NZ travel: Top 10 tips for campervan travel

There are few higher methods to take pleasure in New Zealand than from the entrance seat of a campervan, taking within the views at your individual tempo. With a lot nation to discover and loads of locations with out good public transportation hyperlinks, van journey permits you the liberty to discover the depths of what makes Aotearoa a bucket-list vacation spot for a lot of.

Whether or not you are a seasoned campervan traveller or are hitting the street for the primary time, listed here are a number of tricks to take into account when planning a multi-day campervan exploration in New Zealand. Hit the open street earlier than the tip of summer season, or lower out and hold the following pointers for future holidays to come back.

Determine what you need out of the journey

Is that this journey for hitting as many sights as doable or are you selecting a number of locations to remain for some time? Your journey intention will dictate the size, packing listing, and every day actions you select. That is a necessary determination to make so you may set expectations and hold you and your travelling companions on the identical web page.

When my companion and I plan multi-day van journeys, we resolve on what ratio of leisure to exercise we would like, and this helps us plan our journey accordingly.

Plan your tough itinerary

A tough define of the place you need to go is essential, bearing in mind the intention you said above. Plan your tough route round desired actions and any must-sees alongside the way in which. Additionally, take into account what number of hours you need to drive every day and plan for a number of no-driving days.

Final 12 months, my companion and I deliberate a street journey from Christchurch to Northland and nearly instantly deserted the ultimate vacation spot as soon as we hit Taranaki. We realised rapidly our complete vacation could be spent with lengthy driving days, making for exhausted camp nights and little time to sightsee. Whereas being within the van is a part of the enjoyable, it should not be the one half.

Preserve your itinerary versatile. The climate in New Zealand is fickle, and you may need to chase the solar. Make an inventory of “must-sees” and “be cool to sees” and plan a tough route round these, permitting for issues to be added and dropped off alongside the way in which.

Do take into account what van works for you

Assuming you do not have already got a van and are planning on renting one, chances are you’ll be overwhelmed with choices. Don’t have any concern! I personally advocate one thing extra compact than your typical caravan or trailer, as a van means that you can be extra agile on the street, discover higher tenting spots, and do what you got here to do — take pleasure in nature!

I journey in a transformed 1995 Toyota Hiace, which makes for an intimate journey, but in addition permits me to park usually at supermarkets and traverse tough campsite entrances with ease. What I lose in house I make up for in accessibility.

Additionally resolve in the event you’re proud of a hybrid sleep/eat station, or in the event you favor to not arrange and tear down your mattress every morning. You may need to take into account an indoor kitchen if the climate is supposed to be dangerous, as with the ability to rise up in a kitchen and cook dinner your self a heat meal could make all of the distinction between loving or hating van life.

Not all campsites are created equal

My favorite factor about van journey is discovering an incredible campsite. Once I discover someplace with a superb view and relaxed vibe, my companion and I’ll usually e book in a number of nights to permit ourselves to totally loosen up. Opening a bottle of wine and making a platter from native meals, all whereas taking within the view is the rationale I van journey.

There are various campsite choices accessible in New Zealand and those you select rely in your consolation degree with tenting. DoC gives essentially the most fundamental and sometimes essentially the most plentiful choices. Some are extraordinarily rustic — and low-cost — and solely provide an extended drop bathroom, whereas others have full cooking shelters, flush bathrooms, and are nestled into beautiful spots.

If you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing with extra creature comforts, search out personal campsites. From electrical energy and dump stations to full working kitchens, youngsters’ play areas, and showers, there are many campsites that may make van tenting really feel downright luxurious.

If you happen to want inspiration, go to nzherald.co.nz/bestof to search out the nation’s 10 greatest campsites, as voted by Herald readers.

You do not have to tough it

Did my meals platter and bottle of wine sound…not like tenting? Whereas I really like a superb backcountry, grunty hike, I favor my van journey to be snug. After we van camp, my companion and I are adamant about our creature comforts and I swear they may enable you to delay your journey and assist hold your sanity. We pack our pillows and cover from house, a French press, and all of the condiments from our fridge as a result of there is no have to tough it if you’ve obtained a van.

If you wish to camp with simply the fundamentals, be my visitor, however I favor to really feel at house on the street.

Do not forget to organise

Every part wants a house in a van. Although the house is small, it is essential to provide every little thing its designated spot, because it’ll prevent time and annoyance if you’re scrambling round on the lookout for that particular factor.

Whenever you’re hiring a campervan, you may discover most fashions include surprisingly spacious storage choices, permitting you to unpack on day one and hold muddle to an absolute minimal.

My van has loads of storage, however most of it is not simply accessible. I’ve to take down the mattress or desk to entry my greater items, which implies I put issues I want much less in there. I’ve rearranged glove compartments and centre consoles for fast entry to cameras, maps, hand sanitiser and snacks, and I ensure that our books are all the time on the prepared.

My companion and I’ve separate picket containers for our garments, which we roll after which stand upright, so we will simply see what article of clothes we’re grabbing. We have additionally arrange a foolproof system for our garbage, compost, and recycling, which has allowed us to cook dinner a meal and clear up with ease.

Do eat as you do at house

My companion is a wonderful cook dinner and I’m a wonderful eater, so we’ve no plans of consuming dehydrated meals on our journeys, ever. We make comparable meals to these we might at house and whereas this takes extra time than throwing sausages on the barbecue, it means we’ve wholesome, contemporary meals and typically leftovers, which we put in takeaway containers.

I am repulsed by slimy spinach and sweaty cheese, so our 30L fridge is crucial for us. If you do not have a fridge, commit to purchasing much less and purchasing extra so your substances stay contemporary. Additionally, in the event you’re eager, take into account going vegetarian when tenting. It saves a number of clear up time and the potential of turning into sick from undercooked meat.

Each time we will, we store at native farmers’ markets to refill on veges, eggs, and snacks. I refill glass containers with grains at bulk shops and pack loads of canned items so we all the time have staples. Additionally, do not underestimate spices and seasonings. These will make your camp meal style like a restaurant dinner.

Lastly, there’s nothing improper with a platter for dinner and you may completely combine a cocktail in a van. Belief me, I am a professional.

Do plan for quiet actions

Generally, downtime whereas tenting is nice — you are not tempted to scrub or backyard! — however oftentimes this leads to boredom. If you happen to’re like me and may’t loosen up by merely sitting quietly (I am envious of these that may), I recommend you pack some actions on your quiet occasions.

Easy, space-saving objects like books, magazines and card video games work completely for lazing within the solar, whereas inflatable SUPs, slacklines, and frisbees will hold you lively. I additionally all the time carry flippers and goggles since you by no means know if you’ll discover a patch of clear water to discover.

Do think about a little bit of chore time

Whereas van life is all about embracing minimalism, it is vital to do not forget that your house is small. Each day clean-ups will likely be a necessary ritual to maintain you sane.

Whereas on our North Island street journey, my companion and I hit a breaking level round day 9. Our sheets have been lined in sand and stained from our canine’s muddy paws, our garments have been beginning to tackle a sweaty stench, and wet climate compelled us to spend extra nights cooking within the van than anticipated. We determined to splurge on an opulent evening at a personal Rotorua campsite, buying and selling in a night of sightseeing for laundry, and had entry to a personal sizzling pool! The splurge left us feeling refreshed and able to deal with the remainder of the journey with gusto.

Do find time for the strange

One of many greatest classes I’ve realized when travelling in a van is to decelerate. Detours are half the enjoyable and there are a number of wacky stops alongside the highways and hidden down grime roads in New Zealand. Embrace these drained moments by pulling over and exploring. We have made loads of detours for grime roads that look attention-grabbing and normally break for icecream. If there’s nothing good to cease for, pull over and make your self a cup of espresso — you are travelling with a kitchen, in spite of everything.

In conclusion…

If you happen to’re on the lookout for a brand new technique to see New Zealand this summer season, or need to journey a bit slower however actually see a bit of extra, journey in a van. You may discover time to see what makes this nation a dream vacation spot, at your individual tempo, and together with your creature comforts in tow.

This story initially appeared in New Zealand Herald Journey here.