Coolers & Fridges
Coolers, chilly bins and portable fridges that keep food fresh and drinks cold, from the beach and the boat to the bach and long road trips. Our range is led by YETI and Dometic, alongside Coleman, with hard coolers, soft coolers, wheeled coolers and 12V fridge freezers.
Choose a hard cooler for multi-day ice retention, a soft cooler for picnics and day trips, a wheeled cooler for carrying big loads, or a portable fridge that runs off your vehicle for trips without ice. Anglers can keep their catch fresh in an insulated fish bag, and parts and accessories like baskets and dividers keep everything organised.
See coolers and fridges side by side at the Land & Sea concept store at 36 Pollen Street, Grey Lynn, or order online for tracked delivery to your door anywhere in New Zealand. Bigger coolers are easy to collect from Grey Lynn or our Westgate collection point at 4B Topere Way.
Frequently asked questions about coolers and fridges
Cooler or portable fridge - which do I need?
A cooler is simpler, needs no power and suits day trips, the beach, the boat and weekends where you can top up ice. A portable fridge runs off your vehicle's 12V supply, a battery or mains power, holds a set temperature without ice, and can even freeze, which makes it ideal for long road trips, remote camping and overlanding. Many people use a fridge for food and a cooler for drinks.
What size cooler do I need?
As a rough guide, a 15 to 25 litre cooler suits one or two people for a day, 35 to 50 litres covers a family day out or a weekend for two, and 60 litres or more suits family camping, fishing trips and longer adventures. Remember that ice takes up space too; for the best ice retention, around two parts ice to one part contents is often recommended, so allow room for it.
How do I make ice last longer in a cooler?
Pre-chill the cooler overnight with a bag of ice, fill it with cold food and drinks, and use plenty of ice, ideally block ice, which melts slower than cubes. Keep it full, as empty air space warms quickly, store it in the shade, and open it as little as possible. A separate drinks cooler stops the food cooler being opened constantly. Leaving some icy meltwater in helps keep contents cold.
What is a roto-moulded cooler?
A roto-moulded cooler is made by rotating a mould while the plastic melts, creating a single seamless shell with thick walls packed with insulation. This makes it extremely tough, almost impossible to break and far better at holding ice than a standard chilly bin. Combined with freezer-style gaskets and heavy-duty latches, roto-moulded coolers are built to last for many years of boats, utes and campsites.
Are premium coolers worth the price?
If you need ice to last more than a day, or you are hard on your gear, usually yes. Premium coolers keep ice for several days rather than hours, stand up to being dropped, sat on and bounced around in a ute or boat, and often come with long warranties. That means less ice to buy and less food wasted. For short picnics, a basic chilly bin or soft cooler may be all you need.
Can I stand or sit on a hard cooler?
Many tough hard coolers are built strong enough to stand or sit on, which makes them a handy seat at camp, a casting platform on a boat or a step up to the roof rack. Check the product details, as not all coolers are designed to take that load. Non-slip lids or add-on seat cushions make sitting more comfortable and safer, especially on a wet boat deck.
How do I clean a cooler and stop it smelling?
After each trip, empty the cooler, drain it, and wash it with warm water and mild soap or a little baking soda, paying attention to the gasket and drain plug. Rinse well and leave it to dry completely with the lid open before storing, which prevents mould and odours. For fishy smells, a soak with diluted white vinegar or baking soda usually does the trick. Store it with the lid ajar.
Do I need a fish bag or a cooler for my catch?
A cooler keeps fish cold and protects it, and is the best choice if you also need to carry bait, food and drinks. An insulated fish bag is designed specifically for long fish, lies flat on the deck, and folds away when empty, which saves space on smaller boats and kayaks. Many anglers use a fish bag for the catch and a cooler for everything else. Either way, keep your catch iced from the moment it is landed.