What happens when you get a crew together who says "yes" to any adventure, even before asking where they're going? You hand them the keys to a motorhome and point them toward New Zealand's South Island.
For Marissa Meizz and her friends Shayla Jay, Hunter Cohen, and Phillip Lemos, this road trip was the ultimate adventure.
As a first-time visitor to Aotearoa, Marissa was buzzing with anticipation. "Before the trip, I was most excited about the unknown of New Zealand," she says. "I had never been before, but in an RV, it is the most incredible way to see a place, especially a place like this. The idea of camping and waking up in a new place every morning with insane views right outside the window felt like an absolute dream."
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The Game Plan: Maximum Freedom, Zero Repacking
The decision to travel by motorhome was key to their entire philosophy for the trip. "We chose a Wilderness motorhome because it gave us the freedom to hit all the epic South Island spots without having to unpack and repack every night," Marissa explained. "Plus, it felt like the perfect mix of comfort and adventure, basically our own cosy home on wheels, with the freedom to sleep wherever we could."
That "home on wheels" was a pleasant surprise, even after forgetting a crucial detail about the Southern Hemisphere during their trip in June.
"I also forgot we have opposite seasons and although it was winter, the motorhome was so easy to navigate and drive through mountains and winding roads," she says.
Their route was a legendary South Island loop: starting in Christchurch, they headed for the giants of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the stunning blues of Lake Tekapo, the vibe of Wānaka, the adrenaline of Queenstown and then back up the ruggedly beautiful West Coast. But the destinations were only part of the story.
"Each place was chosen because we wanted to just see everything we could while pulling over on the side of the road to beautiful views every 5 minutes," she says. "We came across rolling green hills, Glacial lakes, snowy peaks, waterfalls, roaring rivers! You name it, we saw it."
A Day on the Road
So, what does a perfect day on a New Zealand road trip look like? Marissa walked us through their daily rhythm.
"A typical day started by waking up and stepping outside to see the view of where we camped. We did half freedom camping (highly recommend) and half campsites. We would grab some coffee for the crew at a local shop, while looking out at whatever crazy backdrop we'd parked next to—sometimes mountains, sometimes a lake, sometimes sheep! Then we'd hit the road, blasting music and stopping anywhere that looked too good to drive past.
"Afternoons were usually for hikes or activities, getting some fun content, trying a new food spot, or just sitting at a lake overlooking the mountains. Evenings were spent making dinner in the motorhome, playing games, working (thanks to the wifi included in the package) and laughing about the day until we were too tired to keep our eyes open."
Road Trip Moments You Can't Plan
Amidst all the adventure, Marissa says the small, spontaneous moments became the most memorable.
One of the standout moments they experienced was waking up, opening the RV door, and realising they'd parked right on the lake's edge with the mountains reflecting perfectly in the water. "We made coffee, still half asleep, wrapped in blankets together, sat on the dock on the lake, just staring at the view in silence for a good 30 minutes — which, for our group, never happens hahaha (the silence)," she says. "It was one of those rare calm moments in the middle of all the chaos that just sticks with you and made me feel warm."
On the drive between Tekapo and Queenstown, the crew spotted a tiny roadside stand selling homemade meat pies and decided to stop for a classic Kiwi delicacy. "It wasn't on any list or plan, but we pulled over, grabbed a few, since some of us had never had one, and ended up having an impromptu picnic on the side of the road," Marissa says. "It was such a small, random stop, but it turned into one of those 'only on a road trip' moments we kept laughing about the rest of the week. (Also, the meat pie was 10/10)"
According to Marissa, the best meal they cooked was a simple pasta dinner in a picture-perfect setting, parked on the edge of Lake Tekapo with the mountains glowing pink in the sunset. "Honestly, the view made it feel like a five-star restaurant, and somehow the pasta tasted better when you're eating it out of a camper van with your friends," she says. "When a simple meal can taste 10 times better because of the circumstances. You don't need anything too fancy, just a good view and good people."
The Unexpected Game-Changer: Reliable wifi
One feature made a surprisingly massive impact on their trip, giving the gang the perfect blend of work and adventure. "The wifi in the Wilderness motorhome was the biggest game changer of the entire trip," Marissa says.
"Since all of us were still working while travelling, having reliable internet on the road was HUGE. It saved us multiple times, from sending off emails in the middle of nowhere to quickly rerouting when we decided last-minute to change plans. Honestly, I didn't expect to be able to balance work and adventure so seamlessly, but the wifi made it possible and made us feel way more adventurous when finding new spots on the fly when we needed to be connected."
A New Way to Travel
This trip did more than create good memories; Marissa says it fundamentally changed her perspective on what travel can be.
"This trip honestly changed how I want to travel after this," she says. "I've always loved new adventures, but there was something different about slowing down and experiencing New Zealand by motorhome instead. Every day felt like an adventure, not just the "big stops" we had on our list. Travelling this way gave me the sense of freedom I wanted while exploring somewhere I'd never been, and it made us talk to locals more and other people camping. We weren't locked into schedules or hotels. That flexibility made everything feel more alive and spontaneous and able to go wherever needed that day!"
Marissa says the experience left her with a new life goal. "I left New Zealand with a new dream to travel by RV in every country I visit. There's something so special about having your home with you while exploring! It makes the world feel more personal and way more fun. This trip reminded me that adventure doesn't always have to be about all the big stops; it's the little things you can pull off too, and the people you're with, and the joy of waking up somewhere completely new where you get to open your door and be in the thick of it, get up and go."
The Wilderness Experience: In Marissa's Own Words
To capture the whole picture, from the first hello to the final goodbye, we think it's best to share Marissa's Google review in its entirety:
"Travelling through New Zealand in a Wilderness motorhome was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. From the very beginning, the staff made everything feel seamless. They were kind, thorough, and patient while walking us through every feature of the motorhome, so we felt completely prepared before hitting the road. Their warmth and attention to detail made it clear that they cared about more than just renting us something; they wanted us to have the adventure of a lifetime, and we truly did!!
The motorhome itself was spotless, beautifully designed, and surprisingly very spacious, even with 4 of us. It had everything we needed to feel at home, but the biggest game-changer was the wifi (INCREDIBLE). My friends and I were still balancing work while travelling, and having reliable internet made it all possible, from sending emails in the middle of the mountains to rerouting where we were trying to head on the fly was really nice to have. It was that perfect balance of adventure and comfort, and it honestly felt like the best of both worlds.
What made this trip extra special was the experience of travelling in our 20s with close friends. Having the RV door wide open to mountain views, pulling over at random roadside fruit stands, and ending nights around the little kitchen table in the motorhome was so perfect and set up nicely. These are the kinds of memories you never forget! The kind you talk about for years. Wilderness gave us the freedom to see what we needed and beyond, and it honestly was easy to drive (even through snow!)
From the airport pick-up in Christchurch to the return drop-off, everything with Wilderness was smooth and stress-free, which made it so easy to focus on enjoying the adventure. I can't recommend this company enough. If you're thinking about exploring New Zealand, do it this way. Travelling by motorhome gave us the chance to slow down and see literally everything and more."
Marissa is the founder of No More Lonely Friends, a community for meetup that spans outdoor adventures to cozy indoor gatherings and intimate smaller events.
You can follow Marissa’s worldwide adventures on Instagram and YouTube.
