Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Campervan Rental
»
Check your rear-view mirror on any far-flung NZ road and you'll probably see a shiny white campervan (aka mobile
home, motor home, RV) packed with liberated travellers, mountain bikes and portable barbecues cruising along behind
you.
»
Most towns of any size have a campground or holiday park with powered sites (where you can plug your vehicle in)
for around $35 per night. There are also 250-plus vehicle-accessible
Department of Conservation
(Department of Con-
servation;
www.doc.govt.nz
) campsites around NZ, ranging in price from free to $15 per adult: check the website for
info.
»
You can hire campervans from dozens of companies. Prices vary with season, vehicle size and length of rental.
»
A small van for two people typically has a minikitchen and foldout dining table, the latter transforming into a double
bed when dinner is done and dusted. Larger 'superior' two-berth vans include shower and toilet. Four- to six-berth
campervans are the size of trucks (and similarly sluggish) and, besides the extra space, usually contain a toilet and
shower.
»
Over summer, rates offered by the main rental firms for two-/four-/six-berth vans start at around $160/200/290 per day
for a month-long rental, dropping to as low as $45/60/90 per day during winter.
Major operators include the following:
»
Apollo
(
0800 113 131, 09-889 2976;
www.apollocamper.co.nz
)
»
Britz
(
0800 831 900, 09-255 3910;
www.britz.co.nz
)
Also does 'Britz Bikes' (add a mountain or city bike from
$13 per day).
»
Kea
(
0800 520 052, 09-448 8800)
»
Maui
(
0800 651 080, 09-255 3910;
www.maui.co.nz
)
»
United Campervans
(
0800 759 919, 09-275 9919;
www.unitedcampervans.co.nz
)
»
Wilderness Motorhomes
(
09-255 5300;
www.wilderness.co.nz
)
BACKPACKER VANS
Budget players in the campervan industry offer slick deals and funky (often gregariously spray-painted: Jimi Hendrix,
Where The Wild Things Are,
Sly Stone etc), well-kitted-out vehicles for backpackers. Rates are competitive (from $35/
50 per day for a two-/four-berth van May to September; from $100/150 per day December to February). Operators in-
clude the following:
»
Backpacker Sleeper Vans
(
0800 321 939, 03-359 4731;
www.sleepervans.co.nz
)
»
Escape Campervans
(
0800 216 171;
www.escaperentals.co.nz
)
»
Hippie Camper
(
0800 113 131;
www.hippiecamper.co.nz
)
»
Jucy
(
0800 399 736, 09-374 4360;
www.jucy.co.nz
)
»
Mighty Cars & Campers
(
0800 422 267;
www.mightycampers.co.nz
)
»
Spaceships
(
0800 772 237, 09-526 2130;
www.spaceshipsrentals.co.nz
)
