Driving a campervan in New Zealand: Absolutely fantastic!
One of The Ultimate Motorhome destinations is New Zealand.
It is a country that is not densely populated, and the people that live there actually live concentrated in 3 mayor cities: Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. As far as Campervan Hire in New Zealand goes the first 2 cities are the most important, as they are the only New Zealand cities that have international airports. New Zealand Campervans companies are concentrated around these cities as most tourists arrive there. There are Motorhome Hire opportunities in some other places. They generally will provide you with good value, but you have to put in some extra effort to get there. When time is on the essence, it is not a good thing to do. Auckland is situated on the North Island, Christchurch on the South Island. There is a 3 hour ferry-ride between the islands.
With Campervan hire in New Zealand you can rent almost any size motorhome, from a small Popup Camper to a 6 berth Motorhome, there are also some Luxury Motorhome New Zealand rental options. So far we have not seen 5th Wheel Rental options, probably because large combinations like that are not the easiest to move around. There are hardly any Fifth Wheels privately owned. Everything in New Zealand is slightly smaller then it is the US, especially campgrounds are not as widely laid out. Check out our Motorhome Rental page to read more about choosing the vehicle that suits you best.
The best time to travel in New Zealand is from November till April.
That is summertime and both Islands are warm during that time of the year, but they are not hot. The maximum temperature you will have is 30 Celcius, but even that is very rare, usually the temperature does not go over 25. This provides a great traveling climate.
The rest of the year is cooler. The South Island usually gets very cold in winter, from July to September. Skiing is possible around Queenstown, and the whole mountain ridge that goes through the center of the island is covered in a good layer of snow.
The North Island is milder, usually there is some snow in the center of the island on some very high mountains, but the more to the north, the milder it gets. During the day it usually reaches 10 to 15 there, it can be a bit nippy at night.
This is very different from the weather in the other half of ‘down under’: Australia! Check out our pages about Australia to get more information.
New Zealand Campervan Hire Tips:
So when it comes to “Motorhoming” New Zealand, what do you have to take into consideration.
In summer, any vehicle will do. A toilet and shower are nice, but there are enough campgrounds where you can take a shower and public toilets are everywhere in New Zealand and they are clean. Campgrounds have communal kitchens, so cooking is no issue either.
In winter there is a difference between North and South island. The South Island is very cold, so you need to be prepared for that, especially if you are not staying near the coast. Make sure you have heating in the motorhome that can run without electricity, so without a hookup on a campground. So this means make sure you will have either gas or diesel heating for your living space. Otherwise you will not be able to heat your motorhome while having lunch or enjoying the views.
The North Island is milder, but you need a good heater during the night. If you are planning to stay on campgrounds (definitely smart out of season) you can have electric heating.
New Zealand Campgrounds to use with your Campervan:
There are 3 levels of campgrounds to be found in New Zealand. Which ones you will use depends on the level of luxury you prefer, as well as your itinerary. Sometimes you just need to go with what is available in a certain area.
First there are some top quality campgrounds that have all the amenities you may want. There are excellent toilet blocks and showers, usually swimming pool and good play facilities for children. The kitchens are large and have a lot of luxury with ovens and microwaves. And mineral pools if you are in the right area! These campgrounds are often close to cities and larger towns, and close to mayor tourist attractions. The prices range from 15 to 30 NZD a night per person.
The second group are the largest group of campgrounds and they range from simple to a bit luxurious. Usually they have good toilet and shower facilities and a kitchen. The level of luxury of the kitchen varies, but you can sit inside, cook on a normal stove and wash your dishes in the sink. These campgrounds can be found anywhere in New Zealand and are often owner-operated. The price range is from 5 to 20 NZD a person per night.
The third group of campgrounds are the natural campgrounds, usually operated by the Department of Conservation (DOC) or other local bodies. They only have simple toilets and sometimes no facilities at all, but are situated in the most beautiful parts of New Zealand, often near the coast. Most of these campgrounds have to be reserved beforehand by internet or phone, so that can be a bit difficult when you are touring. The fees are very low, most of the times a few dollars per party.
Free camping
Free camping is allowed in most areas in New Zealand. Only in densely populated areas and where ‘no camping’ signs are erected, camping is not allowed. Safety is something that has to be taken into consideration here. Although New Zealand is relatively a safe country to travel, it is also very remote in many places. So staying overnight in your Campervan in a dark area, far from other people, is not a smart thing to do. When you see other campers staying somewhere, it is definitely an option to join them. Make sure your Campervan Hire New Zealand experience stays a pleasant one!
Where to go with your New Zealand Campervan?
Motorhome Tours in New Zealand are depending on what your preferences are when it comes to holidays. Please visit our pages on specific areas to read more about the various destinations in New Zealand.