Camping guides
Budget camping New Zealand: van & car camping tips
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Road tripping is one of the most exciting and immersive ways to explore New Zealand. It can also be very affordable and comfortable if you use our tips for campervan or car camping on a budget!
The advice below covers all aspects of camping on wheels, including packing, cooking, sleeping, washing, electricity, entertainment and choosing campsites. Follow along to save money and make amazing memories - no tent needed!
The most important thing is to ensure that your vehicle is spacious, comfortable and well-equipped for camping. Use Camplify to quickly and easily arrange campervan hire in New Zealand!
12 tips for van or car camping on a budget
1. Pack smart
Chances are you already own a lot of the stuff you need for van camping. Before you go shopping for new items, do an inventory check to see if you have already got:
An inflatable car mattress (see below)
A sleeping bag or blankets
A pillow
A backpack
A cooler (see below)
Dishes, mugs and kitchen utensils
Camping stove and butane canisters (optional - see below)
A toiletries kit
Bug spray
Camping chairs and folding table
A torch
A solar shower (optional - see below)
Portable solar panels (optional - see below)
Entertainment (see below)
Clothing (packed in soft travel bags)
Also check out our camping checklist for NZ. And if you’re travelling in winter, avoid the chills with our guide on what to wear camping in winter in NZ.
Last but not least, you won’t have to worry about bringing many of these items if you hire a van through Camplify! To minimise your expenses, check what’s already included in your van rental with its owner before you pick it up.
2. Organise your car camping gear in tubs
Buy two plastic storage tubs from your local Bunnings, Mitre 10 or Kmart. Fill one of these affordable tubs with your cooking gear and fill the other tub with your sleeping gear. This system will help you keep things organised in the back of your car and makes it a lot quicker to pack and unpack!
3. Invest in a quality cooler
If you’re going to buy one thing, a decent cooler is a must-have when van or car camping on a budget. If you can shop at the supermarket in the morning, keep the groceries cool all day and make meals as you go, you will save a lot more money than if you were to eat out for every meal.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality cooler. If you are on a tight budget, you could simply use a soft cooler bag that is lightweight and portable. However, if you are travelling with a partner and want to keep lots of stuff chilled for long periods, you are probably best off investing in a larger chilly bin.
4. Make the most of free and low-cost campsites
One of the best ways to minimise your road trip costs in New Zealand is to stay at free or low-cost campsites provided by the Government.
Many of the National Parks and Department of Conservation (DOC) reserves around New Zealand are standard or scenic campsites. These campsites cost $8 per night per adult and offer facilities such as drop toilets, water, barbecues, cold showers and rubbish bins. However, each site is different in terms of the facilities on offer.
Serviced campsites cost slightly more at $20 per night per adult. However, they offer better facilities such as flush toilets, treated tap water, camp kitchens and hot showers. Again, each site is different in terms of the facilities on offer.
Use the DOC website to locate affordable campsites whilst car camping. Plus, read our guide on camping in National Parks in NZ for more information on the different types of sites, prices, rules and regulations!
5. Get a comfy mattress
Make sure you have a mattress that is cut or designed specifically for the back of your vehicle - otherwise you’ll risk losing things down the side! An inflatable car mattress won’t be overly expensive and is worth it for a good night’s sleep.
Better yet, hire a van from Camplify and you can hit the hay each night on a proper mattress from just $50 per day!
6. Use a butane camping stove
If you want to enjoy hot meals whilst camping in New Zealand, you can either buy a camping stove or stay at campsites or caravan parks that offer barbecue and kitchen facilities.
Should you choose to buy a stove, read our article on the best stoves for campervans. If you want to cook two items at once, a two-burner butane stove like the Gasmate 2 Burner Butane Stove is an affordable option.
But if you’re on a tight budget and only want to cook one thing at a time, a single burner propane stove such as the KiwiCamping Butane Stove Single Burner is cheaper and will help you save space.
Butane is often the go-to camping stove fuel type for van or car camping because it is affordable and sold in small canisters (great for space-saving). Propane is another good option but it is more expensive than butane. And LPG is cheap but it is sold in large tanks that will take up too much room in your car.
Many Camplify campervans come with a camping stove included - yet another perk covered within the overall cost!
7. Take advantage of roof racks
Roof racks are another piece of car camping gear that you may want to consider. Depending on your budget, you can buy a solid set of roof racks for under $100.
Roof racks come in handy at night when you need to create room in the back of your car for sleeping. Simply put your storage boxes up on the roof and strap them down so that they are secure and can’t be stolen. Roof racks are also great if you want to carry sports equipment whilst camping, such as surfboards, skis or bicycles.
Alternatively, hire an affordable campervan with enough storage space that you don’t need this extra solution!
8. Buy a solar shower
If you don’t want to pay extra to stay at campsites or caravan parks with hot showers, buy a cost-effective solar shower.
The Coleman PVC camp shower costs $27.99 and is one of the most budget-friendly solar showers on the market. When it is full, it is capable of holding 18.9L (enough for two hot showers). But when it’s drained, it only weighs 250 grams and can be rolled up like an empty bag.
Alternatively, if you’re willing to invest some money in a permanent solar camping shower that can be mounted on the roof of your van, consider investing in the Yakima Roadshower. Whilst it may be more costly, it holds a lot more water and can heat up throughout the day as you drive around in the sun.
For more information, see our guide to the best camping shower setup.
9. Lower and insulate the windows at night
When sleeping in your van or car at night, make sure you lower the windows slightly so that fresh air can circulate throughout the vehicle. However, don’t wind the windows down too far as this may be appealing to thieves.
You should also insulate the windows at night by sticking up reflective window coverings. Not only will this help to keep out the cold but it will also provide you with privacy from prying eyes. Plus, it will be nice and dark inside so that you can enjoy a good night’s sleep!
10. Don’t camp illegally
In New Zealand, you can be fined if you camp overnight at a freedom campsite in a van that is not certified as self-contained (i.e. it does not display the relevant blue and white sticker).
Under New Zealand’s Freedom Camping Act 2011, you can receive a $200 on the spot fine if you:
Park your car overnight where there is a ‘no camping’ sign.
Park your car (if it is not approved as a self-contained vehicle) overnight where there is a “self-contained” sign.
Deposit waste while freedom camping.
It is unlikely that a standard car will meet the Caravan Self Containment Certification standard. In order to do so, it must be fitted with a toilet, freshwater storage, wastewater storage and a rubbish bin with a lid.
The good news is that many campervans on Camplify are self-contained, meaning you can save on campsite costs throughout your holiday!
For more information, see our guide to where can I park my campervan in New Zealand?
12. Set up a portable solar panel
Chances are that you’ll want to charge your electrical appliances when car camping. But you don’t want to be charging your appliances off of the car battery when the vehicle is not running. If you do, you’ll likely wake up one morning and find that the battery is drained. Instead, consider investing in a portable solar panel.
Portable solar panels often come in the form of a fold-out briefcase or blanket. You can find affordable portable solar panels online at RVMega and in-store at Jaycar. Simple 10W mobile solar chargers start for as little as $70.
If a solar blanket or briefcase isn’t in your budget, you can simply charge your appliances when the car is running during the day. Otherwise, you can pay a little extra to stay at powered campsites or stop at cafes that allow you to use their power outlets.
13. Free entertainment whilst car camping on a budget
Lucky for you, the great outdoors offers all sorts of free entertainment - from hiking and swimming to stargazing and wildlife watching! Keen to kick back and relax? You can also cut costs whilst van or car camping on a budget by:
Streaming a movie on your phone or tablet.
Listening to music, a podcast or audiobook.
Reading a book or an e-book.
Checking out the constellations (the Star Walk 2 app is highly recommended).
Keeping a journal.
Playing one of these fun camp games for large groups!
Hire a van for your New Zealand camping trip
Car camping on a budget can be uncomfortable if you haven’t invested in the right gear or spent some time customising your vehicle. Save yourself time and money by arranging campervan hire in New Zealand instead!
Camplify is a platform that allows holidaymakers to quickly search through hundreds of privately-owned motorhomes, campervans and caravans around New Zealand. It’s never been easier to find an affordable van for your camping trip.
Simply enter your pickup location and adjust the price filter (plus heaps of other optional filters) to find the perfect van for your adventure!
Organise van hire on the South Island or van hire on the North Island today.
Why Camplify?
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Comprehensive hire insurance
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By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across New Zealand in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.
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