Packing for a trip can be equally exciting and stressful – what to bring enough of, what to leave at home, and what you may be forgetting! This list is for the latter, the things that are sooo nice to have in a van, that you may not even think of -beyond your normal list of how many shirts and pants to pack. This is the essential New Zealand campervan packing list, so you can have a stress-free, prepared trip exploring this beautiful country.
Table of Contents
Get ready for your trip on the road with this list of 10 things to know before renting a campervan in New Zealand!
Quick-Buy Must Have's
Random Essentials
Stasher Bags
If you have a kitchen in your van, you’ll want to save those leftovers for an easy lunch the next day, and your van rental probably doesn’t come with to-go boxes. Bring some stasher bags as a zero-waste, light-weight option to save money on food and cut down on waste!
Deck of Cards
Most of NZ doesn’t allow bonfires, so once the sun sets, nothing beats having a drink in the van and playing a few games of cards, dice, or anything else that’s great for a group and easily packable.
Rope/Dryer Line
Living on the road for a few weeks means you’re going to need to do laundry (hopefully), and will probably have some wet bathing suits floating around! Bring a small rope you can use as a drying line when you park, and it can be useful for tying things down, a quick fix, and whatever else you might need.
Laundry Bag
While everyone is thinking about which clothes to bring, not enough people consider where to put them when they’re dirty. In a van, there never seems to be enough space to keep everything organized, so do yourself a favor and bring a small bag to keep them in!
Bonus tip: bring a few tide pods or some powder detergent with you - you'll only do laundry 1-3 times, so save the money on a whole bottle you will barely use any of!
Toiletries
Dramamine
If you even get remotely car sick, these windy roads will have you a bit gripped. Don’t let your holiday be filled with discomfort and prepare with dramamine or any type of motion-sickness medicine, you will thank yourself later.
Insect Repellent
I usually skip on the bug spray, they just don’t seem to like me. But, the bugs in NZ, specifically the sand flies on the South Island are a bit more ruthless, and their bites itch like crazy!
Body Wipes
Even if you have a shower on-board, having some body wipes to stay fresh and clean is essential. Especially if you plan to go on a few treks, you’ll want to freshen up often, and your travel mates will appreciate it.
Electronics
USB cables
You’ll of course want to bring the right chords to charge your devices, but don’t neglect the older cables with a USB port. While most things today come with a USB-c, the campervan you’ll likely rent has built in USB ports, not USB-c ports, and if you’ve ever charged a massive power bank with a USB chord, you know it takes way too long.
Small Speaker
Keep the vibes going without draining your battery, and bring a small speaker! We have the JBL Clip 3, and it’s a perfect option for its small size and sound quality.
Car Charger
Every campervan you may rent will have a car charger port, and you probably have one floating around at home! If not, look to get one that has a few ports, both USB and USB-c, that way you can maximize charging up while on the road.
Outlet Adapter
New Zealand uses type I ports (two line-shaped prongs that are slanted inwards), same as Australia, China, Aregntina, and some Pacific Island. Most campervans will have at least 1 wall outlet to plug larger devices in, so make sure your converter is suited for this style!
For any high output appliances, check the output on your adapter vs. the appliance, hair dryers, toasters, and your travel espresso machine probably won't work!
Headlamp / Torch
Don’t forget your headlamp, espeically if you plan to visit any of the caves where you may find glow worms! Headlamps are helpful either way, so you can free up a hand and save your phone’s battery.
Starlink Mini
Okay, I know, that was quite a jump in the recommendations. Not everyone is ready to drop $600 on a starlink, but, if you were already thinking of getting one, or you freqently camp or car travel, I highly recommend it.
We bought a Starlink Mini with the Roam plan before our trip to NZ, and we had unlimited internet the entire time. This was extremely helpful, especially on the west coast of the South Island, where service is spotty. During our 3 weeks of regular use by 4 people, we used around 250 GB, which would cost a ton with a phone plan!
Clothing
Layers!
No matter when you’re traveling to NZ, you’ll get to experience every season! Bring clothes that pack down small and can layer well, so you’re ready for a breezy beach day or a mountain trek.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Unless you’ve got feet like a Hobbit, you’ll want some comfy shoes for the amount of walking you’ll do. I recommend some hiking shoes/trainers, and a pair of sandals that are ideally waterproof.
Rain Jacket
No matter when you’re traveling to NZ, you’ll get to experience every season! Bring clothes that pack down small and can layer well, so you’re ready for a breezy beach day or a mountain trek.
Summary - Essential New Zealand Campervan Packing
No matter what time of year you’re going to New Zealand, these are items you won’t want to forget. These fun and essential things will help you stay organized, connected, and sane in your small rented space on wheels. After my 1 month in New Zealand, I couldn’t imagine forgetting any of these!
