New Zealand Campervan Rentals for Walking Enthusiasts | Freewalks.nz

New Zealand Campervan Rentals for Walking Enthusiasts

Trusted recommendations from someone who's walked 600+ tracks across New Zealand

Hey, I'm Sandra! So you're thinking about combining your walking adventures with a campervan? You've come to the right person! I've been living the mobile life for years - first in my own bus, then in a converted furniture truck (don't ask!), and I absolutely love being able to wake up somewhere different every day.

I've done over 600 walks across New Zealand, and almost all of them from my mobile base. I know which spots have the best morning views, where you can actually get a decent night's sleep, and - importantly - which rental companies my walking mates have had good (and not so good) experiences with. The stories I could tell you!

✅ Walking-Specific Advice

Recommendations based on actual walking experience, not just generic reviews

✅ Best Prices Guaranteed

Compare 8+ companies with price match guarantee

✅ Freedom Camping Spots

Know where you can legally camp near popular walks

✅ No Hidden Fees

Transparent pricing and honest advice about extra costs

If You're Watching the Budget

Perfect for: Anyone who'd rather spend money on experiences than fancy van features

Jucy Rentals

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You literally can't miss these vans. Jucy's bright green and purple fleet is everywhere in New Zealand - and there's a reason for that. They're cheap, they're reliable, and they'll get you to pretty much any walk you want to do.

Heaps of my walking buddies have used Jucy, especially for shorter trips or when they're just starting out with the campervan thing. Sure, you're not going to have loads of space, but honestly? If you're spending most of your time outside walking anyway, who cares if the van's a bit cosy. My mate Sarah did a whole Coromandel circuit in a Jucy and loved it.

Pros:
  • Cheapest rates in NZ
  • Huge network of depots
  • Good range of vehicle sizes
  • Reliable for basic needs
Cons:
  • Basic interiors
  • Can be cramped for longer trips
  • Older vehicle fleet
  • Limited luxury features
What I hear from people: "If you just need wheels and a bed, Jucy's brilliant. Never had a breakdown, and when you're paying half what other companies charge, you can put up with a slightly basic interior."

Hippie Camper

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The fun, colourful budget option. Hippie Camper's vans are hard to miss with their bright, psychedelic paint jobs. They're all about the budget market but with a bit more personality than your average rental van.

Pros:
  • Very budget-friendly
  • Fun, unique designs
  • Popular with younger travellers
  • Good availability
Cons:
  • Basic amenities
  • Older vehicle fleet
  • Not for comfort seekers
  • Can be a bit cramped
What I hear from people: "Great if you want something cheap and cheerful. The painted vans are definitely Instagram-worthy, and you'll save heaps of money."

Cheapa Campa

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Does what it says on the tin. Cheapa Campa is all about getting you on the road for the least money possible. No frills, no fuss, just basic transport and accommodation in one.

Pros:
  • Cheapest option available
  • Gets the job done
  • Good for very short trips
  • Often available when others book out
Cons:
  • Very basic facilities
  • Older, well-used vehicles
  • Limited customer service
  • Not suitable for longer trips
What I hear from people: "You get what you pay for. Fine for a few days if you're really tight on budget, but don't expect luxury."

Spaceship Rentals

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The quirky space-themed option. Spaceship does things differently with their futuristic designs and space-themed branding. Popular with younger travellers who want something a bit different from the standard campervan experience.

Pros:
  • Unique, eye-catching designs
  • Good budget pricing
  • Popular with Instagram crowd
  • Different from standard rentals
Cons:
  • Basic amenities
  • Limited comfort features
  • Not for everyone's taste
  • Smaller company = less support
What I hear from people: "Love it or hate it kind of thing. If you like the space theme and want photos that stand out, it's great. Just don't expect luxury."

When You Want Something Nicer

Perfect for: Longer trips, older joints, or when someone else is paying!

Apollo Motorhomes

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The reliable mid-range choice. Apollo's been around for decades and they know what they're doing. Good step up from the budget options without going full premium pricing. Popular with families and anyone wanting a bit more comfort.

Pros:
  • Good value for comfort level
  • Reliable, well-maintained fleet
  • Excellent customer service
  • Wide range of vehicle sizes
Cons:
  • More expensive than budget options
  • Not as luxurious as top-tier
  • Can book out quickly in peak season
What I hear from people: "Really solid choice. Not the cheapest but you definitely get better quality. Great for families or longer walking trips where comfort matters."

Tui Campers

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The comfortable middle ground. Tui sits nicely between budget and premium - better than the basic options but not as pricey as the luxury brands. Good choice if you want comfort without breaking the bank.

Pros:
  • Good balance of price and comfort
  • Modern, clean vehicles
  • Professional service
  • Suitable for longer trips
Cons:
  • More expensive than budget brands
  • Not as well-known as major brands
  • Limited depot locations
What I hear from people: "Good middle option that doesn't get talked about much. Better quality than the cheap ones but you're not paying Maui prices."

Britz Campervans

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The reliable choice. Britz has been around forever and they know what they're doing. From what I hear from people, they've never had a drama with Britz vehicles, and when my mate's Britz van had a flat tyre near Franz Josef, they had someone out to fix it within an hour.

They're definitely more expensive, but if you're doing a once-in-a-lifetime South Island trip and want to know everything's going to work properly, Britz seems to be a pretty safe bet based on all the feedback I get.

Pros:
  • Excellent customer service
  • Well-maintained fleet
  • Good range of sizes
  • Reliable for longer expeditions
Cons:
  • Higher prices than budget options
  • Can book out quickly in peak season
What I hear from people: "You definitely pay for the peace of mind, but if anything goes wrong, these guys will sort you out fast. Worth it for longer trips or if you're not confident with vehicle issues."

Maui Motorhomes

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The flash option. Right, Maui is definitely the most expensive, but from what everyone tells me, their vans are bloody nice. One couple from my walking Facebook group hired one for their 25th anniversary trip and said it felt like staying in a fancy hotel every night.

If you're doing a big milestone trip, celebrating something special, or just really value your comfort, Maui's worth considering. Just don't expect any change from $150+ per day.

Pros:
  • Top-end comfort and amenities
  • Newest vehicles in fleet
  • Excellent build quality
  • Premium customer service
Cons:
  • Most expensive option
  • Higher petrol consumption
  • Overkill for short trips
What I hear from people: "Lovely to drive, lovely to stay in, but you'll definitely feel it in your wallet. Great for special occasions or if comfort is your top priority."

💡 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me (From Years of Mobile Living)

  • Book bigger than you think you need: I lived in a converted furniture truck for ages, and even I think those tiny vans look cramped
  • Self-contained is worth it: The freedom to stop wherever you want is bloody brilliant - don't limit yourself to campgrounds
  • Insurance matters: I've seen people hit with massive bills for minor scratches - get the excess cover
  • Petrol adds up fast: Those big vans are thirsty, especially when you're climbing hills or driving into headwinds

The Self-Contained Thing (It's Important!)

Seriously, this catches heaps of people out.

Right, so "self-contained" basically means your van has a proper toilet, fresh water, and somewhere for the grubby water to go. Sounds boring, but it's actually the difference between being able to camp pretty much anywhere legally versus being stuck paying for campgrounds every night.

Self-Contained (Get This If You Can)

  • You can camp in all those gorgeous DOC sites for $6-15 per night
  • Perfect for walks like the Heaphy Track where accommodation's limited
  • More expensive upfront but saves heaps on accommodation
  • Way more flexibility - don't have to plan around campground locations

Non-Self-Contained (Budget Option)

  • Cheaper daily rates (sometimes half the price)
  • You'll be paying $20-40 per night for powered sites
  • Fine if you're staying around main centers with good facilities
  • Can work well for Auckland area walks where campgrounds are everywhere

Some Bloody Good Routes to Try

North Island Circuit (Perfect for 2 Weeks)

Auckland → Coromandel → Rotorua → Taupo → Wellington

This is my go-to recommendation for first-timers. You get a good mix of everything - city walks, beaches, bush, mountains, and geothermal weirdness. Plus the driving's not too scary!

  • Start with some easy Auckland walks (Karekare Falls is gorgeous)
  • Head to Coromandel for Cathedral Cove and coastal tracks
  • Rotorua has the Redwoods and all that bubbling geothermal stuff
  • Taupo for the Tongarino Alpine Crossing (if you're feeling brave)
  • Finish in Wellington - heaps of harbour walks and good coffee

Van recommendation: Medium campervan works perfectly (Apollo or Tui)

South Island Epic (3-4 Weeks If You Can Swing It)

Christchurch → West Coast → Queenstown → Fiordland → Dunedin

Right, this is the big one. If you're going to do it properly, don't rush it. The South Island's massive and the scenery's mental - give yourself time to actually enjoy it rather than just ticking off locations.

Van recommendation: Self-contained 4-berth minimum (Britz or Maui). Trust me, you'll want the space and facilities for this one.

🏕️ Freedom Camping Reality Check

Look, I need to be honest about this...

Freedom camping's gotten harder over the years. There are still heaps of legal spots, but councils have cracked down because too many people were being idiots and leaving messes.

Good spots still available:

  • DOC sites (usually $6-15/night) - these are gold
  • West Coast beach access points (check CamperMate app)
  • Canterbury high country - some stunning spots
  • Designated areas near Great Walks

Important bit: That $400 fine for illegal camping is real, and they do issue them. Stick to the CamperMate app and you'll be sweet.

Money-Saving Tips from Years of Mobile Living

Booking Strategy

  • Shoulder seasons (Mar-May, Sep-Nov): Save 30-50% on daily rates
  • Book early for summer: 3+ months ahead for best selection
  • One-way rentals: Often cheaper due to relocation deals
  • Compare total trip cost: Not just daily rate (include petrol, insurance, camping fees)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Booking too small for your group (you'll regret it after day 3!)
  • Ignoring self-contained requirements for freedom camping
  • Not checking insurance excess amounts ($2000-5000 is common)
  • Underestimating petrol costs for longer routes

What's Included vs Extra Costs

Typically Included

  • Unlimited kilometers
  • Basic insurance (with excess)
  • Kitchen equipment and bedding
  • 24/7 roadside assistance

Watch Out for Extras

  • Insurance excess reduction: $15-30/day (recommended!)
  • Additional drivers: $5-10/day per person
  • GPS rental: $10-15/day (use your phone instead)
  • One-way fees: $100-300 (sometimes waived for relocations)

⚠️ Insurance Reality Check

This is a bit of a bummer... Most campervan insurance doesn't cover you if you drive on gravel roads. And guess what? Some of New Zealand's best walks are accessed via gravel roads.

This means places like:

  • Many DOC camping areas
  • Remote West Coast spots
  • Some Great Walk trailheads
  • Back-country walking access

Read the fine print carefully and ask specifically about gravel road coverage. Some companies offer it as an add-on, others don't cover it at all. It's frustrating but better to know upfront than get stung with a massive bill later.

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