Aranda, Australian Capital Territory

Aranda Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
A plaque at Aranda playing fields marks the start of the development of Aranda in 1966
Location of Aranda, shaded
Coordinates	35°15′30″S 149°04′48″E / 35.25833°S 149.08000°E / -35.25833; 149.08000Coordinates: 35°15′30″S 149°04′48″E / 35.25833°S 149.08000°E / -35.25833; 149.08000
Population	2,483 (2011 census)
• Density	1,550/km2 (4,020/sq mi)
Gazetted	22 June 1967
Postcode(s)	2614
Area	1.6 km2 (0.6 sq mi)
District	Belconnen
Territory electorate(s)	Ginninderra
Federal Division(s)	Fenner
Suburbs around Aranda: Belconnen Bruce Canberra Nature Park Macquarie Cook Aranda Black Mountain Canberra Nature Park Canberra Nature Park Black Mountain

Aranda 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:

Aranda is located in the south east of Belconnen. It is bounded by Caswell Drive on the east, separating the suburb from Black Mountain Nature Park, Belconnen Way to the north, Bindubi Street to the west and Aranda Bushland to the south. A pedestrian bridge crossing the six-lane Belconnen Way connects the suburb with the suburb of Bruce to the north. The suburbs of Cook and Macquarie are located to Aranda’s west on the opposite side of Bindubi Street.

Aranda is located 4 km to the west of Civic along Belconnen Way. Bandjalong Crescent, a curved bell shaped street is the main street passing through the suburb, connecting Caswell Drive with Bindubi Street. A number of community facilities are located in the centre of the curve.

A bicycle path along Bindubi Street connects Aranda with the Canberra bike path network. A walking path runs through a reserve along the spine of the suburb and connects with the footbridge to the suburb of Bruce. A walking track over Black Mountain connects Aranda with the CSIRO and the Australian National University.