Bronwyn Sell stays at a family-friendly place with dramatic ocean views near Greymouth.

It seems the sun always shines on the East Coast, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Sarah Ell and her son are awed, charmed and enlightened by a 'movie' at the Observatory.

Everyone's in fine feather at Butterfly Creek's new exotic aviary, says Dionne Christian.

Tristram Clayton makes like a megastar at a top Auckland address.

Nicky Park dishes up five food experiences to try in Rotorua.

Elisabeth Easther finds a town with Scandinavian heritage and real socks appeal.

At the sea life-rich Poor Knights, Donna McIntyre and family let the fish find them.

One of Auckland's most beautiful western suburbs, Huia is a darling settlement 33km from the centre of Auckland where time seems to have stood still.

Salmon 'chanted evenings are the toast of this town, discovers Elisabeth Easther.

At just 47km from central Auckland on the Hibiscus Coast, Waiwera is a doozy of a day trip.

Danielle Wright and family share the water with albatrosses, bottlenose dolphins and sea lions on a wilderness cruise through Doubtful Sound.

When the day is hot and that sparkling blue beckons, you can't say no - especially when it's free for the kids.

Elisabeth Easther is charmed by the Sulphur City.

Danielle Wright finds there's more to Omaha than a millionaire's playground.

Elisabeth Easther finds fascination in a great bank robbery in a beautiful town.

In the splendid town of Middlemarch, Peter Feeney and his family stay on a sheep station and enjoy Southern hospitality that comes complete with locally brewed beer.

Few will have visited this quaint little Auckland suburb.

Shandelle Battersby enjoys a mini-break at a luxury city hotel.

Otago's gateway is a hip town of vintage shops and nice beaches, says Elisabeth Easther.

Elisabeth Easther went to Great Barrier Island in search of some reel fun.

Treat yourself to the best of the best this summer.

A trip to the beach is among treasured items Barnados New Zealand wants to provide needy kids with this summer.

This isolated Northland community is an ideal spot for a weekend break, writes Holly Jean Brooker.

Holly Jean Brooker cools down with the kids at Balmoral's new Splashpad.

Eveline Harvey and her family check into a well-appointed apartment in Central Otago.

This town has big money, great pubs and cottage industries, discovers Elisabeth Easther.

Over five days, Greg Dixon does one of the ultimate New Zealand road trips: taking a car from Auckland to Bluff.

Here are five of our favourite places in Auckland to farewell the day.