Forde: Did you know one of Canberra's greenest suburbs is in Gungahlin?

Gungahlin is often thrown around as an example of a region where there’s not enough greenery among tightly-packed properties.

But there’s a suburb tucked away in the territory’s northern-most pocket that might surprise some house hunters: Forde.

It’s arguably one of Canberra’s greenest communities. More than half of the suburb is surrounded by Mulligans Flat (or Goorooyarroo) Nature Reserve, with parkland and wetlands strewn throughout.

Forde is also home to some big sales. Earlier this month a house at 3 Arndt Street sold for $1.4 million, breaking the suburb record by $130,000.

At the time, Luton Properties selling agent Duncan Macdonald said 115 groups had inspected the house. One of the unsuccessful registered bidders had also missed out on a house on the same street just one week earlier.

Green space is obviously one of Forde’s biggest drawcards. Another is schools, notably Burgmann Anglican School.

Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Gungahlin principal and sales consultant Michael Braddon says Forde is, consequently, becoming “a family suburb”.

“It’s fully established now,” he says. “It’s got a proper sense of community.

“The large majority of Forde is opposite reserve or parkland. There are very few streets with just rows of houses looking at other rows of houses.”

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Braddon has coordinated three of the suburb’s four biggest sales and says all three buyers were families intending to stay until their children flew the coop.

While there’s a growing number of homes breaking the million-dollar mark, the suburb’s median property price is $750,000, according to Allhomes data.

LJ Hooker Gungahlin agent Troy Thompson says he is coming across a lot of families with two or three children.

Another significant demographic is downsizers looking to buy in a new area.

“Everyone looks after their street and their frontyard and backyard,” he says.

“They’ve got parks close by and Mulligans Flat, so there’s nice bush walking and bike riding trails.”

Frankies at Forde at the local shops. Photo: frankiesatforde.com.au

Forde might feel a mile away from the hustle and bustle, yet it’s just a five-minute drive from the Gungahlin Town Centre. Horse Park Drive runs straight past, offering easy access to other parts of the ACT.

Not a fan of Gungahlin? Consider taking a drive through Forde first.