5 things I thought I'd hate about campervan travel (and what actually happened)
Katie Hurst has spent years exploring New Zealand by campervan and knows that first-time campervan road trips come with plenty of questions. In this blog, she reflects on her own early doubts – from driving worries to sleeping in a small space – and shares what actually happened once she hit the road. If you're on the fence about hiring a campervan, her honest take might just give you the nudge you need.
I’ll admit it – when I booked my first campervan hire, I was curious but cautious. I loved the idea of the open road, waking up beside lakes and beaches, and setting my own pace. But I also had questions. Was I really going to be comfortable living out of a compact mobile space for a week? Would I sleep well? Would I even be able to drive the thing?
Social media makes van life look effortlessly idyllic – morning coffee with mountain views, perfectly parked vans in remote bays, and people who somehow look fresh after days without a proper bathroom. It’s inspiring, but it also sets the bar high.
So I went into that first trip with a mix of excitement and hesitation. And what I found was that the things I worried about most weren’t problems at all. Here are five things I thought I’d struggle with – and the unexpected ways they turned out to be highlights.
I thought I'd hate the lack of space and privacy
Expectation:
Before the trip, I was genuinely unsure how two people (plus all our stuff) were going to live comfortably in a campervan for a week. I imagined it feeling cramped and chaotic – like sharing a tent, but with a fridge and wheels. I worried about bumping into each other constantly, having no personal space, and nowhere to retreat when I needed a moment alone. The idea of always being ‘on’ didn’t sound very relaxing.
Reality:
The reality was completely different. I was surprised by how cleverly designed our campervan was – everything had its place, and the layout made it feel much more spacious than I expected. Comfy seats, smart storage, and even the option to set up an awning outside gave us flexibility and room to breathe. We naturally fell into a rhythm: outside during the day, winding down inside in the evenings. New Zealand’s incredible landscapes quickly became our lounge, dining room, and reading nook all in one.
Having our own bathroom on board made a huge difference too – not just for comfort, but for privacy. Most Apollo vehicles in New Zealand come with a bathroom, which means no dashing across a campsite in the middle of the night or awkwardly queueing in jandals. And for downtime? Curtains or window coverings helped us feel like we had our own little sanctuary, even when parked near others.
Top tip:
If you’re travelling with someone, build in little pockets of solo time – like taking a walk while the other cooks dinner, or listening to music with headphones while parked up for the night. It’s amazing how even 20 minutes of ‘me time’ makes the shared space feel easier.
I thought driving a big vehicle would be stressful
Expectation:
Before the trip, I was more nervous about the driving than I wanted to admit. I hadn’t driven anything bigger than a hatchback, so the idea of handling a campervan – especially on narrow rural roads or in busy towns – felt pretty intimidating. I worried about scraping it on something, holding up traffic, or just feeling completely out of my depth behind the wheel. And then there was the thought of long stretches of highway driving and how tiring that might be.
Reality:
Turns out, campervans are much easier to drive than I expected. After a quick practice run around the block, I felt surprisingly confident. Most Apollo rentals include a full walkthrough before you hit the road, with tips on how to manage the size, use the mirrors, and reverse safely (mine even had a reverse camera – lifesaver).
Outside of major cities, New Zealand roads are generally quiet – especially midweek or outside peak season – and we found the slower pace actually made the whole trip feel more relaxed. There were heaps of places to pull over, take breaks, and snap photos, which broke up the driving nicely.
Auto-transmission also helped keep things simple, and before long, I wasn’t even thinking about the size of the vehicle anymore. The road trip became less about the logistics and more about the journey (that one use of the word – promise!).
READ MORE: Is it hard to drive a campervan in NZ?
I was dreading finding overnight parking
Expectation:
Before the trip, I pictured myself aimlessly driving around at dusk, tired and hangry, desperately trying to find a legal and safe spot to park. I’d heard all the cautionary tales – fines for parking in the wrong place, being moved on in the middle of the night, or ending up squished in a carpark next to a noisy highway. I assumed overnight parking would be one of the most stressful parts of the whole campervan experience.
Reality:
It turned out to be one of the easiest. Between Apollo’s helpful guides and using the thl Roadtrip app, I had plenty of options at my fingertips – from well-equipped holiday parks to peaceful DOC campgrounds, and even some free campsites with million-dollar views.
In peak season, I’d book a night or two in advance, especially in popular areas, but outside the busy periods, we were able to stay flexible and plan as we went. It actually became something I looked forward to each afternoon – checking the app, choosing a spot that suited our mood (beach? forest? lakefront?), and knowing we had everything we needed with us.
I expected to sleep poorly and miss the comforts of home
Expectation:
I’ll be honest – I didn’t have high hopes for sleep. I pictured a thin, fold-out mattress, strange campsite noises, light pouring in at sunrise, and a general sense of discomfort. I expected to miss my bed, my couch, even my kitchen. Basically, all the familiar little things that make home feel like home.
Reality:
I was genuinely surprised by how comfortable the bed was. Many motorhomes – including ours – come with proper mattresses and blackout blinds, which made a big difference. I slept better than I expected, often lulled to sleep by the sounds of a nearby river or waves in the distance.
It helped that we brought a few creature comforts – a soft blanket from home, cosy PJs, and my favourite pillow. Those small touches turned the camper into something that felt more personal and relaxing. Evenings were slower and simpler – a book, a chat, maybe some stargazing – and without all the usual distractions, I actually found I slept more deeply than I had in weeks.
Top tip:
Pack like you’re going on a comfy weekend away – not a survival mission. A couple of familiar items from home can go a long way in making your camper feel like your own little retreat on wheels. Bonus: nothing beats making your morning coffee with a lake view.
I thought I’d struggle with keeping the temperature comfortable
Expectation:
This was a big one for me. I was sure I’d be freezing at night or overheating during the day – maybe both in the same 24 hours. I imagined a stuffy little space that held onto heat in summer and turned icy as soon as the sun disappeared. I’d heard stories of condensation dripping from the ceiling and waking up with cold feet and a foggy camper.
Reality:
What I didn’t realise was how well-equipped modern campervans actually are. Ours had a built-in diesel heater that kept things toasty, even during a frosty morning in the mountains. And on warmer days, we opened the windows for airflow and used the insect screens to keep things fresh without letting the bugs in. Some campervans also come with a shade awning, which makes a huge difference on sunny afternoons.
We also picked a season that worked for us – spring – which meant mild days and crisp, clear nights. Layering clothes, parking in the right spot, and taking advantage of campsite amenities (hello hot showers and shared kitchens) made it all feel easy and comfortable.
Top tip:
If you’re worried about temperature, check whether your camper comes with heating and good ventilation before you book. A few smart adjustments – and knowing when to throw on an extra layer – made the whole experience much more enjoyable and helped us settle into the natural rhythm of life on the road.
The final verdict
Looking back, most of the things I was worried about never really happened – or if they did, they were far less of a big deal than I’d imagined. The space felt comfortable, driving wasn’t stressful, and I slept better than I do at home some nights. What I thought would be challenges ended up being part of what made the trip so memorable.
Hiring a campervan turned out to be one of the best travel decisions I’ve made. It gave me a new sense of confidence, connected me with nature in a way that no hotel ever could, and created the kind of memories that stick with you long after the trip ends – early morning swims, quiet evenings under the stars, and the joy of changing plans on a whim.
If you’re on the fence about giving campervan travel a go, I say do it. Whether it’s a weekend escape or a full-blown New Zealand road trip, the flexibility is part of the magic. The route might change, the weather might surprise you, but the journey? Always worth it.
Ready to give it a go?
If you’ve been wondering whether campervan travel is really for you, hopefully this has shown that it’s not just doable – it’s one of the most rewarding ways to see New Zealand. Whether you're planning a short escape or a longer road trip, it gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, stay closer to nature, and make the journey just as memorable as the destination. Book your Apollo campervan online today and start planning your own roadie – you might be surprised by how quickly the open road wins you over.