We Compare Campervan Hire in New Zealand

Compare and book Campervan Hire in New Zealand

DriveNow makes it quick and easy to arrange your campervan rental for New Zealand. Our experience working with the biggest and best brands in the market gives us a huge database of great makes, models, and sizes for you to pick and choose from, ensuring you can select a camper or motorhome hire in New Zealand that suits your needs and budget.

In addition to the widest available selection of NZ campervan rental vehicles and convenience, you’ll also get the best pricing on the market. Our comparison service is impartial and unbiased, and the prices you see are always the latest and lowest available, backed up by our lowest price guarantee. You also don’t have to worry about nasty hidden booking fees, leaving you to spend your money stocking up your new campervan with everything you need for an awesome holiday. What’s more, you’ll find campervans and motorhomes located all over New Zealand, so you’ll be sure to find one close to wherever you wish to start your adventure. All of these perks add up to easy and efficient NZ campervan or motorhome rental that will help you to get your travels started off on the right foot.

Our rental partners in New Zealand include all the reputable and trusted brands such as Apollo, Britz, Maui, Hippie, Jucy, Lucky, Cheapa Campa, Mighty, Tui Campers, Travellers Autobarn, and Freedom Campers to name but a few. In total DriveNow partners with more than 25 rental brands in New Zealand to offer the widest choice available on the internet.

The cost of your rental will vary depending upon vehicle size, supplier and time of year. Booking early for the summer months is recommended as vehicle supply is quickly exhausted in the run up to Christmas, and Easter is also a popular time. The earlier you book the wider the choice of vehicles to select from and rental rates do tend to rise the closer a booking is made to the pick-up date.

Why Use DriveNow for Campervan Hire in New Zealand?

• We partner with New Zealand's best campervan rental companies
• We offer a Free booking service with no booking or administration fees or charges
• We are proud to be impartial and objective
• Instantly compare rates and vehicles
• Receive drive-away rates (excludes young driver surcharge & NZ diesel fuel levy)
• Comparing campervans in NZ since 2003
• Our Melbourne based Reservations team are on hand to help

Having a camper or motorhome hire in NZ is a memorable, laid back and fantastic way to explore the area. We’ve been helping Australians and other world travellers gain access to the best deals on motorhome and campervan rentals for more than 20 years. Thank you for considering DriveNow in your New Zealand road holiday plans.

Frequently asked questions when renting a campervan in New Zealand

Embark on the Ultimate Road Trip with Campervan Hire in New Zealand

Jaw-dropping mountain ranges, majestic fiord lands, active volcanoes, and rolling pastures—there’s really not much that New Zealand doesn’t have. This small country in the South Pacific Ocean really lucked in when it came to handing out the good looks, and the result is a country with stunning scenery around every corner.

This wild, rugged beauty has long been a favourite on the holiday destination list, with visitors flocking to get their fill of fresh air, photo opportunities, and a taste of the famous laid back Kiwi lifestyle. There’s something for every kind of holiday maker here, with vibrant cities, wine tours, and adventure sports galore. However there’s one way of visiting this country that blows all others out of the water, and that’s by doing a tour in a campervan rental.

Thanks to its size, you can tour the whole country in a matter of weeks, taking in the diverse geography of both the North and South Islands. The country is also gloriously remote, so you’ll find many occasions when you are the only vehicle in sight. Combine this with friendly locals, delicious food, and the chance to sleep under some of the brightest stars you’ll ever see, and you have all the reasons you need to book yourself a campervan in New Zealand.

There are many different car, motorhome, and campervan rental operators working in New Zealand, giving visitors a great deal of choice in terms of size, features, and model. The best way to ensure you find the best vehicle for the cheapest price is to book through unbiased comparison websites such as DriveNow.

The Best Places to Park up During your Campervan Trip to New Zealand

Holiday parks and campsites are options for overnight stops, with facilities that vary by location. Freedom camping has different rules, including places where it is prohibited or restricted to certified self-contained vans. Our NZ camping guide explains site checks, certification and campsite bookings.

Martin’s Bay Holiday Park

For road trips taking you around the Auckland area, a popular choice is Martin’s Bay Holiday Park. Located on the Matakana coast just 1.5 hours’ drive from Auckland Airport, you’re in a prime spot to explore the nearby beaches, islands, and Tawharanui Regional Park. The campground is particularly great if you’re travelling with family in tow, with kayaks and boats available for hire and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. You’ll find all the kitchen facilities you need including BBQs, as well as laundry and electricity.

Hastings Holiday Park

With wineries, wildlife, and waterparks, there’s definitely something for everyone on the coast of the central North Island. For road trips around this scenic, laid back area, a convenient place to stop and refuel could be Hastings Holiday Park in Hawkes Bay. This park has everything you need for a holiday, whether you’re planning just a quick pit stop or a week-long break, with swimming pools, spas, and a kids playground on top of all your expected facilities.

Foxton Beach Holiday Park

Another spot to check out on the North Island is Foxton Beach Holiday Park, this time in the lower west half of the island. This holiday park is also part of the Top 10 Holiday Parks group, which provide reliably good facilities in great locations. Less than two hours’ drive from Wellington, this park is located right next to Foxton beach, a great spot for water sports, biking, surfing, fishing, or hiking.

Picton Campervan Park

Picton is the town that welcomes you from your ferry crossing from the North to the South Island, and also happens to be home to a park designed exclusively for campervans. Picton Holiday Park is just two minutes from the ferry terminal, making it very convenient for the end to a long journey. The park is family owned and operated, close to the town centre and complete with modern, clean facilities. Picton is a picturesque lively town with plenty of activities and restaurants if you’re stopping for a few days, and within only a short drive from some of New Zealand’s most beautiful wild scenery.

Cromwell Holiday Park

As one of the most popular regions for campervan hire in New Zealand, it’s no surprise that Otago is host to plenty of facilities and sites to park up. A popular option in this area is Cromwell Holiday Park, a beautifully located, peaceful park surrounded by lakes and rivers. This park puts you in the perfect spot for exploring the nearby visitor hotspots of Queenstown, Wanaka, or the surrounding wineries. As for the park itself, you and your travelling companions will be kept busy and well catered for with a playground, TV lounge, spa facilities, and outdoor dining area.

Get Inspired for Your Trip with Popular Driving Routes in New Zealand

When it comes to picking your route for your New Zealand campervan adventure, the world really is your oyster. With such beautiful scenery from top to toe, just about anywhere you go will be rewarding. However, there’s a reason why certain routes are repeated time and time again by NZ travellers, and that’s because they feature some of the most outstanding scenery and most famous landmarks. Here are just a few of these most loved driving routes to help you plan your ultimate road trip to New Zealand.

Christchurch to Queenstown

You’ll be treated to mountains as far as the eye can see on the drive from Queenstown to Christchurch

Fly into Christchurch Airport, grab the keys to your NZ campervan hire, and prepare to have your socks knocked off by this dazzling road trip. The route from Christchurch to Queenstown can be easily done in one day if you’re in a hurry, but many people choose to take their time and stop off at some of the peaceful, quaint towns on the way between days of hiking or glacier spotting. Typically, you would pass Lake Tekapo,  Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the Gibbston Valley, and sleepy Arrowtown before arriving in New Zealand’s famous adventure capital, Queenstown.

Auckland to Wellington

This popular driving route gives you the chance to delve right into the world of the famous Lord of the Rings, taking in a number of the most memorable locations from the movies including Hobbiton, Mordor, and Bree. The route spans 740km and takes around 4 days to complete. The drive will take you past some of New Zealand’s most stunning natural features including lakes, hot geysers, and volcanoes, with stops at Waikato, Rotorua, Hamilton, Lake Taupo, Western Bays, and Foxton before finally arriving in Wellington.

Auckland to Glenorchy

If you’re lucky enough to have a bit of time on your hands, make the most of it and explore the length of the country with a trip from Auckland to Glenorchy. This route can take around nine days, and offers a true taste of everything Kiwiland has to offer. You’ll visit some of the country’s biggest cities, cruise past lakes, waterfalls, mountains, beaches and glaciers, and end up in the beautiful town of Glenorchy in the picturesque Otago region.

Be Prepared: What to Expect from Your Camper Adventure to New Zealand

Cruising your campervan around New Zealand could easily be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. However, for first time campers, embarking on a holiday on wheels could seem like a slightly daunting or confusing concept. At DriveNow we’re here to help guide you through this journey and show you that campervanning is, in fact, one of the most enjoyable ways to travel, and all you need is a little preparation. Bear these tips in mind before heading off on your adventure and you’ll be sure to have a smooth, hassle free, and relaxing ride.

Weather

Snow and ice can affect alpine roads in winter. Check the forecast and road conditions before setting off, and confirm that your rental company allows your planned route. Ask about snow chains and how to fit them. Our NZ winter-driving guide explains the road and rental checks.

Parking Etiquette

Plan where you'll stay overnight. Holiday parks, Department of Conservation campsites and permitted freedom camping sites have different facilities and rules. A self-contained van doesn't give you permission to camp anywhere.

Bookable Department of Conservation campsites must be booked before you travel there, even if you have a Campsite Pass. Our guide to camping in New Zealand covers bookings, certification, local restrictions and waste facilities.

Packing

If this is your first camping adventure, you may be baffled as to how you can possibly fit enough in your vehicle to keep you going for multiple weeks. However, you’ll soon realise you have nothing to worry about! All DriveNow’s vehicles come fully equipped with everything you need for eating, sleeping, and relaxing, so there’s no need to run around the shops gathering cutlery or bedding prior to your trip. However, as all vehicles and providers are slightly different, it’s a good idea to check out the listing of your chosen camper or motorhome to see what’s included and what you may have to bring along.

Glaciers, Gandalf, and Greenery- What to Look Out for on Your Trip to New Zealand

When it comes to packing in things to see and do, New Zealand doesn’t mess around. No matter where you travel in the country, you’ll never be too far away from a stunning natural work of art; whether that’s a famous glacier, a sizzling volcano, or a pristine white beach. So much so, that listing every famous scenic spot to check out in New Zealand would be impossible! There are, however, some truly remarkable areas from each region of the country that definitely deserve a spot on your hit list. Here are just a few of these to try and pack into your camper holiday planning.

Bay of Islands, North Island

The Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday destinations, and a perfect place to take your campervan rental. The band of more than 140 small sub-tropical islands is situated on the shores of Paihia, just three hours’ drive from Auckland, and makes up one of the most picturesque spots in the country. Boasting the ‘second bluest sky in the world’ after Rio de Janiero, you’ll also find bright white beaches, lush green forests, and stunning turquoise waters. As if the beauty of this place alone wasn’t enough, there is a huge variety of things to do here, from dolphin spotting to hiking to scuba diving.

Otago

If you’re going to strap yourself to a stranger and jump out of a plane, Otago is the place to do it Source: skydivewanaka.com

Otago is home to New Zealand’s biggest and most popular adventure towns, making it one of the most regularly visited areas in the country. Queenstown and Wanaka have both boomed in the recent decades, with developers making the most of the outstanding scenery to create a base for every adventure sport imaginable. The area is an adventure lover’s dream all year round, with hot summers for hiking or water sports and cold, snowy winters perfect for the nearby ski fields. Although pricier than some other parts of the country, once you’ve visited Otago, you’ll know what all the fuss is about.

Rotorua

New Zealand is host to some pretty spectacular geothermal activity, and the perfect place to witness this is Rotorua. This small town is located on the Taupo Volcanic Zone, a rare part of the world where volcanic lakes, mud pools, and hot spouting geysers are a regular part of the landscape. The area is also famous for its Maori culture and history and is home to a functioning Maori village as well as the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. A trip to Rotorua in your NZ campervan hire could involve bathing in thermal springs, taking a guided tour of the geothermal parks, or exploring by bike, kayak, or on foot.

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

One of the most unique and exciting features of a trip to NZ is the chance to get up close to glaciers. New Zealand is home to some of the most accessible glaciers in the world, and these are found in Glacier Country on the west coast of the South Island. Visible from miles away as a result of their dazzling shine, the glaciers are truly a spectacle in themselves, but if you want to get up extra close, you can choose to take a guided tour of either the Fox or Franz Josef glacier and climb the shining ice in true explorer fashion.

You’ll be kitted out with all the necessary gear and be in the safe hands of professionals, but if climbing sounds a bit taxing, you could always splash out for a helicopter ride instead for a bird’s eye view. Whether you decide to get up close or simply marvel at it from your NZ campervan hire, make sure you check out this natural wonder during your trip.

Fiordland National Park

Experience modern day Jurassic Park with a trip to the Fiordland National Park Source: backpackerguide.nz

Not just a pretty sight to look at, the magnificent glaciers mentioned above have yet more to offer you as a visitor to New Zealand. Many years ago when they were moving through the South Island, they carved out some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet, now known as Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound in the Fiordland National Park. With dramatic, towering valleys and waterfalls plunging down into the glassy water below, this area is a unique natural wonder that’s straight out of a Jurassic Park film set. The drive to get here is just as scenic, so allow some time as you cruise in your campervan to take it all in.

And our New Zealand Highlights?

With its breathtaking diversity and stunning unspoiled scenery choosing favourites in New Zealand is no easy task. Here's just 6 destinations, there are many more to choose from:

• Coromandel Peninsula close to Auckland, Coromandel is reputedly the first landing point of Polynesian settlers and famous for white and golden beaches.
• Sky Tower & the City of Sails - Auckland at 328 metres, Sky Tower is the tallest structure in the Southern hemisphere overlooking New Zealand's largest city. Enjoy fine dining and views in the rotating restaurant and for the brave there's always the option of bungy jumping.
• Rotorua - Thermal springs and geysers surround this North Island town.
• Bay of Islands - perhaps New Zealand's top holiday destination, 230kms north of Auckland this is the home of over 140 islands rich in hidden bays, beaches and marine life including whales, dolphins and penguins. A must see.
• Franz Josef Glacier in the Westland National Park on the South Island's west coast giving you the experience of getting up close and personal to a glacier - splash out and take the helicopter tour.
• Milford Sound - lies at the top of the Fiordland National Park - wet it can be, stunning it is always. Milford Sound has few rivals in the world.