Driving around the picturesque North island of New Zealand for over 3 weeks now I have realised how common it is to have all 4 seasons in one day. It means packing smart is essential, especially when traveling with kids.

After doing a lap of Australia in our caravan with our eldest son when he was 6 months old, we’ve become pros at space saving and only packing what we need. Now, with a 6 month road trip around NZ ahead, here’s what we packed (and why), so you don’t have to stress.

I have to admit, leaving for NZ in the MIDDLE of winter is daunting given winter in our home town of Newcastle only averages a low of 9 degrees celsius so the NZ cold is not something we are used to.

If you’re a mother or the “packer” of the family, I’m sure you can share my mental load as we try to pack everything we need (without over packing) for every element and every possible scenario. We need to remember the favourite stuffed animal or pair of socks, enough nappies to cover the first couple of days of a holiday but also not to many because they take up so much space…the list goes on!

Whether you’re flying over in winter or adventuring through all four seasons, this guide is here to help you pack like a pro with practical tips that have all been trialled and tested by my family of four.

This blog includes:

✅ What we packed in each of our 6 bags + port a cot and pram

✅ Space saving tips

✅ Why you should take a port a cot with you

✅ What travel pram we use and swear by

✅ How we save money when travelling overseas

As a family of four, this is what we are packing (Apart from the Kids 😉)

• 3 x duffle bags (one with wheels)
• Baby Zen Yoyo travel pram
• Baby carrier
• Our 4 year olds booster seat
• Our 1 year olds car seat
• 3 x carry on backpacks
• Travel port-a-cot

Logistically speaking we were originally planning on getting a train to the airport but we wouldn’t be able to physically carry everything on and off the train so we ended up getting a lift from Shauns mum (Thanks Jen if you are reading this!).

Duffle Bag Breakdown

Duffle Bag 1 (The Kids’ Bag – all items are for each child)

• 1x snowsuit (we’ll hire/ buy boots and gloves as needed)
• 2 x beanies
• 1 x cotton gloves
• 6 x singlets
• 7 x socks
• 7 x undies
• 1 x hat
• Shoes: gumboots (absolutely essential), Crocs, Vanns, Blundstone boots
• 1 x puffer jacket
• 1 x spray jacket
• 1 x waterproof rain overalls/rain suits (another essential- alternatively they sell them everywhere here if you want to wait to buy them)
• 1 x Subo non-spill bottles (for yoghurt, smoothies and weetbix)
• 3 x winter pjs
• 7 x long pants/ tracksuit pants
• 5 x jumpers/ jackets
• 5 x long shirts/ long button onsies for our 1 year old
• 5 x t shirts
• 1 x swimwear

Duffle Bag 2 (Shaun and I shared the other two duffle bags)

• Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, brush, hair ties ect
• Make-up
• First aid/ medical -Baby Panadol/Nurofen, bandaids, Panadol, thermometer (our camper van came with a basic first aid kit)
• Hair clippers (to save money getting the boys haircut)
• 1 x hat
• 1 x puffer jacket
• 1 x vest
• 1 x spray jackets
• 2 x beanies
• 7 x socks
• 7 x undies
• 1 x swimwear
• Britt: 2 x jumpers, 1 x jacket, 4 x long sleeve shirts, 5 x singlets, 2 x t-shirts, 3 x sports bras, 2 x bras
• Shaun: 4 x jumpers, 6 x t-shirts

Duffle Bag 3

• Thermals (1x each family member)- 1x tights, 1x long sleeve
• Camera tripod
• Phone holder attachment (for navigation when driving)
• Shoes: Crocs, RM Williams boots, Converse (Shaun), joggers, gumboots (Britt)
• Britt: 3 x tights, 1 x jeans, 1 x overalls
• Shaun: 2 x jeans, 4 x gym shorts, 2 x shorts

Backpack 1 (Kid Essentials) – more on this in our blog here

• 2 x Kids’ Yeti drink bottles
• iPad with Netflix & Disney downloads
• Yoto player & cards
• Riff Raff (Allie’s comforter)
• Max’s stuffed toys
• Headphones
• Scrapbook
• Instant print camera
• No mess colouring in textas and book
• Fidget toys ect

Backpack 2

• Lunch boxes with snacks (absolute essential, if you forget everything else- fine, but if you forget the snacks you’re in for a rough time)
• Lollies/lollipops for takeoff (ear pressure relief)
• 5 x nappies
• Wipes
• Nappy rash cream
• Spare set of clothes for each child + extra jumper for disembarking the plane

Backpack 3 (Tech bag)

• Drone
• Camera
• Laptop
• 2x AirPods
• Chargers: iPhone (x2), camera, laptop
• 2 x drink bottles
• Hand sanitiser

💡 What We’ll Buy There: Snow jackets, gloves, pants, skis/ snowboards (if we decide to go skiing), a couple of books and secondhand toys.

Game-Changer Gear: Travel Pram & Travel Cot

Travel pram

We got the Baby Zen Yoyo pram secondhand for $400 on Facebook Marketplace and it’s easily one of our best baby purchases we’ve EVER made. It folds down to fit into overhead storage on planes and allows for hands-free boarding. It fits between car seats, works on cruises, and we use it daily.

Port-A-Cot

This might just be the best travel hack…pack your nappies, noise machine, sleep suits and other baby sleep needs in the portacot (whatever will fit really as long as its not to heavy). Since most airlines allow port-a-cots, prams and carseats for free, make the most of it!

We have packed like this a few times now when travelling overseas and it has been a game changer to save space and weight in our luggage for other things.

Also, make sure to make the port-a-cot bed before you pack it away, add an extra mattress protector and sheets for any middle of the night accidents.

What we snuck in with our port-a-cot:

• White noise machine
• 3 days worth of nappies
• 2 x sleep suits
• Cot sheets
• Blanket

Bonus Tips When Travelling to NZ

✨Use vacuum compression storage bags for bulky items such as snow gear and puffer jackets

✨ PACKING CUBES – I can not recommend these more! They even come in compression style so you can make packing more compact, I got ours from Kmart.

✨ NZ sell Vegemite so no need to pack it 😛

✨Go to the dollar shop a get a handful of cheap new toys like the spinning suction toys for the aeroplane windows, fidget toys, wash off tattoos, pop tubes ect. This way the kids will have new toys to keep them entertained on the plane. More information on what to pack in your kids carry on here.
✨ Get kids to help pack, even if its just a couple of toys— it’s great for independence.
✨ Our 4 year old is loving a show on Netflix called “Story Bots” its all about common questions kids ask ie why is the sky blue, why can’t I eat dessert all the time, why do I have to brush my teeth ect. Our one year old loves Ms Rachel. Both of these shows can be downloaded on the iPad to watch offline. I also download games like Bimi Boo or colouring in to be played offline.

✨Sign up to your local library and download the apps like libby and borrow box for free e-books and audio books to read whilst you’re travelling instead of bulky physical books.

Save this for later or share with a fellow family who are planning to travel NZ!

Got a question about buying a motorhome in New Zealand or how much it cost to buy a motorhome in New Zealand? Send me a message or read more in the links – I’d love to help.

❤ Britt

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