Daniel Butkovich, Property Journalist
First published 28 Aug 2026, 4:01pm
This lesser-known suburb on Canberra’s outskirts was once considered as the site of the nation’s capital.
Decades before Canberra’s iconic circle-based layout was conceived by celebrated architect Walter Burley Griffin, a little village popped up in the area that was to become the Australian Capital Territory.
The leafy village of Hall was once considered as the site of the nation's capital before Canberra was conceived. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
The suburb of Hall near the northwest border of the ACT has the unusual status of being one of the sites considered for the nation’s capital before the area further to the southwest that’s now occupied by Canberra was eventually recommended by government surveyor Charles Scrivener.
While Hall was never transformed into the nation’s capital, Canberra’s growth over the years means it now sits on the city’s periphery, with more modern suburbs such as Casey and Nicholls just a stone’s throw away.
Hall differs from most of Canberra in that its streets contrast with the curving circuits and avenues that the capital is now known for.
Hall is popular with weekend visitors thanks to its charming village vibe. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Its grid layout of just eight streets serves as a throwback to its status as one of the few settlements existing in the area that was eventually gazetted as the ACT.
But despite Canberra’s urban sprawl as the city spreads to the northwest, Hall’s unique village-like feel has been preserved thanks to planning controls and heritage protections.
Green buffers encompassing the paddocks and bushland around the village prevent land from being developed in its immediate vicinity, which maintains its country town vibe despite being only a 20-minute drive from Canberra’s CBD.
The village's picturesque streetscapes have been preserved by heritage protections. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Real estate agent and local resident Mark Johnstone of Ray White Canberra said Hall offers a lifestyle that’s halfway between rural and suburbia.
“It’s a historic country village with a lot of old world charm,” he said. “It really does feel like a million miles from nowhere, but you’re still in Canberra.”
Its quaint cafes and shops attract weekend visitors from Canberra and beyond, as do its its well-known monthly markets at the showground.
Most blocks are spacious, and many include tennis courts. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Most of the houses in Hall occupy large blocks of land, typically about 2000sqm in size, with backyard tennis courts surprisingly common.
Despite planning overlays protecting Hall from overdevelopment, Mr Johnstone said those rules didn’t prohibit homeowners from renovating their properties.
“There’s very few heritage listed homes in Hall, but the village itself is heritage-listed,” he said.
This four-bedroom house in Hall is going under the hammer on September 3 through Ray White Canberra. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
There were only 298 people living in 130 private dwellings in the suburb at the last census, making it one of the ACT’s smallest suburbs by population.
That also means homes that hit the market there are exceptionally rare, with only a handful listed for sale each year.
“It can go on for some time without a property listed,” Mr Johnstone said.
It occupies a 2030sqm leafy block with established trees. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
However, with two homes going to auction next month, buyers keen on Hall are treated to a relative bonanza.
A 1950s four-bedroom family house on a leafy half-acre block is heading to auction on September 3 through Ray White Canberra, which Mr Johnstone said had proved popular among buyers.
“We’ve had excellent numbers coming through the open home, with different people having different views of what they would do with the property,” he said.
This corner property in Hall is going to auction in September. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Meanwhile, a 2023sqm property that's going to auction on September 19 includes a 1937-built three-bedroom cottage which "may inspire an ambitioius restoration", as well as a one-bedroom flat and clinic converted from a garage.
Marketed as "an increasingly rare opportunity to create something special", the listing advises potential buyers to bring their builder, architect and imagination.
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