Campervan Holiday With Kids in New Zealand: A Practical Guide

Child seats and seatbelts

New Zealand law requires children to use an approved child restraint until their seventh birthday, and NZTA strongly recommends one until 148 cm tall. Hire companies supply seats for a fee, and you can bring your own if it meets New Zealand standards. Check that the van has the right anchor points for the seats you need, and that every berth has a seatbelt, because not all beds in a campervan have one.

Count the seatbelts rather than the beds. A four-berth van may only have seatbelts for some of the beds, and the number of seats you can fit varies by model. Tell the hire company the ages of your children when you book so they can match the vehicle.

Choosing a van and a pace

A van with a toilet and shower saves stops at night and in the rain, which matters most with young children. A bigger van is more comfortable but slower and more expensive to run, and the road user charges and fuel add up. The campervan budget guide shows what a week costs.

Keep each driving day to two to three hours with a long stop, and add a rest day every few days. Children get restless after an hour, so plan a playground, a beach or a short walk at each break. The driving day planner helps check the legs, and the one-week itinerary is a gentle starting point.

Where to camp with children

Holiday parks are the easiest choice, with playgrounds, jumping pillows, pools, kitchens and laundry, and many have cabins in case the weather turns. Book ahead in summer and school holidays; the holiday parks guide covers booking and the school holidays guide has the dates.

DOC campsites are cheaper and closer to nature, with beaches, rivers and bush walks on the doorstep, but facilities are simpler, with long drop toilets and often no showers. Many are suitable for families, and the easy huts guide has easy huts for a first overnight. Freedom camping is more limited than people expect, so check the rules.

Easy things to do

Choose short walks that end somewhere interesting: a beach, a waterfall, a lookout or a swing bridge. Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel, the geothermal parks at Rotorua, the glowworm caves at Waitomo and the Abel Tasman beaches near Nelson all suit children. Plan wet-weather activities too, such as hot pools, museums and cafes with a play area.

Water safety needs attention. New Zealand rivers and surf beaches have strong currents, so swim at patrolled beaches and watch children closely near water. Take care near geothermal areas, where ground can be hot and fenced areas are not optional.

Sand flies, sun and packing

The sun is strong in New Zealand, even on cloudy days, so pack sunscreen, hats and rash vests. Sandflies are a nuisance on the West Coast and in Fiordland, so take repellent and cover up at dusk. The sandfly guide explains what works.

Pack warm layers whatever the season, as the weather changes fast, plus a few games and books for wet days. Bring a small first aid kit with children's pain relief, because small towns can be far from a chemist. Buy groceries in the larger towns, where prices are lower.

Planning a family trip in KiwiCamping

With children aboard, short legs matter, and KiwiCamping's iPhone map of DOC campsites, huts and holiday parks makes them easy to plan. Save the family-friendly stops in order and the trip shows each day's distance and a forecast for every place. It is not a navigator, so keep a maps app for the road.

Family nights at DOC campsites are booked with DOC.

Places along the way