Aranda, Australian Capital Territory

Aranda
A plaque at Aranda playing fields marks the start of the development of Aranda in 1966
Aranda
Location in Canberra
Coordinates: 35°15′30″S 149°04′48″E / 35.25833°S 149.08000°E / -35.25833; 149.08000
CountryAustralia
StateAustralian Capital Territory
CityCanberra
District
Government
 • Territory electorate
 • Federal division
Area
 • Total
1.6 km2 (0.62 sq mi)
Population
 • Total2,605 (SAL 2021)
Postcode
2614
Gazetted22 June 1967
Suburbs around Aranda
Belconnen Bruce Canberra Nature Park
Macquarie
Cook
Aranda Black Mountain
Canberra Nature Park Canberra Nature Park Black Mountain

Aranda (/ˈərændə/) is a suburb in the district of Belconnen, in the Australian capital city of Canberra. Located at the western foot of Black Mountain and bounded on two sides by nature park, the suburb is characterised by its bush setting. During the planning and development of the suburb, a large proportion of large native trees – predominantly eucalypts – were left in place.

The suburb derives its name from the Arrernte tribe of Central Australia, previously known as Arunta, which means 'White Cockatoo'. The streets in Aranda are named after Aboriginal tribal groups from around Australia. The suburb comprises an area of 160ha and in 1967 was the first suburb in Belconnen to be settled.

A small plaque at the Aranda District playing fields near the suspension bridge over Belconnen Way marks the settlement of the suburb as the first development in the Belconnen district. It reads:

This tablet marks the inauguration of development of the district of Belconnen by the Minister of State for the Interior The Honourable J. D. Anthony, M.P. 23 June 1966