Acton Walkways is a local community initiative established in 2009 to raise awareness of the Acton precinct for its natural beauty, history, culture, intellectual and artistic highlights. 

An idea that originated during a walk by the lake developed into a substantial project, with funding from key stakeholders and prominent Acton 'residents' - The Australian National University, The Molonglo Group (NewActon), The National Film and Sound Archive, and the ACT Government.

In addition, numerous organisations assisted with in-kind support, including RSM Bird Cameron, Minter Ellison, Griffin Legal, ACT National Trust, Walter Burley Griffin Society, ACT Geological Society, Heart Foundation, Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF), Lake Burley Griffin Cruises, and Biginelli Espresso.

The active guided tour program ran between 2010 and 2013. During these three years over 3,000 people joined us in over 250 guided walks across such themes as architecture, art deco, arts, design, film and sound preservation, gardens and landscapes, geology, heritage and history, music, museums, photography, science, sculpture, and sustainability. 

During this time our website (listed as one of the top twenty inspiring Australian made web designs) registered over 30,000 visits, and has been promoted on a host of other cultural and tourist sites. We have received significant printed and digital media promotion, including many feature articles in the Canberra Times, Capital Magazine, the ANU Reporter, In the City, and the Chronicle, and interviews and stories with ABC TV and ABC 666.

Further promotion was achieved through collaboration with the ACT Government, enabling Acton to feature on seven signs around Lake Burley Griffin, and one sign in Childers Street, with the assistance of the ANU Exchange. Additionally, presentations have been given for the ACT Heritage Festival, and in collaboration with Jon Stanhope for the launch of the CanWalk portal, and Katy Gallagher for the Heart Foundation.

Since beginning this project I have had the pleasure of working with many people and met a wealth of interesting and interested fellow Canberrans. The enthusiasm from everyone involved has been inspiring. In particular, the efforts of a few key people must be mentioned: 

- All of our tour guides, many of whom have given their time, expertise and enthusiasm free of charge;

- James Collet, Jesse Adams Stein, and Belinda Bentley for their enthusiastic assistance with admininstration, research and tours.

- Bradley Cummings for the beautiful photos in our maps section, taken over numerous expeditions, and Roy Hill  for his generous and expert assistance with online mapping programs and solutions. 

- Allen Mawer, Linda Roberts, Peter Dowling, Lorraine Ball, Tony Muckle, Warwick Williams, Lois Fordham, Hugh Patton, Adam Black and many others for their ongoing support of this project and advice.

While our guided tour program has now ended, we do hold a Wednesday Weekly Walk at lunchtime 12:30-1:30pm. In the hotter summer months this walk is from 7:30am-8:30am.

There are many old and new spaces to discover in Acton, and stories - both past and present - to be told. As a program for the community, we very much welcome your insights, recollections, photos, videos and feedback. 

Dr Kirsty Guster
Founder, Acton Walkways

Key Sponsors

NewActon

NewActon is a multi-faceted mixed use precinct incorporating NewActon East, NewActon Pavilion, The Apartments, The Nishi Building, landscaped gardens, art, retail and commercial spaces all linked by an inspired vision. NewActon is more than just a place to live, work and play. It’s a living art and design precinct. A big, breathtaking experience of how life should be. What makes NewActon extraordinary is how it has successfully brought together a mix of complementary experiences for local residents, visitors and businesses.

Australian National University

The Australian National University (ANU) is unique among its contemporaries as the only Australian university established by an Act of Federal Parliament, in 1946. ANU has always been a university with a difference. Set apart by its unique research intensity, ANU offers an exceptional environment for discovery and learning. As Australia’s national university, ANU sets the standard in research, education and community engagement on issues of national and international importance. 

National Film and Sound Archive

The National Film and Sound Archive is the national audiovisual archive, playing a key role in documenting and interpreting the Australian experience and actively contributing to the development of Australia's audiovisual industry. We collect, store, preserve and make available screen and sound material relevant to Australia's culture. Through our skills and services we complement documentary heritage collections. We are leaders in the preservation, presentation and development of screen and sound culture in Australia.

ACT Government

The Department of Territory and Municipal Services plans, develops and delivers a range of state municipal services for the people of the ACT. Our services to the community are delivered by a number of diverse and specialised business groups. We are a hands-on organisation, and as we look around the city we see tangible evidence of our work. Indeed, our services affect every Canberran, every day. We are focused on continually improving our services and implementing innovative programs to deliver services and information to the Canberra community.

Supporting Organisations

With Generous Contributions By:

RSM Bird Cameron
Minter Ellison
ANU Exchange
MapShed Australia
Coordinate
Bradley Cummings Photography

And Support From:

AbaF
ANU Green
ANU Heritage
ANU School of Art
ANU School of Music
Australian Academy of Science (Shine Dome)
Breakfree Capital Towers
Geological Society (ACT)
Griffin Legal
Heart Foundation (ACT)
National Capital Tourism Education Project
National Trust (ACT)
SmartStart (Australia)
Walter Burley Griffin Society