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.

Estelle Sarney takes a Rotorua walk through history and a thermal field.

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.

Two South Island hotels are looking forward to big spin-offs after appearing on Conde Nast Traveler's 'Hot List'.

Cate Foster's weekend ramble takes her to a garden gallery that every member of the family will enjoy.

Kirsty Wynn and her family find fun by the bucketful at the lakeside.

DoC has indicated it will approve a concession to build a 43km monorail through conservation land, subject to public submissions.

Jill Worrall continues her journey south through the Catlins, the remote coastal region that straddles Otago and Southland.

Luxury presides at Northland's Carrington Resort, writes Julia Shallcrass.

Susan Edmunds looks past bad weather to see Tutukaka's many away-from-it-all virtues.

Rotorua's geothermal marvels are just as impressive after a long absence.

A day at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist temple provides much-needed nourishment for the soul, writes Farida Master.

Alex Robertson burns up some energy on a mountain bike at a stag weekend in Rotorua.

My friend wanted to go for a walk but stipulated it had to be near her house and somewhere her large pup Mo could run off-lead for a while.

Two decades ago it was mostly only Otago and Southland locals who knew about the Catlins, but the secret's now out, writes Jill Worrall.