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New Zealand is a great destination for a motorhome holiday. New Zealand is known for its stunning landscapes. There are starkly contrasting scenes, from volcanic mountains to idyllic beaches, from glaciers to mountain lakes, from lush tropical forests to rolling pastures, and one can be reached relatively easily by road in a short space of time. If you drive, you can experience the changing scenery as you move from one spectacular area to another. The spectacular scenery is not only in the destinations, but also on the way!

So, if you’re planning a New Zealand holiday, seriously consider renting a motorhome/campervan/motorhome to create your own road trip adventure.

Choosing a motorhome

There are numerous campervan hire companies in New Zealand offering a range of vehicles. Almost all campervan hire in New Zealand can be driven with a normal car licence. There are automatic and manual vehicles. The roads in New Zealand can be narrow and winding (especially in some of the beautiful mountains), so if you’re not used to a manual transmission, I’d advise looking into an automatic vehicle.

When deciding on the size, you must first accommodate all of your travel companions. If you are a couple and want to have a permanent bed, rather than making one every night from the lounge, you may want to consider a 4 berth caravan. However, remember that larger vehicles will be less easy to drive and maneuver.

New Zealand has plenty of areas where you can wild camp (or free camp, as it’s also known); however, to do so you need a self-contained motorhome, that is, one with a shower and toilet on board. Familiarize yourself with New Zealand’s environmental code if you plan to camp for free.

If you plan to use mainly camping, then a vehicle that does not have a shower and toilet on board is a good option and several companies have well-equipped vehicles that are not much larger than a car, so they are very easy to drive.

Planning your itinerary

There are beautiful places to visit all over New Zealand. If you only have a week, I would advise you to choose a few places on an island.

For example, if you are in the north island for a week, try this itinerary:

• Day 1. Vehicle pickup in Auckland – city exploration. Visit the SkyTower or the museum where you can get great views and sit on the domain for a picnic.
• Day 2. Travel to the Coromandel Peninsula – Plan to spend a night in one of the beautiful port cities, such as Whitianga or Whangamata.
• Day 3. Explore the magnificent Coromandel beaches and visit one of the many art galleries that host local artists. If you wish, drive to Tauranga and spend time exploring Mount Maunganui.
• Day 4. Drive to Rotorua. Take a drive to the Blue and Green Lakes, Lake Tarawera and the Buried Terraces or visit one of the many other tourist attractions at this geothermal ‘hotspot’. If you haven’t experienced a Maori performance, be sure to here.
• Day 5. Travel to Napier via Taupo. Stop at Huka Falls in Taupo and then stop and have a picnic on the shores of Lake Taupo, where on a clear day you can see the peaks of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngarahoe on the volcanic plateau.
• Day 6. Explore the art deco buildings in Napier before heading to Wellington (if you’ve arranged a return there) or back to Auckland. If you return to Auckland, you may want to spend the night in Taupo or Hamilton.
• Day 7. Explore the city (Wellington) before heading back to your motorhome. In Wellington, visit Te Papa, the national museum, or take the cable car for spectacular views of the city and harbour. If you’re returning your vehicle to Auckland, try paying a visit to Takapuna Beach on the North Shore today.

For a one week itinerary in the south island that gives you a great view of beautiful scenery, try this:

• Day 1. Vehicle pickup in Christchurch – city exploration. Take a ride on the gondola or take a tour of the city on a tram. The Antarctic Center is also worth a visit.
• Day 2. Head over Lewis Pass to Westport. Travel through vineyards, then mountain passes to the wild west coast.
• Day 3. Travel along the coast to Greymouth. This is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular coastal drives. Stop at Punakaiki to see the world famous Pancake Rocks
• Day 4. Drive south through Hokitika and the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers over the spectacular Haast Pass to Wanaka. This will take you a day if you take the time to stop and admire the scenery more closely along the way, so book a place in Wanaka to stay early. you go
• Day 5. Travel to Queenstown, the “adrenaline capital of the world” for adventure. If you prefer more relaxed activities, take a detour through Arrowtown and Lake Hawea or simply browse the tourist shops in Queenstown.
• Day 6. Drive north again, planning to stop at Lake Tekapo. If you have time, you can drive to Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Once night falls, hike from Lake Tekapo to the Mount John Observatory for an incredible view of the stars.
• Day 7. Drive to Christchurch and return your vehicle

If you have two weeks, you can visit the North and South Islands by crossing the Cook Strait via a 3-hour ferry that crosses between Wellington and Picton (about a 4-hour drive north of Christchurch).

Where to stay

New Zealand has beautiful camping grounds and campsites. There are also many places where free camping is allowed. The following are options for you for your New Zealand vacation:

• Serviced campsites such as Top 10, Kiwi Holiday Parks and Family Parks – you can get a discount with Top 10 if you plan to use their campsites during your holiday
• Regional Council parks and campsites, particularly Auckland and Waitaki Lakes Regional Parks – facilities are often more basic than serviced campsites, but some of the locations are spectacular
• Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites – These are very basic sites, which is fine if you have a self-contained motorhome, but they are often in the most beautiful spots so are well worth a visit.
• Native Parks: You can join for a small fee. Members are given a number of places where they can camp, including vineyards and sheep stations.
• Free Camping: You must have a self-driving vehicle to camp for free. Not all areas allow free camping, so you must follow the instructions. However, you can get up close and personal with some amazing scenery while camping for free in New Zealand. Make sure you know the Environmental Code

A campervan holiday is a great way to capture the stunningly beautiful scenery that New Zealand has to offer and for which it is world famous. It’s a cost-effective way to see as many sights as you can in a short space of time, while enjoying a relaxing vacation.