Zimmermann Vazquez (coatgame9)

If there was ever a country that seemed custom-made for the campervan, New Zealand is it. ’ve camped right on the perimeter of a shingle beach on the shores of glassy Lake Wanaka. In Orewa, North Island, I found a pitch so close to the ocean I could practically walk straight out of my van and dip my toes in the Pacific. And then there’s the sense of being immersed in the outdoors that you just don’t experience in a hotel — the morning I opened the van door to a field of squawking pukekos (swamphens) springs to mind. Our motto is “drive less, see more”. Whether you’re planning a mini break, relaxing getaway, or lengthy sojourn, we recommend travelling no more than 200km/day on average.

their explanation can be found all over the country, and are also great for meeting fellow New Zealand campervan fans and exchanging travel tips. What’s more, with the stunning landscape right outside your doorstep, you’ll have a 5 star view for a fraction of the price. Because everything is relatively accessible and packed into a land area a little larger than Britain, it’s ideally suited to the self-drive New Zealand holiday. Forget about being loaded into a train or tour coach with other travellers, once you’ve got the keys to your campervan, you’re on your own. It’s about managing your expectations. Because most travellers are super-excited to see legendary jaw-dropping natural wonders of this fabled New Zealand immediately upon their arrival. International tourism hoopla sets high expectations for mountains, fiords, glaciers, you know the “Lord of the Rings” natural grandeur. This is why we come to New Zealand—we want BIG, IN YOUR FACE grandeur! Most of the “oh-my-gawd-wow” landscapes around each bend of the road that will leave you “blown-away” are in the South Island. New Zealand by Campervan There will either be an honesty box for payment or a ranger will tour the ground collecting payment.We love freedom camping in New Zealand.Thanks to its size, you can tour the whole country in a matter of weeks, talking in the diverse geography of both the North and South Islands.Also respect rules/warnings about building fires (in most places, you are not permitted to build open fires).Flying into Christchurch, we used a relocation car to explore the east and south coast of the South Island staying in campground lodges and Book a Bach accommodation. Most sites have water taps and a basic drop toilet. Freedom camping sites operate on an unreserved, ‘first come first served’ basis. Arrive early especially in peak season. So if your travel time must include a portion of the Kiwi holiday period, it may be best to plan to be on the South as much as possible during those three weeks to avoid the crowds at North Island campgrounds and attractions. Plan to do the North Island portion of your trip either before December 20 or after January 10. There are campsites for non-self-contained vehicles (campsites with facilities like a toilet) and self-contained campervans (sites without any facilities). But speaking of cheaper and more basic campsites… let's talk for a minute about freedom camping in New Zealand. pop over to this web-site camping” (essentially pulling over and camping wherever) is legal in many places in New Zealand – but it's also being abused by many travelers. DOC sites are usually rural, scenic locations and – like the freedom camping sites – are unreserved, first come first served. There will either be an honesty box for payment or a r