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As New Zealand's most populous city, Auckland is a bustling metropolis brimming with culture, food, music, and art. Waitematā Harbour brings spectacular sparkling vistas, while rainforest-shrouded ranges and beautiful black sand beaches straddle the urban sprawl.
Although this buzzing cosmopolitan hub has a slew of worthwhile attractions, it's the North Island's next-level nature that lures campervan enthusiasts in droves. From cone-shaped volcanoes to thundering waterfalls and steamy geothermal pools, these Lord of the Rings-inspired landscapes invite extended outdoor adventures.
RV travel is big in New Zealand, and the North Island is no exception. To meet ever-increasing demand, the country has developed world-class RV infrastructure - ample scenic campsites and convenient dump stations/water refills wherever you roam.
One-way rentals are also an option with many travelers choosing to drive down to Wellington, Christchurch on the South Island, or alternatively to Queenstown.
Discover New Zealand your way by choosing a class of campervan that suits your travel needs.
Cabana
4 Berth Euro Star
6-Berth Euro Deluxe
4-Berth Voyager
6-Berth Frontier
Budget Escape
Happier 3 Kuga Berth Camper
Condo
Lucky Rover
Platinum River
2-Berth Deuce
6-Berth Big Six
Cabana
Lucky Rover
Rocket 2-Berth
6-Berth Euro Deluxe
6-Berth Frontier
Platinum River
6-Berth Big Six
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 NSD $35 to $350 daily for a campervan rental in Auckland (most fees included).
The cost of renting a campervan in New Zealand depends on:
Auckland camper rental companies offer three main vehicle types:
Be aware that in New Zealand, the term campervan can encompass all types of camping vehicles.
Make sure your campervan has an official self-contained certification if you plan to freedom camp on the North Island.
Most campervan rental companies lower their rates during the off-season from April to September, making it the cheapest time to rent an RV in Auckland.
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 renting a campervan for a longer period of time, as rental companies often offer discounts for extended rentals.
Yes, you can. The major cities in New Zealand, such as Auckland and Wellington on the North Island, as well as Christchurch and Queenstown on the South Island, have depots located at or close to the airport.
Several more companies offer their airport rentals as "serviced non-depot locations", meaning that although they do not have a physical depot at the airport, they will arrange to bring the vehicle to you.
Renting a tricked-out camper is the most cost-effective and convenient way to explore Auckland and the North Island. Here are the top reasons why you should rent a campervan for your upcoming adventure:
Cost-effective: The traditional hotel and rental car combo will cost you a pretty penny in New Zealand. A motorhome, however, lets you combine your accommodation and transport expenses into one.
Convenient: Instead of doubling back to your hotel each day, you can pull up at the closest campsite to retire for the night. Plus, you'll have all your essentials within easy reach.
Flexibility: No need to draw up a complex itinerary of transport connections and hotel reservations. With a mobile home, you can meander around the North Island on a whim.
Get close to nature: Mother Nature is New Zealand's biggest drawcard. And the best way to bask in her glory is by exploring in a campervan. Wouldn't you rather sleep under the stars than stare at a stuffy hotel ceiling?
Easy access to amenities: A campervan puts everything you need within arm's reach. Feeling all sweaty after a tough day on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing? Freshen up with a quick shower and change of clothes.
When driving around Auckland in a campervan rental, remember these important tips:
As we know, exploring the North Island in a camper is the cheapest way to go. Savvy travelers can reduce their expenses even further with the following thrifty tips:
Book early: Early bird specials will save you a tidy sum on campervan rental fees. Like airlines, RV rental agencies base their prices on availability.
Compare rates: Using a custom-built comparison tool like Camper Champ lets you compare prices for multiple New Zealand rental companies with just one click.
Skip peak season. New Zealand school vacations and peak travel periods (think Christmas, New Year, and Easter) entail astronomical rental rates. Stick to the shoulder seasons.
Downsize: Do you need a massive motorhome? Opting for a low-cost campervan will save you stacks of cash.
Look for added extras: Many rental agencies include camping essentials like cooking equipment and chairs. These nifty little extras mean you won’t have to buy your own.
Stay longer: Many RV rental companies offer discounted rates for lengthy vacations. Let’s face it: you’d rather be cruising the North Island than stuck at home.
Stick to one island: Covering both the North and South Islands in one trip will cost a bomb in fuel, ferry, and/or one-way rental fees. Save the South for next time.
Return to Auckland: While you could finish your trip in Wellington, you’d have to pay a hefty one-way drop-off fee. Most budget travelers feel it’s worth returning their van to Auckland.
Minimize backtracking: Fuel is expensive in New Zealand. Although the North Island isn’t enormous, it’s worth planning an efficient route (you’ll reduce driving time, too). Download the GASPY mobile app to find the cheapest fuel in your area.
Self-cater: Eating out is also quite pricey in New Zealand. Stock up on groceries from Pak’nSave (a local low-cost supermarket) and cook delicious meals in your camper instead.
Free camp: The North Island has an abundance of super scenic campsites that won’t cost you a dime.
Hike: The best way to savor Mother Nature’s glory is by lacing up your boots and hitting the trails. And unlike other activities, hiking (or tramping, as the locals call it) is free.
New Zealand is famous for its unpredictable weather—expect four seasons in one day.
The warmest, most reliable climate comes in summer (December to February / average daytime temps 68 - 77˚F), when long days, regular sunshine, and minimal rain promote outdoor adventures. However, summer also entails the largest crowds and the highest RV rental rates.
Fall (March to May / average daytime temps 63 - 70˚F) brings a spectacular change of scenery as the trees burst into vivid hues of red, brown, and gold—hit Hawkes Bay for leaf peeping. Thinner crowds (outside Easter) and relatively pleasant weather make it an excellent season for RVing.
Winter (June to August / average daytime temps 54 - 61˚F) gets a bit chilly in the North Island, especially in the high altitude zones. Snowfall is rare in the lowlands. But between June and October, ski enthusiasts can carve fresh tracks in the Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Areas.
Spring (September to November / average daytime temperatures 61 - 66˚F) sees the snow melt and the rivers roar into action (the whitewater rafting is wild). Landscapes glimmer in lush shades of green, and the flowers bloom. Don't miss the Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival.
The North Island boasts an action-packed calendar of New Zealand's finest festivals and events. Exciting shindigs celebrate music, culture, and the arts throughout the year:
One Love (Tauranga, January)
Art Deco Weekend (Napier, February)
Splore (Auckland, February)
Balloons over Waikato (Hamilton, March)
Earth Beat Aotearoa (Kaipara Harbor, March)
Beach Hop (The Coromandel, March)
Pasifika Festival (Auckland, March)
Homegrown (Wellington, March)
Womad (Taranaki, March)
Matariki (Nationwide, June)
World of Wearable Art (Wellington, September)
Hobbit Day (Matamata, September)
Northern Bass (Mangawhai, December)
Rhythm and Vines (Gisborne, December)
As the North Island is relatively compact, you don't need much vacation time to enjoy a motorhome adventure. All the locations we've mentioned (except for Wellington) are less than a five-hour drive from Auckland.
Therefore, the ideal timeframe for a North Island campervan trip is one to two weeks.
With one week, you could check out the highlights and embark on a few top-tier hikes. Two weeks gives you time to explore each destination in depth while enjoying extra activities.
Is it worth visiting the North and South Islands in one campervan adventure?
It's possible. But you'll need to consider the cost of the Wellington-Picton car ferry—allow NZ$200-300 each way. Plus, if you pick up your camper in Auckland and drop it off down south, you'll get hit with a hefty one-way rental fee. Driving your rig back up again will cost you dearly in gas, ferry fees, and the precious commodity of time.
For these reasons, most RV vacationers stick to either the North or South Island. You can always come back next year.
Home to 1.6 million people, Auckland is New Zealand's most populous city. And that heaving concentration of humanity makes it hard to find a parking spot, especially when you're cruising in an oversized motorhome.
The Auckland Council splits its jurisdiction into three zones, each with different parking fees. Expect to pay a modest fee for a two-hour stay and higher rates for each consecutive hour. For example, in Zone 1 (the CBD), you'll pay $5 for the first two hours and $10 per hour after that.
Council-operated parking spaces don't have time limits. You can stay as long as you like and pay only for the time you need.
In addition to on-street parking, the council operates numerous parking lots throughout the city. Look for an open-air parking lot if you're in a campervan with a high roof. Always check height restrictions before entering any enclosed parking lot (or fast food drive-throughs, low bridges, and the like).
Several private companies, such as Wilson Parking and Secure Parking, also manage parking lots around the city. Heart of the City Auckland has a list of handy inner-city parking lots. Furthermore, Parkopedia is a top resource for comparing availability and rates.
Many tourist attractions and supermarkets have extra-large spaces to accommodate bulky motorhomes. Parking across two regular spaces is permitted, provided you pay the fee for both spaces.
There's a common misconception that you can camp overnight anywhere you like in New Zealand. While the country is relatively free camp friendly, you must still abide by local bylaws which are becoming stricter.
If you don't have a self-contained vehicle (with an attached official sticker), you can only camp overnight in designated campgrounds with suitable facilities.
Certified self-contained vehicles can freedom camp on most public land in Auckland (including roadsides), provided you abide by council freedom camping rules. These regulations include a maximum two-night stay and vacating by 9 am the next day. Road rules and standard regulations regarding littering, noise, fires, and pets also apply.
Free camping is not permitted in council reserves and 58 areas within the Auckland region. Paid camping is the only option at Auckland's regional parks.
Keep a keen eye out for signage and follow courteous camping etiquette.
Good news for budget travelers: entry to all of New Zealand's spectacular national parks is 100% free. The North Island is home to three dramatic volcano-clad parks: Tongariro, Whanganui, and Egmont.
However, you'll still need to pay for tours, ticketed attractions, and many national park campsites.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) divides its campgrounds into five tiers:
Basic campsites are free and include barebones facilities such as drop toilets.
Backcountry campsites charge varying fees and have toilets and a water supply. Some include other facilities like picnic tables and shelters.
Standard campsites reside in popular tourist attractions and cost from $8 per adult per night. All have a toilet and water supply, and some offer extra facilities.
Scenic campsites sit amid spectacular surroundings and offer unpowered ($15 per adult per night) and powered ($18 per adult per night) sites. All have a toilet and water supply.
Serviced campsites are the crème de la crème of national park camping. Unpowered sites cost $20 per adult per night, while powered sites will set you back $23. Expect luxe amenities like flush toilets, hot showers, bins, camp kitchens, and laundry facilities.
If you plan on spending lots of time camping in New Zealand's breathtaking national parks, you might consider investing in a DOC Campsite Pass. A 30-night pass costs $95 per adult.
Kids aged 5-17 are charged at half the adult rate for individual bookings and the Campsite Pass. Infants under five stay for free.
Most national park campgrounds must be booked online through the DOC website (bookings are compulsory even with a Campsite Pass). Non-bookable national park campsites operate on a first-come-first-served basis. Arrive early and have a backup plan.
It'd be a crime to visit the North Island without checking out Auckland's most iconic attractions.
Take the elevator up to the observation deck at Sky Tower to get a lay of the land. If you're feeling adventurous, you could bungee jump back down.
To get up to speed on New Zealand's culture, natural history, and military past, pop into the neo-classicist Auckland War Memorial Museum. Other superb inner-city exhibits include the New Zealand Maritime Museum and the Museum of Transport and Technology. Art aficionados mustn't miss Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, where a magnificent château-style building showcases international and traditional Maori works.
Auckland is a world-renowned gastronomic hotspot bursting with multicultural flair. Foodies can tantalize their taste buds with a smorgasbord of international flavors. Top culinary districts include Viaduct Harbor, Ponsonby, Kingsland, and Newton.
For tranquil parklands, try Auckland Domain or the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Families can pencil in SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium or the Auckland Zoo to gawk at adorable animals.
If you'd rather observe marine life in the wild, jump on a Hauraki Gulf whale-watching tour. Operating year-round, the trips often spot breaching Bryde and Sei whales, plus other slippery critters like dolphins and manta rays.
A 40-minute ferry trip from Auckland Harbor lies Waiheke Island, a vineyard-strewn spot dubbed the "Island of Wine" (hit Stonyridge or Mudbrick for heavenly drinks). Even closer resides Rangitoto, a dormant volcanic island full of walking trails and spellbinding views. Sign up for a sunset kayak tour to get there in style.
Another tempting offshore escape is Tiritiri Matangi Island, home to curious wildlife and colorful avifauna. Alternatively, take your camper on the SeaLink car ferry to Great Barrier Island for a secluded getaway. Located 62 miles offshore, this remote 110 square mile island is home to just a thousand inhabitants. Wilderness adventures span hiking to surfing and mountain biking.
Auckland serves as a handy base to explore the dramatic volcanic landscapes of New Zealand's North Island, A.K.A. Te Ika-a-Māui.
Heading up towards the aptly named Northland, make a pitstop at the picture-perfect Whangarei Falls.
You’ll need to leave the camper on the mainland when exploring the Poor Knights Islands, a marine life-rich reserve some 13.7 miles offshore. Local tour operators offer action-packed day trips encompassing snorkeling, kayaking, and cave explorations.
Stop at Waitangi Treaty Grounds to catch up on colonial-era history before hitting Cape Reinga, a scenic spot where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea converge. Be sure to grab a happy snap with the iconic Cape Reinga Lighthouse.
Southeast of the city lies the Coromandel Peninsula, a paradise of pristine beaches and misty forests. The most iconic attraction is Cathedral Cove, where a majestic limestone archway peers out over the South Pacific. Get there via a scenic coastal hike, a kayaking jaunt, or a boat cruise.
J.R.R Tolkien fans would be mad to miss a Movie Set Tour at Hobbiton, which set the scene for the Shire in the classic Peter Jackson films.
The southern route takes you towards Rotorua, a quaint lakeside town surrounded by a gurgling geothermal hotbed of steamy geysers and springs.
Pop into the touristic Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland to admire technicolored volcano-heated pools. For a similar yet less-crowded experience, try the protected Waimangu Volcanic Valley, home to the largest hot springs on earth. The Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve is your best bet for a sloppy mud spa and other wellness indulgences.
While in Rotorua, meander between towering giants at Whakarewarewa Forest—do the Redwoods Treewalk. Next, say hello to fluffy, flightless birds at the National Kiwi Hatchery and visit the Government Gardens for impressive Tudor-style architecture.
Rotorua is also a top spot to immerse yourself in Maori culture. Check out Te Puia to learn about traditional customs while admiring more geothermal wonders.
To the west of Rotorua, Waitomo Caves is a worthy detour. Millions of bio-luminescent glow worms light up a network of limestone caverns in a dazzling display.
Further south, Taupō is a laidback lakeside town and a great place to chase waterfalls. The roaring pièce de résistance is Huka Falls, which pumps out an astonishing 58,000 gallons per second. Other less ferocious—but still spectacular—options include Otupoto Falls and Tieke Falls. Whitewater rafting and jetboat riding experiences abound.
Avid hikers (or any fit travelers) mustn’t miss the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This undulating 11.8 mile trail trudges between cragged volcanic peaks—some say it’s the best one-day hike in the north. If you’ve arrived during the cooler months, nearby Mount Ruapehu is the North Island’s premiere ski resort.
To the west, Egmont National Park hosts Mount Taranaki, an enormous dormant volcano with spectacular hiking trails. The top pick is Pouakai Crossing, where a scenic 11.2 mile route traverses crystalline alpine tarns.
If time permits, wander down to the New Zealand capital of Wellington, a windy city on the island’s southwest tip.
“The winterless north,” as some call it. In this itinerary, we follow the 800 mile Twin Coast Discovery Highway up the east coast and back down the less developed west coast with plenty to see and do.
MORE: 7-Day Auckland ItineraryNew Zealand has an unforgettable abundance of breathtaking scenery, welcoming and friendly locals, and a vast variety of fun activities, including some high-octane thrills. Wherever your trip takes you, you’ll enjoy tasty food and drink and experience a vibe unlike anywhere else on earth.
MORE: 7-Day Auckland ItineraryYou'll be swept away by the natural beauty of the North Island. And with a campervan as your trusty ride, you'll have the freedom to wander wherever the wind takes you, seeking out adventure and relaxation at your own pace on this 14-day North Island adventure.
MORE: 14-Day North Island ItineraryYou need a full, unrestricted car license to hire a camper in Auckland. If your license isn’t in English, you’ll also need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP). Most rental companies won’t offer campervans to drivers under 21. However, some agencies are more lenient. JUCY, for example, will rent vehicles to drivers aged 18 and/or with a restricted New Zealand license or an Australian Green P licence.
Freedom camping is generally permitted in New Zealand, however, while allowed, it is strictly regulated. Rules and guidelines must be followed at all times and these can vary depending on the area and any council bylaws (local laws) that may apply.
Generally to freedom camp anywhere in New Zealand, your vehicle must have a self-containment certification
If you are unsure of the rules that apply in a specific area it is best to visit the nearest I-Site (visitor information center) 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 you will need to pay the cost of the ferry, our support team can help you book this.
Additional one-way fees may apply, the comparison tool will automatically factor this into your total.
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:
The vehicle must have been checked by a qualified officer to ensure it meets these requirements. Self-contained motorhomes have a sticker displayed on the vehicle, proving its certification.
There are no RV rental companies based within the terminal at Auckland Airport, however, most depots are just a short drive away (1.5-19 miles).
Many suppliers offer a complimentary shuttle service with your rental, however, this must be booked in advance. For cases where a shuttle is not provided, there are public buses, shuttles, and taxis available.
Yes, generally unlimited miles are included for standard vehicle rentals in New Zealand. The comparison tool will show you if your preferred vehicle has this included or if the mileage is restricted.
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