This summer Auckland Council celebrates 50 years of parks, with a Big Campout.

Their careers over, the kids flown, older people are joining the backpacker trail. Joanna Mathers reports.

Saving the continent's magnificent mega-fauna requires world-wide co-operation, writes Paul Rush.

Winston Aldworth flies in a Strikemaster jet

Elisabeth Easther straps on her helmet, hops on a mountain bike and lets gravity take its course.

If you want to branch out from Woodhill or Riverhead, try some closer to town.

Kiwi tells of cruise ship helping refugees in rubber dinghy.

Sarah Marshall becomes a jungle animal herself on a walking safari in Zambia.

Sometimes work is just work ... even on a beach, with beautiful people, and never-ending surf, writes Elisabeth Easther.

As Disney unveils plans for two huge Star Wars theme parks alongside its existing sites in Florida and California, here are some other travel options for fans.

Auckland is proud of its heritage, and the city is dotted with specialised museums, finds Sarah Ell.

Donna McIntyre masters the geek chic Segway for a fun spin around Waiheke Island.

Non-stop excitement for children of all ages is the hallmark of a Rotorua holiday.

With his backside almost touching the ground, Andrew Louis pretends he's a racing driver.

James Russell is amazed during a trip to Queenstown to discover that since he last grasped poles, Kiwi skifields have lifted their game higher than the Matterhorn.

From castles to quaint ski villages, here's our list of places around the world where you'll find communities that make the most of the colours of the rainbow.

Dave Watts and Chris Gill pick their favourite resorts in the US and Canada for beginners, experts and those in between.

Michael Brown and his family test-drive some of the city's 21st century attractions.

Kelly Lynch outlines what's happening at the largest ski resorts around the country.

Giovanna Dell'orto achieves a long-held goal of conquering a three-day Grand Canyon trail.

Fiona Knight and family opt for the serene style of the Scandinavian ski scene.

If perfect ski snow is your passion this is the Japanese destination for you, but don't count on admiring the scenery, writes David Lewis.

Lions and cheetahs roar and hippos bellow while Michele Crawshaw and her son try to sleep just metres away.

Paul Charman spent last week in the Auckland Islands, where only a few people get to go. DOC, the Navy and universities send people down a few times a year, while a few specialist technicians preform tasks such as eradicating pests, or fixing-up heritage buildings. Common mortals seeking a sub-Antarctic adventure must shell-out for a ticket aboard one of the few eco-tourist boats which ply the Southern Ocean.

Rosalie France explores National Park without snow.

Catherine Smith checks out waterfront activities celebrating the Volvo Ocean Race.

Twenty-six years ago, Nicholas Jones' father tested his youthful stamina on the mountainsides of Nepal. Recently, he returned to the roof of the world with his sons to relive his trekking adventure.

A year-long global ed-venture (education adventure) is giving a mother and her young son a year of discovery they will never forget.