In the saddle on the Central Otago Rail Trail: If the thought of pedalling about 150km over a few days is daunting, take heart...at your own pace, it's lots of fun,and mostly flat terrain. The Central Otago Rail Trail l takes you through some of the loveliest parts of the South Island, with stops for pub lunches, good coffee...and a comfortable bed at night. Do it all, or just a day's ride. Story by Lee Mylne

The Giant's House: One of New Zealand's quirkiest and most inspiring works of art is the house and garden created by Josie Martin in the former French colony of Akaroa, outside Christchurch. Now officially a "Garden of National Significance", Josie's garden is guaranteed to bring a smile to your dial and lift your spirits. Monster mosaic creations include a grand piano, clowns, a pirate ship and more. But why "the Giant's House"? That's something to find out when you get there!
Story by Lee Mylne

West Coast wandering: From Westport to Haast, we drive the wild and rugged West Coast of the South Island. Every bend in the road brings new surprises, and always we are bordered by the ocean and the Southern Alps. We pass through quirky little towns, meet equally quirky characters, marvel over lakes and fjords from the ground and the air, and soon run out of words to describe its beauty. Story by Lee Mylne

Clever Kaikoura: For such a small place, the hamlet of Kaikoura is making a big impact. Kaikoura (pop. 3500) was the first municipality in the world to gain Green Globe status. Recycling is second nature to the people here, plastic bags are frowned on, and nature-based tourism has saved the community. From whales and seals to Maori tours and more...Kaikoura just about has it all. Story by Lee Mylne

Sounds of Wonder: Tranquility reigns on the Marlborough Sounds as we glide past landscapes that often seem untouched. Take a Greenshell Mussel Cruise, walk the 71km Queen Charlotte Track, stay overnight in secluded budget or upmarket lodgings, and soak up the serenity of the Sounds.Story by Lee Mylne

Canterbury Trails: Let’s get this straight from the start.  Skiing is not my idea of a romantic winter weekend away.  I don’t ski.  Can’t ski.  Tried once as a school kid and it all ended in tears when I managed to snowplough at high speed into the cutest boy in the class, breaking his arm in the process. So the idea of a weekend trip to Methven, town base for the skifields of Mt Hutt near Christchurch, sent shivers down my spine.
Story by Lee Atkinson  

Delightful Dunedin: For such a small city – population around 120,000 – New Zealand 's fifth largest city, Dunedin , is unexpectedly sophisticated and appealingly quirky. Dunedin 's Scottish founders first came here in the 1840s, and their legacy is everywhere – from the schoolgirls in kilt-like skirts to the shops and pubs which bear names like Burns House and The Flying Scotsman. Story by Lee Mylne

Land of the Glowing Sky: Stewart Island is the kind of place where – even after a few hours – you sense that anything can happen down here at the bottom of the world. And maybe it does. Called Rakiura, or land of the glowing sky, by the Maori, the island is a 20 minute flight or an hour by ferry from the bottom tip of the South Island. Story by Lee Mylne

Almost French: See some of the world’s rarest and smallest dolphins in Akaroa, New Zealand’s only French settlement, around an hour’s drive from Christchurch. Story by Lee Atkinson

City of Artists: Nelson's relationship with artists and art began as early as 1866, when the former Bishop of Nelson, Andrew Burn Suter, said "a bad drawing is a kind of sin". It seems fitting that this city of more than 350 working artists has named its regional gallery The Suter, after Bishop Andrew Burn Suter, who headed the local diocese in the late 1800s. In more recent years, Nelson was the birthplace of the acclaimed Montana World of WearableArt. Story by Lee Mylne

Totally Wild: When Dunedin 's Scottish founders arrived in the 1840s, they soon learned they were sharing the Otago Peninsula with some amazing wildlife. And today, close encounters with the wildlife are within easy reach of the city centre. Story by Lee Mylne

A Natural for Kids: Even from a distance we could see the seal pup, just minutes old, lying on a rocky headland as its mother dealt with persistent aggressive seagulls. Ten minutes earlier, heading to Westport , we'd detoured to follow a signpost to the seal colony at Cape Foulwind . Long recognised as a great family destination, New Zealand offers quite a few surprises and more than enough to keep the kids happy.
Story by Lee Mylne

On the streets: Every year, while the rest of the world pulls itself out of the post-Christmas torpor, the world’s best buskers converge on Christchurch to set the city ablaze with a phenomenal line up of street theatre, comedy, acrobatics and downright weird and wacky stuff as 50 artists, from all around the world, keep the city entertained for 10 days and 11 nights with more than 450 performances, all for the price of a few gold coins. Story by Lee Atkinson