Acton, Administrative division in Canberra, Australia.
Acton is a suburb in the western part of Canberra, sitting along the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin. It is home to the main campus of the Australian National University as well as several national cultural institutions.
Before European settlement, the land belonged to the Ngunnawal people, who used the creek and surrounding area for generations. After the Australian Capital Territory was created in 1911, the land was gradually developed as part of the planned capital.
The National Museum of Australia in Acton tells the story of the country through everyday objects, personal stories, and large-scale installations that visitors can walk through and engage with directly. The building itself, with its angular shapes and bold colors, is hard to miss from the lakeside path.
The lakeside path makes it easy to walk or cycle between the major sites without needing to use main roads. Bus connections are available for those who prefer not to walk the full distance between the university and the museum area.
The National Film and Sound Archive in Acton is housed in a building originally designed as a library, not a media archive, and its Art Deco style makes it stand out from the campus buildings around it. Inside, it holds the oldest surviving footage of an Australian bushfire.
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