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Camper Champ compares multiple campervan hire companies in Christchurch. Campervans are available from depots a short drive from Christchurch Airport (with shuttle service) for domestic and international travellers.
The cost of hiring a campervan in Christchurch can range from about $50 to $480 per day for most vehicles (depending on season, type, and extras). A wide range of campers is on offer, from smaller minivans like the Jucy Crib to larger motorhomes like the Pacific Horizon 6 Berth SAM.
Campervan travel is very popular in New Zealand, especially on the South Island. The South Island has world-class campervan infrastructure (dump points, water refill stations) and countless campsites. One-way hires are also an option, with many travellers dropping their vehicle in Queenstown, continuing via Wellington-Picton ferry, or even driving up to Auckland.
Cabana
Sleepervan
4-Berth Discovery
Budget Finder
4 Berth Euro
Lucky Rover
River
4 Berth Double Up
Cabana
Sleepervan
Budget Finder
Lucky Rover
Rocket 2-Berth
Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
On average, you can expect to pay between NZD $50 and $500 per day for campervan hire in Christchurch (most fees included).
The cost of hiring a campervan in New Zealand depends on:
In New Zealand, the term campervan can refer to any motorised vehicle set up for camping. Hire companies in Christchurch offer three vehicle types:
The budget-friendly campervan is a small, courier-style van converted into a camper. Expect a fold-out sofa, a small kitchen (usually a slide-out), and charging facilities. The more luxurious variations have a toilet and a high roof so you can stand up inside.
The 4WD camper is a rugged off-road vehicle capable of exploring rough, remote tracks. Campers sleep in a rooftop tent or swag on the ground. Most have a slide-out kitchen in the boot.
The motorhome refers to a larger, more luxurious vehicle. Typical amenities include a sizeable kitchen, a lounge with a TV, and an indoor en suite bathroom (often with a hot shower). On the downside, they’re more expensive to hire and refuel, plus challenging to park.
Most campervan rental companies lower their rates during the off-season from April to September, making it the cheapest time to hire an RV in Christchurch.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, it's worth comparing prices from different rental companies and booking in advance to get the best deal. Additionally, consider booking a campervan for a longer period of time, as rental companies often offer discounts for extended rentals.
Yes, you can. Major hire companies have depots a short drive from Christchurch Airport and often provide a complimentary shuttle service from the terminal. Several companies also offer their airport hires as 'serviced non-depot locations,' meaning they will arrange to bring the vehicle to you.
Hiring a campervan in Christchurch is the most convenient and cost-effective way to explore the South Island. Here’s why you should consider it:
Affordable: One vehicle covers both transport and accommodation costs, especially with NZ’s many free campsites.
Less driving: No need to return to a hotel each night; just drive to a campsite and park.
Freedom: Follow your own schedule and the road’s “whims” without strict itineraries.
Nature: Sleep under the stars and wake up to nature, not a stuffy hotel ceiling.
Driving tips in Christchurch:
1. Drive on the left.
2. Seatbelts and child restraints are mandatory.
3. Watch for livestock on rural roads.
4. Speed limits: 100 km/h rural, 50 km/h urban (heavy vehicles or towing may have lower limits). School zones are 40 km/h at set times.
5. Some rural rail crossings have no warning lights – slow down and look.
6. Many tourist sites have longer/wider motorhome parking.
7. Toll roads in NZ: Takitimu Drive, Tauranga Eastern Link, Northern Gateway.
8. Carry your NZ driver’s licence or IDP.
9. Drink-drive limit is 0.05% (strictly enforced).
Savvy budget travellers can reduce their expenses with the following money-saving hacks:
Get in early: Booking ahead will save you stacks of cash as campervan rental companies set prices based on availability.
Avoid the peak: School holidays, Easter, and Christmas/New Year get super busy in New Zealand. Travel outside these dates to save.
Compare companies: Don’t settle for your first quote. Use a comparison tool like Camper Champ to compare dozens of New Zealand rental companies in a single click.
Go small: A petite, budget-friendly campervan will come in at a fraction of the cost of a large motorhome.
Examine the extras: The best campervan rental companies include essentials like cooking equipment and camping chairs. That way, you won’t have to purchase them yourself.
Extend your stay: Most rental agencies reduce rates for hires of a week or more. You’ll lower your daily rental expenses and get better bang for your buck.
Stay south: Venturing onto the North Island will set you back a sizeable sum in ferry and/or one-way drop-off fees. Most travellers stick to the south.
Return to Christchurch: Dropping your motorhome off at a different location (i.e., Queenstown) entails a significant one-way fee. Double back to Christchurch and save.
Make a rough plan: Explore the island in a circular route to minimise backtracking and save on fuel. The GASPY mobile app lets you compare petrol prices between service stations.
Unleash your inner Masterchef: Self-catering will save you a small fortune in New Zealand. Good thing your campervan comes with a kitted-out kitchen.
Free camp: New Zealand is famously free-camping friendly. Stunning free spots lie scattered throughout the South Island.
Walk: Hiking—or tramping, as the locals call it—is the best way to savour the South Island’s immense natural splendour. And it’s free.
The most popular season to visit the South Island is summer (Dec-Feb) when balmy days make outdoor adventures a dream. However, the warmer months also attract the biggest crowds, so hire and campsite availability dry up and prices soar.
Autumn (Mar-May) is a brilliant time to visit, although it gets a tad chilly towards the end of the season—remember to wrap up warm. March has the most favourable weather, while April and May see the autumn colours bring a kaleidoscope of colour to the Central Otago region.
Winter (June to August) is the peak ski season. Stacks of travellers visit Queenstown and Wanaka to carve fresh tracks, but the rest of the island seldom sees campervan travellers. Icy winds and regular rainfall become common along the coast, while the high-altitude regions remain frigid throughout the season.
Spring sees the South Island bloom. Gorgeous gardens in Christchurch, Otago, Dunedin, and Alexandra delight keen gardeners. A thick layer of snow still smothers the Southern Alps, and the ski season doesn’t stop until mid-October. Bigger crowds (and higher prices) return around mid-November.
The South Island hosts a plethora of exciting festivals and events, primarily in the warmer months.
Rhythm & Alps Music Festival (Wanaka, December)
Twisted Frequency Festival (Golden Bay, December)
Beach Break (Nelson, January)
World Buskers Festival (Christchurch, January)
Electric Avenue Festival (Christchurch, February)
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival (Hokitika Beach, March)
Marchfest (Nelson, March)
Marlborough Wine Festival (Marlborough, May)
Victorian Fete (Oamaru, November)
One to two weeks is enough time to travel around the South Island in a campervan. Although visiting all the destinations in this guide would require more time, a week or two is plenty to discover the highlights.
But what about the North Island? Should you combine North and South into one epic, trans-New Zealand adventure?
It’s possible, but you’ll have to fork out for the Wellington-Picton ferry and/or a pricey one-way drop-off fee. Plus, you’ll need at least a month to do the whole country justice (preferably more). Most campervan travellers prefer to focus on one island at a time.
Christchurch is a small city (population around 410,400) with mild traffic and plenty of places to park. Parking in the CBD is relatively straightforward, as there are over 10,000 spaces to choose from.
Indoor, council-run parking is available at the Lichfield Street, The Terrace, and the Art Gallery car parks for around $4 per hour. Remember to check height restrictions. The Christchurch City Council also offers on-street parking right around the city for $5 per hour. All-day parking in the CBD typically costs between $18 to $25.
The Council maintains a handy database of the top off-street car parks in the city. Wilson Parking also provides a list of its privately-run facilities. Another helpful resource is Parkopedia, which covers private and council-run on and off-street spaces with real-time availability.
If you don’t fancy paying, Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens provide low-cost, time-limited parking capped at about $4.60 for three hours.
Got a large motorhome? Check out the council-run Manchester Street car park, which has plenty of space for big rigs (daytime parking only, and fees apply).
While New Zealand is famous for being free-camping friendly, you can’t just pull up and sleep anywhere. A non-self-contained camper (tent camper or campervan without a toilet, waste water, and rubbish facilities) may only stay overnight in a designated campground with appropriate facilities. Certified self-contained campervans (with the official sticker) can freedom camp in approved Christchurch areas (see Council map). They may stay a maximum of two nights in one spot before moving on. Some of Christchurch’s most popular paid campgrounds include Tasman Holiday Park, Amber Kiwi Holiday Park, and North South Holiday Park.
National Park entry is free in New Zealand, but you must pay for ticketed attractions, tours, and some campsites.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) divides its campsites into categories. Prices range from free to around $28 per adult per night, depending on the location and on-site amenities. Expect extras like powered sites and hot showers at the upper end of the scale.
Free camping in a national park is only allowed where signage explicitly permits it. You’ll almost always need to be certified self-contained.
If freedom camping isn’t your thing and you plan to visit numerous national parks, you should consider investing in a DOC Campsite Pass. For $295 per adult, you now get a 1-year (365-night) DOC Campsite Pass that covers almost all DOC-run campsites.
For individual campsite bookings and the Campsite Pass, kids aged 5 to 17 pay half the adult rate and infants under five are free.
Most DOC campgrounds must be booked online, even if you have a Campsite Pass. Others operate on a first-come-first-served basis—get in early and have a backup plan.
The South Island has a plethora of picture-perfect campgrounds. Here are some of our campervan-friendly favs:
There’s so much to see here, and truth be told, you won't fit it all in 7 days. Aotearoa (the Maori name for NZ) is a traveller’s paradise, especially if you like the outdoors. This itinerary is a great way to spend seven memorable days in NZ’s south island, starting and ending in Christchurch, because it has an international airport and plenty of campervan hire services.
MORE: 7-Day South Island Itinerary
The South Island of New Zealand offers the outdoor-loving tourist snow-topped mountain peaks, enormous glaciers, deep fjords, golden beaches, lush rainforests and turquoise lakes, sperm whales, yellow-eyed penguins—and memories to last a lifetime.
MORE: 14-Day South Island ItineraryFreedom camping, or the ability to sleep anywhere in a campervan in New Zealand, is allowed but heavily regulated by individual councils. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the specific rules and guidelines of the region you're visiting before settling in for the night in your campervan. The Department of Conservation (DOC) maintains a comprehensive network of RV-friendly campsites across the country, offering an ideal place for responsible and self-sufficient camping.
These DOC campsites typically provide basic amenities, so campers need to be well-prepared and adhere to responsible camping practices. This includes properly disposing of waste, respecting the environment, and adhering to any local restrictions or requirements.
For a more comfortable camping experience, Camper Champ suggests staying overnight in campgrounds specifically designed for RVs. These campgrounds provide convenient amenities such as electrical and water hook-ups, which enable campers to use their vehicle's onboard facilities like refrigerators, lights, electrical appliances, and showers. Additionally, these campgrounds often feature dump stations for the proper disposal of wastewater and sewage.
Besides practical amenities, many campgrounds also offer a range of recreational activities and facilities to enhance your overall camping experience. These may include swimming pools, playgrounds, and dedicated recreation areas. Some campgrounds even feature on-site stores, cafes, and rental facilities, allowing campers to purchase supplies or rent equipment like bikes or kayaks.
When planning your campervan trip in New Zealand, make sure to research the specific regulations in the areas you'll be visiting and choose a campground or campsite that best suits your needs and preferences. By doing so, you'll contribute to responsible and sustainable tourism practices while enjoying the natural beauty and outdoor activities New Zealand has to offer.
If you are unsure of the rules that apply in a specific area, it is best to visit the nearest i-SITE (visitor information centre) and ask about any local regulations or bylaws.
Yes, many companies have depots in both the North and South Islands and allow one-way trips.
If planning this type of trip, you will need to pay the cost of the ferry. Our support team can help with your booking.
Additional one-way fees may apply. The comparison tool will automatically factor this into your total.
Yes, a large number of companies allow for one-way rentals.
One-way rentals may not be available between all routes, and additional fees apply, depending on the pickup and drop-off locations. Our comparison tool will automatically factor in any additional fees and show you which vehicles are available on your preferred route.
There are a number of pet-friendly campervan rental companies in New Zealand that allow you to travel with your dog or cat. Approval must be obtained in advance and this will usually incur a fee to cover the extra cleaning cost. Contact our support team to check if it’s possible to take a pet on board a specific vehicle.
A good idea is to plan for a minimum of 7 days. However, even a 2- or 3-week road trip around the South Island will easily be filled.
Popular attractions include Mount Cook, UNESCO-designated Fiordland National Park with Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, and the adventure capital of Queenstown.
Yes, unlimited kilometres are generally included for standard vehicle rentals in New Zealand. The comparison tool will show you whether your preferred vehicle has unlimited or restricted kilometres.
Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.
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