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Eco-Friendly Campervan Travel: Tips for Sustainable Adventures
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New Zealand was made for road trips. From the beaches of the Far North to the mountain passes of the South, every stretch of road delivers something worth slowing down for. But as wild and rugged as it looks, our landscape is fragile, and how you travel through it makes a big difference. If you love the outdoors as much as we do at Big Little Campers, you’ll know there’s something special about seeing the country by van. Campervanning cuts down on hotel waste, gives you freedom to stay close to nature, and makes it easier to travel lightly. It all starts with the eco-friendly campervan hire NZ travellers choose when they want comfort without the footprint. We build our vans small and smart, with everything you need, nothing you don’t. No bulky fittings or pointless weight to unnecessarily burn up fuel. You can expect simple gear that works and a comfortable setup that makes lighter travel possible. Use our vans the right way, and you can even keep your adventure sustainable from start to finish. Here’s how. |
1) Pick the Right VanThe vehicle you choose matters. A heavy, oversized camper burns more fuel and can really limit where you can park, sometimes forcing you to drive further. Our Big One fits up to three travellers, has standing room, an internal kitchen, and a roof bed rated to 80 kg, but is compact enough to fit in most parking spaces. We made sure it offers minimal dead weight, which means fewer emissions and a much better driving experience. 2) Pack for the Trip You’re Actually TakingExtra gear means extra fuel burn, more clutter, and more hassle. Our vans already come with the essentials, so you don’t need much else. Bring reusable items you’ll genuinely use and skip the “just in case” extras, apart from first aid and medication. Travelling lighter saves space, fuel, and money, and makes van life simpler. |
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3) Keep Waste to a MinimumSingle-use rubbish stacks up quickly in a camper. And once you’re out of the city, bins aren’t always nearby, which means you might have to use some of your limited space just to hold onto your rubbish. Bring these reusables instead:
Before heading somewhere remote, stock up at a supermarket and choose larger portions instead of multiple small packets. You’ll cut down on packaging waste and make it easier to store rubbish until the next town. 4) Camp Where You’re AllowedFreedom camping doesn’t mean parking anywhere. Councils and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have different rules depending on the region, and they’re updated often. Check local signs or council websites before you park up. Stick to DOC sites, holiday parks, or clearly marked freedom camping areas. Our vans are designed for responsible travel, but that only works when you stay in permitted spots. |
5) Walk LightlyEnjoy the scenery and leave it exactly as you found it. Stay on marked tracks, don’t pick plants or feed wildlife, and always take your rubbish with you. Even a few steps off trail can damage fragile plants and speed up erosion. Small choices add up to a big impact over time. 6) Be Smart with Power and WaterYour van runs on a house battery for lights and charging, but constant engine idling wastes fuel. Plug into powered sites to recharge when you can. That way, you’ll stay off-grid longer without running the motor. Keep an eye on water use too. Take short showers, turn off taps when not in use, and always store your greywater for proper disposal. The Big One is certified self-contained, so you can store greywater and travel responsibly. If your van has a toilet, empty it only at dump stations. |
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The Van You Choose Makes a Difference
Sustainable campervan travel starts with the right setup. We build lean and livable vans that are ready for self-contained travel, low-impact camping, and real freedom. The Big One is an especially great fit for couples or young families who want space but are loath to drag around a massive motorhome. You get comfort, storage, proper beds, and an internal kitchen setup in a camper that limits fuel use and environmental impacts.
When you’re ready, feel free to hit us up. You can read Big Little Campers’ FAQs or contact us directly about your campervan plans. We’d love to give you a rundown of what makes each of our vans special and how they can support your sustainable road trip.
Eco-Friendly Campervan Travel: Tips for Sustainable Adventures
|
New Zealand was made for road trips. From the beaches of the Far North to the mountain passes of the South, every stretch of road delivers something worth slowing down for. But as wild and rugged as it looks, our landscape is fragile, and how you travel through it makes a big difference. If you love the outdoors as much as we do at Big Little Campers, you’ll know there’s something special about seeing the country by van. Campervanning cuts down on hotel waste, gives you freedom to stay close to nature, and makes it easier to travel lightly. It all starts with the eco-friendly campervan hire NZ travellers choose when they want comfort without the footprint. We build our vans small and smart, with everything you need, nothing you don’t. No bulky fittings or pointless weight to unnecessarily burn up fuel. You can expect simple gear that works and a comfortable setup that makes lighter travel possible. Use our vans the right way, and you can even keep your adventure sustainable from start to finish. Here’s how. |
1) Pick the Right VanThe vehicle you choose matters. A heavy, oversized camper burns more fuel and can really limit where you can park, sometimes forcing you to drive further. Our Big One fits up to three travellers, has standing room, an internal kitchen, and a roof bed rated to 80 kg, but is compact enough to fit in most parking spaces. We made sure it offers minimal dead weight, which means fewer emissions and a much better driving experience. 2) Pack for the Trip You’re Actually TakingExtra gear means extra fuel burn, more clutter, and more hassle. Our vans already come with the essentials, so you don’t need much else. Bring reusable items you’ll genuinely use and skip the “just in case” extras, apart from first aid and medication. Travelling lighter saves space, fuel, and money, and makes van life simpler. |
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3) Keep Waste to a MinimumSingle-use rubbish stacks up quickly in a camper. And once you’re out of the city, bins aren’t always nearby, which means you might have to use some of your limited space just to hold onto your rubbish. Bring these reusables instead:
Before heading somewhere remote, stock up at a supermarket and choose larger portions instead of multiple small packets. You’ll cut down on packaging waste and make it easier to store rubbish until the next town. 4) Camp Where You’re AllowedFreedom camping doesn’t mean parking anywhere. Councils and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have different rules depending on the region, and they’re updated often. Check local signs or council websites before you park up. Stick to DOC sites, holiday parks, or clearly marked freedom camping areas. Our vans are designed for responsible travel, but that only works when you stay in permitted spots. |
5) Walk LightlyEnjoy the scenery and leave it exactly as you found it. Stay on marked tracks, don’t pick plants or feed wildlife, and always take your rubbish with you. Even a few steps off trail can damage fragile plants and speed up erosion. Small choices add up to a big impact over time. 6) Be Smart with Power and WaterYour van runs on a house battery for lights and charging, but constant engine idling wastes fuel. Plug into powered sites to recharge when you can. That way, you’ll stay off-grid longer without running the motor. Keep an eye on water use too. Take short showers, turn off taps when not in use, and always store your greywater for proper disposal. The Big One is certified self-contained, so you can store greywater and travel responsibly. If your van has a toilet, empty it only at dump stations. |
|
The Van You Choose Makes a Difference
Sustainable campervan travel starts with the right setup. We build lean and livable vans that are ready for self-contained travel, low-impact camping, and real freedom. The Big One is an especially great fit for couples or young families who want space but are loath to drag around a massive motorhome. You get comfort, storage, proper beds, and an internal kitchen setup in a camper that limits fuel use and environmental impacts.
When you’re ready, feel free to hit us up. You can read Big Little Campers’ FAQs or contact us directly about your campervan plans. We’d love to give you a rundown of what makes each of our vans special and how they can support your sustainable road trip.
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