The Birdsville Races are one of those quintessential, quirky, outback events involving horses in which the actual races are kind of incidental to the rest of the fun.

A popular drawcard for overseas visitors, the Bay of Islands proves an action-packed success, too, for Geoff Cumming's family holiday.

Nothing says summer like a stint camping in the great outdoors, writes Kerri Jackson.

Clad in salopettes and woolly hats, skiers swished effortlessly yesterday as nervous beginners concentrated hard on their snow-plough.