Campervan Hire Christchurch

A campervan hire from Christchurch is an ideal holiday for a number of reasons. As the largest city in New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch has plenty of things to offer for every type of traveller. Not only is it filled with diverse landscapes and stunning sceneries, Christchurch is also a great starting point for a number of epic motorhome hire NZ adventures. Pick up your campervan hire in Christchurch and explore the beauty of the ‘Garden City’ and the whole of the Canterbury region in a breeze.

Plan your campervan hire Christchurch road trip and find out more reasons why visiting this city should be part of everyone's bucket list!

Find cheap Christchurch campervan hire with Motorhome Republic

Any journey to New Zealand would not be complete without a cheap campervan hire from Christchurch. Located in the middle of the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch is the perfect jumping point for any campervan hire NZ holiday. Motorhome Republic helps travellers choose from 34 fleets of motorhomes. From budget motorhomes and cheap campers to luxurious RVs in the range, there is a perfect motorhome for every type of traveller. Select the pick up date, drop off date, grab your Christchurch campervan, and head away for a few days to closer areas such as Banks Peninsula and Hanmer Springs. Or opt for a two, three, or four-week motorhome trip and visit famous Lake Tekapo, and even areas as far south as Bluff or as far north as Nelson, or anywhere in between. A campervan hire in Christchurch gives you the freedom of travel from one place to another at your own pace.

Where to go with your campervan hire from Christchurch?

One of the closest spots is also one of the most quaint and picturesque in the country – Akaroa Harbour. Pick up your hire campervan Christchurch and head to the seaside township of Akaroa. Just one hour from the city over the Banks Peninsula, Akaroa is a small town filled with French origins that are perfect for a day or two of relaxed walks, boutique shopping and time spent on the water.

We can highly recommend a motorhome trip inland to Hanmer Springs, which is less than two hours’ drive in your Christchurch RV. This is where you’ll find glorious natural hot pools, beautiful walking tracks, and adventurous activities such as bungy jumping and jet boating.

On the coast, two hours north of Christchurch lies Kaikoura, a place known for its exceptional seafood and whale watching opportunities. It’s a classic small-town New Zealand location and well worth a visit if you’re driving through in your camper van hire. For those looking for a campground within close proximity to Kaikoura's top attractions, Donegal House provides both powered and non-powered sites on beautiful facilities with a restaurant and bar.

Heading west in your CHCH campervan rental, you can drive through the alps to Arthur’s Pass and on to the West Coast. These often-rainy locations will give you a glimpse of the wild south, and are dotted with scenic stops and walking tracks. The journey towards Franz Josef Glacier is also becoming quite popular not only as a tourist attraction but even to CHCH locals.

If you’re planning to visit Christchurch during winter, there are plenty of fantastic ski fields for a few days on the slopes. Mt Hutt, Porter’s Pass and Mt Cheeseman are all within an hour or two of the city.

Head south of Christchurch in your motorhome hire down the coast for 4.5 hours and you’ll reach Dunedin, a renowned university town with a famous Cadbury chocolate factory and a beautiful train station at its heart.

One of the most-visited and famous South Island attractions is the Fiordland National Park, which is an eight-hour drive in your motorhome rental Christchurch. The area encompasses the fiords of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound and is easily one of the most jaw-droppingly stunning places in New Zealand, if not the world.

Not far from Fiordland is Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. Here you can hike, bungy jump, take a ride on a jet boat, skydive, fish, go boating, zipline, visit the bumpy pump bike park, go mountain biking and do just about any other activities you can think of. In winter, the area becomes a snow bunny’s dream, as it’s surrounded by fantastic mountains such as Coronet Peak and Cardrona. Drive away in your campervan hire from Christchurch to Queenstown and experience the thrill of adventures the city has to offer. 

Christchurch Information

Christchurch has always been one of the top destinations to go on a campervan hire holiday. The city has been coping creatively with the aftermath of the destructive earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. With the ongoing projects to rebuild the city, travellers continue to revel in the vibrant and wonderful experiences Christchurch has to offer. Also serving as the gateway to discovering the natural beauty and rich culture of New Zealand’s South Island, Christchurch is the perfect launching point for several campervan hire NZ road trips.

On the banks of the Avon River, Christchurch is a region of holiday park, galleries, epic botanic gardens, historical buildings and a people with an indomitable spirit. Despite the significant damage the earthquakes caused, the New York Times labelled it the ‘World’s Second-best place to visit’ in early 2014.

What to do in Christchurch?

Christchurch-Canterbury region stretches from Mackenzie country around Lake Tekapo as far north as Kaikōura. Located between rugged coastlines and mountainous parks, Christchurch offers a uniquely European feel and plenty of outdoor activities and attractions to choose from. Access handy tips below to get you prepared for that CHCH holiday.

• Christchurch Gondola: Pretty self-explanatory, this special trip is just 15 minutes from the town centre at 10 Bridle Path Road. With a cafe and a ‘Shop at the Top’, as well as taking in the stunning sights of the Southern Alps, there are so many things to do in this marvelous place.

• Kaikoura: The whale-watching capital of the world, it’s only a couple of hours from Christchurch in your campervan – and you can also get up close and personal with dolphins and fur seals. One of the most stunning, untouched natural havens on the planet.

• Snow sports: One hour and 45 minutes west is Mt Hutt Ski Area on The Big Mountain. Whether you snowboard or ski, this family-friendly mountain offers basic coaching, different terrain, advanced slopes and a fantastic welcome - perfect for campers looking for a challenge and extreme adventure. Pick up a campervan hire near Christchurch Airport and hit the road. There is more to this city aside from the alps.

• Golfing heaven: It’s not difficult to store your golf clubs in a motorhome hire, so if you want to hit the fairways, Canterbury has more than 40 courses in the region. Hagley Golf Club and Clearwater are just two options.

• Boots made for walking: For those more active travellers, there are numerous walking routes in the local areas around Christchurch. Akaroa & Banks Peninsula is a particular highlight, just 90 mins away. From an ancient volcano to reserves and forest land, get planning and put your best foot forward. Or there’s Akaroa Jet Adventures if you want to give your campervan rental a rest and travel the ocean wave at high speed!

• Taste sensations: Food and drink is a culture of its own in Canterbury, so if you fancy a change from the stove of your CHCH camper, indulge in a food and wine trail. They include North Canterbury, Selwyn and Mid Canterbury.

Hop on your motorhome hire in Christchurch and get ready to experience the holiday of a lifetime!

There are so many choices for affordable campervan in Christchurch, with numerous companies offering special rental deals. The more in advance you can book, the more likely you are to get a great offer.

Trusted brands for your Christchurch campervan rental

Compare Christchurch campervan deals and vehicle hire options from these trusted suppliers and get the motorhome most suited for your road trip.

Jucy Campervan Hire

Jucy Car Rental and Campervan Hire is so close to Christchurch Airport that you could walk there in just twice the time it takes to drive the 1.6 kilometres. Located at 791 Wairakei Road in Harewood, this is the ideal location to get off the plane and onto the road sooner. Plus, Jucy offers free transfers from the airport to make it that much easier.

Your choice of Christchurch campervan rentals from Jucy includes five options. The largest is the Jucy Casa, a fully-equipped motorhome with onboard bathroom and space for four people to sleep. In the campervan category, there’s the two-berth Jucy Cabana that has the iconic Jucy brand colours. For something a little more spacious, check out the Jucy Condo or Chaser, both suited to four sleepers, and both with built-in bathrooms. Jucy Campervans Christchurch branch is open 8am to 6pm on weekdays and from 8am to 5pm during weekends. They also have rental depots for campervan rentals in Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin and Queenstown.

Cheapa Campers, Real Value RV, Hippie Rentals, Apollo Campers, Star RV

All operating from the same location at 24 Logistics Drive, Harewood, Cheapa Campers, Real Value, Hippie, Apollo and Star RV are only 3.6 kilometres from the airport. To get there, simply give your campervan rental company a call once you’ve cleared customs and they will come and pick you up from the designated shuttle stop. Their hours of operation are 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Sunday, and the city centre is only 10 kilometres.

Star RV offers spacious and comfortable campervans for hire, such as the six-berth Hercules RV, the four-berth Phoenix RV, and the two-berth Aquila RV, all fully equipped with kitchens and bathrooms and everything else you could need. At Apollo, you can pick up basic two-person campervans, hitops and tourers, or up-size and opt for a full RV with four or six-berth camper rentals for families and groups. Hippie Campers is different again, with three simple motorhome rental options for those who enjoy funky graphic detailing and a good Christchurch campervan deals. Real Value RV also has two-, four-, and six-berth campervans for rent, and Cheapa Campers has a little of everything with hitops and larger RVs as well. Note that pickups or drop-offs of motorhome rentals on public holidays will incur a fee.

Spaceships Camper Hire

Spaceships Camper Hire has three campervans in its range, starting with an affordable Rocket 2 petrol camper with space for two and a basic set of cooking gear. The Beta 2 is Spaceships’ most popular camper hire, as it is very similar to the Rocket 2 but with a fridge/freezer, a side awning and dual slide door, and ABS brakes and airbags. The Beta 2S camper is the premium offering, as it doesn’t have the bright orange branding of the other two, but also has 40 per cent more space in the back when you remove the rear seat. For the Beta versions, you also get to pick two free DVDs to play during your Christchurch road trip, which you can swap with other Spaceship travellers! With all campervan rentals, you get specials on local activities and attractions, and plenty of information on campgrounds and holiday parks located nearby where you will be staying each night during your New Zealand motorhome hire adventure.

The Spaceships depot is only 3.2 kilometres from Christchurch Airport at 28 Sheffield Crescent in Burnside, a trip you will make for free with your complimentary transfer service when you arrive. The rental office is open five days a week throughout May to the end of September from 9am to 4pm, and seven days a week throughout the warmer months from 9am to 5pm. Spaceships only closes on Christmas Day and January 1.

Britz Campervans, Maui Motorhomes, Mighty Campers, United, Alpha, Kea Campervan Rentals

With so many awesome leading brands in one place, you’ve got the A-Z of campervans and motorhomes in Christchurch, and even all over New Zealand, all under one roof. Britz, Maui, Mighty, United, Alpha and Kea are located at 10 De Havilland Way, which is only 750 metres from Christchurch’s international and domestic terminals (they are in the same building). You could walk it if you’re keen to stretch your legs after the flight, or you can take a free transfer to the depot. The rental office here is open every day of the week from 8am to 4.30pm, and is only closed on Christmas Day. The branch here has wifi, multilingual staff and bathrooms, and the closest supermarket is just 5 kilometres away on Memorial Ave in Fendalton.

As for the motorhomes available, Britz camper rental Christchurch sets the bar high with seven different options from two-person hitops to fully equipped six-berth motorhomes with two lounge areas and an on-board bathroom. Maui has a fleet of campervans for hire all less than 2.5 years old, including two-, four-, and six-berth RVs. Mighty campers Christchurch comes to the party with several two-person campervans and a couple of four-berth RVs. United Campervan Rentals, Alpha Campervans and Kea campervans hire each have their own ranges of hitops, lowballs, RVs and everything in between for any traveller, any budget, any style, and any destination.

Kiwi Campers, Happy Campers, Pure Motorhomes

Happy Campers, Kiwi Campers and Pure Motorhomes are all situated just 3.6 kilometres from Christchurch Airport at 6 Export Ave in Harewood, which is a quick ride in your complimentary shuttle. To organise, just give your rental company a call a week before the date and book the service. Note that this free transfer is only available from 10am to 3pm each day to coincide with the depot’s office hours.

Kiwi Campers has a variety of vans and motorhome rentals to suit any number of travellers, from their two-berth campers (some with, some without bathrooms), to their Deluxe seven-berth Mitsubishi Canter with all the extras. Happy Campers will make you a happy camper with two-, three-, and four-berth motorhomes and campervans in Christchurch for a good price. Pure Motorhomes adds another element to the mix with affordable two- and three-berth campers and RVs. Please note that all rentals must be returned on time in clean condition, with full fuel tanks and empty waste tanks.

Lucky Campervan Rentals

Lucky Rentals keeps things affordable and simple with a basic range of motorhome rentals. You’ve got two-berth campers such as the Lucky Crib, which is the smallest and cheapest, as well as the Lucky Chaser, which is New Zealand’s smallest campervan that’s fitted with a toilet and shower. There are also a couple of three-person vans and a four-berth Cabana, which is a Jucy van just like the four-berth Jucy Condo. Lucky Rentals don’t have any age restrictions on their rental vehicles (so long as you have your licence), there’s no bond required and you get 24-hour roadside assistance throughout your Christchurch NZ trip.

You’ll find Lucky Rentals in Christchurch at 104 Carmen Road, Russley, a depot that’s just 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the city centre. To get there, you can grab a transfer for a fee (just call 0800 808 881 on the day to book). The office is open 9am to 4.30pm every day of the week from October 1 to April 30.

Abuzzy Motorhomes

Abuzzy’s motor home rentals are all self-contained, easy-to-drive vehicles. The most basic option is a two-berth Deluxe Campervan (the toilet and shower facilities are portable), but there are two more two-berth options in Grand and Ultimate which offer incredibly spacious and well-equipped camper vans Christchurch for couples or friends. The medium size range includes the Abuzzy 3 and 4 berth Top's, which are very compact and fully self-contained with automatic transmission. At the larger end of the scale, Abuzzy Motorhomes offers four and six-berth rental campervans with microwaves and kitchens.

The rental depot for Abuzzy is very close to Christchurch Airport, just five minutes away at 5 Abros Place, Burnside. Your airport transfer is free when you text or call the team to let them know when you are ready to pick up your Christchurch motorhome hire, and the office hours run Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm. Transfers outside of these hours, including on weekends, is by arrangement.

Backpacker sleepervans, Budget Campers, Freedom Campers, Tui Campers

All operating from 518 and 520 Wairakei Road in Burnside, these four leading campervan rental NZ companies have a smorgasbord of vehicles. They are only 3.4 kilometres - about 6 minutes by car - from the airport, and offer for free an orange and white shuttle service to pick you up and drop you off before and after your campervan rental Christchurch NZ trip. In the busy summer season (October to end of April), the depot is open from 8am to 4.30pm every day, and in the low season they are open from 9am to 3.30pm, only closing on Christmas Day. So all Christchurch campervan rentals picking up or dropping off during the holidays may be charged an extra fee.

Backpacker Sleepervans has a fleet of converted vans with bright adventure sport motifs on the sides, all ideal for two people to share and see some of New Zealand’s best on a budget. Budget Campers has the Finder (two-person van), the Seeker (two-person camper with bathroom), and the Escape (four-berth motorhome). Freedom Campers has everything from your basic campers to large five-berth motorhomes and 4WD bushcampers, and Tui runs the gamut with all of the above on the table.

Compass Campers and Wendekreisen Campervans and Motorhomes

Compass Campers has four awesome rental berth options to choose from. The largest are six-berth self-contained motorhomes with small kitchens and either auto or manual transmissions. Both four-berth options are also self-contained RVs and also have basic kitchen gear such as burners, microwaves and fridges. For travelling couples and pairs, there are plenty of two-berth motorhome options both with and without bathroom facilities. Wendekreisen adds a range of motorhomes and campervans for hire, including a budget range of no-frill campers and RVs, and a deluxe range of stylish and spacious four- and six-berth homes on wheels.

The depot for both Compass and Wendekreisen is at 240 Roydvale Avenue in Burnside, a short seven-minute drive away from Christchurch Airport and 20 minutes from the city centre. Depot open hours run from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 8.30am to 12.30pm on Sundays. You can pick up or drop off outside of these hours for an additional fee. As an added extra, these two rental brands offer free transfers from Christchurch Airport, and you can check-in online to save time when picking up your RV rental or camper hire Christchurch.

Sleepavanz and Discover NZ Motorhome Rentals

For rentals from Sleepavanz and Discover NZ Motorhome Rentals you will need to organise a time with these companies to meet at either Christchurch Airport, or at your city hotel or motel. They will pick you up and give you a lift to their depot for a run-down on your camper or motorhome. They are open daily from 8am to 4.30pm, but also offer after-hours service from 6.30am to 10.30pm for an extra fee at the discretion of the company.

Sleepavanz has a basic two-berth campervan for hire in Christchurch that can fit two adults, has auto transmission, airbags and a portable gas cooker, and it even comes with 24-hour roadside assistance and unlimited kilometres. Discover NZ Motorhome Rentals has a variety of berth sizes, from two-person to seven-person deluxe vehicles. Book a private motorhome hire Christchurch or grab the larger family RVs depending on your rental needs. Their standard rentals keep the price low with no added extras, while the deluxe versions have everything from DVD players to power steering.