Belinda Henley visits a property that offers opportunities for physical exertion and relaxation in equal measure.

Reaching the peak is easy when you have snowshoes, discovers Andrew Louis.

Even with three kids in tow, Rob Cox manages to have a ball in Rotorua and Ruapehu.

From ponies to penguins, caving to campfires, Danielle Wright finds plenty of camping action for the next school holidays.

Elisabeth Easther visited Russell for a sneak preview of the Bay of Islands Walking Weekend and found a wealth of wanders on offer.

It isn't just wine that Martinborough excels at, discovers Sharon Stephenson.

North is just the tops, Elisabeth Easther discovers on a trip up to Whangarei.

Snowmen, snowball fights and skiing: Children won't forget their first experience of playing in fresh snow, writes Liam Dann.

Clare Gleeson shared the lonely and lovely Chatham Island with a handful of tourists.

The top of the South Island is a fine place to eat and drink, writes Elisabeth Easther.

New Zealand's best produce is world class and a first-rate reason to travel, writes Nadia Lim.

Sharks are the least of James Russell's worries at Kelly Tarlton's.

Danielle Wright heads into the CBD to find family options that'll get the heart pumping.

Need a cure for summertime blues? This patch of coast has the remedy year-round, writes Elisabeth Easther.

A Waitomo caving experience will leave your mind blown, writes Alex Robertson.

A wildlife expedition to Fiordland takes you up close to a pristine land of legend and glacial beauty, writes Jim Eagles.

As we tough out our longest stretch without a public holiday, here's the good news — Kiwis are among the luckiest in the world for annual leave and beat America hands down.

Cycling adventures show off the country's most exhilarating views, discovers Ellie Mitchell.

On a scenic flight in the south, Elizabeth Carlson gets into the pilot's seat.

A shelter of the steppes finds a place under the nikau, writes Monique Balvert-O'Connor.

Intrepid trampers or a bunch of softies? Pam Neville puts the case for guided walks.

Catherine Smith enjoys a city break in her hometown.

Winston Aldworth stays in a Mighty Deuce 2Y campervan in Waipara.

Pamela Wade finds the unspoiled beauty of New Zealand's southeast is wasted on some.

Named for Plymouth in England, where many of the early colonial settlers came from. Taranaki is Maori for shining mountain.

Just 45-50 minutes northwest of Auckland, via SH1 and SH16, you'll discover Kaukapakapa on the delightful Kaipara Coast.

When you're sick of walking around the block or park with your kids, take them on a family tramping adventure and watch them come alive.

Elisabeth Easther followed her heart to Maungatautari in the hope that Sirocco, her kakapo friend, would recall their fleeting fling.

Bevan Hurley sees stars over millions of light years from one of only four dark-sky reserves on Earth, from Mt John Observatory, near Lake Tekapo.

Winston Aldworth overnights at a classic central city hotel.