Only hours after Judy Bailey completed the Tongariro Crossing, the volcano awoke from its century-long slumber...

Interest in the Tongariro Alpine Crossing has gone "through the roof" since Mount Tongariro erupted on Monday night.

With its ever-unfolding ranges of thick primordial forest, Te Urewera is a treasure.

Diana Clement explores parts of the restored Puketapapa Coast.

Fresh air, coastal wildlife and beautiful views, what's not to like?

Cate Foster follows Oakley Creek's winding paths.

The hectic pace of Auckland seems a million miles away as I idly watch a lone duck disappear around a bend in the river.

Karangahape Rd, on a sunny Sunday morning, has the look of a good time girl who's gone to bed in her makeup.

If you ever had any fear that birds dislike an urban environment, a walk through Epsom will dispel that notion.

Donna McIntyre discovers the lesser-known charms of Manukau Harbour.

He may not have reached the peak of Mt Ruapehu but Winston Aldworth had fun trying.

Glendowie rates another visit with Cate Foster.

Helen van Berkel is on the trail of a cure for bored kids.

Te Araroa - a national walkway running the length of the country - will be officially opened this weekend.

Beauty abounds where once there was sewage and sludge, finds Liz Light.

Vicki Virtue gets high on the beauty of the first mountain in NZ to see the sun.

No good at skiing? No problem. Danielle Wright sets out in snowshoes through Queenstown's backcountry.

Donna McIntyre puts her best foot forward and takes the scenic route through Auckland on a Coast to Coast walk.

Novice canoeist Diana Clement satisfies a long-held ambition to paddle the mighty Whanganui River - and all in one easy weekend.

Safety in the wild comes down to a few simple rules, writes Mountain Safety Council chief executive Darryl Carpenter.

A new enterprise at Kaipara gives city folk the chance to reconnect with the countryside during a three-day walk, writes Catherine Smith.

Diana Clement and a friend took two long weekends away from men and children to discover the tracks of Tongariro National Park.

Milford serves up toil and pleasure in equal measure, writes Pamela Wade.

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

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

Paul Rush finds Fiordland's alpine Kepler Track a challenge, while others dash over it in record time.

Waiting for summer means missing out on so much, writes Victoria Bartle.

The 30km latest addition to Te Araroa - the nation's 3000km north-south hiking trail - over country music star Shania Twain's Central Otago high country property - is no walk in the park.

A trek in the remote Ruahine Range turns into a religious experience for Tess Redgrave.