So, if you’ve been enjoying our odyssey so far, you’re likely aware that our school holiday plans went through a very significant and quick change when we discovered that Julija had chickenpox. Instead of driving around in our car and staying in hotels that we might contaminate (we’re still working on our camping gear), we found a good deal on a camper van and hit the road.
There are only a few locations in NZ where you can readily rent camper vans from a campervan hire company, and fortunately one of them is only a couple of hours from us in Queenstown. The other common places to rent camper vans are Auckland and Christchurch. At the end of this blog, I’ve included a list of many of the NZ camper van rental firms.
On the whole, kiwi camper vans are smaller than American camper vans. The largest NZ camper van might be a medium-sized camper van in the States. The more common “land yachts” that you see in the States are very rare here – the roads are smaller and the turns tighter. Additionally, fuel is more expensive! Besides, if you’re coming from the States or elsewhere besides NZ, you’re not going to be carrying a whole lot of gear with you.
Also be aware that these smaller campers might be “tight” for four people to enjoy, even if the rental site suggests that four people will fit. For example, our camper van had a bed just barely big enough for Asta & me, and a second “berth” above the main area that was fine for Aras & Julija. But, two more adults would not have made it happily in the upper berth. If you have the means, I’d encourage you to consider renting a slightly larger van than you think that you might need.
Driving a camper van, at least in the mountains of the Southern Island, is not difficult, but you do need to slow down in several different ways. The posted speed limit on many rural roads is 100 km/hr. However, it takes a little effort to get the camper van up to 100. And, about the time that you get up to the speed limit, then a curve appears on the road, or rain (sometimes horizontal), or wind. Accelerating, decelerating and fighting a top-heavy van in the wind and rain takes a toll on your arms, shoulders and nerves. (I consider driving a camper van akin to driving a vertical mattress – soft, springy and not very responsive.) Even more common, there’ll be a magnificent sight out the window and you’ll be drooling on the steering wheel! So, the best way to enjoy NZ, whether in a camper van or your car, is to slow down to ~ 80. The distances in NZ aren’t as far as in the States, so driving about 50 mph/80 kph is rather pleasant and will delightfully fill your day.
And, when you’re driving on those NZ roads, when you approach a corner you’ll often see a “recommended speed” for the corner. When you’re driving in a camper van, those recommended speeds are pretty good for enjoying the corners.
You can rent either a gas (petrol) diesel camper van. Currently, diesel fuel costs about three-fourths of the price of petrol, so that might be an advantage. You’ll also have to pay a government road-user charge with a diesel vehicle equal to about $0.05/kilometer, so there’s another expense to consider. I have no idea of the “mileage” that we achieved with our camper van, so I can’t recommend what might be more efficient and how the fuel and road-use costs might compare. Just be aware…
Here’s another “plus” about enjoying a camper van in NZ – the “holiday parks.” A “holiday park” in NZ is about the same as a campground in the States, but BETTER! The Americans could learn a thing or two about campgrounds from the Kiwis. The holiday parks are frequently smaller and more compact than their American cousins, which is part of the reason that a smaller camper van is more appropriate. All of the holiday parks had electrical (240 V) hookups, and water and wastewater disposal readily available. One of the big differences that set an NZ holiday park apart from an American campground is the community facilities that you’ll find in these parks. Every (?) holiday park that we enjoyed had a laundry and communal kitchen facility. You’ll find campers cooking their meals in the same kitchen, cleaning their dishes and conversing. Since there’s so much rain in NZ, there are also communal eating spaces at many holiday parks, both indoors and outdoors.
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