Camping Essentials Checklist for New Zealand

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Campsite

What you need to prepare for your campsite, i.e. where you’re going to live and sleep depends on whether you’re staying in a holiday park, campground or in the backcountry.

Holiday parks give you the option to stay in powered sites if you want a connection to electricity. If you’re getting to your campsite by car, then you have the luxury of packing as much as you like. If hiking to your campsite, you need to be choosy with what you pack, picking lightweight options.

The Essentials

• Four-seasons tent
• Tent pegs
• Mallet/hammer
• Tent repair kit
• Sleeping mat
• 4-seasons sleeping bag
• Head torch

Optional

• RCD power cord (if staying in a powered site)
• Airbed and pump
• Blankets
• Pillow
• Tarp
• Camping chairs
• Camping table
• Picnic blanket
• Brush (brush out the tent before packing it)

Remember, all the essential camping gear above (and in the “Camping Kitchen” list below) is available to rent in New Zealand with Rent-A-Tent.

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Camping Kitchen and Food

Again, the kitchen supplies you’ll need for camping in New Zealand depend on the type of campground you have chosen. Holiday parks are well-equipped with communal kitchens and barbecues. Many have cooking utensils provided, so it’s not essential that you bring your own.

More basic campsites, however, like the DOC campsites, may only have a shelter for cooking but no other facilities, so you’ll need to bring your own kitchen gear.

For backcountry camping, for instance, along hiking trails, you’ll need to fully rely on your own lightweight camping kitchen gear and only pack the bare essentials.

The Essentials

• Cool bin (chilly bin)
• Gas stove/burner
• Spare gas canisters
• Lighters/waterproof matches
• Pot
• Frying pan
• Eating utensils
• Knife
• Wooden spoon
• Tongs
• Can opener
• Cutting board
• Plates/bowls
• Mugs
• Water bottles
• Food containers
• Rubbish bag
• Bowl/bucket for washing dishes
• Eco-friendly washing liquid
• Dishtowel
• Dish sponge or brush
• Bottle opener
• Ice packs/freezer packs
• Kettle/billy
• Coffee plunger

Food Essentials

Staples:

• Oats
• Honey/peanut butter
• Rice
• Pasta
• Salt/pepper (and other preferred herbs and spices)
• Olive oil
• Salami/chorizo
• Cheese (halloumi is a hard durable cheese for camping)
• Vegetable stock powder

Fresh food to pick up in supermarkets and markets on your way to your destination:

• Sliced bread
• Vegetables
• Meat

See The Best Camping Meals, Inc. Camping Food List for meal ideas and food shopping lists.

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Camping Clothing

Practical outdoor clothing is essential for a camping trip. Choose clothing that dries quickly and always pack an extra warm layer than what you think you’ll need.

Essentials

• Sneakers/walking shoes
• Flip-flops (jandals)
• Rain jacket
• T-shirts
• Quick-dry pants/hiking pants
• Mid-layer (fleece, hoody, sweater, etc.)
• Underwear
• Woollen socks
• Sunglasses

Warm Seasons

• Sunhat/cap
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Shorts
• Swimwear

Cold Seasons

• Thermal tops
• Thermal bottoms
• Warm jacket
• Beanie
• Scarf/neckwear
• Thick socks for sleeping

For more tips on winter camping, see How to Stay Warm When Camping in New Zealand.

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Toiletries and Hygiene

Again, holiday parks have showers, toilets and even laundry facilities, so there’s no need to go overboard when camping at this style of accommodation. DOC campsites are likely to have cold showers and a toilet at most.

Of course, the following toiletry list doesn’t apply to everyone, so choose what suits you.

• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent
• Eco-friendly soap
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Hand sanitiser
• Deodorant
• After sun/moisturiser
• Prescription medication
• Feminine hygiene products
• Contact lenses/glasses
• Hair tyes/bands
• Hairbrush/comb
• Toilet paper
• Eco-friendly laundry detergent
• Clothesline and pegs
• Solar camp shower
• Laundry bag

First Aid Kit

• Plasters/Band-Aids
• Disinfectant wipes
• Gauzes with clips/tape
• Tweezers
• Paracetamol/ibuprofen
• Antiseptic cream
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antihistamine
• Imodium

For a more in-depth first aid kit list, take a look at Health Tips For Travelling in New Zealand.

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Miscellaneous

Finally, for all of those things that don’t fit into a category but are still worth packing for camping:

• Camera
• Phone
• Spare batteries
• Travel games/playing cards
• Book/e-reader
• Outdoor games (frisbees, kids’ games, etc.)
• Quick-dry travel towel
• Multi-tool
• Duct tape
• Bungy chords
• DOC Campsite Pass
• Power supply – see How to Get Electricity When Camping in New Zealand