Open roads with mountains, lakes and small towns at every turn – it’s the mecca of road trip destinations. And there’s no better way to travel the South Island than in a campervan. Stay in spectacular campsites with unbelievable views. Drive along some of the most photographed roads in the country. Discover the charm of places like Central Otago and the Mackenzie Region. This corner of the globe really does have it all. Here’s all you need to know for planning and experiencing the most exciting South Island road trip!
1. Planning
The dream phase is one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip! Starting with the things you want to see and the places you want to visit, and piecing it together from there. For the ultimate South Island Road Trip in a campervan, Christchurch is one of the best places to begin. With countless vans available for hire on Camplify, you can browse the listings and find out what you might need from a van to make your trip memorable. Consider where you’ll stay each night, if you’ll book powered campground sites or stay a little more off-grid, and what your budget is. Find the perfect campervan or caravan for your South Island road trip!
Explore the amazing vans available for hire from Christchurch on Camplify here.
2. Booking
Locking in your dream camper and making a booking on Camplify is simple and uncomplicated. Enter your details and the van owner then has a chance to review your booking request. Camplify is a hub for campervan owners to rent out their beloved vans to fellow like-minded adventurers. Finding a van on Camplify means enjoying perks like finding one-of-kind vans and getting tips and tricks on the van quirks from the owner. There’s a sense of community when hiring like this. Once your booking is confirmed, it’s time to arrange the pick up details with the owner. You’re able to message the owner with questions, all before you begin your epic trip.
3. Pick Up
Pick up’s can be the easy bit when you’re hiring on Camplify. Arrange a meeting point that suits both you and the van owner, get the full run down on how the camper works and share in the excitement for the journey ahead. The van owner does a quick check of the van before you leave so everyone is one the same page. Be sure to get some local knowledge on the best places to stop along the way! A South Island road trip starting from Christchurch should always include visits to Fairlie, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki, the Lindis Pass and more!
4. The Road Trip
Make time to see the sights, meet the locals and stop in unexpected places. There’s so much to see in the South Island. Drive through Geraldine – the home of Barkers, visit Fairlie Bakehouse to try a famous pie and spend a night at Lakes Edge Holiday Park in Tekapo for the powered campsites with the very best views! Carry on to Aoraki Mount Cook because it’s not a South Island road trip without a visit to New Zealand’s highest peak. Marvel at the milky blue waters of Lake Pukaki and check out the quaint small town of Twizel. Cruise through the scenic Lindis Pass before leaving the Mackenzie Country and venturing towards Queenstown-Lakes. Drive your campervan alongside Lake Dunstan and through the Kawarau Gorge for a stop in Queenstown. For a round trip back to Christchuch, head through the rolling hills of Maniototo and visit towns like Naseby, Ranfurly and Saint Bathans. Get all the way to the east coast for beach-side campgrounds and picturesque lunch spots before driving back the the Canterbury Plains. Every inch of the way are photo opportunities and fantastic pull-in’s for a picnic with a view.
Always take extra care on the roads and make regular stops. Follow the campervan owners rules and guidelines and enjoy a safe and unforgettable trip! For tips on choosing the best campervan for you, click here.
5. Drop Off
Just like your pick-up, dropping off your hired camper back to its owner is a breeze. Find a time and place that works and tick off a final van inspection. Be sure to give the camper a review on Camplify so other explorers can help find their perfect road trip companion. Wrap up this holiday on wheels and get back to planning the next!
This article was created in paid partnership with Camplify.
Cover image of Bertie the Burstner
