Hitting the road and exploring the diverse scenery is one of the best ways to see New Zealand! All you need is the perfect road trip van, and maybe a companion or two. These are the trips that are loosely planned, pretty spontaneous and totally memorable. A New Zealand road trip can be as hectic or as laid back as you like. A little research and you’ll be on your way to planning the ultimate getaway, and it all starts with the vehicle. Head to Camplify to check out the variety of campervans and caravans available for hire across New Zealand! Not only will you find something for your unique road trip, but you’ll likely find something tucked away in just the right corner of New Zealand. From Papamoa to Timaru, vans on Camplify are not just available in the major cities. That means it’s time for a road trip with a not-so-common route!
1. Wellington to Castlepoint
Gone are the days of having to travel far and wide to start your campervan road trip. Campervan owners in New Zealand are listing their vans for hire on Camplify, and they are available for pick-up in so many corners of the country. For those in Wellington, a campervan close to home is the ‘Hare and There’ 6-berth Dethleffs motorhome. This camper is perfect for weekend trips through the Wairarapa. A must-do road trip route is Wellington to Castlepoint. Castlepoint is a small, beachy township on the Wairarapa Coast. Swing into Martinborough for a night and two and visit the local wineries. And one can simply not go to Castlepoint without checking out the Castlepoint lighthouse. The Castlepoint lighthouse walk is a cruisy 30-minute return walk and the coastal views are incredible!
For another awesome lighthouse visit, change directions and head to Cape Palliser Lighthouse on the southernmost point of the North Island. It’s just over a 2-hour drive from Wellington (140km one way) and this motorhome will get you there and back in style. A beautiful road trip ex. Wellington.
Check out this amazing motorhome here.
2. Timaru to The Catlins
This is a great New Zealand road trip route! You can cover so many beautiful parts of Otago and Southland, all without having to travel via Christchuch. The almighty Zeffer motorhome is available for hire from Timaru, and is the ultimate adventure machine for a couple or family. Head south along the coast and check out Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct. Carry on to Moeraki and the Moeraki Boulders, before stopping into Fleur’s for a local favourite foodie experience. Venture via Dunedin to the Catlins and explore the Nugget Point Lighthouse, Purakanui Falls and so much more. Return home the way you came, or loop back and visit some of the best Central Otago small towns, Roxburgh and Clyde. There’s plenty to see on this weekend road trip.
You can explore your backyard in a van that suits your needs, by hiring one like this on Camplify that’s already close to home. Check out Zeffer the motorhome here.
3. Hamilton to Raglan
Rally up a friend or two – those who’re always talking about a ‘vanlife’ trip, and explore the West Coast of the North Island in Juno. Juno is a VW campervan with all the bells and whistles, and the most impressive interior fit out! Conveniently located in Hamilton, he can be hired for the ultimate road trip in the Waikato. Hamilton to Raglan is just a 30-minute road trip.
Is Hamilton still not close enough to home for your campervan hire? Head to the Camplify homepage and use the search feature to find a campervan for hire near you.
Check out Juno here!
Have you got an amazing campervan like this? Click here to find out more about listing your camper with Camplify.
4. Queenstown to Mount Cook
“Kowhai” the Kombi is available for hire from Queenstown, so if you’re rearing to go on a road trip in the adventure capital you can do so with a unique twist. A road trip from Queenstown to Mount Cook is best enjoyed as a weekend getaway or longer. The scenery through Lindis Pass is breathtaking, and you can’t miss Lake Pukaki on the way into Mount Cook National Park. This is the best of the best in New Zealand road tripping. Experience the area like a local with this refurbished 1975 VW Kombi van.
Altering your route a little and staying closer to Queenstown is a great option too. You can learn more about hiring this van here.
5. Auckland to Papamoa Beach
Papamoa Beach is the ultimate spot to park up in a caravan. These white sandy shores, just down the road from Mount Maunganui, are perfect for surfing, swimming and stopping the clock for a few days. “Sally the Concord” couldn’t be more ideal for a couple or family of four to arrive to after a 3-hour road trip from Auckland. That’s right – no towing needed with this caravan. Sally’s owner can set her up for you. There are plenty of beachside sites here so you can base yourself right on the beach for a weekend. Enjoy the road trip, soak up the destination, and enjoy the road trip home. Auckland to Papamoa Beach is a fantastic route with rolling hills and the odd small town along the way.
You could easily road trip to Papamoa Beach from any other New Zealand spot. Check out what you could be arriving to here.
Want to earn an income from your motorhome, caravan or camper too? Learn more about how it works here.
This article was created in paid partnership with Camplify.
