Photo Assignment: Cook Islands

David Kirkland has just finished a seven day shoot of the Cook Islands for its tourism authority.

Venice: That Sinking Feeling

"Venice is built on a swamp, so of course it's sinking," my hotel manager Gilberto tells me.
But at the moment Venice is sinking under the weight of tourists. Twenty-two million of them every year. And every year a thousand residents leave permanently.

So, with the additional threat of rising sea-levels, can Venice survive? Should you rush to see this legendary city before it disappears? Or will massive engineering efforts see it withstand the elements and remain one of the planet's architectural wonders?

John Maddocks poses the question and examines efforts to save the UNESCO World Heritage city.

[Image: Shutterstock ID:54664264]

The Formula One of gravel racing

Get this close to the action (credit: Jeremy Rogers / Rally Australia)

In November this year, Liz Swanton embeds herself amid the frenzied activity of Rally Australia, the local round of the elite World Rally Championship, to be run on the NSW North Coast.

Apart from her professional duties, Liz will have unprecedented access to the machinations and personalities behind this international sporting event – effectively the Formula One of gravel racing, contested by some of the best drivers in the world – hosted in one of Australia's most popular coastal tourist locations.

Great surf is just one of the attractions of NSW's Coffs Coast (supplied)

Soak up all the thrills of this high-octane event which will have the eyes of millions around the globe glued to the action happening around the sunny Coffs Coast – and brings millions of dollars of revenue to the region.