Having the right apps and tools for your New Zealand road trip makes all the difference. They save time, reduce stress, and help you discover incredible spots you might otherwise drive right past.

We’ve been travelling New Zealand’s North Island for 7 weeks now, and these are the apps we actually use daily to plan accommodation, sightseeing, and all the little kid-friendly stops in between.

Honestly? I wish I had this list when we first started. It would have saved me hours of research (which means more time I can spend with the kids to enjoy this beautiful country).

So here’s our 2025 updated guide — no outdated info, just what’s working for us right now!

🧭🌤️ Navigation & Safety

• Google Maps – The backbone of our trip. I save every spot to a custom “Favourites” list so we have everything saved in one place. For example if a local says to visit a certain spot, I can save it to google maps so I don’t forget instead of just saving it in my notes and forgetting about it.

• MetService Weather – A must for NZ’s changing conditions. It helps us decide whether that hike or beach day is actually happening.

• NZ Snow Map – Handy if you’re heading south in winter. Tracks snowfall across both islands.

• RRA App – Roadside Assistance. We’ve already needed it once (worth every cent).

• Roady – This $20 app has been so worth it. It led us to gems like Cathedral Cove, Russell, and Mount Maunganui — places we now call favourites.

🏕️🔥 Camping & Accommodation

• WikiCamps NZ – Our go-to for free and paid campsites, water points, toilets, and dump stations.

• CamperMate – Similar to WikiCamps, but worth cross-checking so you don’t miss hidden gems. Both have reviews, but many are outdated — take them with a grain of salt.

Note: There are also apps like Rankers Camp which shows DOC camp ground but we don’t use this (yet, anyway).

📱🤳 Staying Connected

• One NZ – We started here with an eSIM. Coverage was solid, but we ran out of data fast.
• Spark – Our current plan: $90/month for unlimited data, calls (including overseas), and texts. For $45 extra, Shaun gets a companion line with the same perks plus Spotify Premium at no extra cost.
• Up Bank – No international transaction fees (unlike our Aussie Westpac cards). Quick transfers, set up online in minutes.

📺🎶 Entertainment for the Whole Family

• Netflix & Disney+ – Download before long drives or patchy signal zones.
• Audible – Great for road trip audiobooks (both kids and adults).
• Spotify – Not just music — we love the Disney Storytime playlist for our 4 year old.
• Apple Podcasts – Shaun and I use this daily. Perfect for long drives when the kids are asleep — like a little date in the car.
• Goodreads – Track what we’ve read and get recs.
• YouTube – Our go-to creators: Flying the Nest, Kara and Nate, Sailing La Vagabonde, Kinging It, Karstan & Maxine, As We Wander, Haylsa, Back 2 Basics Adventures, and B2B Castaways.
• Kid-friendly apps (ages 2–4) – Max loves Bimbi Boo Preschool Games, Reading Eggs, and Bimbi Boo Drawing.
• Yoto Mini Player – A lifesaver for screen-free stories and music.

👉 Tip: Don’t rely on hotspots — download episodes or playlists before hitting the road.

📸🎞️ Social & Memory Keeping

• Instagram – Not just for sharing, but also for discovery. Search a location → click “Places” → instant map + photo references.
• Facebook – Mainly for family updates (hello, grandparents).
• TikTok – Honestly better than Insta for travel tips — people share way more detail.
• Dazz Cam – For retro film-style photos.
• Instagram Edits App – Quick reels with text overlays and fun effects.
• Lightroom – My one-stop editing app.
• Google Photos / iCloud – Automatic backups are non-negotiable.
• Once Upon – Makes photo books so easy. I update mine quarterly and order a hard copy each year.

👉 Tip: Turn on auto-backup. You’ll thank yourself later.

👩🏼‍💻⛽️ Budget & Admin

• Waitomo + Caltex Apps – Many petrol stations are self-serve. These apps let you pay at the pump.
• Gaspy – Finds the cheapest fuel nearby.
• TimeTree – Our shared family calendar. Keeps life admin under control (because that stuff doesn’t just disappear when you travel).

🏃🏼‍♀️ Exercise & Movement

• Peloton – Still use it for Pilates & strength training even without my exercise bike.
• Strava – Shaun and I track runs here and discover local trails.

Final Thoughts

There are thousands of apps out there, but these are the ones we’ve road-tested through the chaos of full-time travel with kids — and they passed.

If you’re planning your own NZ family adventure, start here. These apps will save you time, stress, and a whole lot of “are we there yet?”

👉 Want to see how we put these apps into action? Check out our 7-Day Coromandel Itinerary for a sample route!

❤ Britt
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