Campervans range from small two-berth vans you can park almost anywhere to large six-berth motorhomes. The bigger the vehicle, the more you pay for hire and fuel, and the harder it is on narrow roads and in town car parks.
Self-contained or not
This is the single most important thing to understand. A certified self-contained vehicle carries its own fresh water and sealed waste tank, shown by a green certification. Many freedom-camping areas only allow self-contained vans, so a non-certified van limits where you can legally stay overnight.
Freedom camping rules
- Rules are set by each local council, so what is fine in one district is banned in the next.
- Look for signs at the site and check the council or Department of Conservation pages before you stop.
- Fines for camping where it is not allowed are steep, often several hundred dollars.
- Never empty waste anywhere except a proper dump station.
Holiday parks and dump stations
Holiday parks give you powered sites, hot showers, kitchens and laundry, usually for around NZ$45 to NZ$70 for two people. In summer, book popular parks in Queenstown, Wanaka and the Bay of Islands ahead. Dump stations for grey and black water are common at holiday parks, public reserves and some service stations; many are free or a few dollars.
Rough hire costs
- A basic two-berth van often runs NZ$80 to NZ$150 a day in the shoulder season.
- Larger or newer motorhomes can be NZ$200 a day or more in peak summer.
- Add insurance excess reduction, one-way fees and the cost of the Cook Strait ferry if you cross between islands.
Relocation deals, where you move a van between depots for a low daily rate, can be very cheap if the dates suit you. The catch is the fixed route and tight timeframe, so they work best if your plans are flexible.
What size to choose
Bigger is not always better. A two-berth van is easier to park, cheaper to run and far less stressful on narrow roads and one-lane bridges. A four or six-berth motorhome makes sense for a family but limits where you can stop and turn. If two of you are travelling, a small self-contained van is usually the sweet spot between cost and comfort.
Driving and daily life
- Campervans are taller and heavier than a car, so allow more room for braking and corners, and watch your height under canopies.
- Fill water and empty waste whenever you reach a proper station; do not let tanks run to empty in remote areas.
- Most vans have a small fridge and gas cooker, so stock up on food in larger towns where supermarkets are cheaper.
- In winter, check whether your van has heating, because nights get cold in the south.
A typical night
Many travellers alternate: a holiday park every second or third night for a proper shower, laundry and to recharge, and self-contained freedom camping in between to save money. Arrive at freedom sites early in summer, as the good free spots fill by late afternoon. Camping rules, fees and certification standards change, so confirm the latest with the rental company and the relevant council before your trip.