What makes Canberra's northside so special?

There’s no doubt Canberra’s northern population corridor has been one of the most vibrant in recent years.

Nik Brozinic of Carter and Co Agents says the northern suburbs offer plenty of variety, from character homes and cafe-strip apartments on the city doorstep to resort-style homes in the newer suburbs.

“We’re also seeing gentrification in established suburbs like Kaleen with knockdown-rebuilds on the rise,” he says.

“Buyers are having a closer look at suburbs like this because they’re now perceived as being very close to the city.”

Brozinic says regions such as Gungahlin are developing their own identities, and expanding consumer options around the town centre are creating a sense of self-sufficiency.

“There are increasingly fewer reasons to make a trip to Civic – it’s all here,” he says.

Michael Fay of Blackshaw Manuka says block sizes in the more established areas of the north – including the Inner North and Belconnen – can be a driver for some buyers.

“That Flynn property, in particular, sits on 1500 square metres, a block size more commonly found in the older areas,” he says.

“However, there’s a block size, a dwelling type and a price point to suit most classes of buyer in the northern suburbs – whether it be inner, outer or somewhere in between.”

Fay says the Gungahlin region has proved popular with first-home and young family buyers, drawn by new infrastructure including the town centre, schools, recreation options, roads and the light rail.

• Variety: Canberra’s northern suburbs are characterised by plenty of variety, from character homes on big blocks in the inner city to the latest contemporary designs on low-maintenance blocks in the newer suburbs.
• Budget boosters: Shop around for more bang for your buck. Bigger blocks in the longer-established suburbs within the Inner North and Belconnen regions are likely solid bets for future capital appreciation.
• Infrastructure: “Build it and they will come,” they say, which has certainly happened around the newer parts of Gungahlin. Roads, schools, shops, recreational opportunities and the light rail are all magnets.

Check out our top pick of properties in Canberra’s north:

Moncrieff

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This is a lot of home on a good-sized block that puts the emphasis on comfort and low maintenance.

The three-year-old contemporary house sits on 575 square metres in one of Gungahlin’s most popular suburbs and delivers more than 253 square metres of internal living.

Entry is highlighted by a six-metre void that draws in the light, with imported Italian floor tiles that lead to the living areas.

There are three of those, with the main living area highlighted by a combustion fireplace.

The bespoke kitchen fields Caesarstone benchtops, Smeg appliances – including 600mm pyrolytic and convection ovens – an integrated dishwasher, coffee machine and two under-bench Vintec wine fridges. And then there’s a butler’s pantry as well.

The home delivers four generous bedrooms – three with walk-in wardrobes – and there are four indulgent bathrooms and en suites. 

The main bathroom includes a bath, floor-to-ceiling tiling, custom vanities with stone tops and Caroma Dorf tapware.

Tech includes iPad-driven home automation, electric blinds throughout, zoned ducted heating and cooling and a CCTV home security system.

Outside, there’s a covered entertaining zone equipped with a kitchen and highlighted by a built-in barbecue.

There’s travertine tiling to the al fresco area and around the heated, in-ground pool surrounded by a landscaped, low-maintenance garden.

There’s a large two-car garage with epoxy flooring and an abundance of storage. 

The home is ideally located and only moments from schools, shops and parks.

Price guide: $1.55 million + 

Auction: 11am, August 20

Agent: Carter and Co Agents, Nik Brozinic 0400 280 728

Or try these:

Braddon

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Price guide: $1 million +

Auction: 12:30pm. August 20

Agent: Independent Gungahlin, Andrew Potts 0404 895 162

Flynn

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Price guide: $1.8 million +

Auction: 5:30pm, August 18

Agent: Blackshaw Manuka, Michael Fay 0411 708 775

Downer

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Price guide: $560,000 +

Auction: 12:30pm, August 23

Agent: Independent Our Team, Mark Larmer and Aaron Lewis 0407 121 412