Leafy, green and serene: Why O'Connor is a family favourite

O’Connor is an Inner North suburb that gets better with age as urban renewal injects fresh ideas and new energy into this green and leafy locale that backs onto the Black Mountain Nature Reserve.

It’s a family favourite, with a number of townhouse and unit developments driven by a CBD-convenient location and light rail on the doorstep.

A variety of primary and secondary schools are also nearby and the ANU is an easy walk or scooter ride away. Local amenities include the O’Connor shops, where the Duxton pub is a crowd favourite.

O’Connor has certainly benefited from the red-hot property market, with a detached home median price that has broken through $1.5 million, an increase of some 25 per cent in the last 12 months. Units, however, can still be picked up for an affordable median of around $480,000.

Luke Revet of Blackshaw Manuka says the home is a reflection of the suburb’s strong appeal.

“It’s set up as a home that has everything, including a big block, and that’s a feature of an older suburb like O’Connor,” he says. “And it represents good buying compared with an equivalent in, say, the Inner South.”

Revet says families are drawn to the suburb because of its proximity to quality schools, the CBD, Dickson and Belconnen.

“It’s close to everything and that’s part of its appeal to [many] demographics, including downsizers and first home buyers,” he says.

• Location: O’Connor’s inner-city location couldn’t get much better. It’s close to Northbourne Avenue and the light rail, yet it is intimately connected to the bush, backing onto the Black Mountain Nature Reserve.
• Room to breathe: If it’s a traditional family-sized block you’re after, look no further. As one of Canberra’s early suburbs, O’Connor is blessed with a supply of 1000-square-metre blocks.
• Convenience: There’s a choice of primary and secondary schools and the ANU is a cool scooter ride away. The O’Connor shops provide the cafe vibe or a pub meal at the Duxton.

Check out our top pick of homes for sale in O’Connor:

144 Dryandra Street

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Here’s an architect-designed, five-bedroom O’Connor home with a host of winning features.

It sits in an elevated position on a leafy street and fronts onto the Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve. It also sits on more than 1000 square metres of rare – and increasingly valuable – land.

The magnificent two-storey home bulks up with some 387 square metres of luxury living, packed with four bathrooms, multiple living areas, a study and an alfresco entertaining area with a pool.

Interior features include bespoke windows, hardwood floors and a double-sided fireplace. 

The lower level offers a guest room with en suite, a media room, a generous dining and family room, a designer kitchen and a study. The kitchen includes a butler’s pantry, double oven and breakfast bar.

Hardwood-and-glass stairs with sidelights lead up to yet another spacious living area and the bedrooms. The main suite is highlighted by a bespoke walk-in robe, a generous en suite with dual shower and sinks, and a private balcony.

There are a further three king-size bedrooms that share a luxe bathroom.

Outside, a dining and living space is highlighted by a sparkling blue pool with an adjoining bathroom. The gardens are landscaped and low-maintenance.

The generous double garage has internal access and secure driveway parking – perfect for a boat, caravan or car.

The home is close to the Black Mountain Nature Reserve, the ANU, local shops and schools.

Price guide: $2.5 million +

Auction: 10am, October 23

Agent: Blackshaw Manuka, Luke Revet 0418 101 213

Or try these:

7/27 David Street

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Price guide: $385,000 +

Private sale

Agent: Badenoch Real Estate, Symon Badenoch 0412 898 690

15/10 MacPherson Street

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Price guide: $1.05 million

Private sale

Agent: Luton Properties Manuka, Sophie Luton 0410 750 413

22 Bluebell Street

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Price guide: $750,000 +

Auction: 12pm, October 30

Agent: Independent Belconnen, Fiona Murray 0409 582 102