10 Essential Tips For Your Campervan Trip

1. Get your paperwork sorted before you drive

Coming to New Zealand from overseas? Is your licence in English? If not, then you’ll need an international driver's licence to drive in New Zealand, so make sure you bring it along with you. If you are from overseas but your licence is in English, then you won’t need an international version.

For those unfamiliar with driving a motorhome on New Zealand roads, we recommend reading our ultimate guide to safe motorhome driving in New Zealand. 

Another key consideration is insurance while you’re on the road. Britz New Zealand’s range of liability options gives you extra peace of mind in knowing you’re well looked after when you hire a Britz Campervan.

 

 

2. Download the thl Roadtrip app

One of the most helpful tools for planning a campervan road trip is the free thl Roadtrip app. This handy app is a campervan traveller’s best friend. Not only will it help you plan your New Zealand road trip, it also comes in very handy while you’re travelling. Here are just a few of the great features: 

• Book your campsites: This makes planning a road trip itinerary super easy. Search along your planned route and pre-book campsites, holiday parks, and even attractions directly within the app. 

• Offline maps: Going out of Wi-Fi range but need maps? The app’s maps work offline. Just save them first and you can access them anytime. 

• Where’s the nearest …? Need to find a supermarket, campsite, dump station, or laundromat? The thl Roadtrip app uses your GPS location to show you where to find all these and more.  

• A show-through video of your campervan: Keen to see inside your campervan hire ahead of time? Use the app to take a look through. 

• How-to videos: Not sure how to empty a toilet cassette or set up the dining table? No problem, we’ve covered off everything you need to know in our how-to video section. 

• Get recommendations: You’ll be able to read tips and feedback from other campervan travellers about places they’ve stayed or visited. It means you can plan to stay in campgrounds that are most preferred etc. 

 

3. Pre-book campground accommodation

Before you pick up your campervan and start your road trip, you’ll need to book your campsites. In peak seasons bookings are essential, so we recommend you get in early. Even during the quiet ‘shoulder’ seasons of spring and autumn, it pays to book ahead rather than chancing it. 

The good news is, New Zealand has loads of great holiday parks and campgrounds to choose from. In addition, there are more than 200 Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites around the country. You’ll find them located in stunning forest settings, beside lake shores and next to sandy beaches. DOC campsites are idyllic places to relax and enjoy the New Zealand landscape. 

 

4. Pack soft bags for more space

One of the many benefits of travelling by campervan is the extra storage space. Having said that, large solid suitcases are not easily stored in standard campervans. To help maximise the extra space, it’s a good idea to pack your gear in soft luggage bags instead. Duffle bags and backpacks are a good option. These are more practical and malleable for storing in campervan compartments.

Save even more room by making use of compression bags. These come in handy for reducing the room taken up by bulky items such as jackets and extra blankets. To make the most of the storage in your campervan, remember to make use of every locker, cupboard, and hidden space such as under the seats and in the glove box. 

 

Image: Tourism New Zealand

 

5. Pack your creature comforts

Worried that you won’t be able to sleep well in a busy campground? You may like to bring along a set of noise-cancelling headphones. The benefits of these little beauties are two-fold. If you’re a passenger in the motorhome, they’ll help protect your ears from travel noise if you want to snooze. And, once you pull into a holiday park ready for a good night’s sleep, they’ll help minimise any din from fellow campers.

Another road trip essential is a head torch. These come in especially handy for late-night bathroom visits. And if there are any other home comforts you’d love to have on hand – a favourite pillow or hot water bottle – bring them along. Britz campers are pet friendly which means you can even bring along the family dog!

 

6. Allow time to get to know your campervan

You may prefer not to plan too much on the day you pick up your campervan. Getting to know your camper will take time, and you’ll likely have questions (the more you ask the better) so don’t rush the handover process. 

We recommend planning your first night somewhere within a short driving distance of your campervan pickup. This gives you a good opportunity to stock up on supplies and enjoy a good night’s rest before continuing. It also means that you’re close to assistance if you run into any problems and need help. 

Don’t forget to make use of the thl Roadtrip app which includes handy walk-through and how-to video guides about your campervan hire. 

 

7. Plug in your camper on your first night

We highly recommend that you charge your campervan in a campground or holiday park on your first night. This will allow you to ensure all appliances are fully charged and working over the next 48 hours. This tip is even more important the further out (and longer) you drive. 

Read more about what works when your campervan is not connected to a mains supply.

 

8. Shop for supplies after picking up your campervan

 

Once you’ve picked up your campervan hire, feel familiar with it, and are ready to hit the road, it’s a good time to stock up on essential items. Each of Britz New Zealand’s branches is located near supermarkets and shops, so it’s worth taking the opportunity to shop while you’re in the city. If you’re travelling to more remote areas or small towns, you may find prices are significantly higher. 

Some items worth adding to your shopping list include:

• Coffee, tea, and other drinks

• Cooking staples such as salt, pepper, and oil

• Bread, butter, and spreads

• Your favourite breakfast items

• Extra toilet paper

• Some snacks for the road 

You won’t need to worry about things like cutlery and cooking equipment, these items are included in your Britz camper. 

 

 

9. Be mindful of drive times

Whether you’re new to driving a campervan, or have plenty of experience, it’s best to avoid driving – and trying to park – in the dark. Where possible, try setting off earlier in the morning to make the most of daylight driving time. This is especially important in the winter months when daylight hours are limited. 

Take the time to plan your driving time accurately, including extra time for breaks and traffic. Google Maps is a good tool to help you do this. 

Follow an itinerary to make travelling easier and to make the most of your trip away. Britz New Zealand has loads of great campervan itineraries to choose from. 

 

10. Know how to dispose of waste responsibly

Correctly disposing of your toilet waste and grey water is a must when you’re travelling New Zealand in a motorhome. Plan to do this every two or three days. This should only be done at a dump station where the waste is processed through the sewerage system. Most campgrounds and holiday parks have dump stations available for their guests.

It’s also important to dispose of your rubbish and recyclables appropriately. That may mean carrying your rubbish with you for a few days if there are no bins available. It’s a good idea to have a separate bin in your motorhome for storing waste that can be recycled. Most campgrounds have recycling bins available. 

You can use the thl Roadtrip app to help you find dump points, refuse stations, recycling depots and more.

 

Ready to book a campervan adventure?

There you have our 10 must-know campervan tips to help you prepare for your road trip. We hope you’re feeling ready to pack your gear, book your accommodation, and put together an unforgettable road trip planner. 

Take the first step and book your campervan with Britz today. Pick up your camper from our Auckland, Christchurch, or Queenstown branches. You can even pick it up at one branch and drop it off at another. 

Need a little inspiration on what to do and where to go? Check out our popular routes and top destinations in New Zealand.