Co-owner of Lucky Shot with BZ Burgers, Luke, with head chef Deano. Photo: Michelle Taylor.
Tucked away on Canberra’s north-western fringe, Holt remains one of the city’s most affordable suburbs. It overlooks expansive nature reserves, has convenient local shops and has several amenities including ovals, playgrounds and schools.
Holt is a popular choice for families and young professionals who want to live somewhere with schools, facilities and shopping close by.
Thinking about visiting or moving to Holt? Here’s what you need to know.
History
The suburb of Holt was gazetted in 1970 and is named after former Prime Minister Harold Holt. Its streets are named after Australian sportspeople.
The quiet and unpretentious suburb in Canberra’s north shares borders with Macgregor, Latham and Higgins. It also borders on open farm and bushland, and is a short distance away from the Murrumbidgee River. Ginninderra Falls Tourist Park and Parkwood, a very small light industrial area, are also nearby.
Shops and eateries
Holt Shops in Beaurepaire Crescent is small but has a supermarket.
Kippax Fair is a mid-sized shopping complex, also in Holt. It features a Woolworths, Aldi, newsagent and petrol station, as well as a variety of speciality stores. One of the centre’s best-kept secrets is a jeweller who makes beautiful custom jewellery and provides traditional, old-fashioned jeweller services.
There are plenty of eateries to choose from at Kippax Fair, including Quan’s Kitchen, Kingsley’s Chicken, Chinese Inn, the Asian Food Mart, Lucky Shot with BZ Burgers and McDonalds. Locals will soon be able to look forward to a bigger, better Kippax Fair if plans to extend the complex go ahead.
Holt is an eight-minute drive from Belconnen Town Centre and a 15-minute drive to Civic.
Places of interest and things to do
Shepherds Lookout offers stunning views of the Murrumbidgee River. Photo: Region Media.
- Walk to Shepherds Lookout for stunning views of the Murrumbidgee River. This iconic lookout is only a 600-metre return walk from Holt, accessible through Woodstock Nature Reserve. Dogs are welcome on leads.
- Visit or volunteer at Pegasus Riding School for the Disabled, a not-for-profit community organisation that provides therapeutic horse-facilitated programs and activities for people with disabilities. It relies on up to 140 volunteers each week to operate its programs.
- Take the family to Raiders Belconnen, a community-focused and family-friendly club with a lively football culture. Keep an eye out for their daily specials, like Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays.
The local Raiders club is a favourite amongst the locals. Photo: Daniella Jukic.
Playgrounds and parks
Love the great outdoors? If you live in Holt you’ll feel like you’re right amongst it, with views of the stunning Brindabella Ranges from many parts of the suburb and a river and nature reserve a stone’s throw away.
Playground and local library at Kippax Fair in Holt. Photo: Daniella Jukic.
Within the suburb, there are several playgrounds and play areas, including:
- Holt Community Park in Beaurepaire Crescent is great for younger kids and has a concrete loop that’s perfect for riding trikes and scooters on.
- Kippax Fair Playground is right outside the shopping centre and next to the public library.
- Armstrong Crescent Playground has lots of green space for kids to play and is shaded by big trees.
- Holt Oval is off Starke Street.
Getting around
Holt is served by several Transport Canberra bus routes. Route R2 will get you to Belconnen, the city, Barton and Fyshwick, while routes 40, 44 and 45 travel to and from Belconnen.
Schools
Kingsford Smith School is a public school for preschool to Year 10 students in Holt. Cranleigh School, a specialist primary school for students with significant intellectual disabilities, is also located in Holt.
Other nearby schools include:
- Hawker College – Year 11 and 12 students living in Holt are in a priority enrolment area for this school.
- Macgregor Primary School – a public school for preschool to Year 6 students.
- St John the Apostle – a Catholic primary school in Florey for kindergarten to Year 6 students.
- St Francis Xavier College – a Catholic high school in Florey for years 7 to 12.
Why the locals love it
“Holt is well and truly established and predominantly owner-occupied by house proud couples. The trees are plentiful and this provides for that leafy street appeal and shady summer days. The block sizes in Holt are also a little more generous than surrounding suburbs and this makes the area attractive to families and gardeners alike.
If you are keen on a jog or walking the pup, there are loads of bushwalks within minutes and the low traffic levels make it easy to get about.” – Benjamin Ling, via Homely.
D Barber at Kippax Fair in Holt, open 7 days a week. Photo: Daniella Jukic.
Quick facts
- Median age: 38 years
- Median weekly household income: $1,427
- Median weekly rent: $325
- Houses vs. apartments: 58.4% houses; 34.1% townhouses, 7.5% apartments
- Suburb sales record (excludes land sales): $785,000 in 2018
Source: 2016 Census.
Want to find the latest real estate listings for sale and rent in Holt? Zango can help you find them:
Do you live, or have you previously lived, in Holt? 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.
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