My holidays: Robyn Malcolm

Robyn Malcolm. Photo / Supplied

What was your greatest holiday?
My recent trip to the Sundance Film Festival with Jane Campion's Top of the Lake was not a holiday as such because we were part of the PR machine for the show. But that aside it was wonderful to finally get to experience that festival. Unbelievably beautiful location, snow covering literally everything and foot-long icicles hanging off literally everything. Being part of the international team who made this extraordinary show and bumping into Kiwi film-makers on the street.

Just before that I had a summer holiday with the kids in the Banks Peninsula. Beautiful deep fiord and finger-like bay. Safe but exciting surf for the kids. Water colder than up north, which I always prefer, and mad family time.

Overall, I think the best holidays have been in New Zealand and with the kids. There aren't many places I've not been and all of it's glorious. I'm ridiculously patriotic about our country. Nothing beats it.

And the worst?
Family trip to Sydney when I was 19. I was in a bad mood the entire trip and was foul company.

If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing?
Taking pictures of my kids or nieces and nephews with my new Olympus.

What's your dream destination?
I spent a night on the Isle of Skye. I want to go back there for some more time. Staggeringly beautiful. Moody, dramatic, romantic, brutal landscape.

What's the dumbest thing you've ever done when travelling?
That is unprintable!

What will you always have in your hand luggage?
A copy of (the) New Yorker, eyedrops, compression stockings and my phone.

Complete this sentence: I can't travel without ... good undies.

What's the best travel tip you've ever been given?
Despite the common advice, always pack way, way, way more than you need.

What was the most memorable meal you've had while travelling?
Fish and chips on Kaikoura Beach while the sun was going down.

What's the best thing you've brought back?
It's cheesy, but photos. Always photos.

Favourite airport to land at?
Auckland - it means I'm home.

What's the next trip you've got planned?
I'm on it. Am answering these questions on flight to Berlin for the Film Festival. After that, school holidays to the Abel Tasman.

Robyn Malcolm appears in Top of the Lake on UKTV, at 8.30pm on Monday nights.