COVID-19 has messed up international travel plans for lots of kiwis. We’ve always been big travellers and now with borders closed people are starting to wonder what they can do instead. Well, now is the perfect time to get out and explore New Zealand – and what better way than taking a roadie in a campervan!
I’ve spoken to many people who have asked me what I love about campervanning in New Zealand. So here are a few of the reasons I choose to travel in a van, and why now is the absolute best time to do it. Huge thanks to Britz NZ for helping make this trip possible.
A campervan gives the ability to be flexible
For those looking to explore NZ, this is a great benefit. Your campervan is both your vehicle and your accommodation and so you can make and change plans without much hassle. Right now, you won’t need to be worried about booking campsites or holiday parks too far ahead. You can be as structured or unstructured as you like – part of the fun can be waking up in the morning and mulling over where the road will take you next. If the weather is bad, you can carry on to another spot. If the weather is amazing, you can stay an extra day. Planning the next day is all part of the fun!
All the comforts of home are with you
Modern campervans and motorhomes are cleverly thought out and have everything you could need for a holiday away. Most have indoor cooking and dining spaces, a fridge, a lounge with windows to take in the view, lots of storage space, and a toilet and shower. Plus, you’ll often have heating in your van, and warm cosy duvets at night. There’s no worrying about check in and check out times, what a room will be like – so you can focus more on your holiday and less on the admin.
You can stop for a coffee anywhere!
One of the loveliest things about life on the road, is that there is often no hurry. Everything you need is always with you. Which means when you are driving past a stunning view, it’s easy to pull over, throw the doors open, put the (cute, whistling) stovetop kettle on and enjoy a cuppa whilst taking in the beautiful scenery. Relaxing with a cup of hot coffee is a favourite thing to do.
New Zealand has campsites in the most amazing places
Whether it be a Department of Conservation campsite, a holiday park, or a designated freedom camping site, some of the places you can sleep overnight will actually take your breath away. Many camping spots are right there by the beaches, rivers and mountains. Whether you wake up to the sound of waves crashing or forest birdsong, there is nothing quite like being immersed in nature. There is something quite special about waking up in the morning, opening your curtains and taking in an amazing view.
New Zealand is quiet right now
The benefits of getting out on the road right now are two-fold: firstly, hitting the road will help support NZ’s local tourism economy. That’s great for NZ. Secondly, with not many tourists in NZ currently, the roads and attractions are quieter, and none of the best campsites are fully booked! There are some great deals out there for kiwis, so right now is a great time to tick this off your list – or discover a love of this special way of travelling. You're gonna have a great time!
BLOG NOTES
I travelled in June 2020 courtesy of Britz Campervans. You can view their campervan options here.
I always recommend camping in holiday parks, DOC conservation campsites or designated council camping spots. Please travel and camp responsibly, and help keep NZ beautiful.