Van Life in New Zealand (what to really expect)
New Zealand has the most magical landscape in the world. With over 50 volcanoes, 100 mountains, and plenty of coastlines, New Zealand is certainly the best country to have an epic adventure.
Over the years van life in New Zealand has become the best way to explore. We interviewed Irish Blogger Elizabeth Keenan who experienced van Life in New Zealand for a few months.
She tells us where are the best places to see in New Zealand, whether to rent or buy a camper van, where are the best places to look for a camper van and the most important question of all (especially for us ladies) where can we find a toilet while on the road.
Everything you need to know about Van life in New Zealand:
Hey Elizabeth! Thanks for chatting with us again today. Your van life in New Zealand sounds exciting!
Tell us, what made you decide to experience van life in New Zealand for a few months?
I’ve always wanted to explore New Zealand, for many reasons. Firstly, I’m a big Lord Of The Rings fan! New Zealand is a beautiful country and with so much to see and experience, it’s best to be as mobile as possible. Since I’ve always wanted to try van life, and New Zealand is specifically popular for van life, I felt this trip presented the best opportunity to ‘take the leap.’
You certainly did ‘take the leap’. What would you say is essential when renting a van in New Zealand?
Research of vehicle rental companies and facilities is vital. You need to decide whether you want to buy or rent. If you’re staying for more than 2 months, I suggest purchasing a van (which you can then sell at the end of your trip). Some places for finding a van are Backpackerboard or Trade Me (NZ’s version of craigslist). If your trip is for less than 2 months, you’ll have a better chance of finding an affordable rental. Plan ahead though - I highly recommend getting a van with a toilet!
That does sound like a good idea. Where in New Zealand did you travel around? Did you do both Islands?
Yes, we travelled throughout both islands extensively. We began in Auckland and travelled northbound and circled the whole north island coast to coast. Then we proceeded to the south island and did the same.
Where were your favourite places to visit?
1- Cape Reinga - the most northwestern tip of the whole country where you can view the meeting of two oceans!. As a photographer, I loved the spectacular views and spent a lot of time taking it all in. There’s a beautiful lighthouse on the coast of the Cape which you can easily walk to.
2 - Tongariro Crossing - a 19km hike through multiple volcanoes. Tongariro is on many travellers’ bucket lists, and for good reason - it’s one of the most stunning areas in all of New Zealand and presents an enjoyable challenge for hikers. Some scenes from Lord Of The Rings (Mount Doom) were filmed here, so it was high on my list!
3 - Milford Sound - It’s a beautiful fjord (inlet carved by a glacier) on the south island. There is a lot of wildlife and the views are breathtaking. It literally looked like we were in front of a green screen on some pictures because it didn’t even look real! The whole area surrounding the fjord is beautiful with a lot of hikes, waterfalls and rainforests!
4 - Wellington - this is my favourite city to visit in New Zealand. It’s on the coast (it’s where you get the boat to the south island), and despite being a city, there is a rich local cultural heritage. The National Museum of New Zealand is in Wellington and I loved the atmosphere.
They all sound amazing! What is a good website/app to find the best campsites in New Zealand?
I would suggest reading all the reviews on the ‘CamperMate’ app. There are plenty of free campsites throughout both islands and it was a positive experience overall.
How did you cook your meals?
We mostly cooked our meals on a portable gas camp stove that came with our van rental. We did go out a bit but mostly bought groceries.
I can imagine it must have been a challenge to wash yourself every day. Where did you take a shower?
Many campsites and beaches have showers (some free, some charge a small amount), and many libraries have showers for just a dollar or two. We never had to pay more than 2 or 3 dollars for a shower. The ‘CamperMate’ app actually has extensive listings on all these.
Was it hard to find a bathroom while on the road?
Generally, no, as there are plenty of public restrooms around the place. I suggest getting a camper van with a toilet though, if possible, to make it easier when in remote areas.
How much money do you reckon you saved by living a van life in New Zealand?
Over a two month period, we spent plenty of money on food and petrol. However, as we got the camper van itself very cheaply (approx 1600 euros including extra driver and full insurance), we likely saved several thousand on accommodation, and even saved in relation to other camper van prices. That’s why van research at the start was so beneficial for us.
What’s the best thing about living in a van?
Freedom to go where you want, when you want and to stay as long as you want! The ability to change destinations at a moment’s notice was important for us.
Accommodation can be very expensive in some locations, and there is a lack of sufficient public transport, so convenience is always a plus - and you can pull over and nap whenever you need to….lol! Also, having all your belongings with you, at arm's reach, saves the hassle of repeated packing and unpacking!
What’s the worst thing about living in a van?
If you don’t have a toilet and shower, it can become an issue when in remote areas. Even though New Zealand is a very safe country, you need to be more cautious about where you park, since all your belongings are with you. If your van is small, personal space can be an issue - fortunately, we got along most of the time! Also, charging multiple devices can be a challenge if there are not enough ports/outlets in the vehicle.
If you were to do it all over again what would you do differently?
I would get one with a toilet!! And personally, I might get one with a better bed.
I also have a full blog post detailing everything you need to know about campervan life in New Zealand - https://everythingobsessed.com/vanlifenewzealand
Other Interviews with Elizabeth: The Only Boston Travel Guide You Need To Read
For more great travel tips from Elizabeth check out her Blog:
Instagram page: @elizabethkeenanx
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ElizabethKeenan/videos
