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Hit the road for less this summer. For two weeks only, save 20% with Indie Campers and 17% with roadsurfer – plus great savings from a range of local suppliers. Book now, travel later, and explore New Zealand your way before the sale ends!
Choose your Campervan:
- Popular tourist destinations
- Depot locations
New Zealand, an island nation known for its surreal beauty and natural wonders, offers a plethora of destinations that are a dream for campervan travellers.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is often dubbed the adventure capital of the world. From bungee jumping off the Kawarau Bridge to jet boating on the Shotover River, the adrenaline-pumping activities are endless. But for those seeking a more relaxed experience, the town also offers world-class wineries and breathtaking views of the Remarkables mountain range.
The Coromandel Peninsula, with its pristine beaches and native bush, was a highlight of my trip. The famous Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own hot pool from the springs beneath the sands, was a unique experience. The Cathedral Cove, accessible only by foot or boat, showcased nature's artistry with its gigantic archway and golden sands.
Driving into Fiordland National Park, I was greeted by the stunning beauty of Milford Sound. With its towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and serene waters, it's no wonder Rudyard Kipling called it the "eighth wonder of the world". One of the most popular holiday parks and a World Heritage Site is a haven for hikers, with trails that offer panoramic views of the fjords and lush rainforests.
Rotorua, with its bubbling mud pools, hissing geysers, and steaming thermal springs, felt like another planet. The rich Maori culture of the region added another layer to its charm. Experiencing a traditional Maori haka performance and feasting on a hangi (a meal cooked using heated rocks buried in a pit oven) was a cultural treat.
The Bay of Islands, with its 144 islands and turquoise waters, was a sailor's dream. Cruising around the bay, spotting dolphins, and anchoring at secluded coves was an experience I'll cherish forever. The historic Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, provided a glimpse into New Zealand's past.
Travelling through New Zealand in a campervan allows you to immerse yourself in the country's natural beauty and cultural richness. Every turn brings a new adventure, and every destination will leave an indelible mark.
As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland offers a unique mix of vibrant city life and easy access to nature. Built around two harbours and dotted with volcanic cones, it’s a great starting point for a campervan journey. You can explore bustling waterfront precincts, enjoy diverse food scenes, or take a short drive to nearby beaches and regional parks. From ferry trips to Waiheke Island to panoramic views from Mount Eden, Auckland strikes a remarkable balance between urban convenience and outdoor adventure.
Known as the “Garden City”, Christchurch is a place of resilience and renewal. Wide streets, green spaces, and a strong creative spirit make it an enjoyable stop for campervan travellers. The city’s botanic gardens provide a peaceful break from the road, while nearby destinations like Banks Peninsula and the Southern Alps are easily accessible. Christchurch feels like a gateway to the South Island’s wild landscapes, while still offering cafés, culture, and history in the city centre.
Located in the Marlborough region, Blenheim is renowned for its vineyards and relaxed countryside lifestyle. Rolling hills, open roads, and world-famous Sauvignon Blanc define this part of New Zealand. Travelling by campervan makes it easy to explore cellar doors, quiet picnic spots, and scenic back roads. Blenheim is also a great base for exploring the nearby Marlborough Sounds, where sheltered bays and coastal views reward those willing to wander.
The South Island is often described as New Zealand’s most visually dramatic region, and it’s easy to see why. From glaciers and alpine passes to lakes, fjords, and vast plains, the scenery changes constantly. Campervan travel suits the South Island perfectly, allowing you to take in iconic routes, stop at remote viewpoints, and explore national parks without being tied to fixed accommodation. Every drive feels like part of the adventure.
The North Island offers a rich blend of landscapes and experiences, from volcanic plateaus and geothermal regions to long sandy beaches and lush forests. It’s also where much of New Zealand’s Māori culture is most visible, adding depth and meaning to the journey. Travelling by campervan makes it easy to explore both vibrant cities and quieter rural areas, with plenty of opportunities to discover hidden bays, scenic walks, and cultural landmarks along the way.
Popular Destinations | Popular Activities |
|---|---|
Auckland | Urban exploration, sailing, visit Sky Tower, museums |
Wellington | Visit Te Papa museum, cable car, Weta Workshop |
Christchurch | Botanic Gardens, punting, Canterbury Museum |
Queenstown | Bungee jumping, skiing, Lake Wakatipu |
Rotorua | Geothermal parks, Maori culture, mountain biking |
Bay of Islands | Dolphin watching, sailing, historical sites |
Hobbiton Movie Set | Movie set tour |
Fiordland National Park | Summer (December to February) |
Taupo | Lake activities, visit Huka Falls, skydiving |
Dunedin | Visit Larnach Castle, Otago Peninsula, breweries |
Nelson | Visit Abel Tasman National Park, art galleries, beaches |
Franz Josef Glacier | Glacier hiking, hot pools, scenic flights |
Wanaka | Hiking, lake activities, visit Puzzling World |
Napier | Art Deco architecture, wineries, Cape Kidnappers |
Whangarei | Visit Whangarei Falls, Mt Parihaka, AH Reed Kauri Park |
New Plymouth | Visit Pukekura Park, coastal walkway, Mt Taranaki |
Hamilton | Visit Hamilton Gardens, Waikato River, Hamilton Zoo |
Palmerston North | Visit Victoria Esplanade, Manawatu Gorge, Rugby Museum |
Tauranga | Visit Mount Maunganui, McLaren Falls Park, local beaches |
Blenheim | Wine tasting, Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, local gardens |
Invercargill | Visit Southland Museum, Queens Park, Bill Richardson Transport World |
From Blenheim's scenic beauty in the South Island to the cultural richness of Rotorua in the North Island, our extensive depot network ensures you can pick up and drop off your vehicle at multiple locations.
RV & Motorhome Companies | Depot Locations |
|---|---|
Adventurer |
|
Apollo |
|
Auckland Campervan |
|
Britz |
|
Campervan Village |
|
Cheapa Campers |
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Discover NZ |
|
Elements Rentals |
|
Escape Campers |
|
Freedom Campers |
|
Happy Campers |
|
Hippie Campers |
|
Jucy Campers |
|
Jucy Campervans |
|
Kiwi Campers |
|
Kiwi Motorhomes |
|
Koru Campers |
|
Lucky Rentals |
|
Mad Campers |
|
Maui Motorhomes |
|
McRent |
|
Mighty Campers |
|
Mojo Campers |
|
Nomad Motorhomes |
|
Pacific Horizon |
|
Road Runner Rentals |
|
Spaceships |
|
Star RV |
|
Tandem Camper |
|
Travellers Autobarn |
|
Tui Campers |
|
Waka Campers |
|
A great service that New Zealand camper rental companies offer is free transfers from the airport to the depot - this is because most depots are built close to the airport.
Even if transfers are not offered, it is still a cheap option to get to the depot from the airport.
If arriving from overseas you can go straight to the campervan rental depot, collect your camper and head for the nearest campsite.
Check out these top tips to help you save money and have a great adventure on your campervan in New Zealand.
Book one of our NZ motorhome rentals in advance to get the best deals. Use our booking portal above to find and compare the best deals for your New Zealand adventure.
To see the highlights at a reasonable pace and travel from the south of the South Island to the north of the North island we recommend 4 to 5 weeks. Here is a handy distance calculator to help you plan your trip: Travel Times and Distance Calculator.
For quieter roads and cheaper campervan or motorhome hire, the best time to travel New Zealand is in winter. Campervans often come with heaters to keep you warm.
Plan an itinerary for your New Zealand road trip. It's always a good idea to have a rough idea of where you want to go and what you want to see in your campervan. Don't try and cram in too much!
Be aware that there are very few motorways in New Zealand. All travel is on good quality single lane roads with dual carriageways for over-taking, so make sure to allow plenty of time for your road trip.
Look out for animals on the road when driving your camper through the more rural parts of New Zealand.
Check with your camper van rental supplier what is included in the van prior to collection, so that you don't miss any essentials for your trip.
Ensure you have a full tank of petrol in your campervan before embarking on more rural parts of New Zealand, as often you won't find a petrol station for a while.
There are many campsites across New Zealand, try to use them whenever you can.
If campsites aren't really your thing, there are plenty of wide open spaces to free-camp overnight, but make sure to clean up after yourselves. You must be in a self-contained camper to free-camp in New Zealand. Here is a really useful link that explains all about free-camping: Free Camping In New Zealand Guide for Campervans and Motorhomes.
The rental rates listed on budgetcampervans.com are from budget to luxury - low to high. If you are looking for a good deal, then you will need to book really early or as far in advance as you can. There are late deals but only out of season!
If you're looking for an even better deal, try reversing the direction of your hire as sometimes there are discounts for travelling the opposite way to the most popular routes.
Go at your own pace, don't forget your valid driver's licence and take lots of pictures on your campervan in New Zealand.
There are depots right across New Zealand and there are many options to pick up at one depot and return to another. Try a one-way rental in New Zealand and save time.
There are depots at these International Airports located at these main cities:
Auckland - central North Island
Auckland airport
Christchurch - central South Island
Christchurch airport
Queenstown south - South Island
Queenstown airport
Wellington south - North Island. Main ferry port.
Wellington airport
Other Campervan and Motorhome rental depots in New Zealand:
Blenheim - top of the South Island
Dunedin - bottom of the South Island
Greymouth - west coast of the South Island
Hamilton - middle of North Island (south of Auckland)
Hamilton airport
Nelson - top of the South Island
Nelson airport
Picton - top of the South Island - main ferry port
Rotorua - middle of the North Island.
Taupo - middle of the North Island
Tauranga - east coast of North Island
Tauranga airport
Thames - midway between Auckland and the east Coast of North Island
Check out our Campervan Rental Special Offers and Discounts in New Zealand
New Zealand has an extensive range of Campervan and Motorhome Rental Companies to Choose from. There are lots of companies you can book a campervan rental with in New Zealand, but these are the ones we work with. Find new deals every day when you book through us.
Yes there are 3 toll roads in New Zealand all in the North Island.
Northern Gateway Toll Road
Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road
Takitimu Drive Toll Road
View all Toll Roads in New Zealand
Yes there are many depots within New Zealand that you can collect from and return to. Book well in advance. One-way rentals take slightly longer to confirm as we need to check with the depot managers to see if the relocation rental is possible.
You will find that you are offered a ferry crossing booking at the same time as you make a campervan rental booking on our site.
You have to be at least 21 years old for the smaller campervans and over 25 for the larger motorhomes.
Diesel tax recovery fee's are now called Road User Charge. It is included in the all-inclusive rates but you will have to pay it on completion of your hire. This fee is calculated on the number of kms you drive during your hire. You then pay a fee per kms at the end of your rental. It only applies to diesel vehicles. Petrol vehicles are exempt. Some companies offer a package that includes the Road User Charge in the rental rates.
It depends. New Zealand have certainly tightened the rules on allowing free camping or wild camping.
Vehicles that have the self-contained certificate can in theory camp almost anywhere as there is no possibility of any waste being left behind. These vehicles must have and onboard toilet. All the tanks holding grey water and waste water need to be emptied at dump stations.
It is worth looking into the full details of Freedom Camping in New Zealand
Check the distances before you travel. New Zealand is a bigger country than you think! The roads are excellent in New Zealand. Check out some of New Zealands' Scenic Driving Routes. There are no motorways in the South Island so it may take you longer than you think to reach your destination.
There are many ways in which you can reduce the cost of touring New Zealand in a campervan:
Book your campervan rental early especially during peak season over Christmas, January and February.
Travel out of season. The weather in New Zealand is quite good all year around. Sometimes there are heavy snowy winters in the South Island and the winters in the North can be wet but when you are taking your time and it's cheaper out of season it is worth the risk.
Travel with friends and share the costs. Even the smaller sleeper cars can sleep two comfortable and the hi-tops can sleep four.
Self catering saves a lot of money. Buy local and enjoy the really high standard of produce available in New Zealand.
Book an older camper. They can be a bit tired around the edges but if you want to save money then these are the ones to go for.
Check out the daily rate the longer you stay. Sometimes the daily rates reduces over 21 days and 31 days plus. Insurance is often capped at 50 days. It takes at least 6 weeks just to see the highlights in New Zealand.
Check out the Visit New Zealand Tourist Board website for really useful information about what to do and where to go when touring New Zealand in a Campervan or Motorhome.
The booking request is sent to the campervan or motorhome reservation office who check availability. If the campervan is available, the payment is processed, and you will be sent a confirmation of booking. Payment is processed at this point.
If the vehicle is not available, no payment is processed. Instead you will be sent an email explaining that the camper you have selected is not available.
We will contact all the other campervan and motorhome rental suppliers to ask if they have a similar camper to the one you requested, and then we will send you a list of the closest alternatives for the same dates or similar dates. These may be cheaper or more expensive; you will be given both choices.
In the rare case that no other campervans or motorhomes are available for the dates that you wish to rent, then we will send you vehicles that may be available closest to the dates that you have requested.
If you accept any of the alternative campervans offered, then reservations will book that campervan or motorhome and then process payment.
New Zealand is on everybody's bucket list when it comes to a motorhome holiday – for a reason! The summers are warm and beaches and surf beckon. Winters are snowy and the skiing and snowboarding is great. And if you need to tick off a motorhome adventure, then there is no better way to explore this fantastic country!
New Zealand also has one of the widest ranges of campervan rental companies anywhere. The choice of campers, motorhomes, sleeper cars, camping cars and RV's ranges from the smallest sleeper cars where up to four people can share up to large 6-berth motorhomes.
The roads in New Zealand are quiet and there is so much to see. If it's glaciers, fjords, mountains, lakes, beaches, forests and rivers that you are looking for, then New Zealand has it all.
Firstly, the campervan or motorhome has to be big enough for all of you.
If budget is not too much of a concern, then you can rent any of the campervans or motorhomes on our website. That is any of the 150 that we list!
Use our booking engine to search and compare hundreds of campervans and motorhomes for hire to find the best one for you!
Yes, international visitors can use a foreign driving licence to hire campervans in New Zealand, as long as the licence is valid and in English.
If it’s not in English, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official translation.
Most rental companies also require:
A full licence (not provisional)
At least 1 year of driving experience
A minimum age (usually 21+, sometimes 25+)
You can typically drive on your overseas licence for up to 12 months before needing a New Zealand licence.
The minimum hire period for campervan rentals varies depending on the supplier. When you enter your preferred dates into our booking engine, we’ll show all available options that match your rental duration.
After 20 years arranging campervan hire and motorhome rental for our clients, we are very good.
You can grab our contact details from our handy contact page or visit our FAQ page if you have any questions.
UK Freephone: 0800 917 4347
