SheldonThinks

This is one of the nicest places you could go. There is another lake - Lake Hawea - nearby which is also very special, though it is more exposed. Seems wasted given that the New Zealanders own it. If we offered them $2 to lease the southern island they'd probably take it.

Sydney Harbour is without a doubt the most attractive commercial harbours in the world. There are a number of walks around the harbour - this one starting near Cremorne Point, and it continues to Manly. How many cities have national parks around their foreshores?

Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful waterways in the world for its awesome natural and pristine beauty. There are mountains rising out of the sea and cascading waterfalls and springs draining off them. Thats only part of it. The mountain vista getting to that point is just as special, and Hans Joseph Glacier is also in the same area. Alot to see!

This is one of the places I want to go. I have not been here, but the Twelve Apostles refers to 12 huge sandstone torrs (columns) rising out of the sea on the southern coastline of Australia. The view is breath-taking and I'm sure it will feel like the end of the earth.

This is one of the most beautiful places close to Tokyo - just 1 hour from the city. Okutama is the last station on the Ome Line, via Hachioji from Tokyo. From Okutama, you can canoe downstream to Ome Station, or get a bus to Lake Okutama, then hike along a scenic river trail. Run the river in summer, but hike in Spring (cherry blossom season) or Autumn (Fall).

This area hosts the best mountain biking trail I have ever run. The marker bee highlights the start of the off-road section. There is a bridge there leading up a narrow gully to the top of a ridge. Take the left ridge and follow it until you get to a road. Stage 2 - continue up the hill, then follow the track away from the golf course. If you get to a burnt out van, continue to the road, from there you can return to start (left) or onwards to Masashi Ranzen Station (right) on Tobu Rail Line to Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

This was a great fun experience I had in NZ. Mt Tarawera last erupted explosively in the late 1800s. The fissure crater remaining is filled with pumice stones that offer the best 'skiing' like experience you can imagine. Its like skiing on rubble. Its all over in about 5-7minutes, but when you are descending you could be descending into hell because you dont see much in the mist. Just once we got down the bottom, we wanted to go up and do it again.

This is without a doubt the nicest beach to walk along when you just want to get away from everything. You might cross a few people if you go there at the wrong time of day. But its flat, and some 50km long, so if you dont loose track of time, I'd be surprised. Its a great low energy beach to wade through the water. A great place to think!

I went to this beach whilst travelling around NSW years ago now. It was without a doubt one of the best moments watching a storm blow off the coast. Very scenic, blue water, and experiencing the wild's of the ocean.

This is a fantastic lookout over the Pacific Ocean and the coastline of Albay. The region is very remote, and it rains regularly, to the delight of local kids, whom try to solicit a few coins at every turn. There is a wonderful white sand beach below this lookout.