15

The lookout is Black Mountain?

16

daycat,

Possibly. Here is a picture I took from the spot: http://www.synthetiq.net/images/20120914-1335-1.jpg

17

From my looks on Google Maps, its most likely so.

I wanted to go up there when I was in Canberra last, a while back, but without a car, its hard. Think there is no public transport or there might be.

Anyway, one day... ... ... when I do retire from work.

Black Mountain is visible to Parliament House in Canberra across Lake Burley Griffin. Or vice versa.

Great that you enjoyed Canberra.

Hey, maybe drive to Cooma and do some sking.

18

That is Mt Ainslie NOT Black Mountain. As you may (or may not!) be aware Canberra is an artificial architecturally designed city, and the entire lay out is based on that line of axis from Mt Ainslie, looking down ANZAC Parade to Parliament House. The 2 bridges to the left and right form what is known as the "Parliamentary Triangle". The architect is from Chicago - Walter Burley Griffin, although his wife Marion did most of the drawings.
Black Mountain is the other lookout, it's the telecommunications tower just out of shot, off to the right of your picture.
West Row is in Civic, it's a street parallel to the main street Northbourne Avenue. There is also a good cafe/bar strip opening up in nearby Braddon - Lonsdale Street Roasters has the best coffee in Canberra (at the Civic End of Lonsdale Street) and is cool, busy, noisy spot to hang out for a while (and right next door to one of the city's best restaurants, Italian and Sons), and Debacle (at the other end of Lonsdale Street) is a lot friendlier.
Or, perhaps hang out with the travellers, rather than the locals? There 's a bar/cafe at the YHA in Akuna Street
Last week Parliament was sitting so those bars in Kingston would have been crammed with MPs and their staff, who are as insular as they get. It may be friendlier now they have gone for a fortnight.
This weekend would be a great time to visit the wineries as there is a food and wine festival on - details here http://www.makersofmurrumbateman.org.au/f.ashx/Moving-Feast-brochure-2012.pdf
Don't miss the Kingston Markets on a Sunday http://www.obdm.com.au/
Or the EPIC Farmers Markets on a Sunday http://www.capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au/
If looking for a bigger trip, I really would do one, or all of the following:

• Head down to the coast via Bungendore and Braidwood to Bateman's Bay. This a is a spectacular drive down a winding road. Braidwood is a great old colonial town but at the end, carry on a litte from Bateman's Bay to Malua Bay to see decent beaches OR turn left at the Princes Highway and head about half an hour north to Durras or Pebbly Beach. These are magnificient beaches - national park, tall trees, unspoilt, and kangaroos running wild everywhere. This is a 2-2.5hour drive each way
• Head down to Jervis Bay via Kangaroo Valley and Fitzroy Falls. KV is a fabulous little town, and the Falls are a very short walk from the road. The southern shore of Jervis Bay is simply wonderful scenery. This is a 3.5 hour drive.
• Do this as a round trip over a weekend - go down one way and back the other and see the lot.. But beware, it's a long weekend, so traffic may be busy and accommodation may have to be booked.
• Drive to the snowfields. There is still very good skiing, and the scenery is superb. Head for Thredbo or the ski tube to Perisher. This is about a 2.5 hour drive each way.

Note you CANNOT ski at Cooma. It's about 100 klms from the nearest snow.

19

Sorry, got your PM, but have been flat out busy with work.
The photo is definately Mt Ainslie.
I think however this is your last week? Not sure about how busy I'll be later this week.