to the presentation of exhibitions that explore curiosities on local identity, objects and their meaning, the natural world, design experimentation and artisanal making.
| Type | Do |
| Where | 17 Kendall Lane, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://nishigallery.com.au/ |
Palace Electric cinema
Sometimes you just need a communal zone out. Palace are very reliable when it comes to film festivals - see the calendar for what's on at the mo.
The cinema is at the bottom of the grand stair in the Nishi building. It has eight theatres and hosts international film festivals, art-house, documentary, independent and quality new release films.
| Type | Do |
| Where | 2 Phillip Law St, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://sa.palacecinemas.com.au/cinemas/electric/ |
Roji hair salon
Roji hair salon is beautiful fitted out by Craig Tan Architects. Contact them directly for bookings.
This is a lovely hair salon on the ground floor of the Nishi building. They use Aveda products and make you tea.
| Type | Beauty |
| Where | On the ground floor of Hotel Hotel around the corner from the reception desk. |
| Info | Website http://roji.com.au |
La Bimbi hair salon
The giant raven marks the doorway to La Bimbi. If you are getting foils you can sit in the little wisteria garden out the front.
Just look for the giant raven above the door. They use La Biosthetique products.
| Type | Beauty |
| Where | 12 Kendall Lane, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://www.labimbi.com.au |
Soma day spa
Waxing and all that stuff.
Emergency massage, spa treatment, manicure, waxing… This day spa is just across the road from us.
| Type | Beauty |
| Where | 12 Kendall Lane, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://www.soma.net.au |
Black Market
This is a good place for an after work drink. You can sit alone at the bar and make nice with the bar staff. They are sweet are up for a chat about things like how you get the taste of a duck into a bottle of gin. It's a little hard to find but worth the hunt.
This is an underground bar that sits underneath A.Baker. They specialise in the hard stuff.
| Type | Drink |
| Where | Underneath A.Baker. |
| Info | Website https://www.bmbar.com.au |
A. Baker
A good place for work lunches.
A.Baker serves European bistro style breakfast and lunch that you can easily share, or not. The menu changes seasonally and ingredients are sourced locally.
| Type | Eat Shop |
| Where | 15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://abaker.com.au |
Monster kitchen and bar
The big beast.
The Monster sits on the ground floor of the Nishi building. Crumpets for breakfast, bánh mi for lunch and some of everything for dinner.
| Type | Drink Eat |
| Where | On the ground floor of Hotel Hotel. You can enter via reception at 25 Edinburgh Avenue or up the Grand Stair via Phillip Law street. |
| Info | Book http://monsterkitchen.com.au/book/ |
Močan and Green Grout
One of our all time favourite places in the precinct but also in Canberra. Močan for eva. We love it best at night for dinner especially now that they have wine.
From their open kitchen they serve up shared plates made from locally sourced produce. It’s at once a café and restaurant and wears both hats thoughtfully and with grace.
| Type | Eat |
| Where | 1/19 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://mocanandgreengrout.com |
Parlour wine room
If you want to meet some locals this is a good place to go. People come for after work drinks and seem up for a chat. Parlour also do food if chatting makes you hungry.
This is a European 1920s-inspired dining place. They make central European food and Spanish tapas, desserts (served late into the evening), cocktails, and an extensive wine list.
| Type | Drink |
| Where | 16 Kendall Lane, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://www.parlour.net.au |
Bicicletta
A good place to get a pizza to go. We recommend taking it over to the lake with a beer on a Sunday arvo. You can dine in too.
Simple and traditional Italian food. Homemade pastas served with traditional and modern sauces. A small number of meat and fish dishes round out the menu. And pizza.
| Type | Eat |
| Where | 1/15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://www.bicicletta.com.au |
Pepper's hotel bar
There is a piano which, admittedly, we've never heard played but they would be up for it no doubt. A nice place to have a wine while you wait for a to-go pizza at Bicicletta.
This is the tiny wine bar attached to Peppers Gallery hotel.
| Type | Drink |
| Where | 15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website http://www.peppers.com.au/gallery/ |
TwentyOne café and groceries
Wine, beer and lollies.
This is a very convenient grocery store that also has an ATM. They have a good range of wine. They also do café style food.
| Type | Shop |
| Where | 1/21 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Info | Website https://www.facebook.com/TwentyOneCafeGroceries/ |