Mobile phones have quickly replaced home computers to become your main tool for gathering travel information — not only when planning but also while on the road.
The increase in app usage has led to a rise in the number of travel apps. But which ones should you download while planning your New Zealand motorhome adventure?
From cheap gas to special trails, weather forecasts to Māori language, and great rides to campgrounds — our top ten free travel apps will enhance your motorhome holiday around Aotearoa.
You can save money on fuel by using the Gaspy app which puts up-to-date fuel price information at your fingertips.
Let the app know your location and you’ll be able to view fuel prices closest to you. It’s highly user-friendly, with handy filters to choose:
In the current environment, prices can change within the hour. Gaspy gives you the opportunity to plan where you’ll fill up — but also to double-check that the price is still the cheapest when you’re nearby.
Download Gaspy from the App Store or Google Play.
Finding AdBlue Many modern motorhomes need diesel exhaust fluid, like AdBlue or GoClear, added every few thousand kilometres. Gaspy can help you quickly find nearby gas stations which sell AdBlue. Toggle between the list or map view. |
Is walking or hiking a popular pastime? If so, download this excellent free app developed by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC).
It’s an indispensable tool for researching and planning both short walks and long hikes throughout Aotearoa. The simple search function makes it easy to quickly find the hut, trail or campsite you’re looking for.
All of your essential planning information can be in one place on the app, including:
A key feature of the app is sharing information by commenting on tracks and reading others’ reviews.
Before heading on your next tramp, learn how to stay safe and familiarise yourself with New Zealand's local hiking etiquette.
Download Plan My Walk from the App Store or Google Play.
Getting to know and understand the culture of a country is one of the most rewarding aspects of travel. Culture includes language — and te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are the two official languages of New Zealand.
English is most widely spoken but learning some Māori will not only endear you to some of the locals, it’ll also help you understand some of the culture in New Zealand.
Kia Rere contains a range of interactive features including:
Download Kia Rere from the App Store or Google Play.
Being an island nation (or a nation of islands) means the weather in New Zealand can change very quickly.
The MetService app has a lot of useful info which is laid out in an easily digestible format. Allow location access while using it and you’ll receive up-to-date weather information about where you are. A few handy features include:
Another one-click feature involves tapping anywhere on today’s descriptive or pictorial forecast. Doing so will quickly bring across a right sidebar with a five-day forecast. Then, tap on this sidebar for a ten-day forecast in much more detail.
Take a look at our overview of New Zealand’s weather and seasons.
Download MetService from the App Store or Google Play.
If there’s one relatively large item that’s easy to take in and out of a motorhome’s rear garage, it’s a bike — or two. And that knowledge is what makes this app so great. Great Rides clearly:
Click on a ride and you’ll get a short description plus highlight points. Download the trail if you’re really interested and you’ll access some superb content, including:
You don’t need to plan a multiday ride just because many of these epic rides take more than a day. Simply utilise the app to access the trailheads and ride as far as the wind takes you.
Check out New Zealand's best day bike rides and our North Island bike tour itinerary. Download Great Rides from the App Store or Google Play.
Last-minute discounts can be a serious money saver for travellers. Bookme doesn’t exactly offer last-minute discounts as such — instead, you can search upcoming days and weeks for low prices on activities, eateries and tours.
Fancy dinner at a Wellington waterfront restaurant? Or jumping off a bridge strapped to a bungy cord? Whatever you might be planning on your New Zealand adventure, it’s worth downloading this free app and seeing what’s discounted along your route.
The easy-to-use Bookme app features a:
Download Bookme from the App Store or Google Play.
The Star Chart app is well-known worldwide for calculating the current location of every planet and star visible from Earth, in real time. The Southern Hemisphere night sky is quite different to north of the equator. Point your device at a certain star while using the app and find out what it is.
Star Chart has some amazing features like:
Download Star Chart from the App Store.
Although New Zealand doesn’t have many pesky wild creatures that could ruin your holiday, sandflies can be a real nuisance. They breed in running water so can be prolific near beaches, lakes, rivers and swamps.
Dusk and dawn are when the annoying sandfly has a ferocious appetite. But there are ways you can minimise, and even avoid, getting bitten.
This very simple community-based app is ideal to have on your phone if you get majorly affected by bug bites. It features a:
Download Sandfly Map from the App Store or Google Play.
For the latest surfing and beach conditions, get SwellMap Surf on your phone. The app will provide you with the latest atmospheric and oceanographic numerical models — forecasted four times daily.
Your surf holiday will be well planned with the SwellMap Surf app onboard. It features:
Download SwellMap Surf from the App Store or Google Play.
Your motorhome adventure around New Zealand wouldn’t be complete without an essential motorhome holiday park and freedom camping app.
The free CamperMate app helps give you the confidence to explore the country well off-the-beaten-track. It’s ideal for planning where you want to park up each night on your journey. With the app, you can:
Download CamperMate from the App Store or Google Play.
Another useful app for finding the right places to stay on your motorhome adventure is Rankers Camping NZ — where you can filter top-ranked reviews of what you're looking for.
Find out how to get a New Zealand campervan hire without road restrictions. |