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Imagine the look on my face when I made a new friend at a baby shower last weekend who told me she’d grown up in “Canberra’s Vatican City”.Hang on … Sorry …. What? Where was this sacred area of the capital she was talking about? How had I never heard of it?It turns out she was talking about Canberra’s tiniest suburb: Oxley. Postcode 2903. Sandwiched between Wanniassa and Monash, a triangle-shaped locality fronting Drakeford Drive (and Lake Tuggeranong) on one side and Erindale Drive on the other. The miniscule suburb is just 1.08km2, consisting of 649 private dwellings and home to 1703 people. (Vatican City is just 0.49km2).<img alt="Screen Shot 2024-03-26 at 4.23.02 pm" class="richtext-image full-width" height="332" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/Screen_Shot_2024-03-26_at_4.23.02_pm.width-800.png" width="643">It’s basically one single street – Newman-Morris Circuit – running parallel to the sides of the triangle with a series of cul-de-sacs running off it. Like the Vatican, it’s a mini city within a city (though non-religious, of course) and an area very much coveted by families in Canberra’s deep south.According to sales agent <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/colin-blunden/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Colin Blunden</a> from <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/mcintyre-property/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McIntyre Property</a>, homes in Oxley, which was officially established in 1985, “rarely come up for sale”.<img alt="14-dalgarno-close-oxley-act-2903-94688-image-0-20240317233211006308-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/14-dalgarno-close-oxley-act-2903-94688-image-0.width-800.jpg" width="800">“Statistically, Oxley is the Canberra suburb where people stay in their homes the longest,” Colin says.“So when homes do come up for sale, you get interest purely from people wanting to come and see what life there is like.”Colin held the Oxley suburb record in 2012 for a cavernous six-bedroom home he describes as “like something from Gone With the Wind”.Oxley is nothing like its giant neighbours Wanniassa or Kambah, Colin says, but more like another tiny Tuggeranong suburb down the road: Macarthur.<img alt="1-connibere-crescent-oxley-act-2903-89860-image-0-20231106001648672459-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1-connibere-crescent-oxley-act-2903-89860-imag.width-800.jpg" width="800">Housing in Oxley is a mix of townhouses and standalone dwellings; and while the McMansions on huge 1000sqm+ blocks along Newman-Morris are plentiful, it’s a suburb with limited amenity, including the lack of a set of local shops.Do those who live there care?“Not at all,” Colin says. “You’re a 10-minute walk from South.Point and the restaurants along Anketell Street, and just minutes from Erindale and Wanniassa shops.”<img alt="1-connibere-crescent-oxley-act-2903-89860-image-0-20231106001646228291-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1-connibere-crescent-oxley-act-2903-89860-imag.width-800_48nDAcw.jpg" width="800">Sales agent <a href="https://zango.com.au/agents/maya-rourke/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maya Rourke</a> from McIntryre Property describes Oxley as the “hidden gem of the south”.“If you want supreme location, this is it,” she says.“It’s the ultimate location in Tuggeranong: so close to the town centre without being in the hustle and bustle of Greenway.”<img alt="6-lamble-place-oxley-act-2903-95839-image-0-20240316030136501646-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/6-lamble-place-oxley-act-2903-95839-image-0-20.width-800.jpg" width="800">Maya loves selling in Oxley because it mostly includes helping families settle into a home they’ll likely stay in a very long time.“You can’t compare 2903 to any other suburb in Canberra,” she says.“It’s got its own vibe, and it might be small, but it’s very well known down here in the south.”<a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/search/?listing_type=buy&amp;address_suburb=Oxley,%202903,%20ACT&amp;surrounding=true&amp;order_by=price&amp;property_status_groups=current,underOffer,includePrivate&amp;page=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View current listings in Oxley, ACT.</a>

'The Vatican City of Canberra': welcome to the tiny suburb of Oxley

Remember the homes on Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie and The Golden Girls? The houses in those sitcoms literally played their own character, with dream decor from the 60s, 70s and 80s.Whether you’re looking to move back into a home just like the one you lived in growing up or you&#x27;re looking to renovate, these classic Canberra kitchens and bathrooms are packed with character and nostalgia.<h3 data-block-key="6cj59"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/1-mcleod-place-kambah-act-2902-66310/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1 McLeod Place, Kambah</a></h3><img alt="1-mcleod-place-kambah-act-2902-66310-image-0-20220926211627878055-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1-mcleod-place-kambah-act-2902-66310-image-0-2.width-800.jpg" width="800">This fully-functioning kitchen is just bursting with sunshine. Its lemon and aqua cabinetry - with glossy wood veneer benchtops - makes us want to pop on an apron and bake some fresh scones. The two sinks come with double dish draining capabilities, perfect for the large family. <img alt="1-mcleod-place-kambah-act-2902-66310-image-0-20220926211629695757-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1-mcleod-place-kambah-act-2902-66310-image-0-2.width-800_oVGNnxi.jpg" width="800">Meanwhile, the pink ensuite and powder room as the other end of the home are as cute as can be. The powder room features its own overhead heater and embellished pink tiles. Barbie would be so jealous.<img alt="1-mcleod-place-kambah-act-2902-66310-image-0-20220926211630512664-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1-mcleod-place-kambah-act-2902-66310-image-0-2.width-800_OkOMdP7.jpg" width="800">The main bathroom boasts cool sea-inspired blues. A vintage freestanding vanity with glossy veneer top presents perfectly against the tiles and has the original soap dish and tapware. <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/1-mcleod-place-kambah-act-2902-66310/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing for 1 McLeod Place, Kambah.</a><h3 data-block-key="aitfh"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/1-joske-place-latham-act-2615-66585/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1 Joske Place, Latham</a></h3><img alt="1-joske-place-latham-act-2615-66585-image-0-20220926001650847035-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1-joske-place-latham-act-2615-66585-image-0-20.width-800.jpg" width="800">This vintage kitchen has more of a 1980s beige and brown vibe. Decorative tiles complete the splashback and the frilly fruit themed curtains are giving us strong Nonna energy. <img alt="1-joske-place-latham-act-2615-66585-image-0-20220926001652068879-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1-joske-place-latham-act-2615-66585-image-0-20.width-800_9tATPvZ.jpg" width="800">The home&#x27;s bathroom brings calming muted blue tones and we love the retro blue pillar taps on the bath. The shower features privacy screens and the accent floral tiles are super retro. <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/1-joske-place-latham-act-2615-66585/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing for 1 Joske Place, Latham.</a><h3 data-block-key="68r96"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/13-gundara-street-aranda-act-2614-66521/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">13 Gundara Street, Aranda</a></h3><img alt="13-gundara-street-aranda-act-2614-66521-image-0-20220927030217728854-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/13-gundara-street-aranda-act-2614-66521-image-.width-800.jpg" width="800">This home&#x27;s Brady Brunch aesthetic centres on a chocolate brown palette from the late 1970s. Surely those cupboards are packed full of the vintage orange/brown/yellow/avocado-coloured Tupperware range?! If you love retro homes, you should see the rest of this house: the carpet should be in a museum.<a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/13-gundara-street-aranda-act-2614-66521/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing for 13 Gundara Street, Aranda.</a><h3 data-block-key="6vel1"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/38-bandjalong-crescent-aranda-act-2614-66520/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">38 Bandjalong Crescent, Aranda</a></h3><img alt="38-bandjalong-crescent-aranda-act-2614-66520-image-0-20220927030212792705-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/38-bandjalong-crescent-aranda-act-2614-66520-i.width-800.jpg" width="800">The silver mixer tap and neutral bench top in this kitchen are totally retro chic. This kitchen&#x27;s original features include late 1970s wood grain cabinetry and a vintage bench cooktop. Hang an Australiana-themed tea towel on the oven door and you&#x27;re good to go.<img alt="38-bandjalong-crescent-aranda-act-2614-66520-image-0-20220927030213826894-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/38-bandjalong-crescent-aranda-act-2614-66520-i.width-800_379ZgOd.jpg" width="800">The bathroom of this home also blends retro with contemporary, retaining the pretty peach tiles, vintage toilet roll holder and shower screen, but bringing an updated vanity into the design. Check out the wooden toilet seat too!<a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/38-bandjalong-crescent-aranda-act-2614-66520/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing at 38 Bandjalong Crescent, Aranda.</a><h3 data-block-key="5ipib"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/34-sturdee-crescent-monash-act-2904-66591/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">34 Sturdee Crescent, Monash</a></h3><img alt="34-sturdee-crescent-monash-act-2904-66591-image-0-20220927010212270514-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/34-sturdee-crescent-monash-act-2904-66591-imag.width-800.jpg" width="800">Welcome to bathroom of your 1980s peaches-and-cream dreams. This functional bathroom includes a double vanity, spa bath and gold and silver finishes with timber accents. It just makes us want to soak in that bubble bath and sing to Prince on our walkman while dreaming of Richard Gere. <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/34-sturdee-crescent-monash-act-2904-66591/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing.</a><h3 data-block-key="hh2n"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/7-113-stornaway-road-queanbeyan-nsw-2620-66703/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">7/113 Stornaway Road, Queanbeyan</a></h3><img alt="7-113-stornaway-road-queanbeyan-nsw-2620-66703-image-0-20220926013138174824-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/7-113-stornaway-road-queanbeyan-nsw-2620-66703.width-800.jpg" width="800">This bathroom is part of a townhouse complex that&#x27;s an iconic piece of Queanbeyan architecture.While the bathroom is vintage in every sense, the cool muted colours make it mildly modern. The neutral feature tiles on the bath and the tesselating tiles on the floor are complemented by chocolate brown pillar taps.<a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/7-113-stornaway-road-queanbeyan-nsw-2620-66703/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing.</a><h3 data-block-key="e25ch"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/93-ross-road-queanbeyan-nsw-2620-65931/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">93 Ross Road Queanbeyan </a></h3><img alt="93-ross-road-queanbeyan-nsw-2620-65931-image-0-20220926041631332704-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/93-ross-road-queanbeyan-nsw-2620-65931-image-0.width-800.jpg" width="800">This early 1960s solid brick home still has many of its original features including stunning wallpaper, wood-panelled walls and double hung windows. The kitchen is no exception, with open overhead cabinetry, a large timber-framed window over the sink and glossy veneer bench tops. <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/93-ross-road-queanbeyan-nsw-2620-65931/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing for 93 Ross Road, Queanbeyan.</a><h3 data-block-key="114g0"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/92-annetts-parade-mossy-point-nsw-2537-61177/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">92 Annetts Parade, Mossy Point</a></h3><img alt="92-annetts-parade-mossy-point-nsw-2537-61177-image-0-20220926063148914355-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/92-annetts-parade-mossy-point-nsw-2537-61177-i.width-800.jpg" width="800">This colourful coastal kitchen mixes bright hues with soft wood cabinetry. The vintage freestanding oven features an overhead exhaust with a beautiful metal stamped design. <a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/92-annetts-parade-mossy-point-nsw-2537-61177/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing.</a>

2 news articles with tag monash

'The Vatican City of Canberra': welcome to the tiny suburb of Oxley

Love a retro bathroom or kitchen? Here are 11 of Canberra's best