A compact campervan for big Wellington weekends
Amelia’s brief was clear from the start: she wanted a compact campervan conversion built for quick weekend getaways from Wellington. The van had to be small enough to drive daily, easy to park around the city, but fully capable of supporting off-grid adventure — without any setup stress.
She chose a Nissan NV350 high-roof van, a vehicle known for its reliable size-to-function ratio. Not too long, not too bulky — just right for zipping out of town and parking beachside or off the beaten track.
No folding beds, no compromises
At the heart of this NV350 campervan conversion is one non-negotiable: a fixed full-size bed with a real Dometic home-style mattress. No couch cushions, no folding systems, no daily remakes — just turn up, open the door, and go to sleep. Comfort was key.
Cooking? That happens under the rear door, with a slide-out drawer system that holds a cooker and doubles as a food prep space. No clutter in the cabin — just easy access to gear where it matters, with the van itself acting as shelter when the weather rolls in.
Other essentials included a fridge, a decent water supply, solar power, and an awning — everything needed to stay off-grid for the weekend without compromise.
Built for simple adventure
The final result is an NV350 camper conversion that’s clean, uncluttered, and ready every weekend. The layout is built around the fixed bed, with full under-bed storage, soft lighting, and room for gear without making the space feel crowded.
The compact fridge keeps food cold on the road, while an onboard water tank and tap at the rear keep things simple. The kitchen drawer slides out easily, turning the rear of the van into a practical, weather-sheltered cooking zone.
Power comes from a roof-mounted solar panel, feeding into a 12 V battery system that runs lights, the fridge and charging ports. A side awning gives extra coverage outside, perfect for sunny days or damp mornings.
“Just Friday I throw a bag in the van and go. It’s comfy, self-contained, and doesn’t feel like a compromise at all — exactly what I wanted for spontaneous adventures.” — Amelia
Quick specs and features
|
Feature |
Spec |
|
Base vehicle |
Nissan NV350 high-roof campervan |
|
Layout |
Fixed full-size bed, rear-access kitchen, under-bed storage |
|
Mattress |
Full-size Dometic mattress |
|
Kitchen |
Rear slide-out kitchen drawer (outdoor cooking) |
|
Power |
12 V battery system, roof-mounted solar panel |
|
Fridge |
Compact 12 V fridge |
|
Water |
Onboard tank with rear access tap |
|
Extras |
Side awning, soft LED lighting |
|
Use case |
Weekend camper, daily driver, stealth-sized campervan build |
Ready to build your own compact Nissan campervan or NV350 adventure van? Talk to Vanlifer about your small van conversion.