Rising above the western edge of Canberra, Black Mountain is a forested reserve of dry eucalypt woodland laced with walking tracks, crowned by the slender Telstra Tower. From the summit and its lookouts the whole planned city spreads out below - the lake, the parliamentary axis, the mountains beyond - a lesson in Canberra's geometry seen from above. In spring the woodland flowers with a remarkable diversity of native orchids and peas. Walkers can climb from the botanic gardens at its foot; the summit road offers the easy way up.