Difficult in London, nerve shattering in Paris, perhaps intimidating in Delhi, but in Australia's capital Canberra, self drive tour is the way to explore a magnificent city.

It happens to be one of the better cities of the world with attractive architecture set among a multitude of trees. It is promoted quite logically as the Natural Capital.

Graced with a mild spring, dry summer, amazing autumn and a crisp winter, Canberra's perfect weather is outdone only by its architectual perfection. It was developed to a plan which won a world-wide competition for the American, Walter Burley Griffin.

It boasts some truly awesome and historic sites, places like the old and new houses of parliament, the National Library, the National Gallery, the High Court of Australia and the National Science and Technology Centre.

Each of these institutions should be visited but your first call must be at the Australian War Memorial.
This is a nation's tribute to its war dead as well as  museum and art gallery of international repute. It attracts more than one million visitors each year.

A visit to the new Parliament House is a must. It's Canberra's most visited building, and magnificent in concept and construction.

The National Science and Technology Centre is a scientific playground - with more than 200 experiments where you can mess about with gravity, experience an earthquake or watch lightning bolts.

At this stage of your Canberra visit it is probably time to take in some of the rural/country aspects of Australia's Capital.

The "bush" is part of the Australian idiom. It refers to the outlands. In Australian parlance "you can go bush" easily and enjoyably from a Canberra starting point.

Not too many kilometres to the south along sealed roads you can find the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve complete with kangaroos, koalas and emus. It is a naturalist's delight. Or to the north, back along the Sydney road there is Rehwinkels animal park with all the Australian fauna one could want to see. Canberra is a base for exploration by car of the snow fields in the southern alps, the coastal areas of southern New South Wales or the world's wool centre in the Yass district.

Canberra also has ample budget accommodation and excellent eating and drinking spots. The region also has seasonal jobs like fruitpicking, so you can supplement your funds while exploring this great city.