As Wilderness celebrates two decades of adventure this year, we wanted to honour the incredible community of travellers who have been with us along the way. We've been privileged to welcome many adventurers back time and again over the last 20 years, but when it came to celebrating a truly remarkable milestone of loyalty, the choice was an easy one.
We decided to give back to our most loyal guests, Lloyd and Debbie from Sydney, whose amazing loyalty was about to bring them back to New Zealand for their 10th motorhome holiday with us.
We believe a decade of Wilderness adventures is truly remarkable, so our owner and co-founder, Mary, sat down with the couple to reflect on a journey that started back in our early days of operation. We covered everything from their favourite motorhome to a typical day on the road.
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A trip down memory lane
Lloyd and Debbie’s first trip with us was back in 2009. In those early days, we were a new startup with a "tiny office the size of a shipping container", and the South Island base was located near the railway crossing off Harewood Road, Papanui. The fleet consisted of Fiat Ducato vans fitted out by Roadcraft NZ, with a side sling door and barn doors at the rear. But a great first impression was made from the very beginning.
"I recall the motorhome we were given was brand new with only about 25 Kms on the odometer," Lloyd says, "so first impressions-wise we were off to a great start".
On that first trip, they toured the South Island for about two weeks, covering the classic loop through Christchurch, Kaikoura, Blenheim, Greymouth, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Tekapo and Akaroa. For Debbie and Lloyd, the experience was transformative.
"We were blown away by the diverse scenery New Zealand has to offer," they recall. "Beautiful lakes, mountains, green plains, snow, beaches and not overly commercialised like other major countries.”
The enduring allure of a New Zealand road trip
That first taste of a motorhome holiday was a world away from Lloyd's previous trip in 2006, when he and his brother hired what he describes as an "old heap of garbage with a manual gearbox that crunched in second and third gears". Convinced there was a better way to experience the country's unmatched scenery, he told Debbie they should do a road trip in a motorhome (or "glamping"), which led them to discover Wilderness. As they say, the rest is history.
The couple says the diversity of New Zealand's landscape and the unique adventures they can't find anywhere else continually draw them back.
"Where else can I fly in a WWII Mk9 Spitfire off a grass air strip at Omaka, fly over the Wither Hills, have control of the aircraft for a few minutes and then do inside loops looking upside down at the ocean below. It was a childhood bucket list dream," says Lloyd.
This sense of freedom is at the heart of every trip. Debbie says travelling by motorhome brings the couple "a sense of freedom, fun and adventure as there is something new around each corner. You can do whatever you want and when you want.”
Why Wilderness, time and again?
Lloyd and Debbie say that their relationship with Wilderness has been built on a foundation of quality, trust and excellent service, such as our valet pickup and return to the airport.
“We just love New Zealand for a start, and we love travelling in a motorhome,” says Debbie. “And of course, always with Wilderness. We don't even look at another company because we're so happy and your motorhomes are first class. The quality of the motorhomes has just kept improving over the years," Lloyd says. "The Bürstner and Carado motorhomes are outstanding quality with a large range of layouts to suit different needs and budgets... I don't see the same quality in Australia at camping and caravan shows".
Beyond the vehicles, they say the trust and support they get from Wilderness makes a difference.
“One thing I find with Wilderness, and it's a compliment to you, Mary and the company, you've never dropped the ball on the little things,” says Debbie. “It's the welcome board when you come in and your name's up, it's being picked up at the airport and taken back. And it's the feeling you get when you come here. You just feel so welcome and you've never wavered on that.
“I think companies expand and sometimes they lose sight of the personal touch. But that's the thing for me; Wilderness always has that personal touch,” she says. It's all those little things to me that bring us back to the company every time: It's the customer service,” she says. “And your staff are exceptional!”
They also appreciate the transparent rental agreement with reliable backup from the team and "no BS conditions," says Lloyd.
"On the odd occasion, sometimes things go wrong with a motorhome, but there's always a support team to help sort issues out," he continues. "When we've lost some days, we've been compensated and even given a replacement motorhome.”
A decade of favourite places
“We feel like New Zealand is really set up for motorhomes, much more than Australia,” says Debbie.
Lloyd agrees. “We really like touring holidays and New Zealand offers such diversity of the scenery in such a small area. Compared to Australia, for instance, you've got to travel long distances to get that diversity. Here you can be in the alpine region, we can be on the Canterbury Plains, you can be on a golden beach somewhere on the South Island. Within a day or two, you can land up on the glaciers and you look out to the ocean, like Kaikoura with the snow-covered mountains. You don't see too many vistas where you can see the ocean and look up at a snow-covered mountain at the same time,” he says.
“There's just something about the snow-capped mountains right on the ocean. I think it's just the most beautiful location,” says Debbie. “It’s a real favourite of mine.”
Some places have become essential stops for the seasoned travellers. “We do love Kaiteriteri,” says Debbie. “One of the staff recommended we go up there, and now we can't come without going there. We just love that area.”
“And the national park associated with it is so beautiful,” says Lloyd. “Lovely scenery, beautiful, colored aqua water and golden sands as well. Similar to the Bay of Islands.”
Debbie loves Queenstown for its food, vibe, beautiful scenery, drives and activities. The popular alpine town has a vibrant food scene, including The Cow, known for its rustic atmosphere, Blue Kanu restaurant, or bringing a world-famous Ferg Burger to Perky's Floating Bar on the lake.
“Queenstown is definitely a favourite of mine, more so than Lloyd’s,” she says. “Mind you, he enjoys it when he gets there!”
Life on the road
When asked about a typical travelling day, the couple paint a picture of relaxed, flexible exploration.
"We start by checking the weather for our planned drive or activity and then dress for the conditions," Lloyd says. "From there, we'll travel along our chosen route, checking out areas of interest as we go and stopping somewhere scenic or fun for lunch.”
“We decide as we go for dinner, says Debbie. “We'll either dine in or out, depending on where we are and what sounds good to eat locally.”
Their favourite model
As seasoned motorhome travellers, Lloyd and Debbie agree that the European vehicles are the best way to travel. “The Bürstner and Carado motorhomes are outstanding quality,” says Lloyd.
“I love the Fiat Ducatos for the driving position and the comfort, and the seating, the elevated view,” he says. “The other great thing we like about motorhomes is the fact that once you've unpacked, you're unpacked for the entire trip. And if the weather goes bad, you can change your itinerary and have that flexibility. You've got it all.”
After trying various layouts, their favourite model is the Double for Two. It has an island double bed that is permanently made up and accessible from the end and side. The bathroom design is also a major plus for the couple.
"Its separate toilet and shower are great. The door to the toilet can also be used to close off the central walkway to the front of the motorhome, turning the bed, toilet, and shower area into a private ensuite. It's a great piece of design."
Plans for the special anniversary adventure
For their special 10th trip, Lloyd and Debbie have curated an itinerary that blends iconic bucket-list experiences with treasured foodie traditions. A major highlight will be their journey into Fiordland.
"We're booked to go to Doubtful Sound, which we’ve never been to before, and staying at Te Anau” says Debbie. Having already visited Milford Sound twice, this new adventure is a key part of the couple’s celebration.
"Weather permitting, a return to the ice is also on the cards; a glacier landing / heli flight from Franz Josef is a maybe, but weather conditions need to be very good," says Lloyd. "We've done this flight several times and it's always fantastic on the right day. Standing on the top of the glacier and looking out to the ocean is beautiful and a bit surreal at the same time.”
The plan includes plenty of fun and adrenaline. Lloyd and Debbie hope to go whale watching at Kaikoura for the first time, "if the weather gods are good to us this trip". In Queenstown, they say that the "chairlift and luge is also a must for a bit of fun." For something faster, Lloyd is considering stepping things up a notch, a few laps at Highlands Motorsport Park at Cromwell.
Of course, no trip is complete without sampling New Zealand's incredible food and wine. A visit to Saint Clair winery for lunch is a top priority, which Lloyd notes is "a definite taxi day and the motorhome stays parked up.”
Advice for first-timers
When asked what advice they'd give someone considering their first motorhome holiday, based on a decade of experience, their most important tip is to prioritise quality.
“If you're looking for your first motorhome in New Zealand, do your research online and think about where you want to go and what sort of motorhome you want and what suits your needs and your budget,” says Lloyd. “Don't skimp on it because it's your accommodation for the next week to three weeks, in all sorts of weather conditions as well.”
They also strongly recommend choosing a layout with a fixed bed because, as Lloyd says, “a permanently made-up bed is a lovely luxury.”
For Lloyd, full coverage insurance gives you peace of mind on the road. “On one trip, I knocked off a couple of the running lights on the back of the van. It's the only time I've ever done it in nine trips, and I was kicking myself for doing it. But it was covered by insurance, no questions asked.”
Lloyd and Debbie’s most important piece of advice is also the simplest: "Just DO IT!”
From their first trip in a small startup's brand-new van to their 10th anniversary adventure in a premium German motorhome, Lloyd and Debbie's journey has mirrored our own. We're incredibly grateful for their loyalty and thrilled to have been a part of their decade of memories.
And with the North Island's Coromandel still on their list of places to explore, we're already looking forward to welcoming them back again for their 11th trip.
If you’re inspired to plan your next NZ adventure, check out our ultimate New Zealand road trip itinerary.
