In brief:

• This article lists food, shopping and activities in Belconnen.
• Support local at one of Belconnen’s markets or local cafés.
• Cheer on a Canberra sports team at GIO Stadium Canberra or the AIS.

Find yourself in Belconnen for the day and not sure where to eat, shop or explore?

We’ve got a list of recommendations that may inspire your itinerary.

Where to eat

Locals on the We Are CBR Instagram told us the best food spots on Northside; here are the top picks for Belconnen:

54 Benjamin: Looking for a café to catch up with friends while in Belco? 54 is in a great central location right next to Westfield on Benjamin Way. They offer breakfast and lunch options.

Eighty Twenty: This café has a focus on clean, natural and unprocessed ingredients. Enjoy breakfast and lunch options every day of the week.

Stella’s by the Lake: Stella’s is a dog-friendly café offering breakfast and lunch. It’s right by Lake Ginninderra – perfect for a bite after a stroll. They have inside and outdoor seating available.

Two Sisters Lao Thai Street Food: Looking for a convenient but delicious feed while you’re in Belconnen? Enjoy authentic Thai food straight out of a food truck. It is located on the top floor of Westfield Belconnen outside the entrance near Fernwood and Grease Monkey.

Gianni's Italian: Gianni’s is Belconnen’s newest Italian restaurant and is already a favourite amongst locals. They also have a gelato place next door for a post-dinner sweet treat. They are open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

Looking for something more local? Check out the Our Canberra story on Canberra’s best suburban cafes.

What to do and see

Whether you’re with friends or taking your family on a day out – there’s something for all ages in Belconnen. Check out a gig, some sport or an exhibition.

GIO Stadium Canberra: Cheer on one of Canberra’s great rugby league or union teams at GIO Stadium in Bruce.

Find a game in the events schedule on the GIO Stadium Canberra website.

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS): Take a guided tour around the facility, have a meal at the café, swim in the indoor pool or catch a basketball or ice hockey game.

Find out more about the facility on the Australian Sports Commission website.

Belconnen Arts Centre: Belco Arts on Emu Bank offers a range of arts to enjoy including dance, music, visual arts, theatre and more. They also offer hands-on workshops.

Make sure to grab a bite from their café, Kiln, while you’re there. It’s located right on the waterfront.

Find out more on the Belco Arts website.

The Baso: Live music enthusiasts will love The Baso in Belconnen.

Check out The gig guide on The Baso website. to see upcoming events.

To find more live music venues, read the Our Canberra guide to live music in Canberra.

Belconnen Skate Park: Whether you or your kids skate, or you just want to see others take to the half pipe – it’s worth passing by this iconic skatepark.

Keep an eye out for one of the exciting events and competitions held at the park on the Events ACT website.

John Knight Memorial Park: Located on Lake Ginninderra, this park is great for all ages. It has picnic areas, walking paths and two playgrounds.

Margaret Timpson Park: This park is located opposite Westfield Belconnen, making it the perfect spot to soak up some sunshine and have a bite to eat with the family after you’ve been inside shopping.

Where to shop

Capital Food Market: Recently renovated, the market is a great spot to explore when you’re in the area.

Shop for fresh produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, books and more. You can also dine out at one of the many restaurants and cafés in the precinct including:

• Florence Gelato
• Knead Bakery
• Hanok Korean Fine BBQ.

See the full list of traders on the Capital Food Market website.

Sly Fox Markets: Belconnen’s newest weekend market is on once a month on Emu Bank. Shop local food, handmade goods and second-hand clothing.

Stay up to date with the markets on the Sly Fox Coffee Facebook page.

Westfield Belconnen: Belconnen Mall is the main shopping centre in the region. The centre has many grocers and retail stores, butchers, as well as dining spots and a cinema.

Search stores on the Westfield website.

Where to exercise

Lake Ginninderra: There are so many ways for visitors to experience the beauty of this lake. Hop on a bike or walk the 7 km loop around, with different starting points to choose from.

Mount Painter: Mount Painter lies in Canberra Nature Park in Belconnen and provides great views over north Canberra and the Molonglo Valley.

This walk is around 4 km return.

Shepherds Lookout: This 1.2 km return walk rewards you with amazing views over the Murrumbidgee River on the edge of Belconnen.

Gossan Hill: Gossan Hill Nature Reserve is a 47-hectare protected area located in south-eastern Belconnen. This walk is a 2.5 km loop.

National Arboretum Canberra: If you venture just outside Belconnen, you will find the National Arboretum.

The Arboretum has many different walking and cycling tracks ranging from 2–7 km return. You can also take guided walking tours.

Take in over 44,000 rare and endangered trees across a 250-hectare site and see stunning views of Canberra.

Looking for more Canberra walks? Read the Our Canberra article on Great Canberra walks to tick off your list.