Looking for the best New Zealand travel apps to download?
Here are seven I have downloaded before arriving back in NZ (there’s a bonus 8th app that doesn’t apply to me).
I’ve now added an extra three apps having discovered them after writing this post.
It’s not as if downloading these specific apps will be the decisive factor between you having an awesome time in New Zealand or not. But, they can definitely make travelling NZ easier in the right circumstances.
Background for this post: I just bought a new phone yesterday, and given that I’ll be heading back to New Zealand in the next week to travel all around the country I figure it’s the perfect time to write this post!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. CamperMate
2. WikiCamps
3. Maps.me
4. Skinny
5. grabaseat
6. Expenses App
7. Podcast App
8. NZTOPOS
9. NZeTA App
10. Gaspy
1. CAMPERMATE
Download: Play Store | Apple Store
If you’re planning to rent and or buy a campervan in New Zealand (or road trip in any fashion really), then you must have CamperMate. There’s a lot to love about this app:
- user reviews for campsites
- filters
- maps available offline
- has everything travellers need pinned, including drinking fountains
Definitely download this regardless of your situation. It’s one of the best apps for campervan life in NZ.
2. WIKICAMPS
Download: Play Store | Apple Store
This is my first time using this app, so I can’t give a fill recommendation but it seems very useful from my little time using WikiCamps. It’s true that most locations are listed on CamperMate but the search functionality for camping sites only makes life a lot easier for people like me who are going to using a tent often in NZ (maps available offline).
3. MAPS.ME
Download: Play Store | Apple Store
Maps.me really should consider me as an ambassador as I recommend the app every day (well nearly). So here I am again. You need to download Maps.me because even the reception across the country isn’t great, so while you might have some Skinny credit, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get reception.
You’ll need to download the maps beforehand so they’re available offline, but overall it’s one of the best hiking apps for NZ (my goto hiking GPS) and keeping track of where you are when hitchhiking/driving etc. out of reception.
p.s. Number 8 is a good hiking app too.
4. SKINNY MOBILE
Download: Play Store | Apple Store
If you’re planning to get a sim card in New Zealand there are a few main options, Skinny, Vodafone, and 2 Degrees. For 95% of you, Skinny Mobile is going to be the best sim card for you.
That doesn’t mean you’ll have an amazing deal in terms of data (it’s an NZ thing) so keeping an eye on how much you’ve got left using the app will keep you from blowing it all.
5. GRABASEAT
Download: Play Store | Apple Store
This is definitely an underrated site! If you’re in New Zealand and looking at a potential trip to Australia and the Pacific Islands for a short time, check in on Grab A Seat every morning. It’s a site from Air New Zealand that posts daily domestic deals, and a few times a week there’ll be international deals too. You can pick up some incredible deals! It only takes a few seconds to scroll through the options to see if any tickle your fancy.
6. EXPENSES APP
Download: Travel Budget | Trail Wallet
It only takes a look at the prices in NZ supermarkets to quickly discover that NZ is not the cheapest of destinations (you probably knew this already if you’ve looked at accommodation etc.) Therefore, I make sure to always track what I spend when in New Zealand as I find it helps me subconsciously control my spending on pointless things (e.g. excessive snacks).
When I had an iPhone, I was a big fan of the Trail Wallet app (paid), but unfortunately, it’s not supported on Android. I downloaded a bunch of apps when I switched to Samsung and settled on Travel Budget as my preferred expenses tracking app. And it’s free, yay.
7. PODCAST APP
Download: Play Store | Apple Store
Have you jumped on the podcast bandwagon yet? If not, New Zealand might be the place to do so if you’re on a nice leisurely stroll. I won’t always listen to podcasts when hiking solo (got to try and connect with nature and all the woo woo stuff) but have actively listened to them since 2014ish. They’re perfect for listening to while driving too.
When I had my iPhone, my preferred podcasting app was Overcast. Unfortunately, like Trail Wallet above, it’s not supported on Android so after testing a bunch, I settled on Podcast Addict as my app of choice.
8. NZTOPOS & NZTOPON
- NZTopo50N (Google Play | Apple)
- NZTopo50S (Google Play | Apple)
If you are planning on lots of multiday hikes in the South Island and North Island, you’ll want to own load these two topo maps (one for each item).
You do pay for them, but the levels of detail compared to the maps.me app above is crazy. And it’ll help you understand how steep the terrain is around you and what’s in store. Once you gone topo, you don’t go back.
READ MORE: 4 REASONS THIS NZ TOPO APP IS THE BEST
9. NZeTA APP (FOR YOUR VISA)
Do you need to apply for a visa before arriving in NZ as a tourist? Then you’ll need to learn about the NZeTA visa and apply for yours via the official Play Store or Apple app if neccessary.
10. GASPY
Download: Play Store | Apple Store
With so many people both road-tripping around NZ and feeling like gas companies are their worst enemy, this app works a treat. It’s all about crowdsourcing the latest gas prices at places around New Zealand and lists them all in an easy to use format.
When the difference between prices is like 15 cents a litre for places within a kilometre of each other you can save real money with this free app!
BEST NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL APPS CONCLUSION
As I said, downloading all these apps is 100% not necessary to enjoy most of the things to do in New Zealand. But, they certainly can improve them depending on your plans. Maybe you only need one or two? It’s up to you1
Let me know if you download any of these apps and they made your trip that tiny little bit better in some way. Or if I’ve missed one that I should consider, then let us know below!
That’s all you need to know about the best apps for New Zealand travel 🙂
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Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.