You might think it’s no sweat to get a solid night’s sleep while travelling—until your back’s stiff, the sun’s up at 5:30, and the birds outside are staging a full-volume dawn chorus. Campervan trips make it easier to stay in beautiful places longer, but scoring a campervan hire NZ residents recommend is just half the battle. You’ll need to plan a little more carefully if you actually want to sleep well while you’re out and about.
Luckily, with the right setup and a few mindful habits, your nights on the road can be just as enjoyable as the days. Whether you’re in a remote Department of Conservation (DOC) site or a powered campground, these tips will help you wake up rested and ready to go:
1) Level Your Van
You’ll notice quickly that even a slight tilt in your parking spot can mess with your sleep. It’s a seemingly small detail that affects your comfort more than you think. That’s because your body notices when your head’s lower than your feet, or when you keep sliding to one side of the bed. Use levelling blocks if you have them, or take the time to find flat ground before you commit to a spot. Trust us: it’s worth the extra few minutes before sunset.
2) Control the Light
Curtains, window covers, or reflective panels do more than just keep you hidden from view. They’re also key to keeping out early morning sun and trapping warmth on cold nights. In summer, a good blackout setup can help you sleep through a 6:00 AM sunrise. In cooler months, you’ll definitely want more insulation. If your van doesn’t come with built-in covers, pack a few extras that fit snugly—it pays off.
3) Take Steps to Block Out Noise
Even in the middle of nowhere, you might find yourself wide awake thanks to a nearby river, wind through the trees, or a bird that’s decided 4:00 AM is showtime. And in more populated spots, you’re dealing with snoring neighbours, early risers, or late-night chatter.
A pair of foam earplugs or a white noise app can take the edge off. You might not block every sound, but you’ll at least keep your sleep from getting totally derailed.
4) Treat the Weather Like It’s Part of the Bed Setup
Hot, cold, humid, or breezy—New Zealand doesn’t hold back when it comes to overnight temperature swings. A perfectly fine day can turn into a chilly night in the mountains, or a still evening can turn muggy fast if you’re parked near the coast.
Crack a window open for airflow (bug screens help), add thermal layers when needed, and keep a fan or extra blanket on hand. You won’t always nail it, but being ready for the shift makes all the difference.
5) Upgrade Your Bedding
A mattress is technically a bed, but that doesn’t mean it’s sleep-ready. Bringing in a mattress topper, packing your own pillow, or using bedding that breathes well can turn an average night into a great one. You don’t have to splurge; just think about what would help you feel more at home. That little bit of extra cushioning goes a long way when you’re waking up in a new place every morning.
6) Keep Your Van Clean and Clear
Clutter isn’t just annoying. It also messes with your head when you let it pile up. When your sleeping area doubles as your dining room and storage cupboard, it’s easy to feel like you're always one step away from chaos.
Give everything a place and get into the habit of clearing your bed space before you settle in. Tidying up quickly before dark helps your brain wind down faster, and it makes mornings smoother too.
7) Have a Set Wind-Down Routine
When you’ve spent all day exploring, it’s tempting to crash out the second you’re done with dinner, but it’s worth doing a little wind-down routine to tell your body it’s time to switch off. That might involve stretching, reading, sipping tea, or stargazing from your back door.
The point is to slow down. Even ten minutes of calm before sleep can help you actually rest, not just pass out.
8) Don’t Hang Out Where You’re Going to Sleep
It’s tempting to lounge around in bed all day when the views are good and the weather’s iffy, but doing this might make your sleep setup feel more like a worn-out couch than a proper bed once it’s time to crash.
If your van has a convertible space, set clear zones: one for relaxing or eating, one for sleeping. Keeping your bed space as fresh as possible during the day makes it feel like a reset when it’s time to turn in.
Sleeping well on the road doesn’t mean you need to shell out a fortune. All it takes is a bit of prep and a camper that’s set up right. Sort out the small stuff early, and you’ll spend less time tossing and more time actually enjoying where you’ve parked for the night.
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