The Canberra north-side suburb that's more than just sport and degrees

If you’ve moved to the nation’s capital to study at the University of Canberra, chances are you have lived or known of someone who has lived in Bruce.

The suburb paints a picture of bush capital living and is also home to prestigious Radford College, Calvary Hospital and sporting institutions that have put the city on the map.

Plenty of exciting new development is happening in the area, particularly units and townhouses, including Wish Residences and Rockwell. It’s clear to see why as the suburb celebrates a prime location close to the city but without the price tag.

Who’s Bruce, you’re also asking? It was named after Stanley Melbourne Bruce, later Viscount Bruce, who from 1923 to 1929 was Australia’s prime minister.

Bruce at a glance:

Median unit price: $354,000

Weekly asking rent houses: $600

Weekly asking rent units: $420

Eat & drink

Westfield Belconnen is nearby with its plethora of dining options, but if you don’t feel like venturing far there is plenty at your doorstep.

Gan-Jeez is inspired by an Indian-Australian fusion approach, we recommend its potato lotus root curry for your next date night.

Cafe Momo is a hit among public servants in the area for a morning coffee or lunch on the go, while next door is Plunge Cafe and Florist.

Onsite at the Univarsity of Canberra, you can’t go past The Coffee Grounds for an on-campus feed among the flurry of students or a drink at The Well bar, which is a favourite for locals too.

See & do

Dubbed Canberra’s “millennial pink” pond, Bruce pond is becoming a fast attraction of Bruce thanks to a post from Instagrammer @livingtheausdream. Turns out the pink stuff is an Australian native fern species called Azolla Pinnata and the fact it’s pink usually signals good water quality – definitely worth a visit!

Of course, crowds flock to the suburb on home game nights at GIO Stadium to cheer on the mighty Brumbies or green-machine Raiders.

The sporting theme continues at the Australian Institute of Sport where the country’s best athletes train and it also offers an activities program to keep your kids active and entertained.

Allhomes’ top pick of units for sale in Bruce:

38/31 Thynne Street, Bruce

1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 car space

Price guide: $308,000 +

Presenting fresh interiors and north-facing balcony, this property is just steps to GIO Stadium and the AIS.

Private sale

Agent: McGrath Estate Agents Gungahlin, Matt Harmer 0428 681 270