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 personal 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 highway for the primary time, listed below are a number of tricks to take into account when planning a multi-day campervan exploration in New Zealand. Hit the open highway earlier than the top of summer season, or minimize out and maintain the following pointers for future holidays to return.

Determine what you need out of the journey

Is that this journey for hitting as many sights as potential or are you choosing a number of locations to remain for some time? Your journey intention will dictate the size, packing checklist, and every day actions you select. That is a vital determination to make so you’ll be able to set expectations and maintain you and your travelling companions on the identical web page.

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

Plan your tough itinerary

A tough define of the place you wish to go is essential, considering the intention you acknowledged 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 wish to drive every day and plan for a number of no-driving days.

Final yr, my associate and I deliberate a highway journey from Christchurch to Northland and nearly instantly deserted the ultimate vacation spot as soon as we hit Taranaki. We realised rapidly our total vacation can 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.

Hold your itinerary versatile. The climate in New Zealand is fickle, and you may wish 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, it’s possible you’ll be overwhelmed with choices. Haven’t any worry! I personally suggest one thing extra compact than your typical caravan or trailer, as a van means that you can be extra agile on the highway, 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 additionally permits me to park usually at supermarkets and traverse difficult campsite entrances with ease. What I lose in house I make up for in accessibility.

Additionally resolve in case you’re proud of a hybrid sleep/eat station, or in case you favor to not arrange and tear down your mattress every morning. You may wish to take into account an indoor kitchen if the climate is supposed to be dangerous, as having the ability to arise 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 amazing campsite. Once I discover someplace with an excellent view and relaxed vibe, my associate and I’ll typically e book in a number of nights to permit ourselves to completely loosen up. Opening a bottle of wine and making a platter from native meals, all whereas taking within the view is the explanation I van journey.

There are lots of campsite choices accessible in New Zealand and those you select rely in your consolation stage with tenting. DoC affords probably the most fundamental and infrequently probably 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.

In case you’re on the lookout for one thing with extra creature comforts, hunt down non-public campsites. From electrical energy and dump stations to full working kitchens, youngsters’ play areas, and showers, there are many campsites that can make van tenting really feel downright luxurious.

In case you want inspiration, go to nzherald.co.nz/bestof to search out the nation’s 10 finest 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 an excellent backcountry, grunty hike, I favor my van journey to be snug. After we van camp, my associate and I are adamant about our creature comforts and I swear they may allow you to delay your journey and assist maintain your sanity. We pack our pillows and quilt from dwelling, a French press, and all of the condiments from our fridge as a result of there is not any 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 dwelling on the highway.

Do not forget to organise

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

Once you’re hiring a campervan, you will discover most fashions include surprisingly spacious storage choices, permitting you to unpack on day one and maintain litter 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 larger models, which implies I put issues I would like much less in there. I’ve rearranged glove compartments and centre consoles for fast entry to cameras, maps, hand sanitiser and snacks, and I be certain our books are at all times on the prepared.

My associate and I’ve separate wood bins 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 dwelling

My associate is a wonderful cook dinner and I’m a wonderful eater, so we now have no plans of consuming dehydrated meals on our journeys, ever. We make comparable meals to these we might at dwelling and whereas this takes extra time than throwing sausages on the barbecue, it means we now have wholesome, contemporary meals and generally 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 buying extra so your elements stay contemporary. Additionally, in case you’re eager, take into account going vegetarian when tenting. It saves numerous clear up time and the potential for turning into sick from undercooked meat.

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

Lastly, there’s nothing fallacious 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 wash or backyard! — however oftentimes this ends in boredom. In case you’re like me and might’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 maintain you lively. I additionally at all times deliver flippers and goggles since you by no means know if you’ll discover a patch of clear water to discover.

Do consider a little bit of chore time

Whereas van life is all about embracing minimalism, it is essential to keep in mind that your house is small. Each day clean-ups will probably be a vital ritual to maintain you sane.

Whereas on our North Island highway journey, my associate and I hit a breaking level round day 9. Our sheets have been coated 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 expensive night time at a personal Rotorua campsite, buying and selling in a night of sightseeing for laundry, and had entry to a personal scorching pool! The splurge left us feeling refreshed and able to sort out the remainder of the journey with gusto.

Do find time for the strange

One of many largest classes I’ve discovered when travelling in a van is to decelerate. Detours are half the enjoyable and there are numerous 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 fascinating and often 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…

In case you’re on the lookout for a brand new solution to see New Zealand this summer season, or wish to journey a bit slower however really 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 personal tempo, and together with your creature comforts in tow.

This story initially appeared in New Zealand Herald Journey here.