Packing List for Camping in New Zealand
Connect with nature by staying in the great outdoors of New Zealand by camping. Whether it’s to enjoy a cheap type of accommodation or to spend some time outside with friends and family, you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared for your camping trip. Take a look at our camping essentials list for New Zealand for ideas on what camping gear to take, clothes to pack, toiletries, kitchen gear and more.
For a complete list of things to pack for a trip around New Zealand, check out our complete New Zealand Packing List.
What Don’t I Need to Pack for Camping in New Zealand?
Perhaps more important than what you do need to pack is what you don’t need to pack. New Zealand holiday parks and campsites vary in their facilities, from well-equipped holiday parks to barebone Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites. If you’re hiking to your camping destination, then you’ll want to pack even less. Find out what you don’t need to pack for camping in New Zealand by simply looking up the campsite facilities on the holiday park or DOC websites.
For a quick overview of common facilities, take a look at our guide to camping in New Zealand.
© NZPocketGuide.comCampsite
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)
© PexelsCamping Kitchen and Food
Again, the kitchen supplies you’ll need for camping in New Zealand depends 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.
© PexelsCamping 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’ll 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.
© PexelsToiletries 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 the 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/bandaids
- 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.
© PexelsMiscellaneous
Finally, for all of those things that doesn’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
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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