There is no denying that New Zealand has a lot to offer to international visitors. But with so much to see, selecting the right vehicle to carry you through your travels can significantly impact your overall experience.
Due to its somewhat inconvenient location, many people are only afforded one opportunity to visit this spectacular country, so it is essential to make the most of your time there. Whether you opt for a fully self-contained campervan for the ultimate cross-country road trip or an Auckland city car rental to zip around famous city sites and experiences, you are guaranteed to build memories to last a lifetime.
Photo by Jean-Pierre Brungs on Unsplash
Advantages of Renting a Campervan
When it comes to renting a campervan, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure you make the right decision for your travel needs.
Self-Contained vs Non-Self-Contained
A self-contained campervan is a vehicle that has all the facilities you will need already onboard. If you are looking for extended freedom to camp and experience the beautiful natural landscape of New Zealand, this is likely the best option for you.
A fully self-contained campervan must have a fixed toilet, a sink connected to a watertight greywater tank, an evacuation hose, a rubbish bin with a lid, freshwater tanks that hold 12 litres of water per person for three days, a blackwater tank that holds the same or greater amount of waste for three days and a self-containment certificate on display. Without these features, you may be limited in your camping options or have to pay extra at some campsites or accommodations.
In comparison, a non-self-contained campervan is a significantly cheaper option when you consider the vehicle’s base cost. In most cases, NSC campervans will be small vans or people carriers, fitted with a bed and basic cooking equipment. These types of vehicles do not meet the same regulations as self-contained options and will be subject to different fees and camping options.
Camping Options
Despite its name, freedom camping is the most restrictive form of camping, available only to people travelling in self-contained campervans, largely because they have very few, if any, facilities on-site. However, this doesn’t mean that you are allowed to camp anywhere you choose.
Freedom camping is only allowed in clearly marked designated areas or public land that isn’t marked as prohibited. Most towns and major cities are getting better at clearly marking where free camping is not allowed. However, there are special apps that can help you navigate these restrictions.
DOC Campsites
The Department of Conservation (DOC) provides hundreds of designated campsites across the country, typically situated in national parks and reserves. Most campsites are limited to self-contained vehicles only, but a select number are open to non-self-contained vehicles, provided they have rubbish bins, toilets, and water available.
For longer trips, it is more cost-effective to purchase a DOC pass, which provides access to free camping for the duration of your trip.
Advantages of Renting a Car
If you prefer to skip camping altogether and hope to explore towns and cities more than rural landscapes and Mother Nature, renting a car is a more convenient and, in many cases, cost-effective option.
Cost
In nearly every way, renting a car will be cheaper than a campervan. You will spend less money on fuel, ferries between the islands are cheaper for cars, and general rental costs will be lower for smaller vehicles, especially thanks to the surge in the popularity of hiring campervans to see as much of New Zealand’s landscape as possible.
The most important part of renting a car in New Zealand is properly researching your options and selecting a vehicle that strikes the right balance among rental cost, reliability, and size. Additionally, ensure you understand insurance policies and the impact of road user charges if you opt for a diesel vehicle.
Practicality
It is safe to say that some roads in New Zealand leave a lot to be desired. And if you are driving on unfamiliar roads, possibly in a country that drives on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to, these challenges can be significantly more daunting in larger vehicles.
Many roads leading to less-visited spots are specifically designed for tractors and 4WD cars, and if you plan to visit many hidden gems, you will appreciate eliminating the added stress that only a large campervan will bring.
City Stays
In large, busy cities, like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, finding inner-city parking spots large enough to accommodate campervans can be an endless struggle. If you hope to enjoy evening outs in the city, taking in New Zealand nightlife, choosing to rent a car will allow you to switch off for the evening and truly enjoy your time without having to worry about parking, expensive taxis taking you back to your van parked far away from the city center or trying to book a spot at the closest campsite far in advance.
When it comes to deciding whether it is better to rent a campervan compared to a car while travelling around New Zealand, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The option you ultimately choose will be influenced by the type of experience you want to have.
If you are after ultimate flexibility, with the ability to pull over whenever the desire strikes you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of New Zealand’s landscape, take unexpected detours and make the most of quiet DOC sites, a self-contained campervan will likely be your best bet.
Alternatively, if you plan to take shorter trips, hope to include city stays in your schedule or simply prefer the comfort and convenience of checking into a hotel or BnB at the end of a busy day, renting a car will be the most suitable option, especially if you plan to book your accommodation in advance and would prefer to avoid the stress of navigating busy cities or tight parking spaces.
