Kirsten Warner takes a an East Coast Bays walk close to nature and to history.

This historic cottage has a grand tradition of welcoming guests, writes Don Donovan.

Kids can get a feel for life at sea in the Navy's hands-on museum Alex Tully.

Air New Zealand has been named the leading airline in Australasia for the third year running.

A decade after it opened, the rail trail has become - to use an overworked phrase - a New Zealand tourist icon.

Danielle Wright finds Torpedo Bay's Navy Museum to be a touching insight into life at sea.

Mangawhai's like a little piece of Provence, just an hour out of Auckland.

Hot pools are just the start of family fun at accessible Miranda and Kaiaua.

Vicki Virtue gets high on the beauty of the first mountain in NZ to see the sun.

Andy Kenworthy gets a whole new perspective on Auckland's mighty Harbour Bridge.

A jam-packed weekend in New Plymouth offers something for everyone, writes Renee Lang.

Getting up close to NZ's native falcon was an all-time family highlight, writes Alex Tully.

Discover the pleasures and treasures of Waiheke from the comfort of your own car.

A ski weekend in Taupo opens up a world of adventure, as Nicola Whitham and Tim Roest discovered.

Head to Hamilton and discover its gourmet side, writes Vicki Ravlich-Horan.

Nikki Birrell finds a weekend break in the lake city ticks all the boxes.

As Jim Eagles found during a cruise in Okarito Lagoon, the area's most famous residents can be dauntingly camera-shy.

Lonely Planet has named Tongariro National Park as one of the world's best parks and preserves in a list that includes the Grand Canyon and Iguazu Falls National Park in South America.

In Auckland's rural west, Kumeu is lavishly blessed with appetite-teasing treats.

Earlier this week Danielle Wright road-tested the fan trail from Britomart to Eden Park that will run on game nights throughout the RWC 2011. She tells us what fans can expect to encounter along the way.

Dargaville and the southern Kauri Coast are often overlooked but as Cate Foster finds, the region has hidden charms.

A small-town grocery store is a treasure trove of New Zealand history, where century-old shelves hold bygone brands and insights into late-1800s living, writes Jim Eagles.

Paul Rush finds endangered native birds flying free with a little help from their friends.

Photos from a unique forest sanctuary, where native birds are being reintroduced without being barricaded behind predator-proof fences.

It may be renowned for its waves, but Whangamata has other temptations.

Danielle Wright finds there's more than tourism on offer at a three-day showcase of the Pacific Islands at The Cloud.

Sue Baxalle and Elisabeth Easther dip into the varied delights of New Zealand's top tourist town, Rotorua, and find there's a lot more than geysers and hot mud pools to interest their families.

Animals were the surprise stars of a family trip to Rotorua, writes Raewyn Court.

Hone your cooking skills at sumptuous Otahuna Lodge, writes Abby Gillies.

Four children under six in a pristine art gallery sounds like a recipe for disaster, but, as Danielle Wright finds out, there are 'safe' areas for families if you know where to look.