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Considering ditching the classic hotel stay on your next holiday for something a little more cosy? There are few places in the world as well set up to accommodate campervans as New Zealand and that vast and varied countryside seems made for exploring by road.
Here's where to find your temporary home on four wheels and what to expect from your next campervan hire in New Zealand.
Image: Britz
Ideal for those who want more home comforts with their little bit of adventure, Britz campervans are higher-end models with plenty of space for the whole crew.
Image: JUCY
A campervan company with backpackers in mind, JUCY's brightly coloured vehicles certainly catch the eye. They include all the basics you'll need for a budget escape.
Image: Mad Campers
Founded in 2017 by three Kiwi blokes, Mad Campers touts a functional fleet of campervans that will take you from the tip of Cape Reinga down to Bluff and back.
Image: Spaceships rentals
Running the gamut from budget options to luxury glamping-style ones, Spaceships campervans pack a punch with tons of amenities in a small space.
Image: Tui Campers
One of New Zealand's longest-running campervan companies, Tui Campers started in 1983 and is all about helping budget travellers get around New Zealand.
Image: Escape Rentals
Budget-conscious travellers need look no further. Escape Rentals are for those looking to travel on the cheap and willing to stick to the camping-style basics.
Powered by: Motorhome Republic
For such a small country, you've got a slew of locations to hire your campervan from in New Zealand.
Popular major cities and airports across the two islands to pick your vehicle up from include:
You will need a full valid driving license written in English. If yours is not in English, you will also need an International Driving Permit or a translation that's been approved by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The legal driving age is 16 years old but you will usually have to be at least 18 to hire and drive a campervan in New Zealand. Drivers under 25 years old often attract a young driver's fee but there are companies such as Spaceships and JUCY that won't cost you any extra.
Campervan insurance is not mandatory in New Zealand but it is available if you want to be covered for the worst-case scenario. This can be purchased with your hire or separately.
A two-person campervan can start from $40 a day with more deluxe models fetching up to $100 per day.
For larger vehicles, a six-person campervan starts from $125 per day with luxury models getting up to $500 per day.
A minimum of two months in advance is recommended for travel during the high season. At other times of the year, a few weeks should be sufficient and you might even be able to score a last-minute deal.
A one week motorhome rental can start from NZ$250 to upwards of NZ$1000.
Hiring a campervan in New Zealand varies on the type of caravan. Things that will impact the cost include the size of the camper, amenities such as bathrooms and kitchens, if the camper is new or old and extras including alarms, security boxes and bluetooth.
No, parking in an undesignated area can land you a fine of NZ$200+. However, there are many places across the country where freedom camping is perfectly legal.
We recommend checking where you can camp and planning accordingly.
We took into consideration which company has the most locations, biggest range of vehicles and the lowest prices.
In terms of cost, JUCY has some of the cheapest hires with nothing over $99 a day. JUCY also allows for pets, its range offers up to four-seaters. Pick up locations include Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington which is more than any other company.
Typically, motorhomes are more expensive as you have the option of staying in a hostel. Nightly rates in a hostel can start from as little as NZ$14 - this compared to an average of NZ$80 for a camper.
The most popular road trip is across New Zealand is the South Island. It takes a full 14-days to cover it completely, but it can also be done in seven days. Check out the full itineraries with our dedicated page.
The best time to visit New Zealand is between December and February if you're keen on seeing outdoor activities and tourist attractions.
Otherwise, if it's the snow and skiing that you're after then June-August is the perfect time to visit.
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