Ainslie, Australian Capital Territory

Suburb of Canberra, Australia

Ainslie is a suburb of Canberra, Australia in the North Canberra district. The suburb is bounded by Limestone Avenue and Majura Avenue to the west and north, Phillip Avenue to the north east, Mount Ainslie to the east and Quick Street to the south. Ainslie is within walking distance of the City, the nature trails of Mount Ainslie, the Australian War Memorial and the many restaurants of Dickson. It has many attractions: a central location, with equally easy access to the CBD and the bush trails of Mount Ainslie; the abundance of charming early twentieth century, heritage listed houses; mature deciduous street trees and general leafiness; and a vibrant local shopping centre.

The local shops are located in the middle of Ainslie, and there is an IGA store, a cafe, restaurant, liquor store, pharmacy, laundrette, Pilates studio and newsagent. The suburb has a playschool, The Inner North Playschool, a preschool (Baker Gardens Preschool), the Ainslie Football Club, and the Ainslie Fire Station, which serves the North Canberra area. The North Ainslie Primary School is located in the suburb, but Ainslie School, one of Canberra's oldest, is located in Braddon on the western side of Limestone Ave (Braddon was originally called 'Ainslie' with the current Ainslie and another early neighbouring suburb, Reid, were originally called 'North Ainslie' and 'South Ainslie' respectively). Ainslie Village which is actually in Campbell, provides accommodation for homeless adults, or those at risk of homelessness. Ainslie 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. Kangaroos come down from the mountain at night and eat grass from the nature strips in front of local houses. The Anglican All Saints Church, built in the 1860s of stone, is located on Cowper Street in Ainslie. It was relocated from Sydney in 1957 and originally served as the railway terminus at Rookwood Cemetery. It is listed by the ACT Heritage Council.

The suburb is characterized by leafy streets, and mainly by detached single dwelling houses. Many see a "village" atmosphere around the many small parks. Ainslie has experienced 'in fill' development in recent years, both in the form of dual occupancy dwellings (where two dwellings are constructed on a block which previously contained one house) and medium density development, especially at the Limestone Avenue ends of Cowper Street and Angus Street and, more recently, on the site of the former service station at the Ainslie shops.