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The cost of renting a campervan in Queenstown starts at around $100/day for compact campers and can go up to $650/day or more for larger motorhomes in peak season. Popular vehicles include the Jucy Crib, Britz Venturer and Mighty Double Up.
The strategically-located city serves as the perfect base to explore the South Island in a campervan. The ice-capped wonders of the Southern Alps reside nearby, and you’ll find no shortage of spectacular sites within a day’s drive.
RV travel is popular in New Zealand, and the government has built infrastructure to meet demand. Facilities like water refills and dump points lie peppered around the South Island, plus an abundance of breathtakingly beautiful campsites.
One-way rentals are also an option with some travellers choosing to drop-off their vehicle in Christchurch, Wellington (North Island) or in Auckland (North Island).
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Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
On average, you can expect to pay between NZD $100 to $650 daily for a campervan rental in Queenstown (most fees included).
The cost of hiring a campervan in New Zealand depends on:
In New Zealand, the term campervan can refer to any motorised vehicle set up for camping. Rental companies in Christchurch offer three vehicle types:
The budget-friendly campervan is a small, courier-style van converted into a camper. Expect a fold-out couch, a small kitchen (usually a slide-out), and charging facilities. The more luxurious variations have a toilet and a high roof to stand up inside.
The 4WD camper is a rugged off-road vehicle capable of exploring rough, remote tracks. Campers sleep in a rooftop tent or swag on the ground. Most have a slide-out kitchen in the boot.
The motorhome refers to a larger, more luxurious vehicle. Typical amenities include a sizeable kitchen, a lounge room with a TV, and an indoor ensuite bathroom (often with a hot shower). On the downside, they’re more expensive to hire and refuel, plus challenging to park.
Ensure your campervan has an official self-contained certification if you plan to freedom camp on the South Island.
Most campervan rental companies lower their rates during the off-season from April to September, making it the cheapest time to hire an RV in Queenstown.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, it's worth comparing prices from different rental companies and booking in advance to get the best deal. Additionally, consider booking a campervan for a longer period of time, as rental companies often offer discounts for extended rentals.
Yes, you can. All the major cities in New Zealand, such as Auckland and Wellington in the North Island, Christchurch and Queenstown in the South Island, have depots located at the airport.
Several more companies offer their airport rentals as “serviced non-depot locations”, meaning that although they do not have a physical depot at the airport, they will arrange to bring the vehicle to you.
Renting a campervan in Queenstown is the most convenient and cost-effective way to explore the South Island. Here’s why:
Low-cost adventures: With your accommodation and transport rolled into one, you’ll spend far less than on a traditional hotel/hire car holiday.
Minimise driving: Instead of returning to Queenstown after a long day of sightseeing, you can cruise into the closest campsite and retire for the night.
Freedom: A campervan allows you to explore New Zealand at your own pace. No need to stick to a strict itinerary—just follow the whims of the road.
Natural connection: Reacquaint yourself with Mother Nature by camping out under the stars.
Easy access: With fresh clothes, water, and a fridge full of food within arm’s reach, you’ll enjoy a convenient, hassle-free holiday.
When driving around Queenstown in a campervan rental, remember these important tips:
Campervan travel is cheap. And by following a few money-saving tips, the savvy traveller can whittle down expenses even further.
Advanced bookings: As rental companies adjust rates with availability, you’ll save big bucks by booking ahead.
Off-peak adventures: Peak seasons like the Christmas / New Year period, Easter, and New Zealand school holidays entail higher rental rates.
Shop around: A campervan comparison tool like Camper Champ will compare all the major Queenstown rental companies, saving you time and money.
Size matters: A small budget-friendly campervan will cost you significantly less to hire and refuel than a large luxurious motorhome.
Added extras: Many rental companies throw in camping essentials like chairs, fold-up tables, and cooking gear. That saves you from purchasing your own.
Stay longer: Some rental agencies offer discounted rates for extended stays of a week or more, which reduces your daily hire costs.
Ignore the north: While the North Island is incredible, combining both islands into one trip will set you back a considerable sum. Save it for next time.
Return to Queenstown: Dropping your camper off in Christchurch will save you time, but you’ll get slugged with a hefty one-way drop-off fee. Consider doubling back to Queenstown instead.
Draft a rough itinerary: Planning a loose circular route will minimise backtracking and save you money at the petrol pump. Speaking of fuel, petrol is pricey in New Zealand, so use the GASPY app to compare prices between service stations.
Self-cater: Cooking in your campervan is a great way to hone your culinary skills and avoid forking out for restaurants. Just as well, you’ve got a nifty little kitchen on board.
Free camp: New Zealand is a paradise for free camping. Find fee-free campsites in your travel area.
Hike: Hiking won’t cost you a dime and lets you admire the South Island’s majestic landscapes at a leisurely pace. Plus, it’ll do wonders for your waistline.
Purchase a pass: An NZ Ski Superpass gives you access to the South Island’s top three snow resorts and adrenaline-pumping attractions for a discounted rate. Summer activity passes from Klook and Everything Queenstown let you bundle activities to save.
Summer (Dec-Feb) is the ideal season for South Island exploration. Warm balmy days and minimal rainfall make campervan travel a dream. However, you’ll have to contend with higher rental prices and thicker crowds at the top tourist sites.
Autumn (Mar-May) offers relatively pleasant weather, although it gets chilly towards the end of the season—pack plenty of warm clothes. Thinner crowds and lower rental rates help compensate for the cold. If you’re here during April or May, swing by Central Otago to see the foliage transform into a kaleidoscope of colour.
Winter (Jun-Aug) sees snowfall smother the Southern Alps. The Queenstown ski season, which runs from June to September, offers excellent conditions for thrill-seekers of all abilities. Hire a campervan with a heater to stay snug during sub-zero evenings. Coastal areas experience icy winds and frequent rainfall.
Spring (Sep-Nov) sees the snow start to melt and landscapes evolve into luscious shades of green. Skiing is still a thing in September, while November brings pleasant weather for outdoor adventures. Avid green thumbs will adore the blooming gardens found in Christchurch, Otago, Dunedin, and Alexandra.
A string of exciting festivals, and events take place across the South Island throughout the year. Some of the most memorable shindigs include:
Beach Break (January, Nelson)
World Buskers Festival (January, Christchurch)
Electric Avenue Festival (February, Christchurch)
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival (March, Hokitika Beach)
Marchfest (March, Nelson)
Marlborough Wine Festival (May, Marlborough)
Victorian Fete (November, Oamaru)
Rhythm & Alps Music Festival (December, Wanaka)
Twisted Frequency Festival (December, Golden Bay
One to two weeks is a reasonable timeframe for a campervan trip around Queenstown and the South Island.
With one week, you could bounce between a small selection of the destinations outlined. Two weeks give you more time to explore in-depth, including a few lesser-known destinations.
You could spend more time marvelling at the South Island’s majestic scenery—ideally, you’d have months up your sleeve. But for everyday travellers with limited time and money, one to two weeks will suffice.
As for the North Island: should you combine the two into one trip?
It’s possible, but probably not worth the hassle and expense. You’ll need to fork out thick wads of cash for the Wellington-Picton car ferry and a one-way drop-off fee. Most motorhome travellers agree it’s better to stick to one island at a time.
While Queenstown is a small city (population: 15,800), the place packs out with tourists during the peak summer and ski seasons. Consequently, parking can become quite hard to come by. Allow extra time to find a suitable spot, and expect to walk some distance to your destination.
On the plus side, most city centre restaurants, shops, and attractions lie within easy walking distance.
Parking in Queenstown costs between $1 and $4 per hour. Almost everywhere has a time limit, typically two or four hours. Get in early during peak travel seasons.
Expect to pay around $4 per hour for on-street parking on these centrally-located Queenstown streets:
Park Street (next to the gardens)
Camp Street
Stanley Street
Earl Street
Memorial Street
Coronation Drive
If you’re struggling to find a spot, the sprawling Man Street underground car park almost always has space and charges $3 per hour or $18 per day. Watch your height restrictions. Church Street has a smaller underground Wilson’s-run car park with slightly lower rates.
Cruising in a large motorhome?
Don’t even bother trying to park in the CBD. Not only is it illegal, but you simply won’t find any suitably-sized spots. Instead, head to the Boundary Street Car Park, which has 33 spaces specially designed for big bulky motorhomes—it’s prohibited to park a car or small campervan here. Best of all, parking costs just $1 per hour.
Limited space means parking enforcement is strict in Queenstown. Pay close attention to the signs, and never park beside yellow lines.
The ill effects of mass tourism have led to freedom camping restrictions in many South Island jurisdictions, including Queenstown. Free camping anywhere within the Queenstown city limits (and some other council areas) is strictly forbidden, regardless of whether you’re self-contained.
That means you’ll have to overnight at a designated campground. Thankfully, there are plenty of options scattered around town. Within the CBD, try the following:
QBox Creek Park
Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde
Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
If you don’t mind staying outside of town, you could try 12 Mile Delta Campsite or Moke Lake Campsite.
The closest free campground (self-contained only) to Queenstown is the Kawarau Bridge Historic Reserve, a 25-minute drive from the city.
Free camping regulations are less strict elsewhere in the South Island, but it pays to pay attention to the signs.
Wherever you decide to overnight, always follow responsible camping etiquette.
National park entry is free throughout New Zealand, including all ten spectacular South Island parks.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) operates a broad range of national park campgrounds, which it prices depending on the facilities. Expect to pay anywhere from nothing to $23 per adult per night.
Freedom camping within a national park is generally only permitted where signs explicitly state so. Only self-contained vehicles can free camp within a national park.
Campers planning to spend multiple nights inside national parks should consider the DOC Campsite Pass. For $95, you get 30 days of access to almost all DOC-operated campgrounds.
Kids under 17 get charged at half the adult rate, while toddlers under five stay for free. These discounts apply to individual bookings and the DOC Pass.
Many DOC campgrounds require an online reservation, even for DOC Campsite Pass holders. Other sites run on a first-in-first-served system. Get in early during peak season and have a backup plan should your preferred place fill up.
The South Island has a plethora of picture-perfect campgrounds. Here are some of our campervan-friendly favs:
You’ll need a full, non-restricted car license to rent a campervan in Queenstown. If your license isn’t in English, get an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) as well.
Most hire companies won’t rent vehicles to customers under 21. One exception is JUCY, which accepts drivers over 18 and/or with a provisional Australian or restricted New Zealand license. Expect to pay extra with a young driver’s surcharge.
A night at a holiday park or campsite around Queenstown will range from $15 to $25 (NZD) for a DOC (Department of Conservation) campsite and around $20–$50 for a night at a caravan park.
Some popular caravan parks near Queenstown include Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park, Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde and Arrowtown Holiday Park.
There are a number of pet-friendly campervan rental companies in New Zealand that allow you to travel with your dog or cat. Approval must be obtained in advance and this will usually incur a fee to cover the extra cleaning cost. Contact our support team to check if it’s possible to take a pet on board a specific vehicle.
A good idea is to plan for a minimum of 7 days. However, even a 2- or 3-week road trip around the South Island will easily be filled.
Popular attractions include Mount Cook, UNESCO-designated Fiordland National Park with Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, and the adventure capital of Queenstown.
More companies have depots location in Christchurch. Additionally, some suppliers, although they offer Queenstown vehicle pickups/drop-offs, don’t have a Queenstown branch and will deliver the vehicle for you. This usually increases the cost of your RV rental.
Yes, unlimited kilometres are generally included for standard vehicle rentals in New Zealand. The comparison tool will show you whether your preferred vehicle has unlimited or restricted kilometres.
Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.
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