Enjoy an endless summer exploring New Zealand in a campervan

Is there anything better than the idea of escaping the cold, chasing the sun, and having a holiday halfway around the world? While there is definitely an art to it, it’s entirely achievable with a bit of planning, an intrepid spirit, and a campervan that doubles as a way to transport you from one magical location to the next and somewhere to lay your head. Wherever you’re coming from, be it Europe or the United Kingdom, let us show you how you could be enjoying summer in New Zealand, just as the days get shorter and the nights get cooler at home.

Make sure you plan ahead

We know, you’ve heard this a thousand times before. But it’s a cliché for a reason! The best way to get the best prices, have the most choice, and experience the least stress is to allow plenty of time to plan your trip. Summer in New Zealand is a popular time to travel, so the closer it gets, the harder it might be to find a suitable vehicle or reasonably priced flights. The same goes for holiday parks and Department of Conservation campsites (more on those later). While we understand it might sound a bit daunting to plan an undertaking like this, sometimes the planning can be one of the best parts! By researching what to do and see and starting to book travel and attractions, it makes things start to feel real and will make your anticipation and excitement grow.

Pro tip

Campervan prices definitely go up the closer you get to your travel dates, so don’t leave this to the last minute. Also, make sure you understand the difference between self-contained and non-self-contained campervans, as there are some locations you are only able to stay in if your vehicle is certified self-contained.

When is summer in New Zealand?

Officially, summer in New Zealand is from December to February, however it starts to get warmer earlier than that and can stay hot and dry well into March. Although New Zealand is a small country, the weather can vary a lot, especially at the top of the North Island, which can sometimes be impacted by the same tropical systems as the Pacific Islands (including rain), and the central areas of the South Island, which experience some of the country’s hottest days.

Pro tip

Check what’s included with your campervan hire, as you may want to include some extras to make your experience more comfortable. This could include fans, outdoor furniture or cooking equipment.

The best places to stay during summer

It could be very easy to just have two words in this section: The Beach. However, there are 15,000 kilometres of coastline in New Zealand, so the real answer needs a little more detail.

Holiday parks vs. freedom camping

When thinking about where to stay, keep in mind that New Zealand has a mixture of options for parking up your campervan or motorhome for the night. There are plenty of holiday parks to choose from across the country, the prices of which vary greatly depending on the facilities they have on offer. Beachside holiday parks are particularly popular during summer and can fill up quickly. If you’d prefer to freedom camp, New Zealand is well catered to your needs. There are more than 500 locations that provide responsible freedom camping. You can find these either on the Department of Conservation website, or by using an app such as Rankers Camping NZ or Campermate.

Pro tip

If you freedom camp, make sure to dispose of your rubbish responsibly and empty waste water at designated dumping stations only.

Popular places to visit

Some of the most popular spots to explore and stay in are:

• The Coromandel Peninsula on the East Coast of the North Island.

• Paihia and the Bay of Islands in Northland.

• From Nelson across to Golden Bay, including Abel Tasman National Park.

• Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula.

• Wanaka and Queenstown in the lower South Island.

If you are planning on visiting any of these locations, make sure to book early and prepare for lots of other holiday makers and motorhome enthusiasts.

You can pick up your campervan from Auckland to enjoy the Coromandel and Paihia; Nelson to explore Golden Bay; Christchurch to head out to Banks Peninsula; or Wanaka or Queenstown for some amazing scenery and wine.

Hidden gems

For those who prefer quieter places to rest their head, you may be more interested in these locations:

• Karamea, on the West Coast of the South Island, is perfect for adventurous types and people wanting to visit the Kahurangi National Park.

• Okains Bay, on the Banks Peninsula, is off the beaten track from Akaroa and has a campground on the beach.

• Castlepoint, on the lower North Island’s East Coast, is perfect for lighthouse admirers and mingling with the small community rather than bustling tourist spots.

• Maitai Bay, close to the top of the North Island on the Karikari Peninsula, has golden sand, bright blue water and is a great place to stop when on your way to Cape Reinga.

Start your campervan rental journey from Greymouth to drive to Karamea; Christchurch for visiting Okains Bay; Wellington to get to Castlepoint; or Auckland to drive north to Maitai Bay.

So many things to see and do

Alright, so now to the fun part. New Zealand is packed full of things to see and do, catering to all types of travellers. Here are some of the best options for enjoying the sun and making the most of what New Zealand has to offer.

Beaches

We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again. What is summer without a day at the beach, enjoying kayaking, snorkelling, swimming, surfing or just relaxing under a giant umbrella? Generally speaking, the West Coast has wilder, untamed beaches with black sand, including some world-class surf sports such as Raglan and Piha. While the East Coast has the more serene beaches you might picture, especially on the Coromandel Peninsula, in the Bay of Plenty, Sumner in Christchurch, and Ohope between Whakatane and Opotiki.

Adventure

Have a taste for thrills and adventure? Of course, the first place that comes to mind is Queenstown, which lays claim to being the Adventure Capital of the World. Bungee, speed boats, mountain biking, it’s all available, plus lots more. Queenstown’s North Island counterpart is definitely Rotorua, which gives you any number of options to get your adrenaline pumping. However, with a little bit of research, you can find something exciting to do just about anywhere in New Zealand, including zip lining on Waiheke Island, caving in Waitomo, rafting on the Tongariro River near Taupo or Sky Diving in Auckland.

Spectacular views

It would be remise of us to leave out one of the biggest advantages of having your own vehicle, which is the ability to pull over anywhere and admire the scenery. Lookouts and diversions are plentiful on New Zealand roads, meaning you can park up your campervan and take in mountains, coastlines, forests and more. Some of our favourites are Signal Hill in Dunedin, Lewis Pass on Lake Sumner, Knights Point lookout north of Haast and Pop’s View lookout in Fiordland. Always keep an eye out for rest areas and lookouts when driving between destinations and you never know what gems you might find!

Food and wine

We know a lot of people crave fresh seafood when they come to New Zealand and believe us when we say that it is plentiful. From cheap fish and chips wrapped in paper to delicate seafood creations, here are some spots to consider if you’re after a taste of the ocean.

• Ohiwa Oyster Farm near Ohope is a blink and you’ll miss it spot on the side of the road that specialises in simple fish and chips and of course, oysters too.

• Sails restaurant is a high-end seafood spot on the waterfront in Auckland. It’s the kind of place you’ll need to enquire as to the price of crayfish.

• Bobby’s Fresh Fish Market in Tauranga, which sits on the wharf and has been called the best fish and chips in New Zealand.

• Riverton Beach house on the southern coast of the South Island has seafood chowder, clam linguine, beer battered blue cod and more.

• Fisherman’s Wharf in Lyttleton keeps things simple, with salmon, blue cod, catch-of-the-day and surf n turf all on the menu.

When we say seafood in New Zealand is plentiful, the same goes with vineyards and wineries. Suffice it to say, you won’t have a hard time finding amazing food and a tipple to wash it down with. In the South Island, the most famous wine growing regions are Marlborough, which encompasses Picton and Blenheim; Central Otago, especially between Queenstown and Wanaka; and Nelson, Marlborough’s next-door neighbour. In the North Island, head to Hawke’s Bay for a range of red varietals; Gisborne for Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer; and the Auckland Region for Syrah and Pinot Gris.

Time to turn dreams into reality

Motorhome Republic makes it easy to search, compare and save on thousands of rental vehicles. Needless to say, you’re in the right spot to start turning the dream of back-to-back summers into a reality. Just put in your travel dates, select a pick-up and drop-off location and you’ll be able to see all the different types of motorhomes and campervans you could be calling home during a beautiful summer in New Zealand.