A simple family holiday to Clarks Beach is much improved when you travel in a comfortable glamavan, finds Alexia Santamaria

Big Splash ride couples wet-and-wild adventure with a serious ecological message.

A lucky few get to experience stunning Lake Heron Station at close quarters, writes Andrew Stone.

Jim Eagles discovers that on the sub-Antarctic islands, great birds rule the roost.

Opinions may be divided, but Wellington Airport's so-called Rock terminal continues to rake in accolades.

If there's one thing nicer than a sunny day at the beach with family and friends, it's having the place to yourselves.

Helen van Berkel and daughter Grace, 10, experience the rough-and-tumble of Action World.

Sandspit Holiday Park Park is a family-oriented getaway 45 minutes north of Auckland that is steeped in history.

This beautiful area just over 90 minutes' drive from Auckland, is steeped in history.

A five-day trip exploring the hidden gems of the East Coast comes to an end.

Backpackers are still flocking to Christchurch as a must-stop destination, despite the ongoing shaking.

Jamie Morton and Alan Gibson arrive at the North Island's most easterly point.

A home by the sea is the Kiwi dream and many are living it.

Travel experts at Lonely Planet are encouraging tourists to spend some time in Christchurch.

For two years we have seen images of Christchurch, a broken city. Ewan McDonald visits a community picking up the pieces.

Jamie Morton suffers a bruised rear-end and discovers 'hard-luck camping'.

Helen van Berkel is on the trail of a cure for bored kids.

It's a paradise where time slows and crayfish dinners are all part of the landscape.

After whizzing about on the tarmac in a compact land yacht, Dionne Christian is converted to the Kiwi-created sport of blokarting.

Isobel Marriner eats her way around Rotorua.

Danielle Wright and family don't let the rain put them off Sandspit.

Motutapu's precious pest-free status was shattered when a stoat was discovered on bordering island Rangitoto after swimming an incredible 3km across the Hauraki Gulf.

Just 90 minutes from Auckland, Hamilton Gardens present a variety of international gardening styles in a setting the whole family will enjoy exploring - for free.

Elisabeth Easther finds a slice of French seaside in Pine Harbour, just 40 minutes from Auckland.

There are many beautiful beaches to base yourself on Waiheke. We chose Onetangi.

The Herald's five-part summer series on New Zealand's recreational cycling experience ends with a look at Mangapurua and Ohakune's Old Coach Rd

The Waikato River Trails section of the NZ Bike Trail opens up a beautiful tract of backcountry North Island.

Wayne Thompson cycles the Karangahake Gorge section of Nga Haerenga and finds marvels of a bygone era.

Coromandel just pipped the South Island as New Zealanders' favourite domestic holiday destination in 2011.