Things to do in Manuka: a historical access guide
Things to do in Manuka
By Megan Kelly · Originally published 6 June 2018
Original article and dated context
Megan Kelly is a creative writer with an academic background in Australian history. She has recently begun exploring a new interest – graphic design. Watch this space for her most recent creative project. This is the second of a series of three blog posts exploring Canberra. You can read her other posts here and here.
Manuka is a locality in the Canberra suburb of Griffith. The name dates back to Walter Burley Griffin, and the short period New Zealand was considering becoming a state of Australia.
Manuka is a Maori word for tea-tree. Yet, most (I am going to say all) Canberrans pronounce the name MA-nu-ka, rather than Ma-NOO-ka – just a travel tip.
Heritage Listed
The Manuka shops were established in 1926 as the main commercial centre for south Canberra. A feature in Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for a ‘garden capital’, the original buildings around Manuka are now Heritage listed. This includes the Manuka Arcade, St Christopher’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Church, Manuka Oval, and the Manuka Swimming Pool. This preserves Canberra’s unique heritage, but does occasionally poses access issues.
Getting Around
Although compact, when you are shopping in Manuka, it is useful to think of it as three destinations:
Manuka Arcade: located at 22-30 Franklin Street, Manuka arcade is the original 1926 building. Here, you will find an array of cafes, clothing stores, gift shops, bars, and restaurants.
There are several parking options for the Arcade. There is parking on the street, including access parking outside St. Christopher’s Cathedral. There is also a multistory car park Furneaux St. The ground outside the Arcade is paved with bricks. It is slightly uneven. As this is a heritage listed building, there is no lift access to the shops upstairs.
Manuka Terrace: a newer building, the Terrace is fitted with escalators, an elevator, underground parking, and accessible toilets.
Here, you will find some essentials, like a Coles Supermarket, Bakers Delight, various bank branches, and Australia Post. The Terrace also houses Gelatissimo, and popular takeaway restaurants.
Manuka Lawns: Behind Manuka Arcade, the Lawns is a court of shops and cafes around a grassy area.
On a weekend, the Lawns are densely packed with families and cyclists enjoying coffee at cafes such as Ona on the Lawns and Urban Pantry. There is parking on Bougainville Street. If you cannot find a park, there is also parking on some of the side streets.
Caphs
Far from its utilitarian beginnings, Manuka is now a hub for cafes, restaurants, and bars. One of my favourite Sunday morning stops is Caphs Restaurant and Bar.
Caphs has stained glass windows, gold molded plastering, and art-deco chandeliers. To get inside, there is a wooden door, and a low step. Despite appeals to renovate for access, the current owners are not permitted to change fixtures. This unfortunately includes the toilets, which are not wheelchair accessible. As their best work-around, the owners have an arrangement in the cinema across the road, so their patrons all have accessible toilets.
[Clickability update, October 2026: This describes the author’s historical account of one venue. Do not treat it as a general rule that heritage status prevents all access improvements or removes responsibilities to consider access.]
They have extensive menus, but I never get past the all day breakfast. Actually, I never get passed their Cinnamon toast, but they have a full range of delicious food.
FreakShakes
No doubt you’ve heard all about FreakShakes? Well, they originated in Manuka. Patissez – on the Lawns – are the creators (read geniuses) behind the decadent drink (dessert?). This café is small, with primarily outdoor seating. There is a fairly narrow ramp to get inside to the counter.
For the Children?
Beyond FreakShakes, there are plenty of child friendly shops. Wolfie, is a clothing retailer ready to ‘paint the town red and dress the kids of Canberra in wolf’s clothing’. They stock a variety of fanciful and whimsical wares from a range of designers. You’ll also find toys, and home décor suited to children.
There’s also Kidstuff. It’s a toyshop, need I say more?
Cinema
Event cinema at Manuka strive to cater to all guests. For people with hearing loss they offer closed captions, infrared, and hearing aid loops. Audio descriptions are available via personal headset or neck look, for guests with vision impairments. Theatres have wheelchair spaces with companion seating. The cinema does recommend calling in advance to be if equipment is required.
Fashion
Canberra’s fashion scene might be low-key, but local designers and storeowners have a sense of style to compete with the likes of Sydney and Melbourne. For those interested, take a look at Bougainville street (after coffee on the Lawns?).
Numerous stores feature international, national, and local designers. Spaces are small, so some of these shops are a little cramped, but for the most part they are easy access – with no lips or steps.
So why do I go to Manuka?
Paperchain.
Located in Manuka Arcade, Paperchain is my favourite bookshop in Canberra. You will find something here on almost any subject. While there are no steps or lips to cross getting in to the store, it is split-level. The back half of the store is up five stairs. For anyone who cannot use stairs, there is a stair climber installed, and the staff are happy to assist.
Manuka is a relaxing place to eat, drink, and shop.
Clickability editorial update: October 2026
How participants can plan a Manuka visit around their priorities
Choose the shops, food or activities you want to visit, then check the actual route between them. Ask about stairs, doorway space, toilets and any assistance equipment before setting off. A venue’s historical workaround may have changed or may not suit you.
Use current Canberra visitor guidance for broader planning, and confirm the specific places in this article separately.
Help plan alternatives while keeping the outing’s purpose
With permission, check parking, meeting points and facilities alongside the person’s preferred activities. Do not substitute another destination without discussing it. If equipment requires staff assistance, confirm availability and suitability in advance.
Questions readers ask
Are the cinema and shop facilities a current verified inventory?
No. Check the venue’s present arrangements directly.
Does a heritage listing mean access can never be improved?
This historical account does not establish that general rule.
Find assistance for the places you want to visit
Describe your community support needs through Clickability. Explore reviewed and rated profiles and ask providers how they plan outings around your choices.