Travelling by Campervan Hire in New Zealand — A Guide for Aussies

So you’ve been wondering what all the fuss is about those eastern islands that should be another state of Australia and exactly how many sheep they have there anyway. There’s only one way to find out — hire a campervan or motorhome and explore New Zealand at your own pace.

However, NZ isn’t just a little version of Oz. The culture, weather, cost of travel and freedom to camp significantly differ between the two antipodean countries.

In this blog, we look at the main differences between motorhome travel in Australia and New Zealand. We also chat about how to plan your NZ campervan roadie, estimate some of the costs, such as fuel and camping, and highlight the specific travel requirements relevant to Aussies.

Motorhome travel differences between New Zealand and Australia

It’s well-known that Aussies have a deep-rooted affection for epic overland road trips. After all, Lonely Planet was founded by two Australians overlanding a classic VW from London to Australia in the early 70s.

The thrill of exploring the open road is universal — and that’s no different in New Zealand. But a Kiwi roadie offers a unique experience. It’s an adventure of mystery and excitement, where the next bend in the road will take you to even more breathtaking scenery.

Distances are shorter — but longer than you think

The landmass of Australia is about 29 times larger than Aotearoa New Zealand. That’s a profound difference in size, so you can expect distances between towns and cities to be significantly shorter than back home. 

Your proposed New Zealand campervan itinerary may include much of the country within a few weeks. However, roads are often winding and narrow — even on the main state highways.

Although you can enjoy relaxed road travel, driving from Hokitika to the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand, for example, may take longer than anticipated. Many roads have a speed limit that’s often 100km/h, but the average speed is considerably slower — especially in a recreational vehicle.

Check out our guide to driving a motorhome in New Zealand for the first time.

Road conditions can be unpredictable

New Zealand has an excellent network of sealed roads, much like Australia, so you won't need to relearn how to drive. Nevertheless, Aotearoa's roads present a different kind of driving experience, like:

• Coastal routes — that hug and wind around dramatic cliffs

• Challenging mountain passes — which lead to breathtaking vistas

• Gravel roads — that add a touch of rugged charm if you venture off-the-beaten-track.
  
  

Make sure you hire a modern and well-equipped motorhome to handle the variety of roads easily and comfortably.

Discover how easy it is to drive a Wilderness motorhome.

The weather is sometimes erratic

New Zealand’s weather can be very changeable, so it’s a smart move to check the local metservice regularly. Four Seasons in One Day isn’t just a timeless Crowded House song — it’s also the reality of certain days in major cities like Auckland and Christchurch.

Summer very rarely brings hail or snow, while winter often has sunshine, so expect the unexpected. Although highly unlikely, your New Zealand RV holiday might be affected by:

• Heavy rain and flooding — causing landslides, closing roads and forcing detours

• Tropical cyclones and strong winds — creating crosswinds and making driving treacherous, particularly for high-sided vehicles

• Snow and ice — resulting in black ice and a high chance of losing traction

• Morning fog — reducing your visibility and making it difficult to see other road users.
  
  

View New Zealand’s seasonal weather patterns to work out the best time to visit NZ from Australia.

Freedom camping is more regulated

If you choose to freedom camp on your New Zealand motorhome holiday, you’ll find more restrictions than in Australia.

Kiwis are generally highly proactive at protecting the environment — as reflected in the current government regulations around freedom camping. However, the differences aren’t that significant. Here are the distinctions you need to know.

Ensure you know the rules and stick to them to avoid picking up an unwanted fine. Download freedom camping apps like CamperMate and Rankers Camping NZ to help you find the sites and follow the local regulations.

Find out everything you need to know in our essential guide to freedom camping in NZ.

How to plan your New Zealand campervan trip

Jumping across the ditch on your Australia to New Zealand flight may only take three hours, but you still need to plan and prepare for a different kind of adventure.

Be sure of your main interests and travel style

Knowing your ideal travel style will help you create the perfect motorhome itinerary. Are you at home in the tranquillity of nature? Do you crave the vibrant energy of the big city? Is some local culture an absolute must? Will you pack your hiking boots to take up the trail challenges in the Southern Alps?

You’ll want to build your itinerary around two or three important bucket list items, which could be:

• Day hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in the North Island of New Zealand — one of the world’s most amazing one day walks

• Visiting impressive Doubtful Sound — on a day trip that includes three boat cruises

• Conquering the slopes of Queenstown’s big three mountain resorts during New Zealand’s ski season — Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona

• Whale watching — near the extraordinary Kaikoura coastline

• Bungy jumping — off the Auckland Sky Tower

• Exploring Wellington’s quirky laneways — searching for the country’s best craft beer.
  
  

Take a look at our Wellington motorhome holiday guide for more popular places to eat and drink in the city.

Choose the season that best suits your travel group

Each season in New Zealand paints a different picture. Summer is peak tourism with more crowds and higher prices, but the days of hot sunshine are long, making it ideal for swimming, hiking and kayaking.

The shoulder seasons of autumn and spring still offer decent weather and the opportunity for good deals outside of the school holiday periods. Wine tasting suits the colours of autumn, while gardens are in bloom during spring.

Winter brings the coldest temperatures and snow — especially on the South Island. Skiing, snowboarding and whale watching await your winter travels to NZ. The ski season is always bustling in Queenstown and Wānaka, the former a favourite destination for Aussies.

It’s not surprising that many Australians come to Queenstown in winter. Relatively cheap and accessible skiing is available, as are some of the best snow conditions in the Southern Hemisphere — and Fergburger.

Winter is also a magical time to visit places like Glenorchy or Franz Josef Glacier on New Zealand’s South Island.

Learn what clothing to pack for each of New Zealand’s seasons.

Book your ideal motorhome

One of the most crucial decisions will be choosing the right campervan or motorhome for you and your travel party.

Start by determining the number of travellers and whether you’ll need a two or four berth recreational vehicle. If you’re travelling solo or as a couple, a two berth RV will be perfect — as a compact motorhome or a campervan.

However, if you have a family of four or a pair of mates, you’ll need a four berth like our King/Twin for 4 — or even The Suite for a touch of extra luxury. 

Remember to book as early as you can to obtain the best deal, taking into account your required amenities and budget. This is particularly important if you intend to travel during peak season from December to February.

See our guide to choosing a Wilderness motorhome.

Map out your route

The country’s two main islands are the originally named North and South — both catering to the recreational vehicle tourism market. The main locations for picking up and dropping off a rental motorhome or campervan are in Auckland and Christchurch, though Queenstown is also reasonably common.

The North Island offers geothermal wonders and rolling hills as the backdrop to unique Māori culture. The South Island features turquoise lakes, breathtaking mountain ranges and very few people.

You may decide to travel from:

• Auckland to Christchurch — seeing parts of both islands and taking your motorhome across Cook Strait on the ferry

• Christchurch to Auckland — beginning in the colder temperatures and moving slowly north to the warmer parts of the country

• Auckland to Auckland — with a focus on a region like Northland, The Coromandel or Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty

• Christchurch to Christchurch — spending time near the West Coast glaciers and Milford Sound.
  
  

Check out our range of motorhome road trip itineraries to help you plan your Kiwi adventure

Consider extras like ferry tickets and bike racks

Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a few potential rental operators, look deeper into what type of extras they offer — and whether they’re included. Outdoor tables and chairs, a barbie, snow chains, a bike rack and child restraints are a few items you may find available.

If you plan to explore both main islands, book your ferry crossing well in advance, and you’ll likely pay less. Some rental companies can help you organise this.

Discover how to travel with a motorhome on the NZ Cook Strait ferry.

Estimating the costs of your New Zealand motorhome road trip

Your most considerable expense when travelling NZ in a motorhome or campervan will be the cost of the hire vehicle.

The campervan

If you’re happy to rent a basic campervan, you might be able to find something for around NZ$70 per day. At the height of summer, a premium luxury motorhome may cost you over NZ$800 daily. Anything between these two prices is possible, so it’s worth shopping around to check different dates and pick up locations.

The range of prices in Australia and New Zealand is relatively comparable — so it comes down to searching for the campervan you want at the price you’re happy to pay.

Learn more about how much it costs to rent a motorhome in New Zealand.

Camping

New Zealand offers a wide variety of camping options — from holiday parks and commercial campgrounds to Department of Conservation (DOC) sites and freedom camping spots.

Parking up for a night can be anything from free to NZ$60 per person.

Be aware that popular holiday parks, DOC camps and freedom camping spots can all fill up quickly during the peak summer months. Book well in advance — or get there early if it’s a freedom camping site.

Camping prices between Australia and New Zealand are generally comparable. Holiday parks and commercial camping grounds are around the same ballpark but occasionally a little pricier in NZ. Regional park camping options may also be slightly more expensive in the land of the long white cloud.

A unique and affordable option for Australian visitors is the vast network of DOC sites. Compared to similar campsites in Aussie national parks, you’ll find them cheaper across the ditch.

Look at our guide to motorhome camping in New Zealand.

Fuel

A significant cost on your road trip will be New Zealand fuel prices — whether petrol or diesel. Distances may be shorter in New Zealand than in Australia, but mountain roads can consume fuel quickly. At the time of writing, the lowest diesel price in the country was about NZ$1.75 per litre — and NZ$2.50 for petrol.

You may find the cost of petrol and diesel slightly higher in New Zealand. You’ll also need to take road user charges (RUC) into account if driving a diesel-powered vehicle. This payment contributes to road maintenance based on the distance you travel and the weight of your motorhome.

Food

How much you spend on food will depend on how often you cook in your motorhome kitchen and how frequently you eat out.

Supermarkets are as widely available as in Australia — and just like in Oz, if you venture into a small town, there may only be one small, slightly pricy supermarket. To find the cheapest groceries, visit Pak’nSave in the largest cities.

Fresh food and farmers’ markets are easy to find across the country. They’re superb for getting quality regional produce and meeting the locals.

Download our motorhome recipes for the road and get a head start on your food prep.

Your travel requirements as an Australian visiting New Zealand

To fly across the ditch to the shaky isles and hire a campervan or motorhome, you’ll need to get a few things sorted, specifically your:

• Passport — valid for at least six months

• Visa — under the trans-Tasman travel relationship, you can enter New Zealand visa-free as a tourist

• Driver licence — a valid Australian driver licence can be used to drive a campervan or motorhome rental in New Zealand

• Travel insurance — although not compulsory, it’s wise to get travel insurance that covers any medical expenses, accidents and the theft of your personal belongings.
  
  

Always read the fine print of what’s covered under your motorhome rental insurance.

Understanding the New Zealand tongue

You might be talking to your cousins across the ditch, but sometimes it feels like you’re trying to interpret someone from the other side of the world. Even the slightest differences in words can create confusion — but this list will help you get by on your motorhome road trip in NZ.

FAQs about New Zealand campervan rental adventures for Aussies 

Is it time to pack your sense of wonder (and swimmers) and start preparing for your New Zealand campervan holiday?

See our top ten tips for planning your first NZ motorhome road trip.