Motor homes or campervans are a popular alternative to a rental car since they also solve the problem of where to stay. However they are more expensive than regular car rental and you’ll have to pay to stay in a motor camp (caravan/trailer park) so you can have a shower. Another drawback with travelling in a campervan is that because you’re not staying in hostels you generally miss out on being part of the backpacker scene.
Campervan rental companies in New Zealand include:
2/20 Verissimo Drive, Westney Industry Park, Mangere, Auckland
Tel 0800 113 131
Website www.apollocamper.co.nz
Open 8am-4.30pm daily
36 Richard Pearse Drive, Mangere, Auckland
Tel (09) 275 0200 or 0800 422 267
Website www.backpackercampervans.com
Open 7am-6pm daily
36 Richard Pearse Drive, Mangere, Auckland
Tel (09) 275 9090
Website www.britz.co.nz
Open 7am-6pm daily
7 Gore Street, Auckland
Tel 0800 216 171
Website www.escaperentals.co.nz
36 Hillside Road, Glenfield, Auckland
Tel (09) 441 7833 or 0800 520 052
Website www.keacampers.com
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8am-1pm
36 Richard Pearse Drive, Mangere, Auckland
Tel (09) 275 3013 or 0800 651 080
Website www.maui.co.nz
Open 7am-6pm daily
31 Beach Road, Auckland
Tel (09) 309 8777 or 0800 772 237
Website www.spaceships.tv
Many travellers fly into Auckland, rent a campervan, drive to the South Island and fly out of Christchurch. This means that there is often an excess of campervans in Christchurch that the rental companies would rather have in Auckland.
To help solve this problem rental companies sometimes offer free one-way rentals if you're prepared to travel against the tide and pick up your campervan in Christchurch and drop it off in Auckland. This is a great deal, although you generally have a very tight time frame to make the delivery. You can find free one-way rental deals at transfercar.co.nz.