This list of buildings and structures in the Australian Capital Territory includes historically and architecturally significant buildings and structures in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
The recognition and legal protection of significant buildings and structures in the ACT is performed by numerous bodies: The National Heritage List is a list of places with outstanding heritage value to Australia. The Commonwealth Heritage List is specifically for buildings owned by the Australian Government which are significant at any threshold including local, state/territory and National levels. Places on these lists are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Listed places are protected under the Act which means that no-one can take an action that has, will have or is likely to have, a significant impact on the environment of a listed place, including its heritage values, without the approval of the Minister. It is a criminal offence not to comply with this legislation.
Other relevant heritage registers include: The Register of the National Estate, a list of historically significant places, this is a non-statutory archive of the now-defunct register. The National Trust of Australia administers several properties in the ACT, listing on this register is non-statutory. The Australian Capital Territory Heritage Register, places on the register are of particular importance to the people of the ACT and are thought to enrich the understanding of history and identity. Places on the register are legally protected under the Heritage Act 2004, and changes or development of them requires advice by the ACT Heritage Council on development issues to improve conservation outcomes.
The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) also maintains a register of significant 20th-century buildings. Although it has no legal capacity to protect buildings, it provides information on architecturally significant buildings within the territory. Also listed are buildings registered by the AIA more simply as examples of significant architecture.
19th century NameYear completedLocationDescription and significancePreservation and accessCanberry, Kanberry1824ActonCanberry was the first building in the ACT. Canberry was knocked down in 1942 to make way for the construction of the Royal Canberra Hospital. Duntroon House1833Royal Military College, DuntroonBuilt by the Campbell family, now the officer's mess at RMC Duntroon. The oldest surviving private building in Canberra.Commonwealth Heritage ListSt John's Anglican Church1845ReidSt John's Church is the oldest surviving public building within Canberra's city precinct, predating the establishment of the capital by almost 70 years. The Schoolhouse Museum within the church precinct displays items dating back to Canberra's rural past.The church building and surrounding precinct remains an active place of worship and Canberra landmark.Blundells Cottage1860ParkesBlundells Cottage is a five room stone cottage, and is one of the few reminders of the rural history of Canberra left in the city.The building is listed by the National Trust of Australia and operates as a museum.Hill Station1862HumeHill Station is an example of 19th century rural lifestyle and has "a strong association with the early settlement of the ACT". The main homestead was built around 1909.Heritage (Decision about Registration of Hill Station, Hume) Notice 2012. www.legislation.act.gov.au. Retrieved 20 August 2026.ACT Heritage RegisterYarralumla1891YarralumlaBuilt by the Campbell family, the house became the home of the Governor-General of Australia from 1927.Commonwealth Heritage ListLambrigg Homestead1894TharwaACT Heritage RegisterTharwa Bridge1895TharwaTharwa Bridge was the first bridge built across the Murrumbidgee River.The four span Allan truss bridge is still open to traffic. (Closed in 2006 - temporarily) The bridge reopened in August 2008 to light traffic, below 5 tonnes.
20th century Pre World War II