If you want to live in a neighbourhood that feels like a little community, with low-maintenance housing, picturesque surrounds and convenient local amenities, Casey in Canberra’s north could be the suburb for you.
Casey is a small enclave tucked away in Gungahlin, popular with families and people aged under 35. With a median house price of $630,000 (compared to the ACT’s $680,000), houses are affordable and generally well-designed for growing broods.
And while Casey might be one of Canberra’s most northern suburbs, it’s still less than a ten-minute drive to Gungahlin, around 15 minutes to Belconnen and just over 20 minutes to the city.
Thinking about visiting or moving to Casey? Here’s what you need to know.
History
Long before Casey was a residential suburb (construction started around 2008), it was part of sprawling rural property Gold Creek. Parts of the suburb were even used as a practice track for racing horses.
Casey is named after former Australian Governor-General Richard Casey, and is bordered by Ngunnawal, Nicholls and Taylor.
Shops and eateries
Casey has a large shopping centre, known as Casey Market Town. There are plenty of places to grab a quick bite (think Zambreros, Subway, Sushi Island) or stock up on the essentials (there’s a Supabarn Farmers Market, Aldi and Priceline Pharmacy).
If you want to relax with friends, try the ever-popular Casey Jones (try the gumbo or the creole hot dog), Pixie and Bear Cafe (we’re told the eggs benny is worth sampling) or native Myanmar eatery Myanmar Corner.
Still not satisfied? Casey is a short drive from The Marketplace Gungahlin, which has an even more extensive range of shops, eateries and local services.
Places of interest and things to do
- Get together with mates at Casey Jones. This local pub likes to do things differently, offering a pleasant dining experience with a friendly smile. It’s spacious, welcoming and a great place to unwind over a drink and a meal with friends.
- Take your four-legged friends to Springbank Rise Dog Park. Casey’s local dog park offers stunning grassland views, as well as two large enclosures for small and large dogs with plenty of shade for the summer months.
Playgrounds and parks
Parks in Casey include:
- Casey Recreational Park. Located between Plimsoll Drive and Whitrod Avenue, Casey Recreational Park has a shaded playground with equipment suitable for older and younger kids. Grab a coffee from the nearby Cafe Aurora and watch the kids play, or bring a picnic to enjoy on the grass.
- Critchley Street Playground. This is a small, shaded playground that is again suitable for older and younger kids.
- Beanland Street Playground. No shade, but there is a baby swing.
- John Crawford Crescent Playground. John Crawford Crescent playground isn’t shaded, but there is a variety of equipment including a spider web climbing frame.
Getting around
Transport Canberra bus routes 25, 26 ,27 and 28 service Casey. From Casey, it’s a relatively easy commute (just over 20 minutes outside of peak hour) into the Civic from the Barton Highway via Clarrie Hermes Drive.
Schools
While Casey doesn’t have any schools, there are several in surrounding suburbs:
- Holy Spirit Primary School is a Catholic school in Nicholls for students from preschool to Year 6.
- Gold Creek School is a public school for preschool to Year 10 students in Nicholls that offers International Baccalaureate world school education.
- St John Paul II College is a Catholic school for Year 7 to Year 12 students in Nicholls.
Why the locals love it
Casey might be one of Canberra’s northernmost suburbs, but it’s also one of the suburbs that make up our city’s Nappy Valley (a title originally bestowed on Tuggeranong and handed over to Gungahlin sometime around 2015).
With more than a quarter of its population aged 14 or under, Casey is suburb packed with young families. It’s appealing to this demographic because the houses are new and modern, there are plenty of schools, shops and green spaces nearby, and property is generally more affordable than in other parts of Canberra.
And because the suburb is full of families with kids, chances are your neighbour won’t be giving you the side eye when your toddler has a meltdown at the local park.
Quick facts
- Median age: 30 years
- Median weekly household income: $2302
- Median weekly rent: $420
- Houses vs. apartments: 61.9% houses; 35.6% townhouses, 2.1% apartments
- Suburb sales record (excludes land sales): $1.46 million in 2018
Source: 2016 Census.
Want to find the latest real estate listings for sale and rent in Casey? Zango can help you find them:
Do you live, or have you previously lived, in Casey? What are your favourite things about the suburb? What advice would you give to people considering moving there? Share your thoughts in the comments below.