< Back to the blog

Must-Have Apps for Road Trip in NZ

Must-Have Apps for Family Road Trips in New Zealand

Family road trips in New Zealand are magical – whether you’re heading out for a winter weekend escape or doing a full-on summer Tiki Tour. But let’s be honest: there are a few essential apps you simply can’t travel without.

So which ones actually matter? These are our go-to apps we use every time we travel, from planning routes to finding secret spots and staying safe on the road.

  1. Google Maps (Online & Offline)

Undoubtedly the most important app of them all.

We use Google Maps daily – for work, checking addresses, navigating cities, and of course travelling. When it comes to road trips, there’s really no alternative. You get:

  • Turn-by-turn navigation
  • Opening hours
  • How busy a place is
  • Contact details
  • Reviews and nearby points of interest

Basically, everything you want to know before heading there.

The downside? It’s very online, network-dependent and data-hungry. In remote areas, it can simply stop working.

That’s why we always download offline Google Maps in our vehicles, just in case reception disappears. Offline mode isn’t perfect – it becomes a basic map, harder to read, limited detail when zoomed out – but it still gets you from A to B.

And let’s be honest: how many of us could navigate properly using an old-school paper map? Most travellers rely entirely on Google Maps. Without it, many would feel “lost”… but maybe that’s part of the adventure too 😉

  1. CamperMate & Rankers Camping NZ

Let’s face it – this is all about camping.

If you’re travelling New Zealand, these two apps are absolute essentials:

  • CamperMate
  • Rankers Camping NZ

They do very similar things, yet they’re also surprisingly different. Together, they cover almost everything a campervan traveller needs:

  • Campgrounds & freedom camping spots
  • Dump stations
  • Facilities & local tips
  • User reviews and photos

Some places are listed only in one app, others appear in both – and the reviews can differ. That’s why we always cross-check both apps. Think of them as a Wikipedia for wanderers.

Rankers used to be a paid app, and when we first bought it, it was honestly the best $20 we ever spent. Later we discovered CamperMate, which was free with a similar database. These days, both are free and equally useful – you just need to compare them.

  1. MetService – Weather You Can Trust

New Zealand is notorious for its “four seasons in one day” weather – and it’s not a joke.

I still remember travelling through the South Island in peak summer. One morning in Queenstown we woke up with the heater on full blast. We drove up to the Remarkables for the view… and it was snowing. The wind was so strong we could barely drive back down. By the afternoon, it was over 30°C, and we were cooling off with a swim in the lake.

Mountains change weather faster than you can add or remove layers.

Be prepared.

MetService is the only official, NZ-based weather service. It might not be everyone’s default app, but it’s ours. We rely on it because it shows:

  • Accurate local forecasts
  • Live cloud and rain radar
  • Fast-changing conditions

We often use it to simply move toward better weather.

  1. Stellarium – The Night Sky Bonus

We love the night sky. There’s something magical and otherworldly about it.

Southern Hemisphere skies are incredible, and you don’t need to be a professional astronomer, astrophotographer, or even a hobbyist to appreciate them. The night sky attracts everyone – always.

Stellarium makes it even better. Using your phone’s gyroscope, you just point it at the sky and see:

  • Constellations
  • Planets
  • Satellites
  • Objects invisible to the naked eye

There are many similar apps out there, but they all do roughly the same thing. Stellarium is simple, powerful, and perfect for turning a quiet evening at camp into something memorable – especially for kids.

With these apps in your pocket, you’re ready for almost anything – wrong turns, sudden weather changes, or a spontaneous overnight stop that turns into the highlight of the trip.

Use them as tools, not rules. Get lost a little, change plans often, and let the journey surprise you.

Planning your own family road trip? Explore our vans, routes, and travel tips – all designed to make life on the road easier for parents and more fun for little travellers.