Am arriving by air early morning and departing early evening feb 18 09. Is the hop on-hop off bus my best option to see the sites? Am primarily interested in architecture and urban design. Thanks! john

The hop-off-hop-on Explorer is OK but can you wait for the next one whenever you're ready to move on, without running out of time?

A private tour guide, Lynette Klime, is at +61 2 6238 2433‎ - or use the email inquiry form at

http://tinyurl.com/8jjqeq

Many more options - depends on your preference and how much you can spend.

A big part of Canberra's uniqueness is the circular layout - can you afford to see it from the air?

Check this one out, about a minute into it: Air Tour over Canberra:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0eftRT2iTY

Look here: www.visitcanberra.com.au (click on Tours)
and here: www.canberraeguide.com

If you decide to get a car and drive yourself (a good idea in my opinion), get a compass and a map - the circular layout has you turned around before you know it...

(BTW - just in case - it's pronounced Can-bra with the accent on Can and with a short ending a)

Since your time is limited and you have a focus for your visit, I think it would make a lot of sense to find a private guide. They could gear a tour for you toward your interest (architecture and urban design) and show you some buildings and houses that you might have trouble finding on your own.
A good starting point for you might be the National Capital Exhibition because it has a lot of good info on the design of Canberra and Walter Burley Griffin. Also, you might want to take a look at this website (www.canberrahouse.com) which has some great photos and info about distinctive houses in Canberra.

As far as architecture is confirmed (and I say this as a local) I'm afraid Canberra is slim pickings, because most of the built environment dates from post-WW2. Parliament House will probably interest you thoiugh, and if you're into post-modernism the National Museum.

Urban design is a different matter.

The circles mentioned by DalaiLlama are not a big feature, being limited to London Circuit in the commercial centre (Civic), and State Circle around Parliament House (don't take the recommendation of a compass too seriously, of course - a map will be fine).

What is important is the designer's use of the natural terrain, focused on a "water axis" represented by the then Molonglo River (later dammed to create the expansive Lake Burley Griffin) and the "land axis" that crosses it.

A flight is a good idea (not that I've ever done it) but you can get good views of the city's layout from Telstra Tower on Black Mountain and the Mount Ainslie lookout.

The National Capital Exhibition in Commonwealth Park (on the north side of the lake) will provide good background on the design philosophy employed by the designers, Chicago architect Walter Burley Griffin and his influential wife Marion Mahoney Griffin, and the unfortunately partly successful efforts of the British-influeced Garden City movement to sabotage their concepts. Only now are we starting to see the wisdom of the designer's preference for a more urban, closely settled feel.

If you don't use a guide, a car is a good option. Catching regular commuter buses will just waste your time.

The hop-on/off bus alternative is outlined at http://bcl.godo.com.au/activity/CNDT103.

Just have to give a plug to the War Museum in Canberra. It has been many years since I went there, but I was very surprised at how glad I was that I'd made the time to go there.

When I went (in the 1980s) I was a young woman in my late 20s, not a "war" buff or particularly interested in such things...but was taken there by some Australian friends...and found it to be a very rewarding museum.

First, thanks for all the terrific advice ! It looks like I will start my visit at the National Capital Exhibition and then move on from there. After much searching I haven't been able to discern if I am able to walk to the prime sites. After transferring to the city-centre, would I be able to walk to most of the museum/government sites? I'd rather not drive as 1- I am not familiar with the city and 2- I am use to driving on the right side of the road (just the kind of guy you don't want to find yourself behind on your way to work !!)

Only if you're a keen walker, I'm afraid, John. Google up a map (http://tinyurl.com/9zpz46 will do) and here's the situation:

1. Most of the national institutions are situated in what's called the Parliamentary Triangle, whose apex is Parliament House and which is bounded by Commonwealth Avenue, Kings Avenue (both connected by bridges to the northside) and the lakeshore.

This area is easily walkable and encompasses the National Gallery, High Court, National Portrait gallery, National Science and Technology Museum ("Questacon&quot and National Library - all located between the lakeshore and King Edward Terrace. Then there's Parliament House, Old Parliament House and the National Archives, all shown clearly on the abovementioned map.

2. The Australian War Memorial, which is more impressive than it may sound, is about 2 km east of the city centre ("Civic&quot.

3. On the northside you'll see the National Capital Exhibition roughly SSE of Civic, and the National Museum roughly SSW, on either side of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge - a pleasant walk arund the lakeshore from one to the other.

4. If you want to catch the view, Telstra Tower (the main telecommunications tower) is WNW of Civic - easily seen from anywhere in inner Canberra. That would be a cab ride though.

Obviously you'll be a busy boy if you try to do all this in a day, so you'll have to be selective, I'm afraid. I think your best bet may be to catch a cab from the airport (don't think you've missed anything if you don't see Civic) - depending on how early you arrive, you could go direct to the War Memorial if interested (10 minute ride) or to the National Capital Exhibition if not (15 minutes). From the latter you can walk around to the National Museum OR across the Commonwealth Avenue bridge to get to the Parlamentary Triangle area - stick to the LH side walkway and go down the steps at the end, near the National Library, a Grecian styled structure.

Cabs tend to hang around Civic and the airport, which isn't much help to you, but you can phone them on 132277 (yes, just those 6 digits) and one will turn up. Some time.(Don't cut your departure too fine, is my advice).

Oh, you'll probably want to eat at some stage. That's OK, just about all the sites mentioned have a cafe. If you have the time, which you probably won't, the Manuka shopping centre east of Parliament House is full of eateries of many ethnic persuasions.

Be aware that to do even fleeting justice to some of these sites will take at least an hour - the National Gallery (NGA), National Museum, War Memorial and Parliament House in particular. The NGA ideally demands longer but I'd focus on the Australian and indigenous sections if you go there. The European and American stuff you can see at home.

Note that at this time of the year it can be quite hot, and the sun here packs a real punch due to the city's altitude (550 metres ASL) and lack of pollution.

Enjoy your day in Canberra.

Neil
Now I know why you are called the EXPERT on Canberra!! I only hope I can return the favour if you come to my neck of the woods (Toronto ONT CAN). Your summary is perfect and I will forgo the hop on/off bus and just grab a cab from the airport. War Memorial was definetly on my list so will start there. Also found longhorn55's suggested site quite useful as well. I will do the research but in general when do the gov't sites open and close?
Thanks again to you and the other posters for the great insights!
Cheers
john

Too kind, John - I'm no expert, I just live here and like most Canberrans, as a rule I only get to see these places myself when relatives and friends visit and demand the Grand Tour. Actually, I think our Texan friend longhorn55 has seen more of the place than I have.

One of the advantages of Canberra from an overseas visitor's viewpoint is that in combination the national institutions give you an insight into Australian history and culture that you can't get anywhere else, at least in such a concentrated form.

I'd love to visit your side of Canada - we haven't been further east than Calgary. One day, I hope.