The District of Gungahlin is one of the original eighteen districts of the Australian Capital Territory used in land administration. The district is subdivided into divisions (suburbs), sections and blocks. Gungahlin is an Aboriginal word meaning "little rocky hill".
As of 2013 Gungahlin comprised eleven suburbs, including three currently under construction and a further seven suburbs planned. The town of Gungahlin was part of the original 1957 plan for future development in the ACT and in 1991 was officially launched as Canberra’s fourth ‘town’ by the ACT Chief Minister. At the time, the population of Gungahlin was just 389 residents. At the 2011 census, the population of the district was 46,971; and this figure is expected to rise to 60,000 by the year 2016; and to grow to 72,900 by 2021.
Within the district is Canberra's northernmost town centre that is situated 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north of Canberra city centre. The town centre is one of five satellites of Canberra, seated in Woden, Tuggeranong, Weston Creek and Belconnen.
Midnight glance is silence glazed
Misty shroud the leaves entwine
Long the fruit on bow has blossomed
Laden heavy hang the vines
Silence still the west wind carries
The tangy taste of the distant sea
Dark and deep the nightshade berries
Twist about the burdened lea
The jingling bells are hardly noticed
First, so heavy is the night
Creeping slowly ever nearer
Bridled mare of deathly white
Now children in their beds of feather
Moan and dream the passing sound
An owl takes flight, a sprig of heather
Spills its burden to the ground
Fairy Queen that rides the darkness with
Softly jingling bridle bells
Shadow of the ancient Mother
That on the wings of autumn dwells
Fairy Queen that claims the harvest
Yours the red fruit of the vine
Mab the song is unforgotten