A Guide to the Picturesque Suburb of Reid, Canberra That’ll Have Your Camera Roll Full of Historic Architecture and Stunning Views
One of the things I love most about Canberra is that it’s rich in history. From the city’s planning to its attractions, there’s always an interesting story that’s waiting to be uncovered.
Out of all of its precincts, Reid is likely up there in terms of the most tales to share. As one of the oldest suburbs in Canberra, stepping foot here is like traveling back in time because of its architecture and abundance of heritage-listed sites.
I was surprised that I thoroughly enjoyed my time here because Reid isn’t exactly a popular tourist destination. But that makes it even more worth it because it felt like I was discovering hidden gems left and right.
This suburb is too good to keep as a secret so I’ve decided to write it all down and share as much as I can. For those who would also like to see a whole other side of Canberra, this guide to Reid is for you.
Where is Reid?
Reid is located at the base of Mount Ainslie, right beside Canberra’s Central Business District. It is bordered by the Anzac Parade, which separates it from the suburb of Campbell.
How to Get to Reid
Via Bus: There are a handful of bus stops in the suburb of Reid. Take transport routes 55 and 182 to get there.
Via Taxi or Ride-Sharing Service: Find a taxi or locate one using a ride-sharing app (such as Uber). Let your driver know about your specific destination in Reid so they can bring you there.
Via Private Car: Type the name of a location in Reid into your car’s GPS to get directions. Upon arrival, you can find paid parking along Constitution Avenue.
What to Do in Reid
See the view from Mount Ainslie Lookout
– Media credit: visitcanberra
Address: Mount Ainslie Drive, Ainslie
Phone: 132281
Hours: Open 24 hours
Mount Ainslie was once described as a ‘top gallery’ by Canberra’s designer, Walter Burley Griffin. He was referring to how the mountain provides a great perspective on the city’s geometric planning, including striking views of the Parliamentary Triangle.
Trails to this lookout are easily accessible from Reid, which is right at its base. You can choose to cycle or drive, but we suggest walking like the locals do.
The hike takes around an hour to complete and it’s quite easy, with only a few sections being steep or having uneven ground. Just remember to bring drinking water with you in case you get tired.
Along the trail, it’s likely for you to see lots of diverse plant life and a variety of bird species. And to complete the Australian experience, kangaroos are common around these parts as well.
And as a tip, try timing your hike during sunset. This will allow you to capture that special golden hour tint when you take pictures of the view at the summit.
Go on a self-guided heritage tour
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As one of Canberra’s oldest suburbs, Reid is home to a lot of heritage-listed buildings. Since the area is relatively small, you can spend an entire afternoon going to most of them through a self-guided heritage tour.
The tour starts at the Reid Uniting Church, now known as the Korean Uniting Church, which was built in 1927. After that, you’ll be taken through the streets of Coranderrk, Elimatta, Geerilong, and Boroondata which are all named after Aboriginal terms.
From there, you’ll arrive at and see the interesting well-preserved architecture of Dirrawan Gardens where many residents currently live. This will then lead you to the tennis courts and end at the Reid Heritage Sign located nearby.
If followed correctly, the tour essentially reveals a timeline of Reid, from its earliest days to what it is now.
You can find comprehensive directions on how to do the self-guided tour, as well as a map of the suburb, on the official website of the Reid Residents’ Association.
Walk the Anzac Parade
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Address: Anzac Parade, Parkes
Phone: 02 6272 2902
Hours: Open 24 hours
Right in between the suburbs of Reid and Campbell is the Anzac Parade. It can be easily spotted, even all the way from Mount Ainslie, because of the red gravel lining its length.
The color comes from its origins as crushed-up house bricks. When you walk on it, you’ll notice that your footsteps make a sound that’s distinctly similar to the noise of military boots marching.
This was an intentional choice because of all the memorials displayed in the parade. Included here are the Australian Hellenic Memorial, the New Zealand Memorial, the Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, and more.
You can go on your own walking tour and approach all the memorials to read about their respective histories. Each one has its own unique design to symbolize and honor those involved.
The parade is open daily but from time to time, they hold events that attract big crowds, especially on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
Step foot in the oldest church in Canberra
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Address: 45 Constitution Avenue, Reid ACT 2612
Phone: +61 2 6248 8399
Hours:
- Monday, Saturday – Closed
- Tuesday to Friday – 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
- Sunday – 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Founded in 1841 and completed in 1845, St. John the Baptist Church is the oldest church in Canberra. Until now, it’s still well-kept and actively used by the community.
Not only was it designed to look like it’s in a small English village, but the church also contains medieval stones from actual English churches. This includes stones from the 12th and 13th centuries, originating from Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
Even if you’re not religious, it’s still worth seeing because of its history and contents. It has stunning stained glass windows, artworks, and historical monuments.
Not to mention that it’s also frequented by important officials and royalty. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II has been to this church 6 times.
Next to the church, there’s also an interesting museum that you can visit. It started off as an 1840s schoolhouse for children from nearby farms. Today, it houses memorabilia, such as pictures of 19th-century students, journals, and newspaper clippings.
Support culinary students in training
– Media credit: citcanberra
Address: 37 Constitution Avenue, Reid 2612
Phone: (02) 6207 3196
Hours: Thursday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Cafe), 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Restaurant)
One of the reasons why a significant portion of Reid’s population is students is because the Canberra Institute of Technology has a campus here. They teach a lot of courses, including ones that involve food preparation.
As a way to train pupils, the school has a student-run cafe and restaurant where you can get affordable yet delicious meals. The only condition is that you have to be patient because the people who will be serving you are still learning.
The CIT Cafe offers quick bites for dine-in and takeaway. Their menu changes often, depending on what the students are studying that week.
As for the restaurant, they craft course menus at a reasonable price. Bookings are required though because they only have limited slots.
Both of these are meant to show the students what a real work environment is like. So by dining here, not only will you be helping them out but you also might be getting the chance of being served by Australia’s next top chefs.
Relax at Glebe Park
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Address: Coranderrk Street, ACT 2601
Hours: Open 24 hours
Glebe Park is one of the best places where you can get a feel for Reid’s community spirit. On a normal day, you’ll see people of all ages enjoying its play spaces, sculptures, and sizable grounds.
The park also has a spacious grassy area that’s popularly used for outdoor events such as public meetings, weddings, and festivals.
More often than not, this part of the park sees live performances from local artists, as well as hosts market stalls owned by Reid natives and people from all over Canberra.
It’s an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture and experience the diversity of this community. You might even be able to get a souvenir to commemorate your time here at Reid.
Dedicate time for the Australian War Memorial
– Media credit: this.is.canberra
Address: Treloar Cres, Campbell ACT 2612
Phone: +61 2 6243 4211
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Although technically in Campbell, the Australian War Memorial is a significant landmark that’s only a 2-minute drive away from Reid. It’s the top attraction in Canberra for a reason and a must-see for everyone who visits.
This is a museum and shrine dedicated to the Australians who bravely participated in the war. There are a variety of exhibits and free tour options that can take you through all of them.
The memorial contains several wings and galleries for different types of services, such as the Hall of Valour, the Aircraft Hall, and areas for the First and Second World Wars.
Most guests agree that a day isn’t enough to go through all of them, so many return when they can.
Out of everything to see here, we highly recommend attending the Last Post Ceremony. Museum staff choose a name from the Roll of Honour and narrate their life story for visitors, as a way of honoring them and their sacrifice.
Bring your dog to Reid Oval
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Address: 11 Elimatta Street, Reid ACT 2612
Hours: Open 24 hours
The Reid Oval is often used by locals for exercise and sporting matches. Adults and kids go here to train, jog, and compete in soccer, cricket, and football.
But when there are no sporting events scheduled, the oval is a top destination among pet owners. Dogs are allowed to play, socialize, and run around off-leash across the expansive grassy lawn as much as they want.
While your dog is happily zooming around, you can sit back and enjoy views of the Australian War Memorial and Mount Ainslie nearby.
As a pet owner, you’ll also surely appreciate the park’s conveniently placed rubbish bins for doggy bags.
You can catch most of the local dog owners meeting here informally daily between 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Just make sure to check for any scheduled events because bringing a dog here while those are happening will incur a fine.
Where to Eat near Reid
Banana Leaf
– Media credit: bananaleafcanberra
Address: 2 Akuna Street, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 431 004 290
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Banana Leaf is Canberra’s number one source of Sri Lankan cuisine. Most of the food hails from recipes that are traditionally served during feasts and celebrations.
Their bold flavors are achieved through high-quality ingredients and a combination of Malay, Tamil, Dutch, Moor, and Sinhalese tastes. But you don’t have to worry about spice because they’ve ensured that nothing is too overwhelming for Australian palates.
They’ve got an extensive menu to choose from, which includes a range of veggie and vegan options. Any of their curry dishes are sure to win your heart, but you can also ask their staff for recommendations.
In true Sri Lankan fashion, they’re known being welcoming. It’s what makes the whole restaurant feel warm, cheerful, and worth coming back to over and over again (besides the food).
Raku
– Media credit: rakudining
Address: Shop DG36C/148 Bunda Street, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 2 6248 6869
Pricing: $$$
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
With Raku in Canberra, you don’t have to travel all the way to Japan just for authentic food. It’ll be hard to find another restaurant that has mastered the art of sushi like the chefs here have.
The best course of action is to get their tasting menu. You’ll be able to sample plenty of their offerings, including their exceptional sashimi, nigiri, and maki.
All of the ingredients they use are fresh and high-quality, which will be obvious the moment the food touches your tongue. Their chefs’ expertise always manages to bring out the best flavors from all the dishes they make.
Their wait staff is equally excellent. Their professionalism shines through with how attentive and responsive they are. Once the experience is over, you’ll agree that dining here is a treat that’s worth every penny.
Kinn Thai
– Media credit: kinnthaicanberra
Address: Shop FG03_04/148 Bunda Street, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 2 6247 1277
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11:45 AM to 2:45 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Thursday to Sunday – 11:45 AM to 2:45 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:45 PM
Even after Kinn Thai expanded their premises, a queue still ends up forming from time to time. I guess that’s just what happens when you offer delicious, comforting Thai food with great service.
There’s no question why people choose to wait though. Their service is always friendly and efficient, so they always find a way to seat hungry diners quickly.
But if you’re looking for somewhere to have an intimate dinner, it’s better to skip this one. This restaurant is for those who want an upbeat place where you can have fun conversations and flavors with a kick.
They’re not shy when it comes to spice, and yet somehow you still won’t be able to stop eating because of how good their flavors are. The Soft Shell Crabs in Chilli Jam are particularly to die for.
With how much people love this place, we won’t be surprised if they end up expanding again in the years to come.
Les Bistronomes
– Media credit: lesbistronomes.act
Address: 18 Blamey Place, Campbell ACT 2612
Phone: +61 2 6248 8119
Pricing: $$$
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
If you’re trying to find a restaurant to impress someone, look no further than Les Bistronomes. This restaurant perfectly captures the essentials of French cuisine: innovation and high standards.
Over the years, they’ve become so popular that they had to move to a bigger location. But even when they’re busy, the place never feels packed. This is because the restaurant is carefully designed to reduce noise through its carpeting and wall features.
The same level of attention to detail is apparent in the food and wine choices. Each dish in their degustation menus is meticulously prepared and beautifully presented.
But if you prefer ordering something more specific, they also have an a la carte menu to choose from.
Whichever main you go with, you have to get their creme brulee as dessert. It comes out flaming, making it the perfect end to an already unforgettable dining experience.
Lanterne Rooms
– Media credit: lanternerooms
Address: Retail 4, ISKIA, 81 Constitution Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612
Phone: +61 2 6249 6889
Pricing: $$$
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 5:45 PM to 10:00 PM
- Tuesday, Saturday – 5:45 PM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
Many first-time visitors talk about how tricky the Lanterne Rooms is to find, but none of them have ever said it wasn’t worth it. Past its doors, you’ll instantly be greeted with a warm welcome and the mouth-watering scent of Nyonya flavors.
Although their recipes seem like ones a traditional grandma would prepare, they’ve incorporated creative twists to make them ideal for the modern Australian palate.
Start your meal strong by getting their signature dish of Tom Yum-infused Prawns as entrees. You can also never go wrong with the Whole Barramundi or the Chicken Satay as your mains.
While enjoying your meal, the restaurant’s bright and airy atmosphere, along with the attentive service is more than enough to make you feel at home. It’s one of the many reasons why people just can’t seem to stay away from this place for too long.
Where to Stay near Reid
Hyatt Hotel Canberra
– Media credit: hyattcanberra
Address: 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6270 1234
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
The wonderful Hyatt Hotel blends in perfectly with the rich history of its surrounding areas. The design of this 5-star accommodation was inspired by the 1920s art deco style, giving the whole place character and old-world charm.
This is why many guests choose to go here for their High Tea experience. You’ll feel transported back to another time as you enjoy their delightful scones with cream and jam.
But the hotel has also made sure that guests are pampered with modern luxuries, especially when it comes to wellness facilities. You can make the most out of their fully-equipped gymnasium, relaxing sauna, and heated indoor pool.
They also have personal trainers that can teach you a variety of fitness classes, including pilates and yoga.
This level of comfort extends to their spacious and well-decorated rooms. Their plush beds are the best thing to sink into after a long day of exploring the city.
Hotel Kurrajong Canberra
– Media credit: hotelkurrajong
Address: 8 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6234 4444
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Hotel Kurrajong retains many of the elements that were present when it first opened in 1926, such as the photos in the pavilion and the striking hand-carved mantel. However, they’ve refurbished the place with all the 21st-century conveniences you could ask for.
Apart from being comfortable, all the rooms are visually pleasing, especially with their custom-made furniture. The Terrace Rooms even come with their own private outdoor area to relax in.
The hotel also offers tailored packages based on what you need. For example, their family offer comes with interconnecting rooms, while their romantic package entails a candlelit dinner prepared at your suite.
Though, their most unique package is the Chifley Experience, which is named after Prime Minister Ben Chifley who used to stay at the hotel often. It includes staying at the Chifley Room and a guided tour of the Old Parliament House.
But even without this package, you can still try his favorite whiskey drink at the hotel’s Chifley’s Bar and Grill.
Mercure Canberra Belconnen
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Address: 59 Cameron Avenue, Belconnen ACT 2617
Phone: +61 2 5104 3000
Pricing: $
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Mercure Canberra Belconnen brings you close to the city’s best attractions while still allowing you an escape from all the noise and chaos. With a bus stop right in front of the hotel, you can easily reach any of Canberra’s most famous landmarks.
The hotel itself is situated near Lake Ginninderra, which is ideal for cycling or a peaceful stroll. It has plenty of greenery and bird life, which can also be viewed through the hotel’s rooms.
Inside your accommodation, you’ll find it spacious, clean, and thoughtfully designed. They provide dedicated workspaces as well for those who are in town for business.
Apart from this, you can take advantage of their gym and laundry facilities, in case you plan on staying long. Food is also not a problem because of the number of restaurants and shops right next to the hotel.