🎒 Packing Essentials for Digital Nomads & Vanlifers

When your campervan is both home and office, every item you pack has to earn its place. As digital nomads and full-time travellers, we’ve learned through experience what’s essential, what’s nice to have and what ends up just taking space.

Here’s our go-to packing guide for vanlifers and remote workers filled with practical tools, comfy extras and smart tech that keeps you connected, creative and clutter-free.

💻 Must-Have Tech for Remote Work

Reliable tech is the heartbeat of any digital nomad setup. Here’s what we use daily to stay productive on the road:

• Lightweight Laptop – Choose something with good battery life and a compact charger.
• Portable Power Bank – For days when you’re off-grid or need backup charging.
• USB Charging Hub – Multi-device charging with fewer cords.
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones – Game-changer for working at campgrounds or shared spaces.
• Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse – Helpful if your laptop ergonomics aren’t ideal.
• Laptop Stand – Elevates your screen to reduce neck strain.
• HD Webcam & Mic (optional) – For client calls or content creation.
• External SSD – For backups, photo storage or editing files on the go.

🌐 Staying Connected

Staying online is easier than ever but it helps to have a few tools in your digital toolbox.

• Mobile Router or Pocket Wi-Fi – We use Wireless Nation in Aotearoa for consistent coverage across campgrounds.
• SIM Card or eSIM – Airalo is great for short-term travel or switching between countries.
• VPN (Virtual Private Network) – Surfshark VPN protects your connection on public Wi-Fi, lets you stream from home and stops trackers in their tracks.

💡 Surfshark also blocks ads, protects your location and works on unlimited devices — perfect for vanlife couples or digital teams.

🛏️ Comfort & Daily Living Essentials

It’s not all about work! Comfort and practical gear make long-term travel sustainable and enjoyable.

• Packing Cubes – Keep clothing organised by category (or person!)
• Quick-Dry Towels – Lightweight and fast to dry after lakes, showers or beach dips.
• Reusable Water Bottles & Filter Jug – Stay hydrated without waste.
• Headlamp or Rechargeable Lantern – For cooking or walking at night.
• Multi-Tool or Swiss Army Knife – From wine bottles to loose screws.
• Collapsible Bucket – For dishes, laundry or filling water tanks.
• 20Litre bucket with lid – we use this for our dish water, so we don’t smell it coming up though the plug holes and it’s easy to empty at local dump stations. Plus, doubles as a footrest when I’m sitting at the dining table working or watching TV.
• Shower Bag – Holds everything for public or campground showers.
• Games – Deck of cards is always a winner

🍳 Kitchen Gear for the Road

Cooking in a van can be simple — if you’ve got the right tools.

• Two-Burner Stove- Most campers have gas cooking facilities. If you need more, you can always buy a portable gas cooker at Mitre 10 or Bunnings.
• Non-Stick Frying Pan & a few good size pots
• Kettle or French Press or AeroPress – For great coffee wherever you park.
• Collapsible Water Bottles – We always keep a 10-litre bottle handy incase needed
• Chopping Board & Sharp Knife – Of course cutlery, melamine or stainless-steel crockery
• Reusable Containers & Beeswax Wraps
• Dishwashing Kit – Collapsible tub, biodegradable soap, sponge and tea towels.

📝 Note: Aotearoa-New Zealand is a small country and you’ll find shops in almost every town if you need supplies. Kmart and The Warehouse are affordable options and you’ll also discover some excellent second-hand shops and bargains on Marketplace.

📷 Content Creation & Travel Tools

If you’re creating content, working with clients or just capturing memories, these come in handy:

• DSLR or Compact Camera – Or just your phone with good editing apps.
• Tripod / Mini Flexible Mount – For filming, Zoom calls or selfies.
• Drone (if you use one) – Don’t forget to check local regulations.
• Notebook & Pen – Sometimes the best ideas hit offline.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Living and working from a campervan is freeing — but space is precious. What you pack needs to serve multiple purposes or bring real value to your daily life.

This list has been shaped by real-world travel, and if there’s one digital tool we wouldn’t go without, it’s a reliable VPN. Without strong online security, there’s no business to run if something gets hacked. We use Surfshark to protect our privacy, book flights safely, and feel secure while working from libraries, cafés, and campgrounds.

🔗 Keep Exploring

• Browse our Vanlife Series for more practical tips
• Check out Planning an Extended Stay in NZ for visa and lifestyle advice
• Visit our Journey Planner Page for recommended apps, gear, and booking platforms

🌍 Travel Planning Resources

These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.

• ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
• 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
• 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
• 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
• 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
• 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
• 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
• 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
• 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
• 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
• 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.

🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.