The love affair started back in 2021 the moment we picked up the Jayco JRV Campervan from Christchurch. An actual dream come true, our very own van to call home and continue our New Zealand adventures in. There is something amazing about this country and they have worked pretty damn hard to make sure that it is road trip and van life friendly.
New Zealand is home to glaciers, mountains, lakes, rivers, incredible ocean views and a plethora of activities to keep you busy for years. The diverse landscapes quite literally changes at every turn and I swear still to this day, 7 years deep into living here, the words WOW leave my mouth multiple times an hour. From the tip top of Cape Reinga to the deep wild south coast of NZ, you are never far from adventure and travelling in a Campervan is the only way to see the pure beauty of this epic land.
Here are just five reasons why I LOVE our little Jayco.
To see more than we ever dreamed
Travelling in a van is freedom on wheels. Don’t just ask me, ask the hundreds of people you meet tripping around on four wheels. Your humble abode on wheels can take you pretty much anywhere in New Zealand and this country sure knows how to turn on the goods for adventure folk like us. We travelled up the East coast, hit ever y wave we could, hiked the Nelson Tasman ranges and spend time embracing everything van life threw at us. South coast sunrises, tropical paradises and windy gravel roads that lead to the most incredible Travelling in a van is freedom on wheels. Don’t just ask me, ask the hundreds of people you meet tripping around on four wheels. Your humble abode on wheels can take you pretty much anywhere in New Zealand and this country sure knows how to turn on the goods for adventure folk like us. We travelled up the East coast, hit every wave we could, hiked the Nelson Tasman ranges, and spend time embracing everything van life threw at us. South coast sunrises, tropical paradises, and windy gravel roads that lead to the most incredible destinations. You are on your own time when travelling in a campervan and the JRV setup made us feel right at home, comfortable, and ready for adventure every day!
To cook delicious food with a view
If you know anything about me you will know how much I love food. Food and travel are my two biggest passions and, now I can combine the two and cook up delicious culinary delights right here in the van. The Jayco JRV Campervan is equipped with a Dometic Two Burner Cooktop and Vitrifrigo 2-way 62L Fridge/Freezer, meaning we can keep all our goods fresh until it’s time to cook. The gas burner is so quick & efficient making pulling up anywhere to cook brekky, lunch or, dinner is easy. The storage unit under the cooktop and sink is huge and plenty big enough to stock up with food while on the road. We found that we only had to visit a supermarket every 4/5 days, and the gas burner enables us to be off the grid and cook in the wilderness.
To sip tea with the sunrise
I’m from the UK, a country proudly built on a good cup of tea, and no matter where I am in the world I take that good practice with me. Each morning I pull out the whistling kettle, fill it with water and wait for the sweet sound of a faint whistle ready to brew my tea. Rising with the sun is my newest habit and, I don’t think it’s a bad one to have, especially when your views are just this spectacular. Each morning I slide down to the back doors, fling them open and watch as the world wakes. Did you know that the East Coast of New Zealand is the first place in the world to see the sunrise? Pretty magic if you ask me.
To travel around our home
New Zealand roads are built differently. They are long, they wind, they climb and whoever made the roads here needs a big ol’ pat on the back for creating some of the most incredible, awe-inspiring tourist drives I have ever laid eyes on. From the wild west coast to the calming glacial lakes every turn is as good as the last. One day you can be driving through the mountains and the next following a dusty road down to a freedom campsite with the ocean right on your van doorstep. I still pinch myself after all these years that I get to call Aotearoa home, this land is just built for adventure.
To have ultimate freedom
Freedom… what is freedom? I think we all define this word differently but for me, it’s this. It is sunrise on the beaches, unlimited surf time, no plans, schedule, or set route. It is the ability to be off the grid for days on end but still have all the home comforts and everything you need to make your time easy and relaxing (Thanks JRV, you really do have it all) It is long days walking through the hills, summiting mountains, new playlists and feeling the summer breeze run through your hair as your pop the back doors open to let the day in. It’s a campervan, in fact, it is this campervan right here, that’s what freedom is for me.
Explore the FULL Jayco range here and find your next great escape.
Notes of a Northerner 