Kanoa Lloyd talks holiday memories and Kiwi road trips

Kanoa visited her grandparents' Bannockburn farm every school holiday. Photo / Supplied, Central Otago

Three's Kanoa Lloyd on travel memories, family getaways, and planning her dream holiday.

What are your favourite memories from childhood family holidays in NZ?
I grew up visiting my grandparents' Bannockburn farm every school holiday. It was rare that all the cousins didn't make it - and there were 13 of us. Each night we'd be spread out on blow-up mattresses and sleeping bags, jammed in the lounge and overflowing out into the hallway. We kept ourselves busy during the day with made-up games in the paddocks and swims in the Bannockburn inlet.

Where is your favourite spot to get away from it all, and what makes it so special?
We just had a beautiful break in Opito Bay this summer. It was perfectly out of the way, but just a 30-minute drive to Whitianga for supplies. We'd take all our gear down to the beach for the day, and I put my daughter Nikau down to sleep in the beach buggy underneath the gigantic pōhutukawa. Bliss!

Three presenter Kanoa Lloyd says the biggest travel luxury is time with family and friends.

If you were heading on a family getaway now, where would you go?
As much as I love Aotearoa, I'm ready to get on a plane again. I'm plotting a dream break with other friends and their kids in Italy. I want European sunshine, food and just to feel lost in paradise.

What's your dream NZ road trip?
Well, I definitely can't be the driver. I need to be in the passenger seat, with my book and easy access to snacks and drinks. Probably on State Highway 35 from Gizzy, up the coast.

If you could choose one ultimate, luxury, dream holiday in NZ, where would you go?
My idea of luxury is just having the time to be away with my friends and family. Plonk me anywhere with my favourite people, an outdoor fire and a short walk for a swim and I'm in heaven. I find posh stuff too stressful for a holiday, I need to be sandy and I don't wanna wear pants! A bach on Waiheke or a not-too-crammed DoC campground like Uretiti will do it for me!

Kanoa Lloyd co-hosts Three's The Project and hosts new series Sort Your Life Out NZ, premiering June 22 on Three.

For more travel inspiration, go to newzealand.com/nz.

Check traffic light settings and Ministry of Health advice before travel at covid19.govt.nz