Tocumwal houses

The Tocumwal houses form a residential district of about 200 structures arranged in eight small cul-de-sacs in O'Connor. The buildings feature three to four bedrooms, weatherboard walls, timber floors, and separate indoor bathrooms.

These buildings began as military barracks in New South Wales during World War II and were moved to Canberra in 1948 to address acute housing shortages. The relocation marked a turning point in the new capital's development.

The neighborhood became a home for intellectuals and creative professionals who shaped its character over time. A sense of community identity formed through the residents who gathered here and created spaces for intellectual exchange.

The area is best explored on foot or by bicycle, as the cul-de-sacs form small, intimate streets with local character. Keep in mind this is a private residential area where residents' privacy should be respected.

The structures were deliberately designed to resemble standard houses from above, masking their original military purpose during wartime. This camouflage was a practical security measure of the era.