Comfortable camping NZ: luxury tips & tricks guide

In the not-so-distant past, the word camping and comfortable weren’t used in the same sentence. Now, thanks to campervans, motorhomes and caravans, getting back in touch with nature is easier and more enjoyable than ever. There are so many different ways you can make your camping experience as pleasant as possible, exploring New Zealand without sacrificing your creature comforts. From the right clothes to the best apps, we share 7 genius tips on how to make camping more comfortable below.

7 tips on how to make camping more comfortable

1. Trade a tent for a campervan, motorhome or caravan

The easiest and best tip for how to make camping more comfortable? Hire a campervan, motorhome or caravan instead of pitching a tent.

Enjoy the luxury of sleeping indoors on a soft, comfortable mattress, with a guaranteed good night’s sleep each and every night - no matter what the weather is doing (and New Zealand is known for experiencing four seasons in one day!).

As well as a fully-equipped kitchen (and sometimes even an onboard toilet and shower), you’ll have the room to pack all of your creature comforts - from your favourite books to your child’s toys.

Plus, you can simply open up your van door and step out to enjoy the peace of the night sky! Get out the chairs, sit back and soak it all up with a drink in hand before heading to the comfort of indoors when you’re ready to get cosy. It’s the best of both worlds.

2. Pick the right destination

Not all campsites are created equal. Some come with your bare minimum comforts, including cold showers and non-flush toilets, while others have no amenities at all. Depending on what facilities your motorhome or campervan is decked out with, choosing the right campsite can hugely impact your comfort during the trip.

There are also plenty of holiday parks right across New Zealand, which not only offer all the basic comforts, but go above and beyond when it comes to amenities. You will find pools, playgrounds for the kids, full equipped kitchens and so much more. With just a little research, you can find the right campsite for your needs, to make the experience as comfortable as possible. You truly are spoilt for choice!

Not sure where to start? Download CamperMate for iOS or Google Play and discover new places to go, stop and see along the way.

3. Check the weather and choose the right clothes

New Zealand is well known for sudden, unexpected drops in temperature, and the last thing you want is to be caught out - weather can put a real damper on your holiday if you’re not prepared. The best way to combat this and stay comfortable on the road is to ensure you know what to wear camping in NZ.

It also helps to download a weather app on your phone, so you can stay updated along the way - and prepare for any day trips you might be headed off on. MetService NZ Weather App is a free, comprehensive app that looks at morning, evening and afternoon forecasts set by their meteorologists.

Download MetService NZ Weather: Google Play & iOs

Check out our guide on how to camp in the rain to make sure you're prepared!

4. Cook up a feast

Food should not be forgotten about when it comes to how to make camping more comfortable. Many people picture heating up tins of baked beans over the campfire, but you have a lot more freedom to cook up a delicious feast and keep your belly full when you have a campervan! Depending on the hire vehicle you choose, you’ll likely have a fully-equipped kitchen, ready for you to make the most of.

Cook all your favourite meals or shop at the local markets along the way and bring back new foods to test out and enjoy at the campsite. It’s a win, win!

The Camping Cookbook is full of amazing recipes so that you can continue enjoying the comfort of the foods you love while on the road. It comes with plenty of easy-to-follow steps to make cooking at your campsite that little bit easier.

5. Bring something to laze in outside

Wondering how to make camping more comfortable when you’re chilling out around the campfire? When travelling in your campervan, don’t forget to pack some comfy camp chairs (if they don’t already come with the rental!) and even a hammock, for ultimate relaxation.

Lie back in the hammock to enjoy a good book, or simply bring out the chairs and enjoy a nice drink while taking in the nature around you. There are so many to choose from, simply check out the range at Complete Outdoors and find what works for you.

Shop now: Complete Outdoors

6. Prepare for bugs

This is one of the best campervan tips to make sure you’re nice and comfortable during your stay. There’s nothing worse than jumping outside to enjoy the great outdoors at your campsite, only to find yourself swarmed by mosquitos.

Come prepared! Bring along that mosquito spray and add a few extra protections to ensure your comfort. We recommend take a look at:

• Mosquito nets: these will keep your food nice and protected if you choose to make the most of the evenings and eat outside. Shop here: Ubuy

• Mosquito patches: these are so nice and easy to use. Simply stick to your clothing and keep those mozzies far away. Shop here: Chemist Warehouse

• Mosquito band: the Para’kito bands make it even harder for the mozzies to find you with little pellets that you can pop in your band to keep them away. Shop here: Para’kito

7. Bring the entertainment

Of course, if you want to make your stay truly comfortable, it helps to have some entertainment on hand to pass the time back at your campsite. And there’s nothing like a little family-friendly competition to give everyone a laugh and make camping that much more enjoyable for the whole tribe. Choose your games wisely to suit all ages of your travel group so everyone can get involved.

Consider Monopoly, Cards Against Humanity, Chess, Connect Four, or just a simple deck of cards for some endless fun. For some more inspiration, check out these fun camping games for large groups!

Hire a van for your New Zealand camping trip

Now that you know how to make camping more comfortable, it’s time to set off and see all the amazing sights New Zealand has to offer. With Camplify, you can sort out motorhome hire on the North Island or motorhome hire on the South Island with a rental that suits your budget. Plus, use our camping checklist for NZ to tick off all the items above to ensure a convenient and enjoyable trip!

Why Camplify?

We are proud to be New Zealand’s fastest-growing private caravan, campervan and motorhome sharing community. When you hire a van through our platform, it comes with lots of advantages:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• Nationwide AA roadside assistance

• 24/7 customer support

• All members are verified

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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