Experience all the incredible features of mother nature in one destination. New Zealand’s mountain scenery, quiet country towns and untouched forests are magnificent and have put the country on many travellers’ bucket lists. Are you after an adrenaline-fuelled adventure in Queenstown? Or would you prefer a cultural tour in Rotorua? Regardless of your interests, New Zealand has it all. Start comparing campervan rentals with VroomVroomVroom to make the most of New Zealand. We compare deals from the country’s top rental companies, including Apollo, Britz, Maui, Real Value and Jucy Rentals.
With a campervan, there is no struggling with suitcases and excess luggage. Unpack once, and enjoy more time on the road. Have all the experiences of camping in comfort since most campervans and motorhomes today come well-equipped. This type of vehicle is ideal for families and groups of friends as they are able to accommodate up to six people, meaning you can enjoy the beauty of New Zealand with the whole gang. There are hundreds of campsites and holiday parks all across the country, which makes it easy to find the perfect spot to park your campervan.
If you’re coming from the United States or Canada, take note that the term commonly used in New Zealand is campervan and not RV or motorhome. To find out how many people can fit in a campervan, check out its berth. A six-berth campervan means that six people can sleep on board comfortably. Other things to look for when searching a campervan rental include the type of transmission and fuel as well as rate inclusions.
Another thing to consider when hiring a campervan in New Zealand is availability and price. If you have a tight budget, avoid travelling during the summer season — which is between December and March — since rates often double up and vehicles get sold out. Prices usually drop during the winter season and you can still enjoy campervanning if you travel to warmer places in the North Island such as Auckland and Wellington.
There are three camping options in New Zealand: staying at a Department of Conservation (DoC) campsite, holiday park or freedom (or wild) camping. It is advisable to choose the first two options to avoid getting into trouble because there are strict rules to follow if you’d like to freedom camp. Click here for more information.
If it is your first time to hire a campervan in New Zealand, check out our rental information page.
The best way to experience New Zealand is by going on a road trip so we’ve shared our top three favourite scenic drives below.
Milford Road: A trip to South Island won’t be complete without getting a glimpse of the magnificent mountain coming out of the sea. If you drive non-stop, it will take you between four and five hours to reach Milford Sound from Queenstown and at least two hours from Te Anau. This road is your only access to this amazing tourist attraction.
East Coast Road Trip: For an epic road trip, you would need at least seven days to really enjoy and appreciate this scenic drive from Auckland to Napier. Enjoy a coastal journey and take time to explore the spectacular attractions along the way including the world-famous Cathedral Cove, Mount Maunganui and the Te Reinga Falls.
Lindis Pass: This scenic drive that lies between Cromwell and Omarama will take you around 40 to 60 minutes by car. Enjoy views of the tussock grasslands and mountains. Make sure to stop by the Lindis Pass Lookout for some sightseeing or even a little bit of hiking to one of the hills.
For more road trip ideas in New Zealand, click here.
You need to be at least 25 years-old to be able to hire and drive a campervan in New Zealand. However, there are a few companies that accept drivers age 18 and older so make sure to check the rental requirements.
As long as you can present a valid driver’s licence, you will be able to drive a campervan in New Zealand. If your licence has expired or not printed in English, it will not be accepted at the depot.
A campervan would either need petrol or diesel and you can filter your search on the type of fuel. Diesel is cheaper than petrol, but you would need to pay a road user charge so weigh your options before deciding.
There are limitations as to where you can camp your campervan in New Zealand. Freedom or wild camping is legal, but you can only stay in campsites or campgrounds that allow camping.
Majority of the campervans that rental companies offer are automatic, but they also offer manual. You can filter the transmission in your search to choose which one you are more comfortable with.
