After driving solo Lap of Australia over 11 months, I moved to New Zealand and set off on an epic road trip around both the North and South Islands. I rented a campervan for my (first) five-week New Zealand road trip. Having lived in a Nissan X-Trail in a very basic setup in Aus, my campervan in New Zealand – with a fridge! – was a huge luxury! New Zealand is such a popular destination for campervanning and living van life. Whether you’re visiting for a short period or planning a long-term adventure, here’s everything you need to know about traveling New Zealand in a campervan.

This post is written as part of a sponsored campaign, but all opinions are my own.

Why Rent a Campervan in New Zealand?

In short, renting a campervan (or any vehicle that you can sleep in) will give you much more freedom and flexibility with your itinerary in New Zealand. The ability to spend the night outside of traditional accommodation like hostels or hotels can also save you money in the long run. There are also some truly incredible park-ups and camp spots around New Zealand, offering close access to nature. You can sleep under the stars, next to glacial lakes, or surrounded by mountains! It’s an awesome way to travel.

New Zealand is also a country best explored by road tripping. Yes, there is a strong bus system across both the North and South Islands, and you can take trains between some cities. But you will simply be able to visit many more places with your own set of wheels. Certain places I visited in New Zealand are inaccessible by public transport – if you don’t have a car, you’ll need to find someone who does, because there’s no other way to get there. If you’re able to rent a campervan in New Zealand, I highly recommend it.

Types of Campervans in New Zealand

There are so many different types of campervans in New Zealand. You can rent anything from a small minivan all the way to a motorhome that sleeps six and has a shower on board! For my campervan rental, I had a small Toyota Estima minivan conversion that slept two. This was the most budget-friendly option, as there were only two of us traveling, and we didn’t need on-board facilities. Most campervan rentals in New Zealand are an automatic transmission. I never encountered rental vehicles that were manuals, but be sure to check this when booking.

It’s important to know the difference between a self-contained vehicle (which has the coveted green sticker) and a non-self-contained vehicle. Many freedom camps only allow self-contained vehicles. There are a number of features needed to qualify for self-contained certification, such as a fixed toilet on board, a sink, and a water supply system. You will pay a lot more for a self-contained vehicle in New Zealand – but you will then be able to save some money by staying at freedom camps, if you like. A non-self-contained vehicle will be much cheaper than a self-contained vehicle. But you should budget a bit more for campsite fees, as you won’t be able to stay at many freedom camps (which typically only allow self-contained vehicles).

Personally, I find the price savings for a self-contained vehicle relatively inconsequential, considering most people don’t want to freedom camp (with no facilities) long-term. I had a non-self-contained vehicle, and still kept accommodation/campsite costs cheap! But it’s really up to your own preference and travel budget. It’s easy to use a campervan rental comparison service like Campstar to search for vehicles in New Zealand, filter results, and compare prices.

How to Choose Your New Zealand Campervan

What type of campervan you should choose in New Zealand depends entirely on your travel style, type of trip, itinerary, budget, and how many people are traveling. Are you traveling solo, with another person, or in a group requiring multiple beds? Do you need a power/water hookup every night? Do you need to be self-contained, or can you get by with a non-self-contained vehicle with fewer amenities? Your answers will help decide what campervan is right for you.

Arguably, one of the most important factors to remember when renting a campervan in New Zealand is that you will actually have to drive it. You should only rent a vehicle that you are comfortable driving safely. They drive on the left side of the road in New Zealand, which may be unnerving for less confident or experienced drivers. While most roads in New Zealand are good quality, there are many hills with blind summits, sharp bends, and one-lane bridges. You may encounter slow-moving farm traffic or animals in/around the road. And, of course, there is a LOT of beautiful scenery, which is very distracting while driving.

If you have never driven anything besides a small car, you likely won’t feel comfortable driving a six-berth motorhome. Only rent a vehicle that you are confident you can drive. I have personally seen many accidents and lots of dangerous driving involving rented campervans in New Zealand. This risk can be lessened by renting a vehicle you are comfortable/confident driving safely.

 

Where Can I Camp With My Campervan in New Zealand?

Where to camp with your campervan in New Zealand depends on whether your vehicle is self-contained or non-self-contained, and whether or not you need power/water at night. Staying at freedom camps is the most budget-friendly option, while powered campsites with facilities will cost the most.

Freedom camping is popular in New Zealand. This will be a place where you can legally park up and sleep overnight. Freedom camping sites are usually only for self-contained vehicles, although you can find a few that have access to a toilet so non-self-contained vehicles are allowed. You can sleep in some truly superb spots – overlooking the glacial blue waters of Lake Pukaki, for example. You might also just be on the side of the road somewhere. There are many popular freedom campgrounds that will be busy with other vehicles, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself.

There are some simple free campsites sites (yes, they do exist) in New Zealand, along with a huge network of Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites around the country. DOC campgrounds are often basic, although they do also have serviced campsites. There will be toilets (and sinks), but some sites may also have cooking areas, fireplaces, rubbish bins, or cold/hot showers. I stayed at a lot of DOC campsites during my time in New Zealand. Rates for basic campsites typically start at $10 NZD per person, per night. If you’re traveling for a while and staying in lots of DOC campsites, consider buying the annual DOC Campsite Pass, which costs $295 NZD per person.

New Zealand also has budget campgrounds and high-quality campgrounds and holiday parks. There really is something to suit every budget and every traveler’s need here! For powered hard-standing sites at holiday parks, expect to pay $60-80 NZD per night.

Use Rankers or Campermate to research freedom campgrounds or campsites in New Zealand. I used these sites religiously when planning my road trips – it’s especially helpful to read reviews from previous travelers. Check out my guide on the best free and budget campsites for non-self-contained vehicles in New Zealand for more information on where I stayed!

Important Information and Tips for Renting a Campervan in New Zealand

It’s important to know the basic rules and etiquette when planning your campervan rental in New Zealand. Firstly, know the rules around self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles. If your vehicle is non-self-contained, do not stay at a campsite that is designated for self-contained vehicles. Rangers can and will fine you, and fines can be very high. It’s supremely important to leave no trace when you travel. Take all your trash away with you, do not light fires outside of designated fire pits, and only dump waste in a designated facility. Leave the campsite as you’d like to find it – or better!

Always follow the rules of the road, and drive to conditions. Winter in New Zealand means the roads can be snowy and icy – slow way down, leave plenty of distance from cars in front of you, and be cautious on bends or on bridges. I was in the car when my friend slid on black ice and lost control of the vehicle, and the car spun out and crashed. Trust me when I say it’s better to slow down and arrive late but alive! Stay alert and drive cautiously. Don’t drive tired – if you feel you’re getting drowsy, pull over and stop.

Be a courteous driver – if you notice cars piling up behind you, pull over when it’s safe to do so and let them pass. Kiwis get very annoyed with tourists and poor driving in rental vehicles, and may take risks to pass you (I’ve seen this many, many times). Avoid this and just let them pass when you can. It may be challenging parking a large, unfamiliar vehicle, but remember to park safely and courteously.

Always lock your vehicle, and never leave any valuables out or in sight. Most thieves are opportunistic – if they see an easy steal, they’ll go for it. I always traveled with my Pacsafe portable safe, and kept my valuables (laptop, passport, etc) locked up under the seat for my road trips in New Zealand.

Consider the weather when you’re planning to travel. If you’re campervanning in winter, remember it can be COLD! I had a few really chilly nights in Mount Cook in April. Even if you stay at a campground with a power hookup so you’ll have some heating, it’s not the same as sleeping in a real building with four walls. Think about your travel itinerary and try to avoid sleeping in a vehicle in the depths of winter!

Planning Your Trip to New Zealand

The biggest airport in New Zealand is in Auckland on the North Island. But if you’re traveling to the South Island, Christchurch airport is the major airport. Wellington and Queenstown are also flight hubs – I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Where you stay will depend completely on your itinerary and means of transport. If you’re planning on staying in traditional accommodation, there are plenty of hostels, motels, and hotels in New Zealand to spend the night. Looking for tours and experiences in New Zealand? Check out options below!

I had the time of my life traveling around New Zealand. Renting a campervan was the perfect way to explore the country as much as possible, and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Plus, I loved the luxury of a fridge, sink, and kitchen setup after roughing it all the way around Australia. Whatever vehicle you choose for your road trip, I hope this guide helps plan your campervan trip to New Zealand!

This post is written part of a sponsored campaign, but all opinions are my own.

Have you done a campervan trip in New Zealand before? What was your experience like?

You might also like my posts:

How to Save Money in New Zealand Traveling on a Budget

New Zealand Road Trip Budget: 2025 Guide

Free & Budget Campsites in New Zealand for Non-Self-Contained

How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand for 6 Weeks? (2024 Budget)

20 of the BEST Day Hikes in New Zealand

Lord of the Rings Film Locations to Visit in New Zealand

All of my New Zealand posts!

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