A hike up and down a volcano gets Duncan Garner thinking he should really do more of this kind of exercise.

Head to Hawkes Bay for a weekend of culinary delights and top-notch drops, writes Shandelle Battersby.

Elisabeth Easther booked a trip to the wild West Coast to fritter away a weekend.

Lonely Planet has confirmed what Northlanders have known for years - the unmissable site that has made New Zealand's top 10 list.

Enjoy the meandering Kaiapoi River in this pretty little historic town, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Elisabeth Easther makes some scaly, slithery new friends.

Daily deals make it even easier to pick up what Ponsonby is putting down, writes Donna McIntyre.

Cathedral caves and ringing birdsong - the Catlins astound Jane Jeffries.

From wildlife to heritage to chocolate, Peter Feeney finds plenty of reasons to extend your visit to Dunedin.

This South Taranaki town has some top-notch dining and several great museums.

Shandelle Battersby roughs it, Auckland-style, in a luxury motorhome for a weekend.

Motoring the Mainland loop is a classic trip, finds Cameron Williamson.

Open Kasey and Karena Bird's new cookbook and you'll find recipes that owe much to the fresh-caught fish of their home town, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Elisabeth Easther enjoys the serenity at a boutique hotel in the capital.

Chase the sun north to a proud town where Elisabeth Easther finds a warm welcome and a fascinating history.

A Central Otago boutique hotel with a conscience mixes pleasure with wellbeing, discovers Jesse Mulligan.

Te Papa never does anything by halves. The new exhibit, 'Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War', to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landing, is an extraordinary event.

A view from above takes a Tongariro National Park experience to new heights.

A visit to the thermal hot pools at Hanmer Springs should be an essential stop on any South Island road trip, writes Winston Aldworth.

Michelle Coursey finds the ideal way to get away from it all in the peaceful haven that is Kawhia.

Explore the River Trails, embrace the lake and let the young ones play freely while you unwind — this is old school cool, says Elisabeth Easther.

Abel Tasman's coastal track meanders past some of our most beautiful bays and beaches.

Daniel and Adele Le Brun give their tips on what to do when you're in their neighbourhood.

Elisabeth Easther goes to the birds.

Glamping allows you the best of both worlds, writes Catherine Smith.

Volunteers on Motuihe Island get a big tick for community work and, as Debbie Griffiths finds, they are rewarded with an amazing family day out.

Nature's treasures keep drawing people south to the Teviot Valley, finds Elisabeth Easther.

A castle, gardens and penguins give the student town of Dunedin a more refined air, finds Sam Wicks.

Alexia Santamaria goes right to the source, delving into Marlborough's foodie secrets.

Elisabeth Easther tackles the Waitakeres' Fairy Falls Walk.