Fiona and Adam, owners of Polo Restaurant in Turner. Photo: Michelle Taylor.
Turner is a suburb where you really can have it all. Take an easy stroll to the Australian National Botanic Gardens (or venture all the way up Black Mountain if you’re feeling particularly zealous), ride your bike to a university lecture, or meet a friend in trendy Braddon for dinner.From students in share houses to professionals in one of the area’s upscale apartment complexes, Turner is ideal for those who like living in leafy surrounds close to all of the essentials.
Thinking about visiting or moving to Turner? Here’s what you need to know.
Peter enjoys competitive lawn bowls and barefoot bowls at the RUC in Turner. Photo: Daniella Jukic.
History
The inner north suburb of Turner is named after Victorian politician Sir George Turner and was developed in the 1940s and 1950s.
Back then, Turner had generously-sized blocks with disproportionately small two- and three-bedroom houses thanks to post-war scarcity. These days it’s rare to see Turner houses in their original state, as developers have taken advantage of the bigger blocks to build units, townhouses or undertaken large-scale extensions to create luxury homes.
Today, the average home in Turner will set you back a cool $1.475 million, while a typical apartment costs about $511,000.
Shops and eateries
The RUC in Turner is a great place to catch up with friends. Photo: Daniella Jukic.
Unlike most neighbouring suburbs, Turner doesn’t have its own set of shops. The good news is this doesn’t prevent locals from enjoying great food.
The RUC in Turner, for example, isn’t just somewhere to play barefoot bowls on the weekends. Its food – ranging from classics like chicken schnitzel and bangers and mash to salads and healthy kids meals – is also worth discovering for yourself.
Similarly, Polo Restaurant at the Polish White Eagle Club on David Street serves up food inspired by Baltic cuisine, family traditions and in-season produce.
Turner is also close to O’Connor, Braddon, Civic and Ainslie, all of which have their own shops and restaurants.
Places of interest and things to do
While part of Turner’s appeal comes from its proximity to the bustling inner city, you don’t need to leave the suburb to have a good time.
Our suggestions for activities in Turner include:
Locals enjoy challenging their friends to a match of tennis in Turner. Photo: Daniella Jukic.
- Challenge a friend to a tennis match at Turner Tennis Club. Nestled in Haig Park, Turner Tennis Club is one of Canberra’s original tennis clubs. Court hire is available for members and the general public, with lessons available if you’d like to brush up on your backhand before meeting your next opponent.
- Visit a place of worship. For a smaller suburb, Turner has its fair share of churches. It’s home to the North Canberra Baptist Church, Ukrainian Orthodox Centre, Canberra National Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Canberra Quakers and Methodist church Canberra Christian Fellowship.
- Go for a bike ride. With plenty of bike paths, Turner and surrounding suburbs are often best seen by bike. The ACT Government has walking and cycling maps available for download to help plan your trip.
Locals enjoy the bike paths in Turner. Photo: Daniella Jukic.
Playgrounds and parks
If you like your inner city living with a healthy dose of greenery, Turner could be the suburb for you.
In addition to tree-lined streets and several sporting ovals, Sullivans Creek cuts through Turner Parkland in the suburb’s centre, with ample green space on either side.
The best-known park in Turner is most likely Haig Park (access from Masson Street). Spread across Braddon and Turner, Haig Park was originally planted in the 1920s as a windbreak for developing suburbs. It has since been through a rejuvenation thanks to the City Renewal Authority, and is now home to Haig Park markets.
Local musician Tori Chard performs at the Haig Park Village Markets on Sunday. Photo: Michael Weaver
Getting around
Turner’s central location makes getting around easy. Not only is it a leisurely walk to the city centre and to the ANU, but it’s also close to the light rail line. There are light rail stops along Northbourne Avenue at the Macarthur Street, Ipima Street and Elouera Street intersections.
ANU is within walking distance. You can stroll along University Avenue, and wander through the Kambri precinct. Photo: Martin Ollman.
Buses run regularly along McCaughey Street and Boldrewood Street, and Civic Interchange is 20 minutes on foot and less than 10 minutes by bike.
Schools
Turner School – a public primary school, and one of the oldest schools in Canberra – is the only school in Turner.
Other nearby schools include St Joseph’s Primary School and O’Connor Cooperative School (public school for students in kindergarten to Year 2) in O’Connor; Ainslie School (public primary school), Merici College (Catholic girls high school) in Braddon; and Lyneham High School (public school).
Why the locals love it
See if you can spot Telstra Tower on your walk around Turner. Photo: Region Media.
“The great thing about Turner is that it’s close to just about everything: the city, light rail, Braddon cafes and greenery and leafiness in Haig Park are all a short walk away. It’s also very close to the ANU, well-maintained cycle paths for getting out and about, good local pubs, and the ever-popular O’Connor shops.” – John, 29.
Quick facts
- Median age: 31 years
- Median weekly household income: $1924
- Median weekly rent: $400
- Houses vs. apartments: 74.7% apartments; 10.4% semi-detached houses (i.e. townhouses/terrace house); 13.7% separate houses.
- Suburb sales record: $2.7 million in 2012 (four-bedroom, one-bathroom, three-ensuite house on Ridley Street)
Source: 2016 Census.
Want to find the latest real estate listings for sale and rent in Turner? Zango can help you find them:
Do you live, or have you previously lived, in Turner? 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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