Summary
If you travel around New Zealand, you will see an abundance of tourists driving themselves through the country in campervans. That is because New Zealand is set up perfectly for campervan travel.
Explore New Zealand by Campervan
We picked up our AllWays Rental Campervan in Christchurch for two fun-filled weeks of freedom driving around the South Island.
Equipped with a bed, stove, cookware, utensils, and bedding, we had everything we needed to enjoy our journey! Caravanning in New Zealand makes for an affordable vacation and offers you the freedom to go off the beaten path and take in the sights at your own pace.
Easy Driving
The driving in New Zealand is effortless, and the automatic transmission on the AllWays van made driving on the other side of the road a smooth transition. Moreover, the roads aren’t overly busy, and traffic is minimal. AllWays is conveniently located right by the Christchurch airport, which means you are already on the outskirts of town when you start your adventure.
All you have to do is fly into the country, have them pick you up when your flight arrives, and then you are on your way to a very reasonable vacation in one of the most exciting adventure destinations on earth.
What we found amazing about New Zealand was the abundance of campsites available throughout the country.
Every village, town, national park, beach, and tourist attraction has a campsite nearby, so you won’t have a problem finding accommodation with your campervan. There are even specific areas where you can camp for free! If occasionally you find yourself tired of staying in the van, you can rent a room at the campsite, as nearly all sites offer cabin rentals.
The Campsites: Well-Equipped and Affordable
The campsites we visited were not only well equipped but also clean and reasonably priced.
Surprisingly, we never used our stove once in our van. Instead, we took our cookware into the well-maintained kitchens at the Holiday Parks and Top 10 Holiday Resorts to prepare our meals. We utilized their stoves and spread our groceries out on the spacious countertops. The groceries were purchased at local supermarkets like Four Square or Countdown, where we also chose a nice bottle of New Zealand wine to accompany our dinners.
Cooking at Night
We cooked in warmth and comfort each night and then relaxed in the common area, socializing with fellow travelers or catching up on a bit of TV. Consequently, we enjoyed a lifestyle beyond our budget while camping our way around the island.
Typical facilities at New Zealand Campgrounds include:
- Hot Showers – some resorts charged a $2 NZ fee to shower, but most were free.
- Laundry facilities – $2 per wash, $2 per dry.
- Satellite TV
- Internet – $10 for 100 mb
- Kitchen with refrigerator, stove, sinks, tables, chairs
- Picnic tables
Optional facilities often found at campsites:
- Swimming pools
- Hot tubs
- Games room
- Playground
- Trampoline
While some of the parks exhibit a resort feel, complete with swimming pools and media rooms, we also stayed in more remote campgrounds run by the Department of Conservation.
These locations offered some of the most pristine and breathtaking scenery we have ever experienced.
Clean Toilets
We were genuinely impressed by the quality of toilets in New Zealand.
Nowhere else on earth have we encountered such immaculate public restrooms. Unlike anywhere else we have traveled, these toilets are not only clean but also free!
We never had to worry about being stuck without facilities, as every town provided well-stocked and very clean public restrooms, which we utilized during our epic road trip.
Traveling through New Zealand doesn’t require a full-size motorhome; a basic campervan will suffice. This is because the campsites have everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Even when it rains, we could sit comfortably inside the van. Our bench seat transformed into a bed; however, it was also spacious enough, when not in sleeping mode, to set up a table for eating, playing games, or watching a movie.
Furthermore, regarding the high price of gasoline in New Zealand, opting for a smaller campervan can help preserve your adventure budget while still enjoying this stunning country.
What to Know About Campervans
Tip: It is advisable to request a van equipped with an electrical outlet when securing your campervan. This feature comes in handy for heating during chilly New Zealand nights, and if you prefer not to spend all your time in the common area, having a computer to use the Wi-Fi or watch a movie can be a nice alternative.
We thoroughly enjoyed our experience driving a campervan through New Zealand, and now that we have sampled the joys of RV life, we look forward to embarking on more journeys just like this.
For more information on renting a campervan or vehicle during your trip to New Zealand, visit AllwaysRentals.co.nz. Vans can be picked up in Christchurch and Auckland.
All rentals come with free:
- Itinerary planning
- Basic insurance
- Roadside assistance
