Camping guides
New Zealand iconic vans: most famous vehicles guide
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New Zealand is the home of your next epic adventure. The best road trips on the North and South Island await and we can help get you there. Think contrasting landscapes, oceans, beaches, mountains, and a whole lot of epic times.
Camplify’s fleet of unique vans is designed to suit different travellers in different locations and on different budgets, whatever your road trip itinerary.
To make your life a little easier we’ve rounded up some of our top picks for your next New Zealand adventure:
Bernie – The Boutique Handmade Camper
Best for: Couples
Location: Pick up in Hamilton or Auckland, North Island
Based in Hamilton this beautifully created rustic campervan is perfect for couples heading off on a Northland or East Cape adventure. Bernie is a 2011 Volkswagen Crafter and one chilled individual. Think rustic vibes, coastal touches, and swinging in a hammock with a cold one looking at an epic view. If that excites you then Bernie is your van.
Strong, stylish, and packed with everything you need to make your coast-to-coast road trip a good one. Set your sights on the Tutukaka coastal road north of Auckland and watch the sunset from the comfort of the inflatable outdoor couch (just one of the sweet extras with hiring Bernie) The duo behind Bernie will gladly drop off your trusty stead to Auckland too.
Kiwi Caravan Experience
Best for: Couples
Location: Deliveries within 60km of Auckland
Not all vanlife holidays mean jumping from campsite to campsite and hitting the road every day. Sometimes you just need a place to relax and unwind. The Kiwi Caravan experience near Whangaparaoa can deliver that for you. The Kiwi caravan experience is a luxe caravan accommodation for two. Designed for holidaymakers, busy couples, or parents who need a wee break from their tribe. With a choice of campsites from a dedicated list:
Shakespeare Regional Park
Tawharanui Regional Park
Wenderholm Regional Park
Orewa Camp Ground
Mahurangi Regional Park
Martins Bay Holiday Camp Ground
Delivery and set-up are sorted and all you need to focus on is getting in holiday mode.
Pack your bags, bring some food and turn up ready to relax as the hard yards are complete. Check out the local beaches, the bays, and the rays. Escape the hustle and bustle of Auckland city and relax into the luxury here at the Kiwi Caravan experience.
Book your Kiwi Caravan Experience now!
The Kiwi Burrow
Best for: Couples and small families
Location: Pick up from or deliver within 300km of Tauranga
For a true kiwi motorhome experience, you need to enlist the help of The Burrow. Seating and sleeping six people this van has it all. Brand new, high quality, and your home on wheels will help you enjoy travelling around the wonderful sights of New Zealand.
Are you planning an extended trip around New Zealand? The Luxury Kiwi Burrow is your next family road trip accomplice. Two queen beds and one double, plus a wrap-around lounge means you and the whanau have plenty of room for activities. A fully functioning bathroom equipped with a shower provides a cleaning station for those sandy toes and salty manes. The kitchen is fully equipped to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner on the road and there is even a coffee machine for those early morning coastal sunrises. With plenty of storage onboard and a bike rack, you are truly set for adventure.
Located in the Bay of Plenty with drop-offs and pick-ups in Rotorua, Tauranga, and from Auckland for a small fee ensure starting your road trip is easy.
Check out Tongariro National Park, the great Lake Taupo, or take it easy in the Coromandel. The world (or New Zealand roads) are your oyster!
Juno - The Boutique handmade camper
Best for: Couples
Location: Pick up from Auckland
Grab your bestie, it’s adventure time and Juno is going to be the best third wheel. This 2019 Volkswagen Crafter waiting to take you on your next off-grid trip on the North Island. 100% handcrafted with all the boujiee knick-knacks you need to fulfil your wildest # vanlife & # gramlife dreams.
Juno has a large fridge freezer, super-luxe memory foam bedding, and beautifully crafted worktops making your road trip aesthetic as well as practical. Dreaming of heading to Cape Reinga, 90-mile beach, or kicking back on the Wild West Coast of the North Island? Juno will be there to help you create the best memories. Fully self-contained means taking Juno to DOC campsites is all good and this van can be picked up in Hamilton or Auckland depending on your preference.
Hopara – The Tear Drop Camper
Best for: Couples/Friends
Location: Pick up from Mount Maunganui
Calling all gnarly bros, do we have the camper van or pod for you. Yes, the answer is yes and without further ado, we introduce to you Hopara. The most unique ‘tear-drop camper’ rolling around on New Zealand roads.
Based in ‘the mount’ that’s Mount Manganui, near Tauranga, this boutique camper is the epitome of good vibes and is equipped with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Perfect for couples or two surf mates who have catching waves and watching sunsets high on their agenda. Hit the road knowing you are towing a fully functioning kitchen, a double bed, and a rack for your boards. Hit kiwi summer with this lightweight beauty and get ready to explore Raglan, Piha Beach, and other well-known surf spots in the north. Don’t hesitate to add this epic pod to your road trip arsenal.
Stan the Starcraft
Best for: Families
Location: Pick up from Tauranga
Looking for a touch of Aussie build on your kiwi adventure? Stan, based in Tauranga belongs to a young kiwi family ready to help you explore New Zealand. Whether it be a few days at the lake, weeks down the coast or a loop of both islands, Stan is ready to be hitched up and taken away.
Lightweight yet packing all the punches with a full-sized fridge freezer, air-con, outside stereo, and a BBQ brings the party. Pack up the kids, or your best couple of friends and hit the road. Conveniently located just a short drive down the coast from Auckland, stan is ready and waiting for road trip service.
Check out the East Cape. An epic stretch of New Zealand coastline, winding down through Whakatane to Ohiwa down to Gisborne and beyond. Top tip – don’t miss Ohope beach, voted New Zealand favourite beach and well worthy of the title and detour.
The Silverliner # 2
Best for: Couples
Location: Pick up from Christchurch
Does ease of use, comfort, and convenience appeal to you? You will be delighted with the Silverliner # 2. This two-berth luxe camper is perfect for the intrepid couple. With a permanent setup bed including a memory foam mattress (hooray for comfort) solar power and onboard kitchen, you will be ready for the most epic adventure. Small, compact but with that touch of class we all desire the pick up in Christchurch is easy. Hit the road and get all the mountain vibes instantly with a stop-off in Mount Cook National Park, hit up the hot pools in Tekapo, and hike away from your troubles on route to Queenstown. With twin sliding doors the silver liner has that indoor outdoors flow on point. Everything you need is onboard waiting so, all you need to do is hit the pedal and make memories to last a lifetime.
Sandy, the tiny house on wheels!
Best for: Couples
Location: Pick up from Hawkes Bay
… and your new best friend. Planning next summer's kiwi adventure? Check out this epic campervan located in Hawkes Bay. This self-contained tiny home sleeps two and is a brand new conversion. Set up for high-quality, full-time living providing you with ease, comfort, and good times. Hit the road, get off the beaten track and live that nomadic life you have always dreamed of here on the North Island of New Zealand. Store away your personal belongings and settle into the double bed or nifty outdoor seating area as you enjoy a deliciously cooked meal somewhere epic. Sunny Hawkes Bay is conveniently located north of Wellington linking you with that urban buzz before heading off to pick up your new road trip bestie on the East coast.
Be sure to check out the wineries and pick up a few bottles to take home as road trip mementos.
See Sandy here ****
Cabin Style Campervan
Best for: Couples
Location: Pick up from Tauranga
Okay, where are all the folk-loving, rustic style, wooden cabin dreamers at? We have all of the above, on wheels located in Tauranga ready to be driven away into the sunset. This beautiful converted wooden cabin-style van is the dream road trip vehicle. Think off-grid adventures deep in the heart of one of New Zealand's national parks. Jump on and off the Interislander ferry with ease and get off the beaten track knowing you have everything you need to (legally) camp off-grid. With tonnes of extras thrown in and the option to add a 2 seater kayak to your adventure, this camper has it all.
Cabin living at it’s finest is right here
Driving the Dream
Best for: Couples and small families Location: Pick up from Auckland Explore NZ’s stunning scenery and sights in this spacious and immaculate 6 berth motorhome that comes complete with a copy of the owners very own quirky travel guide "Kiwi-as Toilets"! Perfectly set up for families, small groups or even couples. Driving the Dream is fully self-contained with solar charging enabling you to plug in at a holiday park or go completely off the grid and freedom camp. Oh, and this is one of two vans on offer.
What are you waiting for?
Does exploring the coastal towns of Kaikoura & Dunedin or slipping out of reception to Milford Sound tickle your fancy? Why not grab extended hire and explore both islands? Go on, you know you want to.
Stop at the viewpoints, hike the trails, get off the beaten track, discover waterfalls and rainforests. Wake for the sunrises, eat the good food, and crack a cold one. This is going to be one of the best road trips you ever take. Here at Camplify, we know what’s good. With a range of campervans, motorhomes, caravans, and more on offer, we can help match you to your dream road trip vehicle.
The list doesn't stop there though! Click below for more iconic vans...