15 Best Travel Apps for New Zealand

1. Kindle App

Free for all, the Kindle App gives you access to literally millions of books, thousands of audiobooks, thousands of magazines and much more. No need to have an e-book, just use your phone. This is the single best way to carry an entire library with you aside and save yourself from extra luggage weight.

If you fear not to have enough to read, get yourself Kindle Unlimited with your app (30 days free trial) it gives you unlimited access to a massive selection so you can never get bored.

© Pexels

2. Camper Mate

Probably the #1 free New Zealand travel app for travellers is kept up to date by travellers. It features the locations of public toilets, rubbish bins, campsites, free wifi, supermarkets and much more all over New Zealand.

© Camper Mate

3. Great Rides App (NZ)

If you are looking to tackle some of the best mountain biking tracks in the world while touring New Zealand you need the Great Rides App. It is specially designed for the NZ Great Rides biking trails where once you download a trail, the app works fully offline.

It is GPS-enabled to help you orientate yourself along the trails and includes all the official NZ Great Rides trails plus a few extra tracks.

The app is also regularly updated to include new trails such as the Paparoa and even some hiking tracks such as the Heaphy Great Walk.

© Great Rides App

4. Great Hikes App (NZ)

If you’re planning to tackle one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Great Hikes App is your best mate for the trail. This 100% Kiwi-made app is specifically designed for the country’s premier multi-day hikes and works offline once you’ve downloaded your chosen track.

From our experience, having mobile GPS mapping at your fingertips is invaluable when you’re deep in the wilderness. The app shows key stops, photos and trail section details, plus elevation profiles to help you gauge what’s ahead. You’ll also find info on track services and contact details, all compiled from GPS data collected on-site.

© Great Hikes App

5. Google Maps

Because New Zealand’s roads are often tricky, a good map is essential when travelling around. Plus, if you are a bit daft, Google Maps can help you find your hostel in case you forget where it is. It happens!

Power tip: to save on data, download the map for the next leg of travel in New Zealand when you have WiFi. (For tips on finding a decent connection in New Zealand, see here).

© Google Maps

6. Google Translate

We’re big fans of Google Translate for breaking down language barriers while travelling. It lets you translate text, voice and even images in real time, which comes in especially handy when deciphering signs, menus or chatting with locals.

The app also offers offline language packs, so you can access translations even without an internet connection—something we’ve found invaluable when exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations.

© Google Translate

7. Viber or WhatsApp

The two apps are essentially the same. They allow you to call and text people with the same app for free, as long as you have WiFi or data connection. So make sure to get your friends to install Viber and WhatsApp too.

© WhatsApp

8. Night Sky

Night Sky is perfect for stargazing in New Zealand, home to some of the world’s best dark sky locations. Simply point your phone at the sky to identify stars, constellations and planets in real time.

It’s ideal for making the most of clear nights, especially in remote areas with minimal light pollution where the southern hemisphere skies truly come alive.

© Night Sky

9. MetService

New Zealand is known to have four seasons in a day! Be prepared with a good rain jacket and New Zealand’s most accurate weather app.

© Met Service

10. Social Media Apps

Be social… by being glued to your phone. Don’t forget to install Foursquare, Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and other apps that you prefer to stay in touch and share your travels with friends and family.

By the way, like us on Facebook and follow us on YouTube too.

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11. Banking App

Sort out your financial affairs online to make sure you are not going over your backpacking budget. By the way, if you haven’t got a New Zealand bank account yet, check out this article to see how to set a bank account up.

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12. GASPY

Never overpay for fuel on your Kiwi road trip with GASPY, New Zealand’s original fuel-finding app that pinpoints the cheapest petrol stations in your area.

The app is powered by a community of budget-conscious travellers and locals who share real-time fuel prices from over 1,700 stations nationwide.

You’ll find comprehensive daily pricing for all fuel types, organised by brand and location, with historical data stretching back to November 2015.

© Gaspy

13. AllTrails

Planning a hike in New Zealand? AllTrails is one of the best apps for discovering walking tracks, trail maps and difficulty levels.

It includes user reviews, photos and GPS tracking, making it ideal for everything from short walks to multi-day hikes.

© AllTrails

14. Rankers Camping NZ

We find Rankers Camping NZ very handy, a completely free app for finding campsites, including freedom camping spots, right across New Zealand.

The app features user reviews, photos and filters for DOC campsites, freedom camping locations and facilities. You can also download maps for offline use, making it ideal for road trips through areas with patchy signal.

From what we’ve experienced, it’s an absolute lifesaver when you’re hunting for a last-minute camping spot in the back of beyond.

© Rankers Camping NZ

15. ParkMate

ParkMate lets you pay for parking directly from your phone across numerous towns and cities in New Zealand. Forget hunting for coins or queuing at parking meters, simply punch in your registration plate and settle up through the app.

© ParkMate (NZ)