Ainslie

The suburb was named after James Ainslie in 1928, who in 1825 was employed to drive sheep down south from Bathurst in order to find suitable grazing land.  He chose the Canberra district, what was then called the Limestone Plains, and was overseer for ten years before he returned to Scotland. 

The streets themselves are named after early Pioneers and Legislators.

Ainslie is within walking distance of the City, the Australian War Memorial and the many restaurants of Dickson, with local shops located centrally and schools nearby.  Residents can access Mount Ainslie simply by walking uphill.  There is an easy paved walk to the top, and also a “goat track” straight up the side of the hill.  In the evening, kangaroos come down from the mountain and eat grass from the nature strips in front of local houses.

This leafy North Canberra suburb has displayed one of the strongest increases in property values in recent years.   Its central position, combined with the abundance of early, heritage-listed houses, mature street trees and lush open spaces, makes it one of Canberra’s most desirable locations. 

While still predominately comprised of detached single-dwelling houses, with small blocks of flats in the south, Ainslie’s increasing popularity has led to in-fill development in recent years, in the form of both dual occupancy dwellings and medium-density development.