Camping guides
Essential New Zealand caravan hire tips: complete guide
)
Can you hire a caravan for New Zealand holidays? The answer’s a resounding yes – and it’s highly recommended in a country like beautiful Aotearoa. See this stunning country from a comfortable setting by finding a caravan rental with all you need for a New Zealand road trip. Read on for our essential tips on New Zealand caravan hire!
Beware of peak season pitfalls
First up, decide the dates you want to explore New Zealand. Peak tourist season is December, January and February – the summer months – and prices will be higher for rentals and accommodation, including caravan hire. Winter (June to August) will have the lowest prices, but be mindful that the country can get very cold, so plan your van type accordingly.
Save money by arranging your New Zealand caravan trip for a shoulder season –these guys went in March. It’s also advisable to be flexible with dates and to book early to ensure you get the caravan you want (you might also get a discount for early booking).
If you’re a non-native and flying into New Zealand specifically for a caravan holiday, book your van before your flights (and see our Driving in New Zealand must-knows here.)
Decide on your road trip
Can you see New Zealand’s north and south islands in one caravan trip? How long do you need? New Zealand is a small country but it’s packed with lots to see and do, so don’t rush it. We have guides to epic New Zealand road trips if you need some inspiration – see below.
And if you plan to travel between the north and south islands, remember to budget for ferry costs across the Cook Strait! NB: ferries have limited space for recreational vehicles, so book as far in advance as you can.
Consider your caravan type – and what’s included
Two-berth or four-berth? Vintage or new? Self-contained or connect to services – or both? Make a list of everything you need in your van and browse all Camplify’scaravan rental listings to find the perfect van.
Once you find a van you like, check its listing to see what’s included, such as an equipped kitchen, barbecue, outdoor table and chairs, shower, solar panels, TV, coffee machine…
Also check your obligations as a caravan hirer, such as returning the caravan with wastewater (from the toilet) and greywater (from the sink/s and shower) emptied, the gas supply replaced or the fuel tank filled.
Most caravan parks, and some public places like car parks, have dump stations to empty chemical toilet cassettes. The greywater empties in the same place, via a hose that attaches to the caravan. Don’t forget to fill the water up afterwards! All serviced caravan parks will have taps for freshwater.
Familiarise yourself with New Zealand motoring laws…
We have a detailed blog on New Zealand’s driving laws but in a nutshell: driving in New Zealand is on the left-hand side; traffic overtakes on the right; speed limits range from 50kph to 100kph, and drink driving laws are very strictly enforced.
It’s also essential to check you have the right licence or that you apply for an international driving permit in plenty of time.
Book a short trip if this is your first
You don’t have to be a nervous driver to be apprehensive about towing a caravan for the first time. Caravans are easier to tow than you’d think – trust us on this – but it does take time to get used to the different feel from driving a campervan or a car without a load.
If you’ve never driven a rental caravan before, make your first trip a couple of days somewhere close to your base – this way you get to experience the adventure of the open road without the risk of being overwhelmed if things go wrong.
Caravan park or free camping?
Finally, decide if you want to use caravan parks every night or holiday freestyle by free camping, i.e. pulling up “in the wild” without access to campground amenities like showers and dump stations. Be aware that any vehicle used for free camping must be self-contained (have a toilet and shower): check out our comprehensive guide to free camping in New Zealand for more information.
What next?
Time for the planning part of your trip! Here’s where we can help:
All caravan rentals in New Zealand