Located in the heart of Phillip at 92-96 Corinna Street, the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden stands as one of Canberra's most popular entertainment venues, particularly renowned for its excellent gaming facilities and pokies selection. This centrally positioned club offers visitors a perfect combination of gaming excitement, quality dining, and outstanding member benefits, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy pokies in the Australian Capital Territory.
The Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden operates daily from 9:00 AM until 4:00 AM the following morning, providing extended hours for members and guests who fancy a flutter on the pokies at any time of day or night. Unlike Casino Canberra, which famously holds no poker machines, the Southern Cross Club Woden has invested heavily in providing patrons with state-of-the-art gaming facilities that cater to both casual players and serious pokies enthusiasts.
The gaming floor at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden represents one of the finest pokies destinations in the ACT. According to official records, the venue currently operates gaming machines that provide entertainment to thousands of visitors weekly. The club has demonstrated its commitment to responsible gaming by participating in the ACT Government's Surrender Incentive scheme, voluntarily handing back 10 gaming machines in 2022, bringing their total down from the previous allocation, whilst maintaining an excellent selection for patrons.
Players at the Southern Cross Club Woden can enjoy a modern gaming environment featuring the latest pokies from renowned manufacturers, including Aristocrat, IGT, and other leading providers. The gaming lounge offers comfortable seating, climate control, and attentive staff who ensure every visit is enjoyable. Popular titles available at the venue include classic Australian favourites such as Lightning Link, Dragon Link, More Chilli, and Where's the Gold – all featuring the exciting bonus rounds and progressive jackpots that Australian players love.
The club's gaming area is thoughtfully designed with multiple zones to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer the intimacy of smaller gaming rooms or the energy of the main floor, the Southern Cross Club Woden accommodates all styles of play. The machines cater to various budgets, with denominations ranging from one cent to higher stakes, ensuring accessibility for everyone from casual players to high rollers.
Reviews from regular pokies players at the Southern Cross Club Woden paint a picture of a venue that understands its gaming clientele. Members appreciate the clean, well-maintained gaming environment and the consistently updated machine selection. The club's commitment to providing the latest games means players always have access to fresh titles alongside their trusted favourites.
One recurring theme in player feedback centres on the club's excellent value proposition. Members enjoy reduced beverage prices whilst playing, with craft beers and wine on tap available at member rates. The happy hour specials make extending your gaming session particularly economical, and the ability to order food directly to the gaming floor adds to the convenience factor.
The atmosphere within the gaming areas strikes a careful balance between exciting and comfortable. Large screens display sporting events, creating additional entertainment value, whilst the layout ensures players never feel cramped. The inclusion of both traditional reel-style machines and modern video pokies means the club caters to all generations of players, from those who remember the original mechanical machines to younger players who prefer feature-rich video slots.
Gaming Features | Details |
Opening Hours | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Daily |
Gaming Machine Types | Video Pokies, Classic Reels, Progressive Jackpots |
Popular Titles | Lightning Link, Dragon Link, More Chilli, Where's the Gold, 5 Dragons |
Bet Denominations | 1c to $5.00 |
Manufacturers | Aristocrat, IGT, Ainsworth, and others |
Gaming Amenities | Food service, beverage service, ATMs on-site |
From an industry perspective, the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden represents a benchmark for how clubs should approach their gaming operations. The venue's decision to participate in harm minimisation programmes whilst maintaining a quality offering demonstrates responsible corporate citizenship. Gaming experts note that the club's machine selection represents a careful curation of titles with strong return-to-player percentages and engaging bonus features.
The club's integration of gaming with broader entertainment options sets it apart from purely gaming-focused venues. This approach creates a more rounded entertainment experience where pokies complement rather than dominate the visit. Industry analysts point to this model as representing the future of club gaming in Australia – entertainment-rich environments where gaming forms one part of a complete leisure offering.
The technical specifications of the gaming floor also receive high marks from experts. The modern cashless gaming options, loyalty card integration, and responsible gambling messaging throughout the gaming areas reflect current best practices. The club's staff training in responsible service of gaming further demonstrates their commitment to patron welfare alongside entertainment provision.
For visitors exploring pokies options in the Phillip and Woden area, several other quality venues operate within easy reach of the Southern Cross Club. Understanding the competitive landscape helps patrons make informed choices about where to enjoy their gaming entertainment.
Located at Matilda Street in Phillip (just minutes from the Southern Cross Club), the Hellenic Club represents the most significant competing pokies venue in the immediate area. This establishment boasts a state-of-the-art gaming lounge with hundreds of machines, including many of the same popular titles found at the Southern Cross Club. The Hellenic Club Woden offers free validated parking, multiple dining options including Mediterranean cuisine, and extensive entertainment programming.
The Hellenic Club operates an impressive 24/7 gaming schedule and features eight bars across the venue, three outdoor entertaining areas, and TAB facilities for punters who enjoy mixing sports betting with their pokies play. The gaming floor rivals the Southern Cross Club in size and machine selection, making it an excellent alternative or complementary venue for pokies enthusiasts.
Situated approximately 5 kilometres south in the suburb of Mawson, this community club offers a more intimate gaming environment than the larger Phillip venues. The Mawson Club provides over 60 gaming machines in a friendly, neighbourhood atmosphere. Regular patrons appreciate the club's strong community focus and slightly quieter gaming environment compared to the busier central venues.
Whilst not in immediate Phillip, the Vikings Group operates multiple clubs across Canberra, including Vikings Erindale in Wanniassa (approximately 10km from Woden) and Vikings Lanyon in Conder. These venues offer extensive gaming facilities, modern amenities, and the benefits of being part of one of Canberra's largest club groups. Their reciprocal rights arrangements mean Southern Cross Club members may access these venues on equivalent terms.
Nearby Pokies Venues | Address | Distance from Southern Cross Woden | Approximate Gaming Machines |
Hellenic Club Woden | Matilda St, Phillip ACT 2606 | 1.2 km | 300+ |
The Mawson Club | Mawson Place, Mawson ACT 2607 | 5.1 km | 60+ |
Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong | Reed St South, Greenway ACT 2900 | 8.7 km | 155+ |
Canberra Southern Cross Club Jamison | Bowman St, Macquarie ACT 2614 | 12.3 km | 67+ |
Accessibility represents one of the Southern Cross Club Woden's strongest advantages. The venue's central Phillip location makes it easily reachable by multiple transport options, ensuring both local members and visitors can access the club conveniently.
For those arriving by car, the Southern Cross Club Woden provides extensive parking facilities. The club operates a paid parking system with generous validation options for patrons. The standard arrangement offers up to two hours of free parking for visitors who spend a minimum of $10 at the club – a threshold easily met whether dining, enjoying beverages, or playing the pokies.
Parking can be accessed via Corinna Street, with clearly marked entry points to the multi-level car park facility. The car park operates 24/7, matching the club's extended trading hours, and includes accessible parking spaces near lift access for patrons with mobility requirements. For those concerned about parking validation, simply present your parking ticket along with your purchase receipt to reception staff before departing.
The club also offers EV charging stations within the car park, reflecting their commitment to sustainable transport options. Charges apply for non-members using the parking facilities without the spending threshold, typically around $20 for extended stays.
Woden serves as a major public transport interchange for Canberra, making the Southern Cross Club exceptionally well-served by bus services. The Woden Bus Station sits approximately 800 metres from the club entrance – roughly a 10-minute walk through the Westfield Woden shopping centre and across Corinna Street.
ACTION buses from across Canberra converge on the Woden interchange, with services connecting from Belconnen, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong, and the City. The Canberra Light Rail network currently terminates in the city, requiring a bus connection to reach Woden, though future extensions may improve this access further.
For specific journey planning, the Transport Canberra website and Moovit app provide real-time bus information and optimal routes from any Canberra location to the club. Weekend and evening services operate regularly, ensuring members can access the venue during peak gaming times.
Phillip's central location makes it an economical destination via taxi or rideshare services. Both Uber and DiDi operate extensively in Canberra, with typical fares from Canberra City to the Southern Cross Club Woden ranging from $15-25, depending on traffic and time of day. The club entrance on Corinna Street provides a safe, well-lit drop-off and pickup point, with the address clearly marked for driver navigation systems.
Maximising your experience at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden begins with membership, which unlocks substantial benefits particularly valuable to regular pokies players. The club operates the Star Rewards programme, providing members with points for every dollar spent throughout the venue.
The Southern Cross Club offers several membership tiers designed to accommodate different circumstances and provide excellent value for money. Annual membership begins at just $12.50 for a single membership, representing outstanding value given the benefits accrued. Three-year and five-year memberships offer further savings, bringing the annual cost down to $10 and $8, respectively.
Family memberships, covering two adults at the same residential address, cost $18 annually, $43 for three years, or $55 for five years. The club also recognises various concession categories, including seniors (60+), pensioners, students, and country residents (living beyond 50km from the venue), with pricing reduced to $10 annually for singles and $12 for families.
Membership Type | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years |
Single | $12.50 | $30 | $40 |
Single Concession | $10 | $25 | $30 |
Family | $18 | $43 | $55 |
Family Concession | $12 | $30 | $40 |
The Star Rewards programme particularly benefits regular gaming patrons. Members earn points through gaming activity, food and beverage purchases, and function bookings across all Southern Cross Club venues (Woden, Tuggeranong, Jamison, and the Yacht Club). Points accumulate in your account and can be redeemed for food, beverages, function room hire, and even gym memberships at the club's Stellar facilities or affiliated Anytime Fitness locations.
For pokies players, the programme means every dollar wagered contributes to rewards that enhance future visits. The more frequently you visit and play, the faster points accumulate. The system operates via your membership card, which members simply swipe at gaming machines to ensure points are credited. Regular promotions and member-exclusive gaming tournaments provide additional opportunities to earn bonus points and compete for substantial prizes.
Members also enjoy preferential pricing across the venue's dining options, with discounts on meals and beverages that can easily offset the annual membership cost within a few visits. Happy hour pricing for members makes after-work or early evening gaming sessions particularly economical.
One distinguishing feature of the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden lies in its diverse dining portfolio. Unlike purely gaming-focused venues, the club has invested heavily in creating quality food and beverage offerings that complement the pokies experience.
The Clubhouse represents the hub of casual dining at the venue, featuring wine on tap, craft beers, and a menu centred around woodfired pizza and gourmet burgers. Operating from 8:45 AM for breakfast through to 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays (9:00 PM other nights), the Clubhouse provides convenient meal options for gaming patrons who want quality food without leaving the club.
The venue's layout includes cosy couches around a feature fireplace, raised bench seating for groups, and large screens displaying sporting events. This makes it an ideal spot to take a break from the pokies, enjoy a meal, and watch the game before returning to the gaming floor. The casual atmosphere and reasonable pricing align perfectly with the club's accessible, members-focused philosophy.
Henry's caters specifically to families, with a children's play area visible from the dining section and an arcade featuring games for older children. The restaurant operates from 11:00 AM to 8:45 PM daily, offering a balanced kids' menu that addresses common allergies and dietary requirements. For pokies players with families, Henry's provides an excellent option for combining gaming with family dining in one visit.
For those seeking a more refined dining experience, The Patio offers an intimate atmosphere with booth seating, lush greenery, and table service during evening hours. The Patio provides an optional set menu alongside à la carte choices, operating the same hours as the Clubhouse (11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday-Saturday, 9:00 PM other nights). This venue suits celebrations, date nights, or any occasion where pokies players want to combine gaming with upscale dining.
The club's café operates from 8:45 AM to 9:00 PM daily, serving sandwiches, desserts, gelati, and ice cream. For gaming patrons looking for a quick snack or coffee break between pokies sessions, the café provides convenient options without requiring a full meal commitment.
Beyond gaming and dining, the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden maintains an active entertainment calendar that adds value to membership and provides reasons to visit beyond the pokies floor.
The venue regularly hosts live entertainment acts ranging from tribute bands to comedy shows. Past and upcoming acts have included Manpower Australia's Thunder From Down Under, Chisel & Barnes tribute shows, and various musical performances. The club's concert stage in the Corinna 1 function space can accommodate major productions, with professional audio-visual capabilities and a green room for performers.
The club's promotional calendar includes themed dining events, senior citizen lunches, Ladies Day luncheons, and special holiday celebrations. Christmas Day operations include a special lunch booking (the venue opens 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Christmas Day), whilst regular themed nights throughout the year provide members with diverse entertainment options beyond the core gaming offering.
Pokies players benefit from regular member-only promotions, including prize draws, jackpot multiplier periods, and themed gaming tournaments. These events provide enhanced value and excitement, with substantial prize pools that can include cash, holidays, electronics, and bonus Star Rewards points.
The Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden doubles as a premier function venue, with multiple spaces suitable for everything from corporate meetings to large-scale weddings. This versatility means the venue attracts visitors who may be introduced to the pokies facilities through attendance at functions.
The club operates ten distinct function spaces, including the massive pillarless Corinna Ballroom (suitable for up to 500 guests), the elegant Top of the Cross room, the Orion Room with private bar, the intimate Executive Boardroom, and Henry's party space for children's celebrations. The Private Dining Room offers flexibility for smaller corporate events or family celebrations.
Function bookings contribute to Star Rewards points for members, meaning organisations or individuals who regularly book club facilities for conferences or events can accumulate significant points that may be redeemed for personal benefits, including gaming sessions.
Uniquely among pokies venues, the Southern Cross Club Woden includes health and fitness facilities that expand its appeal beyond gaming enthusiasts. The club owns and operates Stellar Women's Gym, providing female-only fitness facilities, swimming lessons at Stellar Swim, and manages Anytime Fitness locations accessible to club members at preferential rates.
This integration of health facilities with entertainment amenities creates opportunities for members to balance gaming sessions with fitness activities – an unusual but welcome combination that sets the venue apart from traditional pokies clubs.
The Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden takes its responsibilities regarding gaming harm seriously, implementing multiple measures to support responsible pokies play. The venue displays prominent responsible gambling messaging throughout the gaming floor, provides self-exclusion options for patrons who feel they need a break from gaming, and ensures staff receive regular training in identifying and assisting customers who may be experiencing gambling-related harm.
ATM facilities are available but positioned away from the gaming floor to encourage conscious decision-making around cash access. The club cooperates fully with ACT Government regulations and has demonstrated its commitment to harm minimisation through voluntary machine reduction programmes.
Members concerned about their gaming habits can access support through the club's staff, who can provide information about counselling services, self-exclusion programmes, and other support mechanisms. The ACT Gambling Counselling Service provides confidential support and is promoted throughout the venue.
The Southern Cross Club Woden's Phillip location places it at the heart of one of Canberra's major town centres, with extensive shopping, dining, and entertainment options within walking distance.
Australia's second-oldest regional shopping centre sits adjacent to the club, offering over 180 specialty stores, major department stores including David Jones and Target, a Woolworths supermarket, and a cinema complex. The shopping centre provides additional dining options, banking facilities, and services that complement a visit to the club.
Just 1.5 kilometres from the club, this aquatic and ice facility offers swimming pools, an Olympic-size ice rink, and leisure facilities. For visitors combining a pokies session with family activities, the swimming centre provides excellent options for entertaining children or enjoying exercise before or after gaming.
Part of the ACT Government library network, Woden Library sits within the town centre precinct, offering free Wi-Fi, study spaces, and an extensive collection. The library provides a useful pre-or post-gaming activity for those wanting to combine entertainment with education or research.
Successfully planning your visit to the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden requires knowing the key contact details and operational information.
Address: 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip ACT 2606, Australia
Phone: (02) 6283 7200
Email: reception.woden@cscc.com.au
Website: www.cscc.com.au/woden
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 AM Daily (Bar and lounge areas) Christmas Day: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Parking: Monday-Sunday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Up to 2 hours free with minimum $10 spend (validate at reception) Over 2 hours free with minimum $10 spend
Dress Code: Smart casual – clean, tidy, and non-offensive attire. Venue management reserves final discretion on dress standards.
Membership of the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden provides reciprocal rights at numerous other clubs throughout Australia. The club's reciprocal agreements mean members can access similar clubs in other states with equivalent privileges, making the membership valuable for travellers who enjoy pokies gaming interstate.
The Southern Cross Club operates three additional venues in Canberra:
Tuggeranong: Located at Reed Street South in Greenway, featuring 155+ gaming machines. Jamison: Situated on Bowman Street in Macquarie, with 67+ machines. Yacht Club: On the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, offering scenic views alongside gaming facilities
Members receive full access across all venues with their single membership, allowing diverse experiences whilst accumulating Star Rewards points that can be redeemed at any location.
When evaluating pokies venues in Canberra, the Southern Cross Club Woden presents compelling advantages that explain its popularity among both casual players and serious gaming enthusiasts. The combination of extensive gaming options, quality dining, competitive membership pricing, rewards programmes, and convenient location creates a value proposition that few competing venues can match.
The club's community focus, demonstrated through support for local organisations and participation in responsible gaming initiatives, reassures members that their patronage supports an organisation with values beyond pure profit. The reinvestment in facilities, regular machine updates, and commitment to member service ensure the venue remains competitive and appealing.
For interstate visitors or ACT residents new to pokies gaming, the Southern Cross Club Woden provides a welcoming introduction to club culture in Australia's capital. The friendly staff, multiple dining options, and range of entertainment beyond gaming create an environment where pokies enthusiasts can enjoy their pastime without the sometimes overwhelming atmosphere of larger casino environments.
The gaming machines at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden operate from 9:00 AM until 4:00 AM the following morning, seven days per week. This provides nearly 19 hours of daily gaming access, accommodating early morning players, lunchtime patrons, evening visitors, and late-night enthusiasts. On Christmas Day, the club operates reduced hours (11:00 AM to 6:00 PM), with gaming available during this period for those who've pre-booked Christmas lunch or are visiting the venue.
A single annual membership costs $12.50, whilst family memberships (covering two adults at the same address) cost $18 per year. Concession memberships for seniors, pensioners, students, and country members are available for $10 annually. Extended memberships offer better value, with five-year single memberships costing $40 (equivalent to $8 per year) and five-year family memberships costing $55 ($11 per year). All memberships provide access to the Star Rewards points programme and member pricing on food and beverages.
Parking is free for up to two hours if you spend a minimum of $10 at the club (easily achieved through gaming, dining, or beverage purchases). For stays exceeding two hours, parking remains free provided you meet the $10 spending threshold. Validate your parking ticket with your receipt at reception before leaving. Without meeting the minimum spend requirement, parking fees of $20 apply. The car park operates 24/7, matching the club's extended trading hours.
The venue features a diverse selection of gaming machines from leading manufacturers, including Aristocrat, IGT, and Ainsworth. Popular titles include Lightning Link, Dragon Link, More Chilli, Where's the Gold, 5 Dragons, Sun & Moon, and numerous progressive jackpot games. The club regularly updates its machine selection to include the latest releases alongside classic favourites. Bet denominations range from one cent to higher stakes, accommodating all budgets from casual players to high rollers.
Yes, non-members can access the gaming floor as guests. However, membership provides significant advantages, including reduced food and beverage pricing, Star Rewards points on all purchases and gaming activity, access to member-exclusive promotions and tournaments, and reciprocal rights at other clubs. Given the low annual membership cost ($12.50) versus the immediate savings on the first visit, most regular visitors find membership financially beneficial.
The Star Rewards programme allows members to earn points on gaming activity, food and beverage purchases, and function bookings across all Southern Cross Club venues. Simply swipe your membership card at gaming machines to ensure points are credited to your account. Points accumulate based on play and can be redeemed for food, drinks, function room hire, or gym memberships. Members also receive notifications about exclusive promotions, tournaments, and bonus point opportunities.
Yes, ATM facilities are available within the venue. However, they are positioned away from the gaming floor in line with responsible gaming practices, encouraging considered decision-making around cash access. Standard ATM fees apply, depending on your bank. The club also accepts EFTPOS for purchases throughout the venue.
The Woden Central Clubhouse & Bar sits adjacent to the gaming areas, offering casual dining including woodfired pizzas, gourmet burgers, and pub classics from 8:45 AM until late. The Woden Central Café operates 8:45 AM to 9:00 PM daily for coffee, snacks, and desserts. For more formal dining, The Patio provides intimate evening meals with table service, whilst Henry's Family Restaurant caters to families with children's menus and a play area. All dining areas allow members to charge meals to their membership account.
Yes, the Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden provides comprehensive accessibility features, including wheelchair-accessible entrances, designated parking spaces near lift access, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and gaming machine positioning that accommodates wheelchair users. Lift access serves all levels of the facility, and staff are trained to assist patrons with disabilities. The venue complies fully with ACT accessibility requirements and welcomes feedback on any accessibility concerns.
The club operates a smart casual dress code described as clean, tidy, and non-offensive. This means neat casual clothing is acceptable – you don't need formal wear, but beachwear, offensive slogans, excessively torn clothing, or inappropriate attire will be refused entry. Footwear is required throughout the venue. The venue manager holds final discretion on dress standards. Most patrons wear comfortable casual clothing such as jeans and shirts, casual dresses, or smart casual business wear.
Yes, the Southern Cross Club operates four venues across Canberra. Beyond the Woden venue, there are clubs in Tuggeranong (Reed Street South, Greenway) with 155+ gaming machines, Jamison (Bowman Street, Macquarie) with 67+ machines, and the Southern Cross Yacht Club on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Your membership provides full access to all venues, and Star Rewards points can be earned and redeemed at any location.
The Woden Bus Station, approximately 800 metres from the club, serves as a major ACT transport interchange with connections throughout Canberra. Walk through Westfield Woden shopping centre and cross Corinna Street to reach the club (roughly 10 minutes). Numerous ACTION bus routes service Woden from all major Canberra districts. Use the Transport Canberra website or the Moovit app for specific journey planning and real-time bus information. Taxi and rideshare services (Uber, DiDi) provide direct drop-off at the club entrance.