Linda Herrick enjoys the philanthropy at Australia's Hunter Valley Gardens.

Rachel Grunwell goes on a romantic ramble around Sydney's prettiest beaches.

On visiting a women-only surf and yoga retreat, Elisabeth Easther found everyone on the same wave length.

This opulent boutique retreat for women is just twenty minutes' drive from Byron Bay. For further information see: Escape Haven

Kiwi firefighters won't be needed to help fight devastating bushfires in New South Wales.

Rescue teams were late yesterday trying to reach a crashed waterbomber that sparked a new blaze in remote bushland south of Sydney, as the major State Mine fire strengthened again and an emergency warning was issued.

A flight across Sydney harbour takes Leah McLennan to tempting restaurants that specialise in l-o-n-g lunches.

As the NSW bushfire emergency enters its seventh day, firefighters are being hampered by lightning strikes which are igniting new blazes.

An Aussie firefighter who slipped and fell into a blazing inferno was unfazed by the close call and, after clambering out, picked up his hose and carried on.

Firefighters battle bushfires in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, NSW in Australia.

Sick of shopping and Surfers? Budget-friendly Port Stephens in NSW is packed with marine attractions, says Lucy Bennett.

Intense heat and bushfires didn't stop Wynne Gray from finding some great food.

We have come to stay in the Blue Mountains in midwinter and for the first time since my move to the Southern Hemisphere four years ago, I'm getting that midwinter Christmas feeling.

To a newly minted Newtownian, the lively strip feels one-part Brunswick Street, one-part Sydney Road.

Lucy Bennett experiences a mountain high at an ecologically sound Hunter region retreat.

Female seahorses have got this pregnancy caper worked out. They place their eggs, sometimes hundreds or thousands, into a special pouch in the male's stomach and let him do all the hard work while they go about their business unencumbered by kids.

Make sure your kids are calm when you arrive to Australia's largest railway museum.

Crime and corruption riddle the Cross, writes Carol Smith.

Carol Smith catches up on the "evilution" of the spooky TV family, brought to life in Sydney's Capitol Theatre.

Beachside is best in Sydney, finds Jo Bates.

One can be romantic about the good old fashioned road trip. There are no plans, no timetables and no worries. Never knowing which outcome you'll be handed though is all part of the fun.

Jo Bates finds an unkempt, easy beauty in Australia's famous Bondi neighbourhood.

Cherie Howie takes in the Outback from the Indian Pacific train.

A cool change has brought relief to NSW Rural Fire Service officers fighting bushfires across the state, however, about 30 fires remain uncontained.