Herald photographer Sarah Ivey recalls a trip to Lake Ellery in the deep south.

The father of an English tourist killed in a river-boarding accident has started a group to push to license New Zealand adventure tourism operators.

Great Barrier Island is emphasising its wealth of natural features and paucity of cars in an application to become part of the New Zealand Cycleway.

Incidents of tourists hiking in rugged terrain in Jandals and running out of food while out camping have led to the development of a NZ outdoors code.

The Tongariro Crossing seems to agree with energetic children a lot more than weary adults, finds Helen van Berkel.

Tourists are risking their lives to get close to the spectacular Filipino volcano of Mayon.

Herald reporter James Ihaka ventures into the depths of the Waitomo Caves.

Bizarre things go through your head when you are ascending to 4500 metres and about to jump out of a small plane over Lake Taupo with an American strapped to your back.

Thrill-seeking great-great-grandmother Violet Maskell celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this month by jumping out of a plane.

Tim Roxborogh explores the amazing legacy of the Mayans.

San Ignacio offers close encounters with a long-departed civilisation, writes Tim Roxborogh.

Dazzling colours and a will to fight make the mahimahi a worthy opponent.

Altitude and adventure mingle on this helihike.

A leisurely ride through stunning Otago leads Joanna Sullivan to aesthetic heaven.

Graham Reid drives into the deserts and ancient mountains of central Australia.

Follow the beautiful game with a host of unforgettable and diverse experiences in South Africa.

Monique Balvert O'Connor learns why thousands put cave rafting in their top 10.

NZ's world-beating sights aren't reserved for overseas tourists, so here are four highlights selected by Lonely Planet.

Australia's Northern Territory is a land of harsh beauty, writes Pamela Wade.

Heather McCracken finds the sand gets everywhere north of Perth.

Visitors flock to the Galapagos to experience its intriguing and diverse wildlife. But at what cost to these fragile isles, asks Alice Neville.

Anna Leask meets the inhabitants of creek, reef and rainforest in the north of Queensland.

There are 150 dingoes on Fraser Island, and Jim Eagles was determined to see one in the flesh.

Intrepid explorer David Farrier finds there's more to Mongolia than the dreaded Death Worm.

Paul Rush explores the up, down and around of Taranaki's Surf Highway.

Like most budding McLeod's Daughters, Robyn Rosenfeldt has dreamed of escaping the city, sliding on a pair of chaps and mustering cattle in the High Country.

Wanaka has exciting boarding and a special ambience, writes Isaac Davison.