A guide to Denman Prospect, a peaceful suburb in Canberra
When people say modern life, they don’t always mean living in a high-rise apartment in a popular city. Sometimes, it means staying low-key in a small suburb, where the local café’s barista knows your order by heart.
That’s Denman Prospect for you – a quiet and peaceful place with a strong sense of community.
If you’re planning on moving here, here are some things you need to know.
Where is Denman Prospect?
Denman Prospect is a suburb in the Molonglo Valley, just about 13 km west of Canberra’s city center. It is surrounded by other suburbs such as Whitlam, Coombs, and Wright.
How to get to Denman Prospect
Via bus: Bus routes 10, 47, and 66 will take you to Denman Prospect. Route 10 is the rapid bus service that connects Denman Prospect to the City Interchange and Australian National University (ANU).
Meanwhile, routes 47 and 66 connect to other areas within the region.
Via taxi or ride-sharing services: Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber, Ola, and Didi are readily available. Just let them know your destination, and they will take you there immediately.
Via private car: Open your Google Maps or Waze app and type in “Denman Prospect”. The app will show the best route to get there.
What to do and see in Denman Prospect
1. Take a stroll at the Cravens Creek Cultural Trail
– Media credit: Denman Prospect
This well-maintained trail guides walkers, runners, and cyclists alongside a restored natural creek system that stretches through the center of Denman Prospect. The best part is, it’s accessible for all ages.
If you’ve got kids, you can bring them out here for picnics and playtime. It’s shaded, safe, and long enough to tire the kids out. And don’t forget your pets, too!
Locals love it because aside from its cleanliness, it’s a great place to relax and get active.
It’s regularly maintained and developed by the ACT Government, so it’s generally a better choice than other well-known walking tracks around Canberra.
2. Enjoy the parks and playgrounds
– Media credit: Denman Prospect
If there’s one thing you can find anywhere you turn in Denman Prospect, it’s the parks and playgrounds that a lot of families frequent. There’s Denman Village Playground, Ridgeline Park, Coree Park, and more!
It’s definitely a haven for children because of the modern play equipment and spacious grassy areas. It makes supervising kids less stressful, especially when you’re catching up with friends.
Most of these parks and playgrounds are complete with facilities like barbeque and picnic areas, as well as basketball courts.
And of course, there’s something for dogs too. There are designated off-leash zones, and the walking paths around the parks are wide, making it easy to give your fur baby some freedom to walk around while still keeping them secured.
3. See the sculptures and artworks
– Media credit: Denman Prospect
Another common sight is the public sculptures and artwork spread around the suburb. They’re a collection of life-sized art created by some of the renowned sculptors around the world.
The variety of sculptures and installations placed along walking trails and parks adds a creative and artsy touch to the overall look and environment of the suburb.
It has become an important part of Denman Prospect as it fosters a sense of identity and pride in its residents. In fact, most locals use these sculptures as landmarks!
4. Visit the Denman Village Shops
– Media credit: Supa-express Denman Village
The Denman Village Shops is a popular spot in the suburb for being a one-stop block for essential services and shops.
It has a full-service supermarket, medical and healthcare clinics, and eateries. For fitness enthusiasts, there’s also the Club Lime Gym that is open 24 hours.
It’s incredibly handy to have all these shops in one place, and with just a short walk away.
Where to eat in Denman Prospect
1. Two Before Ten
– Media credit: Two Before Ten
Website: https://www.twobeforeten.com.au/cafes/denman/
Address: Felstead Vis, Denman Prospect
Mail: [email protected]
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday 6:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
This cafe, which is part of the Denman Village Shops, is where locals like to gather for their daily fix of coffee or grab a quick afternoon snack. It’s the kind of place where the barista knows your face and your usual order.
Two Before Ten is proud of the fact that they source their ingredients locally, and the menu has a lot of options from hearty breakfast to decadent treats. Their avocado toast is the town’s favorite!
Aside from the tasty offerings, the cafe’s location offers a stunning view of the Lower Molonglo Valley. They also host occasional community events and workshops for community engagement.
2. Domino’s Pizza
– Media credit: Domino’s Australia
Website: dominos.com.au
Address: Denman Village Shops, Shop 21A And 22/3 Felstead Vis, Denman Prospect
Phone: +61262287420
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00 am 11:00 pm
If you’re craving classic pizza flavors, the Domino’s Pizza in Denman Prospect is a convenient and reliable option. We all know that it’s a go-to for a hassle-free dinner.
If you’re a fan, then you probably know that a large pizza with a side of chicken wings and garlic bread is the ultimate combo for a complete meal. It just hits the spot!
It might seem like it’s just another fast-food chain in the neighborhood, but did you know that people travel across Canberra just to grab pizza from here? Yes, people come back to Denman Prospect for it!
Here’s a tip: order before 4 PM to get special deals!
3. The Denman Kitchen + Wine Bar
– Media credit: Denman Kitchen
Website: https://www.thedenmankitchen.com.au/
Address: Denman Village Shops, 1 Felstead Vis, Denman Prospect
Phone: 0404 695 798
Business hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Thursday to Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Of course, this small suburb has an offering for fancy dining too. The Denman Kitchen + Wine Bar stands out as a sophisticated restaurant with its refined atmosphere and classic food offerings.
They serve up a mix of traditional bar food (like schnitzels and burgers) and more elevated dishes, like deconstructed beef Wellington and nduja gnocchi.
On top of that, they can adjust the ingredients to meet any dietary restrictions, should customers request it.
Meanwhile, the wine bar has a nice selection of local wines that pair well with their menu. Their tap beers and ciders are a fan favorite, especially among the dads!
4. Frankies BLVD
– Media credit: Frankies BLVD
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VYoVrUsZ4LTZUdDt6
Address: 15 Summerfield Cl, Denman Prospect
Phone: +61 429 781 704
Business hours: Monday to Saturday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
When it comes to good coffee and teas, Frankies BLVD can and will compete with the well-known cafes in the area.
The menu offers light meals and pastries, which is why it’s the residents’ favorite spot for brunch and afternoon tea time. Their lemon macarons is an absolute delight!
What the regular patrons appreciate the most about the place is the consistent quality of the food and drinks. Not to mention the welcoming and friendly servers who will always go out of their way to interact with the customers.
5. GO SUSHI
– Media credit: Go Sushi
Website: gosushi.com.au
Address: Plus Liquor, 3 Felstead Vis, Denman Prospect
Phone: +61291312290
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday 7:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 7:30 am – 8:30 pm
If you want to go for something other than the usual burgers and sandwiches, GO SUSHI offers a delightful spread of Japanese cuisine, mostly fresh sushi and sashimi.
The menu features classic Japanese dishes such as rolls, nigiri, and bento boxes. They have both dine-in and take-away options, and the efficient service ensures that customers can enjoy their meals promptly.
As we all know, sushi tastes the best when it’s fresh.
The residents and locals get a taste of Japan in this small suburb, thanks to GO SUSHI. And because of these unique restaurants, there’s a diverse culinary scene in Denman Prospect.
Living in Denman Prospect
1. What’s in the area
– Media credit: Denman Prospect
Denman Prospect is a quiet and peaceful suburb – ideal if you want to reside somewhere far away from the busy city.
The area is lush with greenery and streets that encourage walking and outdoor relaxation. You’ll often see families strolling with their kids or pets.
It has a good combination of natural and modern landscape – not too commercialized but not too outdated at the same time.
Denman Prospect, in particular, has a strong sense of community. Aside from the regular events that bring the neighbors together, the compact layout of the suburb itself makes it easy to meet people.
There’s a mix of young families and professionals living in the area. Many locals say that it’s a great place to settle if you’re starting a family.
2. Residential options
– Media credit: Denman Prospect
Denman Prospect offers a generous mix of housing styles: family homes, townhouses, apartments, and more. Most of the architecture leans toward the modern and minimalist style.
Add to that eco-conscious and sustainable touches like solar panels and double glazing.
For families, there are houses and lots ready if you want to immediately move in. At the same time, there are also bare land available for sale if you want to plan everything from the ground up.
Meanwhile, those who are cutting back on costs or young professionals can always opt for rental properties or newer apartment buildings, which are perfect for low-maintenance lifestyles.
Many homes are built under Canberra’s green building codes. This means high energy efficiency and reduced utility bills.
3. Schools and education
– Media credit: Denman Prospect
There’s Evelyn Scott School, a public school offering STEM-focused education from preschool up to Year 10. The campus is built with flexible learning spaces where classes can also take place outdoors.
For secondary and college options after Year 10, there are reputable schools in the nearby suburbs like Mount Stromlo High School and Canberra College. These schools are just a short drive or bus ride away.
Also, Denman Prospect is close to Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra, which are around 15-20 minutes away by car.
4. Easy commute to nearby cities
– Media credit: Denman Prospect
Daily commutes in the area are surprisingly manageable. Regular bus services connect residents to nearby town centres, including Woden, Civic, and Belconnen.
Even trips to places like Queanbeyan or the Murrumbateman wine region are within easy reach.
While heavy traffic used to be a huge problem, the regular upgrades and development of roads are making it easier for families and professionals relying on private cars.