Don't let the cold weather keep you from the royal waves.

James Russell and some mates head to the 'Naki to hang 10 and tame the waves of the reefs.

Catherine Smith avoids her own garden by volunteering to help restore Rotoroa to a public green haven.

If you ever had any fear that birds dislike an urban environment, a walk through Epsom will dispel that notion.

Kauri are the kings of the New Zealand forest and these are some of the best places to see them ...

Danielle Wright and family take a tour bus to Cape Reinga and find themselves the main attraction.

Deb Faith bakes a picnic lunch and enjoys a gorgeous Anzac Day out.

Jim Eagles follows the footsteps of his colourful boyhood hero, Sir Francis Drake.

Sharon Lundy settles into an easy bike-riding tour of Wairarapa's award-winning wineries.

Great Barrier is regenerating after its destructive past, finds Cliff Taylor.

Dionne Christian is drawn to the charming characters of Hamilton Zoo.

Joanna Mathers uncovers disquieting stories of places where the former inhabitants just don't want to let go ...

Visiting Ruakuri Cave is a spiritual journey into a subterranean world where time stands still, writes Paul Rush.

Cycling enthusiast Catherine Smith is one of the first riders to try the Hauraki Rail Trail.

Jim Eagles is delighted to discover a hidden talent for carving.

Edward Rooney charts a course to the bottom of South Island and across to Australia on one of the busiest cruise ships afloat.

Great scenery and a dollop of sugary history; Liz Light takes an autumn walk in Chelsea Heritage Park.

There's plenty to do in Taupo for the whole family, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Heading down south by motorhome to the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow is a nostalgic, and pie-filled, journey for pilot Michael Walsh.

Danielle Wright takes her family to Rotorua and becomes a tourist in her hometown.

Lake Rotoiti is cafe owner Sarah Uhl's haven.

Dionne Christian and her family rummage around in nature's past on a fossil-hunting expedition.

This Waikato town's a treasure hunter's dream, writes Joanna Mathers.

Danielle Wright and family head to the 'Trout Fishing Capital of the World' and manage to catch ... a couple of prawns.

KiwiRail is slashing the number of trips its Overlander train service takes between Auckland and Wellington.

A region's fine food delights MasterChef contestants, writes Joanne Carroll.

Danielle Wright visits the Whittaker's Music Museum and finds a great excuse to day-trip to Waiheke, even on a rainy autumn day.

Andy Kenworthy joins a group of hardy souls to test his survival skills on a wet weekend and comes out alive and kicking.

Golden Bay summers have woven into my memories since I was about 12, when we made our first trip here from Christchurch.

Two writers travel to Rotorua to see the two sides of the honeymoon experience.