Motorhome rentals, RV rent or campervan hire in New Zealand |
Where to go in New ZealandNew Zealand lies in the southern Pacific Ocean, 1,600 km east of Australia and consists of two main islands and a number of lesser islands. One of the most striking physical features on the Southern Island is the Southern Alps (Kä Tiritiri o te Moana). Abel Tasman is the country's smallest and only coastal national park. Nelson Lakes National Park, consists of dense beech forest, alpine mountains and lakes. Kahurangi is New Zealand's second largest national park, taking up almost a third of the Nelson region. It has a range of geology and diverse ecosystems. Christchurch, the Garden City,is also called the "most English city outside England.", it is filled with beautiful parks and gardens. From Christchurch you can join cruises to see sperm whales or you can view them from the air, snorkel with dusky dolphins, swim with seals and observe a host of interesting sea birds. Toward the centre of the South Island, Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand. The Otago Peninsula is a haven for wildlife, including seals, dolphins, albatross, and penguins.
In the North Island, the volcanic interior contains New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. Most of the country's active volcanoes (Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro) are all usually quiet. Hot springs, geysers and mudpools also form part of the volcanic system centred around Rotorua. Between Rotorua and Auckland are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and an underground river lit only by the eerie glow of tiny creatures high above. Road conditions / restrictionsNew Zealanders drive on the left. Roads in New Zealand twist and turn and passing lanes are not always present. There are a few roads in New Zealand where rental vehicles are not insured and cannot be driven:
If travelling between the North and South Island, you will need to book the ferry trip. Indicative costs for this for a family of 4 return range from $230 to $310. It may be better and cheaper to drop off the motorhome in Wellington, fly to Christchurch and pick up another motorhome there. More information about NZ Road RulesWhere to campFree camping Department of Conservation (DOC) Campsites Facilities at DOC campsites can vary considerably and are divided into three categories: Private Campgrounds There are hundreds of privately owned campgrounds across the country offering a range of amenities including full kitchen and laundry facilities, BBQ areas and TV lounges. Many of these campgrounds also offer boat hire, spa pools, shops, restaurants and adventure playgrounds. Type of motorhome(s)Campervan Motorhome Driving licenseAll drivers must be over 21 years old and must produce a full and valid driver licence. Where your driver's licence is not in English, an accompanying International driver's licence will be required. New Zealand recognizes a driver licence of your country of origin or an international drivers permit. Drivers over the age of 75 years must supply a recent valid medical certificate to indicate that they do not have a health condition that would impair their ability to drive.VisaAll visitors require a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after their intended departure. A Visa is not required for most visitors travelling to New Zealand for a stay of less than 3 months. You should check with your local New Zealand embassy or consulate for the latest information Also check the Immigration New Zealand website. You are not allowed to bring items which could pose a risk ilike meat and meat products, eggs and egg products, dairy products, animal products such as wool, hides, hunting trophies, soil, seeds and plants, second-hand saddlery, animal remedies and some Chinese medicines. HealthIn general, no special immunizations or medications are necessary for travel to New Zealand. Emergency telephone numbersWhen you need immediate help with a life threatening or time critical emergency call 111. Best time to visitThe low season is May to September and the high season is December to February. Booking is advised over the high season as most suppliers will rent out their entire motorhome stock. CurrencyNew Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$). Coins have values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, $1 and $2; notes have values of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report. ElectricityNew Zealand operates on 230/240 volt AC electrical power (an Alternating Current running at a frequency of 50 hertz). For electric razors, many hotels are fitted with 110 volt sockets. Time ZoneNew Zealand is 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) and two hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time. During the summer New Zealand observes Daylight Saving Time with one hour in advance. |