Canberra steals the scene in Austin
From bus shelters to bold modernist icons, the hit ABC TV series Austin shines a light on the national capital, writes GML Principal Rachel Jackson.
The ABC TV series Austin (Seasons 1 and 2) puts Canberra in the spotlight as the hometown of its lead character. Between the sharp script and London contrasts, the show reveals what locals have long known—Canberra is more than a political capital, it’s a city of bold architecture and striking landscapes.
From major national institutions, like Australian Parliament House and the National Library of Australia, to everyday icons such as Commonwealth Avenue and unmistakable concrete bus shelters, Austin showcases the heritage that gives Canberra its distinctive character. Canberra’s bus shelters were designed in 1974 by local architect Clem Cummings. About 450 of them dot the city’s streets. In recent years, they have become a popular Canberra icon and now they are on screens across Australia and the UK.
Canberra’s other recognisable landmarks are highlighted in the TV series. Designed by government architect, John Smith Murdoch, as a hotel for parliamentarians the historic Hyatt Hotel is recast as the “Canberra Hotel”. The hotel’s gracious gardens add visual elegance to scenes. The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, another Murdoch-designed building, makes a cameo in Season 1, while the Australian Academy of Science’s Shine Dome, designed by Sir Roy Grounds in 1959, makes a dramatic impact in Season 2 as the “Martian Embassy”.
Season 2 moves into one of Canberra’s modernist gems—the former Headquarters of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, designed by Ancher Mortlock Murray in 1968. It also happens to be GML’s Canberra office, where mid-century cool is part of our daily working life. For more than a month, our team shared the building with the cast and crew. They were captivated by the space, so much so that British actor Ben Miller (Austin’s father in the series) even claimed our quiet lunch spot as his own between takes.
Austin portrays Canberra’s characteristic sense of place—its bush setting, tree-lined streets, modernist architecture and heritage places—to new audiences, well beyond the many people who already appreciate it. Bravo Canberra, perhaps there might be an encore!
GML’s Canberra office, designed by Ancher Mortlock Murray in 1968, is a key location in Season 2 of Austin.
