Preparing for your trip

Packing your bags

CampingCar-Online/Ramble Campervans would like to help you prepare for your future motorhome trip by suggesting some things to remember. Here you'll find advice on the type of luggage to take and a list of important documents not to forget.

Type of bag

When travelling around New Zealand by motorhome it is important to economise the available space in the vehicle.

If you are doing a one-way trip, collecting and returning your motorhome in different cities, it is best to use soft, flexible bags or backpacks. These types of bags can be folded and more easily stored away in the motorhome once you have unpacked. Hard suitcases will waste space in the vehicle. If you are doing a round trip, collecting and returning your motorome in the same city, you can leave your empty bags in a storage area at the local rental agency where you collect your motorhome.

It is also a good idea to keep a small day bag avaliable so that you can carry valuables with you when you leave the motorhome to site see.

Important documents

• Passports. For information regarding visas please contact the relevant embassy website.
• National and international drivers licences
• Plane tickets
• Vouchers for collecting your motorhome, hotel and ferry bookings/tickets/vouchers etc.
• Credit card (inform your bank of your trip so that your card is not blocked). Make sure you know your credit card's daily/monthly withdrawal limits
• Travel insurance information

Advice: Leave copies of your important travel documents with family or friends so that they can be faxed to you in case of emergency.

General

• Mobile phone (make sure you know the costs involved in using your phone in another country)
• Sun glasses
• Travel guides
• Address book
• Phone, computer, camera chargers, etc.
• CDs for the road
• IPod/Mp3, chargers, speakers, earphones
• Camera (take extra memory cards)
• Plug adapters
• Penknife
• Torch
• Books (you can swop books at some of the local motorhome rental companies)
• Watch with alarm
• Playing cards and other games

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Deodorant
• Rasors
• Hair dryer
• Cosmetics
• Suncream (minimum SPF 30)
• Basic first aid kit (bandaids, bandages, aspirin, antihistamines, antiseptic solution, scissors, etc).

Clothes

New Zealand is an island so bring a raincoat and windbreaker no matter what the season is.

Between December and March pack summer clothes, a few jerseys/sweaters and a raincoat. Between June and August take some warm clothes for the North Island, and even warmer clothes for the south of the country (don't forget your raincoat).