Great value rentals from New Zealand’s most trusted campervan hire providers
Find the perfect motorhome and campervan hire in Nelson for your New Zealand road trip. VroomVroomVroom compares great deals in locations across the country. Our simple search engine will generate a list of all available RV and camper rentals in Nelson, comparing top brands such as Apollo, Britz, Maui and Jucy. This will save you time from checking out different websites as you can see all available campervan rentals in Nelson.
Rich in stunning scenic views, popular for its vibrant local arts scene, and famous for high sunshine hours; Nelson is a great place to hire a campervan. Whether you want to stay near the city centre or by the beach, you'll have tons of attractions to choose from: unique galleries and museums, three popular national parks to hike, beautiful white sand beaches to take a dip in, 25 award winning wineries to taste test, and 50 of the best mountain biking tracks in New Zealand to shred. To find out about more incredible places to visit in Nelson by RV rental, check out our Nelson Guide.
Tahuna Beach Kiwi Holiday Park. Enjoy the sun, sand, and sea during your camping holiday in Nelson when you stay at Tahuna Beach Kiwi Holiday Park and Motel because of its superb location near the pristine Tahunanui Beach. There is a wide range of accommodation to choose from to suit every traveller's budget – from campsites and cabins to motel units. There are plenty of recreational facilities including a basketball court, mini golf course, and playgrounds to keep guests occupied throughout their stay.
Nelson City Holiday Park. The perfect base to explore Nelson, Abel Tasman National Park, and Golden Bay is Nelson City Holiday Park because of its central location. It is just a few minutes away from amazing attractions including Natureland Zoo, The Nelson Market, and Founders Heritage Park. They offer an array of accommodation ranging from small tents to spacious living units. The holiday park has a TV room which also has internet and Skype for those who want to get in touch with their loved ones back home.
Richmond TOP 10 Holiday Park & Motel. If you are a shopaholic, then you will love the Richmond TOP 10 Holiday Park & Motel because the new mall is just 5 minutes away on foot. You can also hop in your campervan hire and have a short drive going to the downtown area and visit some of the main attractions in the city including the Jubilee Park, Saxton Sports Field, and The Aquatic Centre. The Qualmark 4-star rated property offers powered sites, cabins, motel rooms, and self-contained unites.
The Barn Backpackers and Campground. Harvey Rd, Marahau. Friendly spot, closest to the Abel Tasman National Park. Closest accommodation to the Abel Tasman National Park, this friendly backpackers and campground has a relaxed vibe. Two kitchen areas,large deck with pool table, outdoor fireplace, sea views and children's playground.
Head to Marahau, gateway to the beautiful Abel Tasman Park, where you can tramp or sea-kayak. Park the camper at The Barn Backpackers and Campground. Many of the activities in the Abel Tasman involve overnights, but you can easily do day trips, using water taxi services to move you quickly from point to point, if you don't want to be away from your campervan.
Check out sunspots along the coast such as Motueka, Pohara and Kaiteriteri beach. The colours are stunning in this part of New Zealand; the sand really is golden, and the water aquamarine.
Hops are a favourite Nelson region export. Check out craft breweries, such as Liquid Alchemy, and The Hop Foundation Brewery.
Mountain bike the Heaphy Track, in Kahurangi National Park during the winter months.
Get a feed of smoked mussels or fish and chips at The Smokehouse on Mapua Wharf. If it is Friday night, take them across the road to the Rimu Wine Bar, and eat them with a glass of local Riesling and listen to some live music.
On hiring a campervan in Nelson
Unlike when hiring a rental car, people tend to book a campervan a bit further in advance, and there are a few reasons for this.
When you’re hiring a campervan, you’re not simply hiring something with four wheels to buzz around a city for a few days, instead you’re hiring a vehicle that you could well be living in for days, weeks, or even months. As such, people tend to have far more specific needs — some may require a certain number of berths, perhaps an onboard kitchen, or more comfortable living space. All this means that doing your research to find the right campervan for you can pay off handsomely — but it also means that supply is more limited. When supply is limited, it is a good idea to book as far in advance as possible so that you know that the campervan you need will be waiting for you when you arrive.
With this in mind, while it isn’t unusual for people to book a hire car the day before they need it, with campervans, people often book their vehicle months in advance. So our advice to you is if you’re planning to rent a campervan, start researching today, and when you find the right campervan for you, book it!
One more point, another way campervan rentals differ from regular cars, is that bookings are not instant. Once you make a campervan booking it will need to be approved by the provider. Yet another reason not to leave your campervan rental until you’re sitting in the airport boarding lounge.
If you’re new to campervans and not sure where to start, please give our campervan rental information page a read as it explains many of the basics you’ll need to know to make an informed decision.
We could start off by telling you that a typical customer hiring a campervan in Nelson tends to look at campervans with two or four berths (including a toilet and shower). This isn’t really all that helpful though, as they type of campervan you should hire in Nelson depends very much on the type of campervan you — rather than a typical customer — needs. Consider the following questions:
How big is your travel group? What is your budget? What facilities do you need — or not need? Where are you planning to go? How long for? Knowing the answers to these questions — and plenty more — is the best way to make sure the campervan you hire in Nelson is the right one for you.
Solo travellers or couples might find a compact campervan to be more than enough, while families — especially those with young kids — or larger groups might prefer a more spacious motorhome with multiple sleeping areas.
Next, consider the facilities you need and the facilities you want. These might sound the same, but they are very different! Basic campervans often include a bed and simple cooking gear, while more luxurious options feature kitchens, bathrooms, and comfortable bedding. For example, if you’re planning on camping, perhaps paying the extra for comfortable beds isn’t really necessary, but if you’re not even packing a tent, then the extra expense required to get more comfortable beds might be a smart choice.
Where you’re going also matters. If you’re planning to just potter around Nelson and its immediate surrounds, then you could probably get away with a standard campervan. That said, if you’re planning to drive from Nelson to Auckland — or Dunedin — something more spacious would be a sound investment.
Think about your budget, as campervans vary in cost depending on size, amenities, and rental duration, and while shortening the length of your trip might bring different options within your budget, spending more to get a bigger van may mean you’ll spend even less on hotels. Either way, do the math!
In conclusion, when you’re booking a campervan for pickup from Nelson, it pays to be honest when considering what you need versus what you want, along with what fits with your budget and overall travel plans. It’s the best way to maximise your chance of getting the perfect campervan for you.
For most rental caravan providers, the minimum age to rent a campervan is the same as for car rentals — 21 years of age. Depending on the campervan rental supplier, those under 21 may only be able to rent certain vehicles. Double check with the campervan rental provider to see what their specific requirements are.
In most cases, you won’t need to present a special type of licence to rent a campervan — you’ll only be asked to present your standard and valid full driving licence. Keep in mind that a probationary, learner permit, or provisional licence are not accepted for campervan hire. If your licence is in a language other than English, you’ll need to provide an International Driving Permit in conjunction with your valid licence. If you’re unsure as to whether your licence will be accepted, you should contact your prospective campervan provider prior to booking.
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