A limited number of campervan hire companies offer vehicles in Hamilton. We recommend checking the availability of motorhomes in Auckland.
Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
Freedom camping is generally permitted in New Zealand. However, while allowed, it is strictly regulated. Rules and guidelines must be followed at all times and can vary depending on the area and any council bylaws (local laws) that may apply.
In general, to freedom camp anywhere in New Zealand, your vehicle must have a self-containment certification.
If you are unsure of the rules that apply in a specific area, it is best to visit the nearest i-SITE (visitor information centre) and ask about any local regulations or bylaws.
If you wish to go freedom camping in New Zealand, your vehicle must be self-contained and certified.
This means you must be able to live in the vehicle for 3 days without needing additional water or needing to dump the waste.
In addition, the vehicle must have:
The vehicle must have been checked by a qualified officer to ensure that it meets these requirements. Self-contained motorhomes have a sticker displayed on the vehicle proving their certification.
Because there is no tax on diesel fuel in New Zealand, the government imposes a Road User Charge (RUC) instead. This is a set amount per 1,000 kilometres, depending on the size and weight of the vehicle.
For companies that offer diesel vehicles, you will need to pay an RUC based on kilometres travelled. Our comparison tool will tell you if this applies to your chosen vehicle.
Check the rental terms for specific charges regarding your chosen vehicle.
Yes, many companies have depots in both the North and South Islands and allow one-way trips.
If planning this type of trip, you will need to pay the cost of the ferry. Our support team can help with your booking.
Additional one-way fees may apply. The comparison tool will automatically factor this into your total.
Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.
A smaller, family-owned camper hire company with two rental options available, Adventurer Rentals (formerly Nomad Rentals) offers an older sleepervan and a newer 2-berth hi-top. Adventurer Rentals has depots in Auckland and Christchurch and offers pickup and drop-off services with its rentals.
A family-owned and operated business based in the Coromandel Peninsula, Coastal Campers has 2–6 berth vehicles available. The company is unique in that it places no road restrictions on its vehicles.
Discover NZ is a privately owned Nelson-based motorhome hire company established in 2003 with depots on the North Island and South Island. The company has newer-model vehicles for groups of 2–6. Most are self-contained and come with some additional luxuries.
Nomad is a family-owned and operated campervan hire brand based in Clevedon, a rural part of NZ. The company has 2–5 berth vehicles available. Nomad’s vehicles are generally older and come at a budget price point.
Located a short drive east from Hamilton, the Alexander family sheep and beef farm near the small agricultural town of Matamata in the Waikato region was chosen by director Sir Peter Jackson in 1998 to serve as ‘Hobbiton’ and today, the resultant movie set is open for guided tours (duration – two hours, must be pre-booked).
Built a full year before the filming of Fellowship of the Ring, the set was used again for The Hobbit trilogy in 2011. The New Zealand Army provided equipment to build a road to the site. A crew constructed 37 hobbit holes initially for the first movie (there are now 44). The set includes the Green Dragon Inn, where themed food and beverages are available for sale.
One and a half hour’s drive east of Hamilton you’ll find Rotorua and the Wia-O-Tapu, famous for the regions unique geothermal and volcanic features.
