Rental Locations
You can start and end your road trip in either Auckland (North Island) or Christchurch (South Island). In fact, if you have sufficient time to visit both islands you can do a one-way hire. New Zealand's long and narrow shape makes it perfectly suited to one-way travel. Make sure you compare the rental rates for both northbound and southbound hires using the Rates & Dates tool at the top of the page to find the best rate. Check out the Booking with Us page for more information.More than two thirds of international flights into New Zealand land in Auckland so chances are this is where you'll get your first taste of our beautiful country. You can either pick up your rental motorhome on arrival in Auckland or transfer on to a domestic flight to Christchurch and discover the South Island first. At certain times of year, you can get better hire rates for northbound rather than southbound hires so be sure to check out that option.
Unless you've got at least six weeks to saunter around the country, we recommend you avoid a return trip taking in both North and South Islands. Some tourists make the mistake of underestimating the distances and road conditions and plan a whistle stop tour focusing on "ticking off" the notable tourist destinations as quickly as possible. They end up spending most of their vacation behind the wheel. If that's the kind of vacation you're after, why not do the Paris to Dakar rally?
We have prepared itineraries that take in all of our favourite routes to help you plan your tour whether you're planning on covering the North or South Islands or both. These vary from the quick five day jaunt to the leisurely 25 day ramble. We have packed the itineraries with ideas about what to see and where to stop so be sure to check them out.
If you plan to start your motorhome hire in Auckland, there's so much to see and do. The only limitation is your time. From a quick get-away to ambling sojourn, you've got choices to burn. Check out our team's top 10 things to do in Auckland.
Auckland Return
We recommend picking up and returning to Auckland if you want to stay on the North Island. The Twin Coast Discovery Highway does a loop north of Auckland taking in the Bay of Islands, 90 mile beach, Cape Reinga, and Waipoua Forest. You can link up with the Pacific Coast Highway which takes you south to the Coromandel then on to the Bay of Plenty (Tauranga and Mt Maunganui) and remote East Cape before turning south to art deco Napier and Hastings. Return north via the Thermal Explorer route (Taupo and Rotorua). Don’t miss the unforgettable Waitomo Caves on your way back to Auckland.
Auckland to Christchurch One Way
Once you pick up your rental motorhome in Auckland, you can either head north and take in Northland’s famous beaches, islands, and forests or go south towards more beaches, lakes, mountains, and lots more. Take the ferry across the Cook Strait to the South Island and continue south to Christchurch.
If you plan to start your motorhome hire in Christchurch, you are already in the heart of some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. Even though it’s been battered and bruised by the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, it’s still worth visiting. Check out our team’s top 10 things to do in Christchurch.
Christchuch Return
We recommend picking up and returning to Christchurch if you want to stay on the South Island. You can head west or south towards the mountains and glacial lakes or start your loop by heading north.
Christchurch to Auckland One Way
Make sure you allow enough time to take in Queenstown and the stunning southern lakes if you start your campervan hire in Christchurch. The Interisland ferry will take you over Cook Strait to Wellington in the North Island where you can explore the Capital before heading north to Auckland.
