What to Pack For Your Campervan Road Trip

Taking a New Zealand road trip by campervan is a bucket list item for many. Whether you’re exploring the diverse landscapes of cities like Auckland and Wellington or going off the beaten track in the South Island, an Apollo motorhome lets you enjoy it all in comfort and with total convenience.

But first, why you should take a campervan trip in New Zealand

From the rolling hills and lush countryside of the North Island to the vast landscapes and snow-capped peaks of the South Island, New Zealand’s diverse scenery makes for an unforgettable road trip. Add in some awesome attractions, fabulous food and wine, and friendly communities, and you’ve got a recipe for the holiday of a lifetime.

And when you travel by campervan hire, you’ve got the freedom to take your time and truly immerse yourself in the experience. Make spontaneous stops, take diversions off the beaten path, and meet other like-minded travellers along the way. 

New Zealand is a relatively small country, surrounded by ocean. That means you can wake up to the rising sun on an east coast beach and watch it set in the evening on the west coast. Spend a long weekend exploring a city or two or plan a South Island road trip taking in one amazing highlight after another. 

What’s not to love?  

What comes with an Apollo camper?

When you rent an Apollo camper in New Zealand, you can rest assured you'll have all the essentials provided for a comfortable and enjoyable journey. All vehicles come equipped with a kitchen kit and general equipment for your convenience, which includes:

Cooking equipment: Pots, pans, cooking utensils and a toaster to prepare your favourite meals during your road trip.

Eating utensils: Plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery, so you can dine in your camper with ease.

Pegs and clothesline: Keep on top of your laundry as you travel with the provided pegs and clothesline.

Fire extinguisher: A must-have safety measure in case of emergencies.

Bucket and hose: Handy for various purposes, such as washing laundry or outdoor equipment.

Broom and dustpan: Keep your campervan tidy and clean during your New Zealand road trip.

Additionally, Apollo campervans come with personal kits including sheets, blankets/duvets, pillows and pillowcases, and bath towels.

What to pack for your campervan road trip

So, with all the items above provided, what do you need to bring? Let’s take a look…

Soft bags for your luggage

To help maximise the space in your campervan, we recommend packing your gear in soft luggage bags rather than hard cases. Duffle bags and backpacks are a good option. These are more practical and flexible for storing in your camper’s cupboards and storage lockers. Choosing soft bags will also prevent hard-edged suitcases from causing damage to your camper.

You can save even more room by using compression bags. These are a great way to reduce the space taken up by bulky items such as winter jackets. 

To make the most of the storage in your campervan, remember to utilise every locker, cupboard, and hidden space such as under the seats and in the glove box. 

Entertainment

When you explore New Zealand by campervan, chances are you’ll have plenty to see and do along the way. But it’s also a good idea to have some extra entertainment in case you have a day when the weather’s a bit iffy or if you have downtime. If you’re travelling with children, it’s a great idea to pack a few favourite toys. These can be a real lifesaver, especially when you're on the move. 

Here are a few entertainment items you may like to add to your campervan checklist:

• A book or two

• A deck of cards 

• Frisbee or ball

• Binoculars for birdwatching

• Podcasts (remember to download in advance)

• Sketchbook and pencils for drawing

• Ingredients for cooking something special

• A journal to write in

Tupperware

Bringing along plastic containers or Tupperware on your campervan trip can be a game-changer. Firstly, they're ideal for storing leftovers, ensuring that no food goes to waste. They’re also great for packaging pre-prepared meals or snacks, making it easier to grab something on the go without the mess.

 A few plastic containers can also help you organise your campervan's kitchen area by keeping ingredients separated and sealed. And of course, they come in handy for storing small items of gear, toiletries, or first aid items. 

Layers

New Zealand’s weather can be unpredictable – even during summer. This is especially so in mountainous regions. It’s a good idea to pack layers of clothing so that you’ll be prepared if it heats up or cools down. It’s particularly important to be prepared If you’re planning on hiking a trail or heading into a national park. To help you prepare for the day, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast ahead of time.
 

Chargers and spare batteries

Most of us won’t get through the day without using an electronic device for one thing or another. From taking photos and checking maps to booking campsites and checking in with family. You may find you’ll use it even more than usual when you’re on holiday. With that in mind, it’s important to ensure you bring along all the bits and pieces you need to power your devices. This may include:

• Chargers for phones, tablets, watches, and cameras

• Spare batteries

• Plug adaptors if travelling from overseas

• Phone mount

• Headphones

• Power banks

Appropriate footwear

In the excitement of planning and packing for your campervan holiday, it’s easy to forget about what you’ll need on your feet. If you plan to go hiking, running, or out for a fancy dinner, you may want to pack a few options. Don’t forget to include some easy slip-on sandals if you’ll be using campground showers.
 

Sun protection

New Zealand’s sun can be very harsh, even outside of summer. Don't forget to pack sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. 

First aid kit

Packing a first aid kit for your holiday means you’ll be prepared for any unexpected minor injury or health issue. It could be a scraped knee from a hike, a headache, or an allergic reaction. The good news is that all Apollo campervans come with a first aid kit. This will cost $50 only if opened and it means you’ll be prepared for any accidents along the way.

You may prefer to bring along your own first aid kit or put one together for the trip. Here are a few essentials to consider adding:

• Regular medications

• Plasters 

• Bandages and dressings

• Paracetamol

• Antihistamine

• Antiseptic

• Scissors

• Tweezers

• Eyewash

• Burn gel

• Disposable gloves

• Safety pins

• Face masks
   

Insect repellent

Annoying mosquitos and flies can put a real dampener on your campervan holiday. But a good quality repellent will help keep them at bay, so remember to pop one in your bag when you’re packing.

Portable BBQ

While many campgrounds and holiday parks provide barbecues to use, you may like to bring your own portable set-up also. This means you can fire up the grill outside, down by the beach, or on a picnic. 

Camping chairs and table

While your Apollo campervan provides a comfy dining area, nothing quite beats sitting outside and enjoying an alfresco meal. If you have some folding camping chairs and a table, bring them along to create a comfy outdoor seating area. 

Headlamp or torch

A torch – or even better, a headlamp – will come in very handy on your campervan travels. From late-night bathroom excursions at campgrounds to exploring caves, a little extra light is always a good thing!

Portable Bluetooth speaker

Making dinner or relaxing with a glass of wine is always nicer with a little background music. Bring along your portable Bluetooth speaker to tune into your favourite sounds. Just remember to be courteous to other campers and adjust the volume as appropriate.

Additional items to pack

We’ve covered off most of the essentials, but here are a few additional items you may want to consider bringing to ensure you have the best possible trip.

• Water bottles

• Clip-on book light for late-night reading

• A small portable fan for summer travel

• Day pack

• Dry shampoo for days when you don’t want to use water

• Your favourite snacks

• A great playlist

• Picnic blanket

• Coffee plunger

• Solar-powered fairy lights to create some outdoor ambience

• Your dog (Apollo campers are pet-friendly!)

Ready to explore New Zealand in a campervan? 

We hope this helpful guide has given you some good tips on what to pack for your campervan road trip. There’s lots to think about – but planning is also part of the fun!

With a well-prepared packing list, you can make the most of your holiday and all the great things to do in New Zealand. Remember to prepare your list well in advance – that way you’ll have time to think of those extra little things that make a big difference. 

If you can’t wait to head out on your next road trip, take the first step and book your campervan online with Apollo today. 

Choose from our great range of different campervans. You might even find a great bargain on a campervan hire so don’t forget to check out our current deals.