Situated 16 kilometres north-east of Canberra, Sutton is a tiny village that acts as a gateway to both the Australian capital and evocative stretches of the Australian bush. It’s located in the Southern Tablelands, on the west bank of the Yass River.
Sutton’s main attraction is the Tulip Top Gardens, where the vibrant collection of flowering trees and blossoming plants takes half a day to explore it fully. Entrance includes a sandwich and coffee at the Garden’s cafe, and family entertainment is provided at the weekend. The gardens change with the seasons and are famous across Australia for their tulips and cherry trees.
Sutton provides an iconic small town Australia experience just outside the capital, with just a couple of general stores and pubs. There’s a very tranquil feel that is common in the towns of the Southern Tablelands. People often use Sutton as a relaxed base for visiting Canberra, which is a short drive north. Empty roads stretch out in all other directions, taking visitors through Australian Capital Territory and onwards towards the state of Victoria.
Sutton translates as “South Settlement” in Saxon, the Old English language. Unlike many town names in Australia, Sutton has continued to reflect its original meaning and currently has a population of less than 1,000.