Things to know before you go
What has made New Zealand such a popular destination for campervan explorers is the national policy called ‘Freedom Camping’. What is Freedom Camping you ask? Simple.
Freedom camping is a policy that allows travellers to camp in a tent, campervan or motor vehicle on public land, on a site with minimal or no facilities, such as toilets or showers.
There are over 500 responsible freedom camping locations in New Zealand, each with different rules and regulations. However, there are some basic rules that all responsible freedom campers must follow.
- Dispose of rubbish responsibly and leave your camping site as clean as you found it.
- Keep New Zealand clean by using the toilet in your vehicle if there are no dedicated toilet facilities at a camp site. Almost all campervans in New Zealand are self-sufficient, and come with lavatory facilities.
- Protect the environment by properly making use of recycling facilities.
- Always make use of a dedicated waste disposal station to get rid of your waste water.
When looking for a place to camp each night, the best way to find possible locations is via the Campermate app which is available on the Apple App Store as well as the Google Play Store.
Check this article out for the best places you shouldn't miss!
How to choose the right campervan
When it comes to selecting your campervan of choice, there are a few things you should consider for your campervan hire:
- How many people are you travelling with?
- How long will you be travelling for?
- What amenities can you adjust to missing out on compared to a hotel or hostel?
Generally speaking, young travellers in a group of less than 4 often opt for the high-top van camper style of vehicle. These are certainly the most campervans you will see in New Zealand.
The other popular option for groups of 4 or larger, or for those seeking a few more luxuries within their campervan, is the motorhome style of camper. These motorhomes are generally significantly larger than their high-top van counterparts, and usually have showers, more cupboard space, and more fully-kitted kitchenettes.
The most popular campervan and motorhome suppliers in New Zealand are:
Itinerary
Now onto the good stuff! Your day by day itinerary for exploring the beautiful south island of New Zealand.
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Christchurch is home to New Zealand’s second biggest airport after Auckland International, which makes it a popular arrival point for those travellers looking to explore the South Island of New Zealand.
All of the major campervan companies have depots in Christchurch, and some even offer complimentary pickup shuttles from the airport, to save you having to book your own.
Use today day to stock up on groceries, unpack your luggage into the storage facilities of your new campervan home, and then head to Chamberlains Ford Reserve where camping is free.
Day 2: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo
Today you will make the journey from Christchurch to the amazing Lake Tekapo. The drive gets better as you depart the metropolitan area of Christchurch and enter the more rugged landscapes of the greater Canterbury region.
If you stayed at Chamberlains Ford Reserve, you can use this link to get the route through to Lake Tekapo. The drive takes approximately 3 hours with a short break included.
The absolute best place to stay once you’ve arrived at Lake Tekapo is the Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park. There is a NZD50 charge for the night, but this gets you access to a powered site (so you can charge up the campervan and your devices) as well as arguably one of the best views of any campsite in New Zealand.
Try to make it there by late afternoon, so that you can enjoy sunset over the lake.
Day 3: Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook
Glacier Lake Cruise in Mount Cook
Today we will depart one lake, and head for another. Take the morning to enjoy Lake Tekapo, before making your way towards the blue waters of Lake Pukaki. The famous blue hue of the water is attributed to its proximity to the glaciers of Aoraki National Park.
Your camp ground for the night is another lakeside paradise, this time at Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking lot.
But it’s not all just views at Lake Pukaki, there are tons of incredible activities you can do today with your free time. Below are some of the most popular activities for travellers visiting Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki.
Day 4: Wanaka
Wanaka
After your time at Lake Pukaki, it’s time to make our way to the next town along our South Island route. The scenic lakeside town of Wanaka, home to the infamous ‘That Wanaka Tree’ - a tree which juts out of the lake water, seemingly isolated from all things.
Use the Campermate app to find all the possible campgrounds in the area, whether it’s something closer to the town, or something a bit further out where there’s peace and quiet.
If you get to Wanaka and have some free time, make sure you checkout all the most popular activities bookable right here on Klook.
Day 5: Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier
From Wanaka, we are going to be making the long, yet extraordinarily beautiful journey to Franz Josef Glacier which sits along the West Coast of the South Island.
It is a bit of a drive, totaling just under 4 hours of non-stop driving. The journey will likely take a bit longer than that though, as you’ll want to stop in Haast to take in the beauty of this small seaside country town.
The route is also home to lots of winding roads and deep valleys, with mountains which may be snow-capped at the right time of year.
Once in Franz Josef, the must-do activity is the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk, which can be booked right here.
For those wanting to have a more in-depth experience on the glacier, you can book a heli hike which involves being dropped off at the very top of the glacier via helicopter, and then being given a guided tour of the ice tunnels.
Day 6: Franz Josef to Queenstown
Queenstown
Once you’ve finished exploring the wild West Coast of New Zealand, we will make our way through to the adventure capital of the world - Queenstown.
This will be one of your biggest drives of the trip, so don’t rush it. You’ll make your way back to Wanaka through Haast, so make sure to stop off if you missed anything on your way out to Franz Josef yesterday.
Passing through Wanaka, you’ll head straight on through to Queenstown.
Day 7: Day in Queenstown
Skydiving in Queenstown
Today there is no travelling, as you give yourselves a break from the road and enjoy a day out in Queenstown. It is well known as the adventure capital of the world, with activities such as bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, and mountain biking as popular activities to do.
Make sure you checkout everything on offer right here on Klook.
If you fall in love with Queenstown, like many travellers do, feel free to extend your time here. There are plenty of camp sites, and oftentimes 1 day is simply not enough to take in everything Queenstown has to offer. If your flight itinerary allows for it, I'd suggest two, or even three, days in this fantastic town.
Day 8: Te Anau
Te Anau
Once you’ve decided it’s time to leave Queenstown, we will make our way towards Te Anau, bound for the world famous Milford Sound. Leaving the region of Otago, we will enter the Fiordland National Park area where snow-capped mountains and rugged landscapes will be the view from the car.
Make sure your campervan is well stocked with snacks, food, and petrol, as the drive to Te Anau has only a few spots to refill on these items.
Day 9: Milford Sound
Milford Sound
And now we reach a big day in the itinerary. Today we will make our way from Te Anua to the famous Milford Sound, one of the most incredible natural wonders of New Zealand. Some people call Milford Sound the eighth wonder of the world, and it’s easy to see why.
The drive from Te Anua to Milford Sound is roughly 2 hours, but feel free to slow it down and take in more of the incredible views as you descend through the valleys of the Fiordland.
Once in Milford Sound, you absolutely have to get out on one of the cruises and take in all the beauty from atop the water. Luckily, here at Klook we’ve got you covered. You can browse all the available cruises on Milford Sound, as well as other activities to do in the area, right here.
Overnight camping is limited near Milford Sound, simply due to how rugged the landscape is. So for your overnight accommodation, you’ll need to make your way back towards Te Anua Downs.
Day 10: Back to Queenstown
Back to Queenstown
After enjoying the Milford Sound, and enjoying your overnight campsite in Te Anua Downs, it’s time to make our way back to Queenstown.
Here is where you will be saying goodbye to your campervan as you return it to the depot. All major campervan rental companies have depots here, and most won’t even charge a one way drop-off fee as Christchurch - Queenstown is a very common route.
Depending on your time left in New Zealand, you could take a few days more in Queenstown to book a hotel or other accommodation, just to give you a bit of a break from the campervan lifestyle you’ve been living, or if you've got more time, take a flight to the North Island and do a road trip again!
You’ve just completed the ultimate campervan journey through New Zealand’s South Island. You did your preparation beforehand, chose the perfect campervan or motorhome for your group, and explored everything from Christchurch, to Lake Wanaka, to the famous Milford Sound, nice!
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_160,h_104/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_410,h_264/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
