http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18845 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18845 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15306
The drive from Opotiki to Gisborne around the East Cape has some amazing scenery and a few well spaced apart pubs and cafes for a break - try Two Fish cafe in Opotiki - or pack a picnic and find a shady spot near the sea. Rugged scenery and beautiful coastline.

Returning through the Waioeka is a great drive too. If you can, visit in December when the Pohutukawas are in bloom.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15306 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15293
Take care on the unsufaced roads around East Cape or you'll end up on the rocks. At Kakumoa, The Beach Hostel is literally on the beach.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15293 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15288
We drove to Glenorchy and it was the most breathtaking drive I had ever taken. We stopped every few minutes, got out of the car to just take in the unspoiled beauty of the place. It was one time, I wished, I had a camcorder so I could record the whole drive. Do not miss it if ever in Queenstown.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15288 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15265
If you plan to break your journey, book up accommodation before you set out. Whakatane visitor centre can help. Try and go when the pohutukawa trees are flowering.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15265 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13707
Around every curve in the road there is a sandy cove or rocky inlet, blue-green water, cliffs and mountains.

It's hard to make any sort of progress along the road, as the water is just too inviting and the clifftop photo opportunities too many.

Bosa itself is an unspoilt town, overlooked by most tourists in favour of the nearby marina and beach. A ruined castle perches on top of a hill, from which cobbled streets and quiet squares tumble down to the river, lined with huge palms and elegant mansions.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13707 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12619
The castle is beautiful to look at from the beach or sea level but is not that spectacular from the inside. On a nice day the area between Barmouth and Porthmadog is lovely to experience.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12619 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12528 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12528 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12445 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12445 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12439 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12439 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11873 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11873 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11370 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11370 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10916 A great short drive north of Canberra (20+ mins), down a small road and along another lies this gem. Poachers packs a culinary punch, local wines, cheese, smoked meats and an amazing cafe set in the stunning rural setting of limestone plains and sheep paddocks complete with hens and horses. A total package, book a table, sink a bottle over any one of the platters on offer with a good mate.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10916 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9804 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9804 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9293 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9293 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8527
All around the area are huge beaches, the Silver Strand being one of the best. These are strands to wander along at the water’s edge and feel the winds drifting in from warm ocean currents born in the tropics.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8527 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8371
You can drive out to the Santo Tomas caverns in under an hour for a guided tour - well worth it, with 45 km of galleries, a bit of rope climbing is required - and you can even get to a beach at Cayo Jutia.

The roads are very quiet and in reasonable repair, and you can't get lost as the locals always point you in the right direction!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8371 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7864
You'll need a car, for this, and it's a bit out of the way, but, to get there, go east, across the Bay Bridge, and follow the signs for Highway 24. Continue about 5 miles, up and through the Caldecott Tunnel; then, take the first possible exit, get back on the freeway going west, and immediately take the exit for "Fish Ranch Road". Go to the end of the ramp, and turn rignt; then, go up to the first stop sign (four way stop), turn left, and drive about 1/4 of a mile. The road will bend to the left, and you'll find yourself looking down on one of the most stunning views of the San Francisco Bay Area you'll likely encounter outside of an aircraft. At sunset it's simply gorgeous!

When you're ready to leave, just follow the road down; and, when faced with a stop sign, always turn downhill (mostly right, but there's a left at the bottom, just before you're returned to the Highway 24). Once you reach 24, just follow the signs back to the Bay Bridge, and San Francisco. You might also stop at Yerba Buena/Treasure Island for a more close up view of the skyline.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7864 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6228
Popular with masochistic cyclists, the one way road runs for 13 miles, climbing steeply for the first five and then undulating across the top of the canyon and back to the main road.

There are a number of places to park and walk. The rock formations are well known in climbing circles and attract technical climbers from all over the world.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6228 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1937 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1937