Camplify’s 5 travel picks for November in New Zealand

Well folks, the silly season is almost upon us. The first inkling of summer is right around the corner, and we can bet that you’re just as excited as us to get out and explore the majesty of the outdoors. But before we get there, we’ve still got to navigate November. An underrated month for travelling, November offers all the benefits of the summer months without the crowds and prices of the peak season. Here at Camplify we’ve still got plenty of awesome vans with availability all month, so let’s have a look at what makes New Zealand the place to go in November.

Get on the waters of Milford Sound before the tourists do

We could fill a large book with all the places across Aotearoa that are worth seeing before the summer crowds arrive, but the otherworldly beauty of Milford Sound has to be at the top of our list. The world-famous fiord on the South Island is always popular, but November, with its clearer skies, warmer days, and room to roam, is our favourite time of year to journey to Southland. Take the incredible highway from Te Anau in your van and spend the day gliding atop the waves on a kayak from Roscos Milford Kayaks, the best way to see the majestic landscape.

Satisfy your adventurous spirit in Queenstown

Once the ski season ends, and the oncoming summer sun melts the snow away, Queenstown begins to come into its own as a magnificent holiday destination for all those with an adventurous twinkling in their soul. November in the southern city means a resurgence of all the activities that make the region such a popular stop on any road trip. Get active with stunning hikes and mountain bike trails, hit the water for a spot of jet boating, take your holiday into tenth gear with a bungee jump, and don’t miss out on the excellent white water rafting in the region, as the rivers swell with the recently melted glacier water.

Lose yourself on the Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel juts proudly out of New Zealand’s North Island, only a few hours away from Auckland yet feeling a world away from the hustle and bustle of the country’s biggest city. The wild expanse of this rocky peninsula is a haven for van adventures on the North Island, and the warmer days of November signal the start of the swimming season. Sure, the water can still carry a chill, but amongst the secluded stretches of coastline up and down the region, you’ll hardly notice. Campsites and freedom camping spots abound, but our choice is Opoutere Coastal Camping, with the dense vegetation of the Coromandel Forest Park pressing in close, and the beach only a short walk away, you’ll be guaranteed a relaxing stay.

Hit the trendy streets of Wellington

Another one of the many places across the country that bursts into life come summer, the streets of Wellington are noticeably less packed in November, making it the perfect time to wind your way through the alleys and promenades. If you’re journeying on to the South Island, make sure you grab a couple of days to soak up the urban delights of the capital. Arriving in a van, you’ll want to stay at Evans Bay Marina, a free camping spot within walking distance of the CBD. For a real thrill, rent an electric scooter and take the coastal path into town, where you can explore the breweries, cafes and restaurants to your heart's content.

See the purple lupins in Lake Tekapo

You don’t need more than one reason to visit the stunning Lake Tekapo on the South Island, famed for its neon blue waters created by glacier-ground rock. But if you’re driving through Mackenzie Country in November, you won’t want to miss the magnificent purple lupins flowering at the start of summer. These gorgeous flowers bloom for only a few weeks beginning in mid-November, and coat the surrounding countryside with a rich violet wave of colour. Perfect for opportunist photographers, landscape painters, or anybody with eyes, get yourself down to Tekapo to reinvigorate your soul amongst the splendour of nature.

Keen to explore New Zealand before the summer madness starts? Camplify still has thousands of vans with availability for November. Find campervans, caravans, motorhomes and so much more. See you out there.