Julia gives the all clear and we drop over the side, following the white mooring line down to the comms tower on top of the bridge.

The Rangitikei town of Mangaweka, gateway to the water, charms Elisabeth Easther.

There exists, somewhere, a photo of a certain Travel Editor scaling the side of the Beehive in about 1994.

Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with this unique natural wonder.

Scuba, eat, tan and repeat. That pretty much sums up my time on luxury vessel Spirit of Freedom.

A morning spent exploring the Reptile Park at Ti Point is like being in a life-sized, reptile-themed game of "Where's Wally?".

Glamping agency Canopy Camping Escapes has recently opened Highfield Forest Retreat near Kaihu, on the Kauri Coast.

A visit to the Zealong Tea Estate is all things tea, including tea-based cocktails and mocktails. Just don't ask for a coffee!

Ruakuri's Cave and inhabitants at Waitomo's caves is enough to stun the kids into uncharacteristic silence.

Their careers over, the kids flown, older people are joining the backpacker trail. Joanna Mathers reports.

Saving the continent's magnificent mega-fauna requires world-wide co-operation, writes Paul Rush.

Winston Aldworth flies in a Strikemaster jet

Elisabeth Easther straps on her helmet, hops on a mountain bike and lets gravity take its course.

If you want to branch out from Woodhill or Riverhead, try some closer to town.

Kiwi tells of cruise ship helping refugees in rubber dinghy.

Taupo is a great playground for thrillseekers, finds Shandelle Battersby.

Sometimes work is just work ... even on a beach, with beautiful people, and never-ending surf, writes Elisabeth Easther.

As Disney unveils plans for two huge Star Wars theme parks alongside its existing sites in Florida and California, here are some other travel options for fans.

Auckland is proud of its heritage, and the city is dotted with specialised museums, finds Sarah Ell.

Donna McIntyre masters the geek chic Segway for a fun spin around Waiheke Island.

Non-stop excitement for children of all ages is the hallmark of a Rotorua holiday.

With his backside almost touching the ground, Andrew Louis pretends he's a racing driver.

James Russell is amazed during a trip to Queenstown to discover that since he last grasped poles, Kiwi skifields have lifted their game higher than the Matterhorn.

From castles to quaint ski villages, here's our list of places around the world where you'll find communities that make the most of the colours of the rainbow.

Andrew Louis gets a taste of life as a superhero with the help of a water-propelled jet pack.

A Rotorua couple's retreat is full of surprises, finds Rebecca Barry Hill.

Dave Watts and Chris Gill pick their favourite resorts in the US and Canada for beginners, experts and those in between.

Michael Brown and his family test-drive some of the city's 21st century attractions.