Camping guides
Solo road trip New Zealand: complete planning guide
)
A solo road trip in New Zealand is the stuff that dreams are made of. When you travel alone, you have total freedom over where you go, when you do things, what you eat, who you hang out with and how much you spend - you get to experience the Land of the Long White Cloud on your own terms!
But travelling alone can also be daunting for some people. To put your mind at rest and take the stress out of planning, we’ve created the ultimate guide to a solo road trip in New Zealand. In this article, solo travellers will discover:
How much to budget
The best destinations to visit
The best campsites and holiday parks to stay at
How to plan your route
How to stay safe whilst travelling alone in NZ
What to pack for a one-passenger road trip
How to find the perfect hire campervan
How to get hire insurance and roadside assistance included
Make sure you travel in style and comfort. Use Camplify to easily arrange campervan hire in New Zealand!
Tips for a solo road trip in New Zealand
1. Budget for a solo road trip in New Zealand
Make sure you understand your holiday expenses and know how much to budget for a New Zealand road trip. Avoid cutting your holiday short by ensuring you save enough money beforehand.
The average person on a road trip around New Zealand spends approximately $275 per day. That includes:
1-Day Campervan Hire (NZ$50)
1 Night at a Powered Campsite (NZ$35)
Half Tank of Diesel (35L) (NZ$45)
Food for 1 Day (NZ$45)
1-Day of Attractions and Sightseeing (NZ$100)
That means that on a month-long road trip around New Zealand, people spend a total of about $7,500. Note, however, that this includes travellers that like to splash out every single day of their road trip, on things like fine dining and expensive attractions.
Those that are careful about their spending may be able to get away with a budget of only $50 - $100 per day. If you are on a tight budget, here are some tips to help you save money :
Use Camplify and the price filter to find a campervan that suits your budget.
Camp for free at freedom campsites and local council sites around New Zealand (see our guide to [Where Can You Camp For Free In New Zealand?](https://www.camplify.co.nz/blog/where-can-you-camp-for-free-nz# :~:text=Organise%20your%20freedom%20camping%20trip%20with%20Camplify&text=Camplify%20is%20a%20platform%20that,vehicle%20type%2C%20etc.).)).
Fill up your fuel tank in major cities and towns for the best prices at the bowser.
Buy food from the grocery store and prepare meals in your campervan instead of eating out.
Focus on free attractions and sightseeing activities such as National Parks.
2. Best destinations for a solo road trip in New Zealand
There are so many amazing destinations that you could visit on a solo road trip around New Zealand - too many to list! But to help you get started with your planning, here is a list of the best road trip destinations to visit on your own on the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
North Island solo road trip destinations
The must-do road trip destinations for solo travellers on the North Island of New Zealand include:
Cape Reinga lighthouse
Ninety Mile Beach
Russel
Waitangi
Waipoua Kauri Forest
Waiheke Island
Rangitoto Island
Piha Beach
Cathedral Cove
Hot Water Beach
Waitomo Caves
Hobbiton Movie Set
Lake Taupo
Te Urewera National Park
Napier
Lake Rotorua
Bay of Plenty
Tongariro National Park
Mount Taranaki/Egmont
Wellington Te Papa Museum
Wellington Cable Car
South Island solo road trip destinations
And the must-do road trip destinations for solo travellers on the South Island of New Zealand include:
Marlborough Sound
Kaikoura
Abel Tasman National Park
Nelson Lakes National Park
Franz Josef Glacier
Fox Glacier
Lake Wanaka
Queenstown
Arthur’s Pass
Mount Cook
Lake Tekapo
Lake Pukaki
Milford Sound
The Catlins
Larnach Castle
Arrowtown
Cardrona
Dunedin
Invercargill
Arthur’s Pass
Akaroa
Christchurch
More information on solo road trip destinations in New Zealand
When choosing and planning destinations for your solo road trip around New Zealand, see the following itineraries on the Camplify Blog:
Best campsites and holiday parks for a solo road trip in New Zealand
You’re going to need somewhere to set up camp for the night whilst visiting all those awesome destinations. To help you plan your stays, we’ve listed the best campsites and holiday parks for someone on a solo road trip around New Zealand. All of these options have scenic views, outstanding facilities or both - guaranteed to make for an unforgettable stay!
North Island solo road trip campsites and holiday parks
The best campsites and holiday parks for a one-passenger road trip on the North Island of New Zealand include:
Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) Campsite - Cape Reinga
Piha Domain Motor Camp – Auckland
Bay of Islands Holiday Park - Paihia
Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park - Waitomo
All Seasons Holiday Park Rotorua - Rotorua
Lake Taupo Holiday Resort - Lake Taupo
Hamilton's Gap (free) - Auckland
Lake Ngaroto (free) - Hamilton
Little Bay (free) - Coromandel
Whakaipo Bay Recreational Reserve (free) - Lake Taupo
Glenfalls Campsite (free) - Hawkes Bay
Evans Bay Marina Self Contained Camping (free) - Wellington
South Island solo road trip campsites and holiday parks
And the best campsites and holiday parks for a solo road trip on the South Island of New Zealand include:
Invercargill Holiday Park - Invercargill
Akaroa TOP 10 Holiday Park - Akaroa
Rainforest Retreat – West Coast South Island
Dunedin Holiday Park - Dunedin
Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park - Wanaka
Milford Sound Lodge - Fiordland
White Horse Hill Campground – Mount Cook
Curio Bay Campground - The Catlins
Wharariki Beach Holiday Park - Nelson Tasman
Matauri Bay Holiday Park - Bay of Islands
Twenty Five Mile Stream (free) - Queenstown
Monowai Campsite (free) - Fiordland
Lindis Pass Historic Hotel Campsite (free) - Lindis Pass
Greyney’s Shelter (free) - Arthur’s Pass
More information on solo road trip campsites and holiday parks in New Zealand
When choosing and planning campsites and holiday parks for your solo road trip around New Zealand, see the following articles on the Camplify Blog:
You can save a lot of money by camping overnight at freedom campsites and other affordable Department of Conservation (DoC) campsites around New Zealand. But to ensure that you understand the rules and restrictions that apply when freedom camping, please read our guide to Freedom Camping in New Zealand.
4. Plan a route for your solo road trip in New Zealand
When planning the route for your solo road trip in New Zealand, you should pinpoint all the destinations and campsites that you want to visit on a map.
Google Maps is one of the best online tools for mapping your road trip route. It can also provide you with navigation when driving around New Zealand. However, it only allows you to add a maximum of ten destinations to your map at any one time. To learn how to add more than ten destinations to your map, see this guide on how to plan a road trip with Google Maps.
It is also worthwhile mapping your solo road trip route on an app like Maps.Me if you won’t have mobile data whilst travelling around New Zealand. Maps.Me allows you to save maps to your phone so that they can be used for offline navigation.
5. Staying safe on a solo road trip in New Zealand
For many people, the freedom of travelling alone is what makes a road trip on your own better than a road trip with friends. But regardless of whether you’re behind the wheel, hiking around a National Park or sleeping in the back of your campervan - the most important thing when on this kind of road trip in New Zealand is to ensure that you are safe at all times.
Driving safety
Before you take off down the road in your rental campervan, make sure that you’ve got comprehensive rental insurance and roadside assistance. You don’t want to be left with a whopping bill in the rare case of an accident or breakdown. If you hire your campervan through Camplify, comprehensive hire insurance is included at no extra cost alongside roadside assistance (see below).
Avoid legal trouble by ensuring that you are licensed to drive a campervan and fully understand the road rules. For a full guide to operating a campervan and the laws in New Zealand, see [how to use a campervan](https://www.camplify.co.nz/blog/how-to-use-a-campervan-nz# :~:text=You%20need%20a%20standard%20car,license%2C%20lower%20weight%20limits%20apply.).
Finally, make sure that your campervan has been well-maintained and is in suitable condition for a road trip around New Zealand. Camplify has a set of maintenance standards that all campervan owners must adhere to when leasing out a vehicle through our platform. But in the unlikely event that you do break down, our 24/7 local support team can talk you through the resolution and send roadside assistance to help you at no extra cost.
Overnight safety
When camping in the back of your campervan on a solo road trip around New Zealand, only ever camp at sites where camping is legally permitted and signposted. Make sure that you lock the vehicle and close all the blinds or curtains (if possible) before going to sleep in your campervan. Also, consider opening the windows slightly to let fresh air in if needed.
Outdoor activity safety
If you are going to be undertaking an arduous outdoor activity by yourself (e.g. hiking, mountain biking, skiing, etc.), make sure you check the weather conditions beforehand and dress accordingly. The weather can change quickly in New Zealand and it’s best to always be prepared for the worst. Before setting off, let someone know where you are and what you are doing. And let them know once you’ve returned safely.
Personal safety
The Kiwi people are a friendly bunch, so it’s unlikely you’ll find yourself in any strife if you treat everyone with respect. However, there are further steps you can take to ensure that you don’t become a target of theft.
C arry just one credit or debit card with you, leaving your second backup card somewhere secure in your campervan. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in New Zealand, so there is little need to carry large amounts of cash with you.
Before you set off on your road trip in New Zealand, scan your important documents to your phone or computer and make a physical paper copy as well. This might include your passport, licence, insurance policy, visa and anything else of legal significance. Keep these secured safely inside your campervan.
More solo road trip safety tips
Our Camplify Blog is full of other tips for long road trips alone, so be sure to check it out for more helpful information!
6. Packing for a solo road trip in New Zealand
It’s easier to pack for a solo road trip in New Zealand than it is to pack for a whole family. However, there’s still lots to remember - the last thing you want is to hit the road and later find out that you’ve forgotten your toothbrush or camera!
Make sure that you pack all the essentials with our road trip checklist for New Zealand. It lists the 88 essentials that every person should take with them, including:
Campervan essentials
Technology
Health and hygiene
Cooking and camping
Clothing and apparel
Linen
Entertainment
7. Hire the perfect campervan for your solo road trip in New Zealand
Camplify helps holidaymakers search through heaps of privately-owned rentals and find the ideal van for their adventure.
Simply enter your pickup location, adjust the optional filters and within seconds, you will find the perfect motorhome, caravan or campervan for your solo road trip around New Zealand!
Click here to arrange for campervan hire on the North Island. Alternatively, click here to organise campervan hire on the South Island.
8. Avoid paying extra for rental insurance and roadside assistance
When you hire a campervan in New Zealand, you usually have to account for the cost of hire insurance and roadside assistance.
Some of New Zealand’s most popular campervan rental businesses charge up to $70 per day for insurance - and that’s on top of your rental price! Others say that rental insurance is “free” but then charge ridiculously high excess if you’re involved in an accident.
When you hire a campervan through Camplify , there are no hidden insurance fees or secret costs. We want you to know exactly what you’re getting - that’s why all Camplify bookings include comprehensive hire insurance** .** Enjoy total peace of mind knowing that you’re covered if anything goes wrong on your road trip. Plus, we also have options to reduce your excess if you’d like even more security.
In addition to comprehensive insurance, all Camplify bookings also include:
Roadside Assistance: Camplify is partnered with the AA to provide all bookings with 24/7 nationwide breakdown coverage. No matter where your road trip takes you, we’ll always have someone on hand to help in an emergency.
Local support: Our New Zealand-based support team is always here to help you. If anything goes wrong, just give them a call and they’ll walk you through the resolution step-by-step.
Why Camplify?
We are proud to be New Zealand’s fastest-growing private caravan, campervan and motorhome sharing community. When you hire a van through our platform, it comes with lots of advantages:
Comprehensive hire insurance
Nationwide AA roadside assistance
24/7 customer support
All members are verified
By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across New Zealand in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.
Sign up if you want to join our beloved community of van life lovers and receive our most recent news and offers.