Campervan tips

PLANNING & PREPARATION

1. Pick your campervan wisely and make sure it is self-contained. The "self-contained" rule in New Zealand for campervans is a regulation that allows vehicles meeting specific standards to camp overnight in designated "freedom camping" areas on public land. These areas generally offer fewer or no facilities compared to paid campgrounds. What it means to be "self-contained": A self-contained vehicle can meet the occupants' sanitation and water needs for a minimum of three days without relying on external services or discharging waste into the environment. To achieve this, the vehicle must have specific onboard facilities that meet the current New Zealand Standard.  As of December 7, 2024, only vehicles meeting the new "green warrant" standards will be certified as self-contained for freedom camping. Make sure with the rental company that your campervan will have this green sticker!

2. Campervan rental companies we recommend for New Zealand:

   • Jucy: more budget options & smaller campervans

   • CamperCo: the rental company we used, based in Christchurch

   • Apollo: we used them in Australia, has a wide range of campervans

3. Be sure to familiarize yourself with freedom camping rules in the region as they can vary between different each region in NZ. We found the Campervan NZ App (download it for free in the App Store) to be a helpful resource for locating freedom camping spots, dump stations, and water refilling stations.

4. When planning your route, it is crucial to check the availability of dump stations well in advance. Some locations may not have these facilities, which can lead to inconvenience. For example, in the Mount Cook area, we discovered that dumping was not permitted, and we had to backtrack for an hour to Twizel to empty our greywater. Utilizing resources like the Campervan NZ App can help you identify dump station locations along your intended route.

5. Book campsites at popular places in advance during peak season: School holidays and public holidays are popular times for campervan travel in New Zealand. Popular areas include Milford Sound (Rainforest Campervan Park) and Mount Cook (Whitehorse Hill Campsite) where there is just one campground. Overall, we never booked any campsite more than a few days in advance and just went with the flow. We didn't stay at the aforementioned campsites as they were fully booked, but there's always another alternative in the area. It just takes a bit of extra driving. We did travel, however, outside the Kiwi Holiday Season.

ON THE ROAD

1. For emergencies, it's a good idea to keep an extra 3-liter jerrycan of water in the back of your vehicle. Remember to bring reusable water bottles for day use, as there are numerous water stations offering fresh mountain water at campgrounds, dump stations, and visitor centers.

2. Pack an external battery for charging your devices, as the power outlets in campervans often only work when the vehicle is plugged into a powered campsite. If you plan on bringing laptops and charging camera batteries, consider purchasing a power converter. We bought a power converter at the beginning of our trip in a Repco store (Christchurch).

3. It is best to limit driving at night due to the high number of rabbits and possums on the roads, which often results in roadkill.

4. New World and Woolworths are two widely available and reputable supermarket chains throughout New Zealand. At New World, we often received a "traveler discount" when we mentioned we were traveling, especially on the South Island. Fresh Choice is another supermarket option you may encounter. Stock up on some supplies when travelling to remote areas.

5. Conserve water and power: Be mindful of your consumption, especially when free camping. Dump your grey and black water at the designated dump stations every few days.