Motorhome/campervan hire in New Zealand

mssloan

Hi,

I'm after suggestions for hiring a campervan/small motorhome for travelling about New Zealand in April & May of next year and also reducing the cost of Liability Reduction which seems to be the largest cost involved.

Regards,
mssloan

richardw

Will it be warm enough for a camper van at that time of year?

Mxty

It's a campervan they do come with heating, itll be fine... I've got a caravan and we often go on holidays in December so nothing to worry about

comeandgo

But December in UK is not as cold as some parts of NZ in their winter. OP are you sure you want to hire a motor home in winter in NZ? When we did the costings a few years ago the costs were very similar to hiring a car and staying at lodges, hotels. We did not think the extra hastle of driving one was worth it. Many of the roads are narrow and steep and twisty though not the pot holes we have here. You can buy Liability Reduction Insurance here before you go out - its a lot cheaper that way.

danandjens_worldtravels

Depending on where you are going in NZ it can be cold. We are in the South Island at the moment and this winter has been the mildest locals can remember and in May it was cold!!

The car and hostel is a good idea as there are loads of great hostels here, many with double rooms and the kitchen areas are all really clean. Some hostels aim to the young backpacker market, but there are plenty of alternatives that are frequented by the more discerning traveller. This site has a list of nice ones http://www.bbh.co.nz/

And unless you plan to do some wild camping the costs will be on a par with van hire and power sites. Maybe a combination of both, van for the North Island and car/hostel for the South.

The Department of Conservation have basic sites in really nice places, I think in a hired van though you cannot do more than about 1k off tarseal road, so not all the DOC sites are available to you. http://www.doc.govt.nz/

This site has relocations on, depending on how flexible your plans are you can get some great deals https://www.transfercar.co.nz/browseall

The roads are great here, but remember to add extra time on the travel distances, on a map it looks like it should take less time, but it honestly doesn't. Christchurch to Queenstown is 6 hours, on a map it looks like 3 or 4 should do it, but no it takes 6 hours. Add onto that the little stops because the scenery is stunning and the time just disappears.