Helen van Berkel tackles the Pinnacles walk and discovers astounding scenery - when she works up the courage to open her eyes.

In a few weeks five Kiwi friends will set off on a charity motorbike tour through some of the world's most dangerous countries. What on earth are they thinking?

Explorer Abel Tasman missed out on a wonderful park, writes Jim Eagles.

Sue Baxalle's family try out a 4-berth campervan for size.

Tuatapere has created a unique walking track with a difference, says Andrew Stone.

Jim Eagles masters his offroad skills in search of special wildlife on Fraser Island.

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.

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.

Herald reporter Beck Vass explores Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage site.

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.

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.

When Belgian-born Wouter Van Wezemael learned his partner was pregnant, he assumed his dream holiday was off.

Greg Dixon walks... and walks... and discovers the landscape of Australia's Larapinta trail is not the empty canvas it first appears.

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.