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One-Way Campervan Rental Wellington to Auckland
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Wellington to Auckland One Way Campervan Rental
Planning a campervan road trip from Wellington up north to Auckland? Did you know you can rent a campervan one way? Compare vehicles from several campervan hire companies offering one way rentals from Wellington to Auckland.
Wellington to Auckland One-Way Itinerary
Day 1
Wellington to Palmerston North
Distance: Approximately 140 km (87 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours
Things to See:
- Victoria Esplanade Gardens
- Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History
- The New Zealand Rugby Museum
Day 2
Palmerston North to Whanganui
Distance: Approximately 75 km (47 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour
Highlights:
- Whanganui River (kayaking and scenic river cruises)
- Durie Hill Elevator and Tower (historic elevator and lookout)
- Whanganui Regional Museum
Day 3
Whanganui to Tongariro National Park
Distance: Approximately 130 km (81 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 hours
Must-See Stops:
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing (one of New Zealand’s best day hikes)
- Mount Ruapehu (skiing in winter, hiking in summer)
- Tawhai Falls (also known as “Gollum’s Pool” from The Lord of the Rings)
Day 4
Tongariro National Park to Taupo
Distance: Approximately 100 km (62 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour
Things to Experience:
- Huka Falls (powerful waterfalls on the Waikato River)
- Lake Taupo (New Zealand’s largest lake)
- Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave
Day 5
Taupo to Rotorua
Distance: Approximately 80 km (50 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour
Highlights:
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (geothermal attractions)
- Te Puia (geysers, mud pools, and Maori cultural experiences)
- Polynesian Spa (natural hot springs)
Day 6
Rotorua to Matamata (Hobbiton)
Distance: Approximately 70 km (43 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour
Things to See:
- Hobbiton Movie Set (guided tour through The Lord of the Rings set)
- Wairere Falls (short hike to a beautiful waterfall)
- Firth Tower Museum (local history and views)
Day 7
Matamata to Hamilton
Distance: Approximately 65 km (40 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour
Places of Interest:
- Hamilton Gardens (themed garden areas)
- Waikato Museum
- Hamilton Lake Domain (beautiful park and lake)
Day 8
Hamilton to Waitomo Caves
Distance: Approximately 70 km (43 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour
Must-See Stops:
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves (boat tour through glowworm-lit caves)
- Ruakuri Cave (guided underground tours)
- Marokopa Falls (scenic waterfall with a short walk)
Day 9
Waitomo Caves to Auckland
Distance: Approximately 200 km (124 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2.5 hours
Attractions in Auckland:
- Sky Tower (views of the city and beyond)
- Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Waiheke Island (short ferry ride from Auckland)
Popular Campervans
Find the perfect camper for your travel needs.
Cabana
Automatic
6-Berth Frontier
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Path Explorer 6-Berth
Automatic or manual · Toilet · Shower
River
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Rocket 2-Berth
Automatic
Deluxe Sleepervan
Automatic · Toilet
Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
Popular Attractions Along the Way
Rotorua
A one-and-a-half-hour drive east of Hamilton you’ll find Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu, famous for the region’s unique geothermal and volcanic features.
Waiotapu
Whakarewarewa Thermal Park
Matamata / Hobbiton
Located two hours south from Auckland, the Alexander family sheep and beef farm near the small agricultural town of Matamata in the Waikato region was chosen by director Sir Peter Jackson in 1998 to serve as ‘Hobbiton’ and today, the resultant movie set is open for guided tours (duration – two hours, must be pre-booked). Built a full year before the filming of Fellowship of the Ring, the set was used again for The Hobbit trilogy in 2011. The New Zealand Army provided equipment to build a road to the site. A crew constructed 37 hobbit holes initially for the first movie (there are now 44). The set includes the Green Dragon Inn, where themed food and beverages are available for sale.
Tongariro
Located about 70 kilometres (approx. 1 hr 20 min drive) south of Taupō on New Zealand’s North Island is Mount Tongariro, a compound volcano over 1,900 metres tall. The mountain is located within Tongariro National Park, a popular tourist destination that is home to the Tongariro Crossing, one of New Zealand’s most famous hiking trails.
Mount Victoria Lookout
Rising 196 metres high, this hill just east of the central city affords a 360 degree view over Wellington and the harbour out to Cook Strait and the Hutt Valley. Hiking trails connect into the larger Wellington Town Belt park and wilderness areas network.
Te Papa Tongarewa
The national museum of New Zealand, this may be the most visited attraction in the city – and with good reason; Te Papa (which translates to ‘Our Place’) can easily occupy much of a day with its impressive art and historical collections.
Zealandia
Bearing the title of the world’s first fenced urban eco-sanctuary, Zealandia is a forward-thinking conservation project within the city (about a 10-minute drive from the CBD), designed to restore the original forest ecosystem. Eighteen species of native wildlife have been successfully reintroduced, including six that had been absent from the mainland for over 100 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel in the opposite direction - from Auckland to Wellington?
Yes - simply use the search tool at the top of this page to check availability.
What is a self-contained motorhome?
If you wish to go freedom camping in New Zealand, your vehicle must be self-contained and certified.
This means you must be able to live in the vehicle for 3 days without needing additional water or needing to dump the waste.
In addition, the vehicle must have:
- A toilet
- A shower
- Wastewater storage
- A rubbish bin with a lid
The vehicle must have been checked by a qualified officer to ensure that it meets these requirements. Self-contained motorhomes have a sticker displayed on the vehicle proving their certification.
How much does it cost to stay in a caravan park?
New Zealand has plenty of options for camping available. These range from privately owned holiday parks to DOC (Department of Conservation) campsites.
A stay at a holiday park will usually cost between $30-50 (NZD) per night, depending on the area. A stay at a DOC campsite can range from $5-15 per person per night.
DOC campsites can be a little more basic. However, many do have amenities available. These include toilets, showers, rubbish bins and communal kitchen facilities in some cases.
Are one-way campervan rentals possible in New Zealand?
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.
Can I pick up my campervan in the South Island and drop it off in the North Island or vice versa?
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.
