Choosing the Best Campervan for your New Zealand Road Trip

4 MIN READ

Travelling New Zealand in a campervan is one of the best ways to explore the awe-inspiring landscapes. Park up and watch the sunset. Make a last-minute decision to change your plans. Campervans are the ultimate adventure machines. In the sea of luscious motorhomes and quirky campervans on Camplify, it’s important to consider what you need from your van to make sure you have the ultimate road trip experience. What are you taking with you, and where will you go? Are you heading off-grid or will you be frequenting powered campsites? There are a couple of key factors to ponder before locking in your pick. Getting the details right is the difference between a hectic trip and a remarkable one. Here’s how to choose the best campervan for your New Zealand road trip.

1. Budget

Locking down a budget is a great place to start. Camplify have vans starting from just $80 per day, with pick-up locations all across the country. Go cheap and cheerful or splash out on luxury. This fantastic range of options means there’s an adventure in the pipeline for everyone. Damage cover is included in your van hire with Camplify too, so you can tick that one off the budget checklist.

  • luxury-camper
  • budget-camper

2. Group Size

Choose the campervan that sleeps your group size perfectly. Make sure you’ve got space to move, eat, sleep and relax. If you’re travelling New Zealand as a couple, you’ve got your pick of the bunch. Camplify are connecting you, the aspiring holidaymaker, with thousands of neighbourhood campers available for hire. If you’re a larger group, browse campers that sleep 6 and have sepete living areas for ultimate comfort. If you’re budget conscious, the more the merrier. A group of like-minded friends can band together and split the cost!

Find the perfect van for your group on Camplify here.

3. Destinations

You’ve decided to let down your hair and venture on a campervan trip in New Zealand. Let the destinations inspire your itinerary and in turn, which campervan you choose. If you’re heading to a few major cities, you may find a sleek camper that’s easy to park will be best. If you’re taking rugged roads and exploring off the beaten track, a caravan that you can unhook and leave at your campsite would be ideal. Picturing a New Zealand road trip with lots of off-roading and driving on beaches? There’s a Land Rover Defender in Queenstown that will take you where other vans can’t!

4. Caravan vs Campervan

Camplify has a huge range of campervans and caravans available for hire. Choosing the best van for you includes determining if you want to drive or tow. The benefits of towing include being able to secure a great spot at a campsite, un-hook and drive around townships with ease. Caravans often have a charming interior with quirky features like J-Pod Outbacks tent extension to transform your living space. Certain capabilities are required for towing and having some experience helps. Campervans are all-in-one accommodation on wheels. Move around the entire space, from the front cab to the back bedroom, without having to go outside. Campervans come in all shapes and sizes so take the time to browse your options on Camplify here

Some van owners will also deliver their van to a nearby campsite for you if that suits you best. Or you can hire a caravan that has a permanent posy in a campground. Options, options, options.

5. Off-grid experience

If you’re planning on being off-grid (away from a plug-in power source) for a number of days, make sure you hire a van that can accommodate that. Many vans on Camplify, even those lower price point ones, have diesel heaters and solar so you can charge up your phones in the middle of nowhere. If your New Zealand road trip includes powered campsites every step of the way, a motorhome can be plugged in for instant power. One of the perks of campervan travel is not having to sacrifice on the comforts of home while you’re on the road.

6. Storage

Does your ideal road trip involve cycle trails and the odd camping adventure? With large campervans like Carly in Auckland, you don’t have to leave any of your toys at home. There’s a huge storage compartment to hold luggage, bikes, camping gear and more. Plus it can be accessed from inside as well as outside. If you’re leaning towards a van with a lower cost per night, consider the size of the items you pack. A smaller budget doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t find a camper on Camplify with sufficient storage though. The Exploravan in Auckland is equipped with roof racks and a roof boot. All your luggage can be tucked away for the trip and your gear slots into shelves and under the bed. Handy!

This article was created in paid partnership with Camplify.

New Zealand Guide
New Zealand Guide
Sharing the best of food, travel and lifestyle in New Zealand | Share your stories with us at #newzealandguide

Latest Articles