New Zealand - the verdict

Do it! Yes it's a long flight and yes there is a serious amount of jet lag but I promise use you it's worth it once you are here. We have spent just over 3 weeks in New Zealand and to travel here with children is incredibly easy. Probably the easiest place to travel we have been to in a while.

The flight really isn't that bad and Thomas coped much better with the jet lag than we expected. Just take the first 3 or 4 days slowly.

Once you arrive, get a camper van! New Zealand isn’t the kind of holiday to stay in one place. Explore the country and make the most of it. Having a camper van with kids is easy for a number of reasons:

1. No packing and unpacking each time you move on. Everything stays where it is and comes with you.

2. Self catering is cheaper and more convenient - stop whenever you are hungry. Especially when often there is little choice of places to stop on some of the longer journeys.

3. You have an onboard toilet - stop anywhere and anytime with little ones.

4. It's more comfortable - seats in the back have a table and whilst children are fully strapped in they would have able to play games at the table and be kept entertained. There is even a TV and DVD player should you need it!

5. It's fun!!

With little ones though my advice would be to take your own car seat. We luckily did and were grateful as the one provided by our rental company (Maui) was wholly unsuitable for a baby.

If you can, fly in and out of Queenstown. It's a good gateway to the South Island and is less busy than Auckland. The car rental places are very close to the airport and you can also rent toys or other equipment for little ones from www.totsontour.co.nz for as little as £20 within 5 minutes of the airport.

Freedom camp as much as possible. Not only does it give you great flexibility but it cuts costs and lets you stay often in much prettier places. My favourites were camping alongside Lake Taupo and Lake Hayes.

Join Okaytostay.com and stay on vineyards! They are the most idyllic locations, often completely on your own, and everyone is happy. Kids get the unspoilt outdoors and parents have wine. Perfect! Oktostay also have places on farms, breweries, fruit plantations and honey makers so there is plenty of choice. Very much worth it.

Go now and enjoy the views!