A Month of Van Life in New Zealand: Simple Living, Shared Journeys, and Lasting Lessons

For a month, the two of us called a van home while we travelled through New Zealand. It wasn’t about chasing picture-perfect moments—it was about slowing down, spending more time outside, and learning to live simply. Along the way, we tested our new Temple Outdoor roll top backpack, carrying it from mountain trails to quiet lakeside camps.

Life on the Road

New Zealand lends itself to van life. Each day offered a new landscape, from rugged coastlines to alpine passes. Waking up meant sliding open the van door and stepping straight into fresh air—no schedule, just the next place waiting down the road.

The backpack quickly became part of our daily rhythm. Whether stuffed with food from a farmers’ market, gear for a long hike, or just the essentials for a night in a backcountry hut, it was reliable and easy to carry.

Keeping Things Simple and Sustainable

When you live in a van, space is tight and resources are limited. That reality makes you more thoughtful about how you use water, what food you buy, and what waste you create. We refilled bottles instead of buying plastic, cooked most meals ourselves, and tried to leave every campsite a little better than we found it.

Our roll top pack fit into that mindset—it’s built to last and adaptable, a piece of gear we didn’t have to think twice about.

Places That Stood Out

Some spots left a real mark on us:

• Doubtful Sound (Fiordland): Remote and quiet, surrounded by sheer cliffs and waterfalls. A place that makes you feel small in the best way.

• Tongariro Alpine Crossing: A tough but rewarding hike across volcanic terrain, where emerald lakes break up the stark landscape.

• Green Lake Hut (Te Urewera): Reaching this hut felt like stepping back in time—simple, remote, and shared with a few others who’d made the same effort to get there.

• Roy’s Peak (Wanaka): A popular hike for good reason. Starting before dawn, we reached the summit just as the first light hit Lake Wanaka.

These experiences reminded us why protecting these places matters.

Community on the Journey

Even though it was just the two of us, we rarely felt alone. Campsites and huts brought us into contact with other travellers, and people were quick to share food, advice, or simply a story. Locals, too, often offered small gestures—a smile, a wave, or a refill of water—that made the road feel welcoming.

What We Took Home

After a month on the road, the biggest lessons were straightforward: living with less is freeing, time outside changes your perspective, and community can be found almost anywhere. The gear we carried—like our roll top backpack—proved that durability and simplicity matter when you’re moving every day.

At Temple Outdoor, we make gear for exactly this balance: practical, built to last, and designed to make time outdoors easier. Whether you’re planning a month-long trip or just getting out for the weekend, there’s always value in slowing down and carrying only what you need.