You badly need to earn some Brownie points to pay the family back for all those rugby nights with the boys, but you can't go mad because the big summer break is coming up fast.
Time to take a look at a spring staycation in New Zealand. And you might as well travel a bit lighter ecologically speaking, because you wouldn't want to wreck the place, now would you?
Go Overland by train
The Overlander train service connects Auckland and Wellington, and has just started seven-day operation. It's a great way to take a leisurely trip through the heart of the North Island and arrive early evening ready for some night life. You'll glide past the ski fields near Ohakune and fill the panoramic windows with gorgeous views of the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu, the world famous Raurimu Spiral, and stunning river gorges. And because you are not driving you can make the most of the licensed café and the chance to spread out with the kids, instead of just shouting "No, we are NOT nearly there yet" and trying to quell the arguments in the rear view mirror. www.tranzscenic.co.nz
Camp in a Kea
Every family should do the campavan thing at least once; it's almost a law in New Zealand. Kea offers a pretty green take on this venerable tradition: they use renewable timber in their vans, have solar panels, and they recycle their waste oil, paper and cardboard. They are even testing biodiesel in one of their transfer vans to see if it might one day fuel the fleet. These efforts made it New Zealand's first motorhome company to receive the EnviroGold Qualmark rating for environmental responsibility. www.keacampers.com
Explore organically
Organic Explorer is a handy directory for the conscious tourist in New Zealand. And with a freshly updated guidebook due out any day, there's plenty of exciting new activities to check out: everything from walking tours to horse rides and all the accommodation and events you could want. The website also has a wealth of ideas. www.organicexplorer.co.nz
Go West, Young Man
If you do get a car out, there is no better place to point it than towards the West Coast of the Southern Alps. It's an easily achievable yet epic journey from rainforests to glaciers, crossing mighty rivers and touching on the Tasman Sea. And there can't be many more relaxing places to stop than the five star Te Waonui Forest Retreat just off the Franz Joseph Highway, on the edge of the Westland National Park (www.tewaonui.co.nz). Its luxurious premises are eco-designed, which takes even more of the sting out of your time on the road. www.westcoastnz.com
Get on yer bike
The Natural High rental and tour company from Christchurch has just opened another branch near Auckland airport in response to tough trading conditions in post-earthquake Christchurch. You can support them and take some healthy time out by trying out one of their bike tours. Each trip comes with a complete set of course notes, maps and times for public transport links, and you can do anything from a two-day jaunt to Waiheke to a 19-day north to south epic. Alternatively, if you want big skies, no traffic and no steep hills, choose a ride along Otago's historic Rail Trail (otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz). www.cyclenewzealand.com
Become an Easy eco-rider
Harley Davidson motorcycles are not generally known for the environmental credentials, but Qualmark accredited Bularangi Harley Tours are putting a touch of green into the black and chrome image. They recycle their old batteries, tyres and oil, and will chat about reducing your carbon footprint as easily as they will talk you through the benefits of a decent leather jacket. They are currently working on Qualmark Enviro accreditation and aim to go Carbon Zero in the next few years. You can rent one of those bad boys from Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington or Queenstown. www.motorbikesnz.co.nz
Really get away from it all
If you've always fancied escaping to the Fjordland wilderness, but can only navigate with a smartphone, Adventure Walks might be the way to go. The company's selection of fully guided one and two-day walks are open to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and a thirst for some awe inspiring low impact adventure. www.adventurewalks.co.nz
