10 Tips for Freedom Camping in New Zealand with Chloe and Ludvig
After driving around New Zealand for three weeks and totalling 3,800km, it's safe to say we are both addicted to van life and well informed on how to do it right.
Hi, my name is Chloe and the super tattooed guy with me is a Swedish man named Ludvig (also known as my fiancé).
After being locked down for a hefty 16 weeks in Auckland last year, we were very excited to book our EPIC trip around New Zealand in early January 2022 with our EPIC campervan. We have compiled a list of our TOP TEN tips for living in an Epic Camper during a New Zealand Summer.
1. Use bug protection!
Rather hilarious that this is number one of the list, but for a much more enjoyable holiday, you'll want to use your bug nets and insect repellent! Thank goodness Epic has thought ahead on this- the van comes with handy bug nets for your windows. We noticed that especially on the west Coast and in Southland, sandflies are EVERYWHERE. Most supermarkets and pharmacies will sell insect repellent.
2. Download the app Campermate.
We used this religiously to find freedom camping spots, book campgrounds, to locate petrol stations, ATM's, wifi, dump stations and more. There are tons of honest reviews on the app from previous users which are incredibly helpful. This app has it all.
3. Freedom Camping will become like a game.
Luckily, the Epic Camper vans are self-contained (meaning they have a toilet on board) which means you can freedom camp in NZ. Unsure of where you're gonna be sleeping each night becomes quite thrilling and can often lead you to awesome places you may have otherwise missed. Most of the freedom campsites we experienced were fantastic - had free toilets, respectful people and felt very safe. Freedom camping is not allowed everywhere and anywhere, so be sure to check Campermate/signage for potential locations.
4. A hot shower will become a treat.
As cool as freedom camping and bathing in lakes is, sometimes, you just want a bit of luxury (...things like showers and laundry definitely become luxury when living in a van). Every three or so days, we opted for a paid campsite, such as a Top 10 Campground. These are especially nice if you're doing a lot of hiking like we did. They will set you back around $50 per night for two adults and a non powered site, but it will be SO worth it.
5. Expect plans to change... a lot.
Whether it be weather, road delays, a postpone of activity, you'll need to learn to go with the flow a little. Van life is very unique in that you usually do have the flexibility to linger around one location for a few extra days and make last minute changes to your itinerary - we didn't find this to be a negative at all.
6. Two minute noodles may become your staple.
The Epic Camper has you sorted with a fridge, a pantry, sink and fully stocked pull out kitchen. We enjoyed making some seriously fancy meals in the van, however, to be honest, most of the time we were so busy exploring, we ended up opting for easy peasy baked beans, noodles and soup, allowing us more time to really check out the local area.
7. Don't forget your sunscreen.
Even if travelling the colder corners of the South, you'll want to make sure you're lathered up. The sun in NZ can be a lot harsher and tends to take people by surprise. For an enjoyable (and safe) holiday, make sure you have lots on hand!
8. Connect with the world occasionally...
You're probably gonna want to post some Epic photos of your adventures as you journey around the country. Where to find wifi? If you're at a campground, you'll likely have free wifi there, or you can jump into an NZ phone plan - we had a deal with our 2degrees mobile plan that offered us two free hours of data per day. However, most days, we'd take the opportunity to try the best local coffee and simply use the free wifi at the cafe.
9. Fill up your water bottles every chance you get!
With freedom camping most likely being a big part of your trip, fresh water will not always be available. We got caught out a few times having to buy water at the local gas station which made us cringe. Get into the habit right away of filling up when you can to keep hydrated - nothing worse than a holiday headache!
10. Lastly, bring hand sanitizer.
No explanation needed, just simple van life necessity.
To keep up with Chloe and Ludvig on more of their travel adventures, pay them a visit on their Socials:
Instagram @chloeandludvig
YouTube @Chloe and Ludvig
