Less is more in a camper
The biggest mistake on campervan trips: too much luggage. The camper has limited storage space, and more stuff doesn't make the trip better. If it doesn't fit in a medium-sized backpack, you probably won't end up using it.
New Zealand has supermarkets, pharmacies, and outdoor shops. Almost anything you forget can be bought in Auckland, Christchurch, or Wellington. The only things you really need to bring from home are personal medication, sunscreen, and the car seat.
Wheeled suitcases are impractical in a camper. Soft backpacks or duffel bags can be stacked, pushed under beds, and squeezed into corners. One per person is ideal.
Clothing: the layering principle
New Zealand has four seasons, sometimes in a single day. Drizzle in the morning, sunshine at midday, cold in the evening. The layering principle works here: several thin layers instead of one thick jacket.
What you really need: a good rain jacket in breathable material, a merino or fleece mid-layer, light T-shirts, hiking pants or softshell trousers, sturdy hiking boots, and sandals for the holiday park pool.
What you can leave behind: formal clothing. New Zealand is casual. No restaurant worth its food requires a dress code. Most holiday parks have washing machines for 1 to 3 NZD a load. Plan a laundry run every 5 to 7 days and pack light accordingly.
Tech and navigation
A Type I plug adapter is essential. The Australian plug pattern with angled pins also applies in New Zealand. Without an adapter, you can't charge anything at the holiday park.
An NZ SIM card from the airport is cheaper than roaming. Spark and One NZ have the best coverage. Data packages start at around 25 NZD for 30 days.
Offline navigation isn't an optional extra. Download the Google Maps offline areas for both islands before you leave the airport. There's no mobile coverage in national parks or on the West Coast. If you're not prepared for that, you're driving blind.
- Type I plug adapter (Australian format)
- NZ SIM card: Spark or One NZ at the airport
- Google Maps Offline: download for both islands before you fly
- Set up the Campermate app offline: for campsites without signal
- Power bank for hiking days without access to the vehicle
Documents
A passport valid for at least 3 months after your return date. Your original driving licence. NZeTA registration, mandatory for EU citizens, done online in 10 minutes. IVL receipt (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, 35 NZD online). Health and travel insurance as a printout or an offline-saved screenshot.
Back all of this up digitally: scan or photograph every document and keep it on your phone and in the cloud. If you lose your passport, you'll need the number.
- Passport (valid at least 3 months after your return)
- Original driving licence
- NZeTA and IVL confirmation
- Proof of health and travel insurance
- Digital scans of all documents, backed up
Health
Sunscreen SPF 50+ in large quantities: New Zealand's UV index is often higher than in Europe, even under cloudy skies. Sunburn happens faster than you'd expect.
Sandfly repellent with DEET for Fiordland, the West Coast, and any other sandfly-prone areas. You can buy it in New Zealand, but it's pricier than at home.
Bring personal medication for the whole trip. The first-aid kit in the camper covers the basics. Worth adding: blister plasters for hikes, painkillers, and travel sickness tablets for winding roads.
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ in bulk
- Sandfly repellent with DEET
- Personal medication for the entire trip
- Blister plasters for longer hikes
- Hiking socks: good quality prevents blisters
- Head torch for campsites without street lighting
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which plug adapter do I need for New Zealand?
- Type I, the Australian format with two angled pins and one vertical pin. Available at any electronics store back home, often cheaper than at the airport.
- Do I need special hiking boots?
- Sturdy trekking shoes with good grip are fine for short day trips. For the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or Roys Peak, we recommend ankle-high hiking boots. Sandals and sneakers are dangerous on wet, slippery trails.
- Can I buy sunscreen and DEET in New Zealand?
- Yes, in every supermarket and pharmacy. But it's pricier than back home. Bringing your own saves money.