Tips for New Zealand with a Camper Van

New Zealand is the travel dream for all road trip fans! No question, at the most beautiful end of the world, not only are countless outdoor highlights waiting for you. Additionally, traveling in a camper van or RV is made easy due to the well-developed infrastructure.

In this article, I will provide you with my best travel tips for your trip to New Zealand. You can expect all the important information you need for a road trip across New Zealand's North and South Islands, from preparation and flight booking to arrival and the best savings tips on-site: With my travel tips, nothing can go wrong.

New Zealand is the ultimate travel destination. Every traveler will find something to enjoy here. Whether you are in the mood for the big city vibe of Auckland or want to dive into outdoor adventures: New Zealand has something for everyone!

As a typical backpacker destination, you will often meet young people with working holiday visas who spend a whole year there. But also fans of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' will be in awe from one film location to the next.

In New Zealand, individual travelers, families, and package tourists are all welcome. The only downside: with New Zealand's increasing popularity, the number of tourists has also risen in recent years. So expect to meet many, if not a lot, of German tourists and travelers. At the same time, mass tourism makes it easier and more pleasant to get from A to B in New Zealand.

Here you will find my detailed travel costs for New Zealand.

New Zealand is an attractive travel destination all year round. The climate is roughly comparable to ours, just reversed in timing.

In New Zealand, it is high summer while we freeze in January. Consequently, the peak travel season is from December to February. During this time, not only are many foreign tourists about, but also locals. From Christmas onward, the summer holidays begin in New Zealand, during which many companies close, and it feels like the entire country is out to enjoy the sun. You should definitely keep this in mind while planning! Additionally, prices for activities and accommodations skyrocket during this time, making spontaneous travel difficult. Therefore: Be sure to book in advance!

Fewer tourists, lower prices, and the most beautiful natural spectacles await you in New Zealand's spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May).

Winter in New Zealand lasts from June to August. Particularly on the South Island and in the Southern Alps, it can get freezing cold and snow. In the ski resorts around Queenstown, Wanaka, and Lake Tekapo, winter is, of course, the peak season. However, the northern part of the North Island remains frost-free even in winter.

New Zealand's weather is very changeable and quite similar to Central European climate. Be prepared for very variable weather - sunny in the morning can turn into pouring rain by the afternoon.

Almost tropical summer weather can be expected in Northland between December and February, while winter on the North Island is rather mild and rainy. On the other hand, winter on the South Island can be chillingly cold with temperatures dropping to -10 degrees Celsius, and skiing and snowboarding take place in the Southern Alps. January and February are the warmest months across New Zealand.

Typically, it is said that you are a day ahead in New Zealand compared to Germany. You wake up in New Zealand when your friends back home go to bed the day before.

During the New Zealand summer (November to February), the time difference from Central European Time (CET) is +12 hours, while during European summer time (May to September) it's +10 hours.

A good travel guide is worth its weight in gold on every trip. When asked, 'Which travel guide is the best for New Zealand?', there is no one right answer, but rather the counter question: 'What do you want to experience?' That will guide my recommendation for the 'right' travel guide:

You can jam-pack New Zealand into two weeks or take your time up to a year with a working holiday visa. Due to the long travel times to and from the country and the variety it offers, I recommend at least three weeks to semi-relaxingly travel around the country.

If you have less time, don't force yourself to want to travel both islands, but rather limit yourself to one. This way, you can see many highlights and take enough time to actually relax.

Ideally, four weeks or more is better. To do both islands justice, I would suggest splitting the time evenly between them. Both the North and South Island offer great places to linger.

When planning your road trip, remember that the distances typically take longer to drive than in Germany. This is due to the speed limit of 62 mph (100 km/h) and the road conditions. Especially on the South Island, you can expect a few gravel roads or one-way roads. For example, the road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is over 100 kilometers, and you will have to drive back the exact same way.

For a road trip across both islands, I would recommend at least four to six weeks!

New Zealand's infrastructure is well-developed, allowing you to see a lot in a short period. However, you should plan enough time to experience the country in all its glory and diversity. My recommendation is 'less is more'. If you have less time, choose an island or specific regions instead of spending every day long hours in the car just to rush through the sights.

We started our nine-week road trip in Auckland and ended in Christchurch, which had the advantage that we didn't have to go back to the starting point.

If you're traveling to New Zealand, be prepared for a very long journey and decide either for the flight route via the East and Southeast Asia or opt for the longer route west via North America. There are no direct flights from Germany, as the pure flight time exceeds 24 hours.

New Zealand has three international airports: Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, serviced by airlines such as Air New Zealand, Air Canada, British Airways, as well as Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa, KLM, or Thai Airways.

You should expect one or more layovers, which you can also plan for several days to acclimate if you're staying longer. We chose one of the fastest routes when arriving with Emirates: Hamburg - Dubai - Melbourne - Auckland in 28 hours.

Flights to New Zealand are most expensive during peak travel season, which is New Zealand's summer from December to February. Cheaper flights can be found in the off-season and during New Zealand's winter. With a bit of luck, you can find bargain flights starting at €1,200. The only catch: the cheapest flight may not always be the best. Usually, the cheaper the flight, the longer the travel time.

With multiple stops on the way back and forth, a Round-The-World ticket is worth considering. While you need to 'fly around the world' in one direction, it allows you to incorporate small highlights along the way.

If you hold a passport from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to enter New Zealand. You will automatically receive a tourist visa upon entry that is valid for three months.

However, your passport must be valid for at least three months after your departure! At entry, you must fill out the Passenger Arrival Card with your personal details and a declaration regarding any food you are bringing. These cards are distributed on the plane and must be shown at customs and biosecurity.

Tourists with work visas (e.g., Working Holiday) must present a return or onward ticket upon entry.

Additionally, you will encounter something known as biosecurity. Since New Zealand is an isolated island nation, there are strict import regulations for food, animals, and plants. You must indicate this on your Passenger Arrival Card. If you have any fresh produce like fruits or vegetables, there are trash bins available everywhere for you to dispose of them before the biosecurity checks.

Kiwis take these additional safety measures very seriously. The processing can go quickly or take a while. In my case, potential bacteria and germ carriers such as my camping gear and hiking supplies were particularly scrutinized and additionally disinfected. I was able to collect them after a 15-minute wait.

New Zealand is the ideal camping country! It's no wonder that there are countless campsites of all price ranges and facilities. From luxurious spots with swimming pools and saunas to basic sites with pit toilets and no running water, everything is available. The larger campsites usually have at least a kitchenette, washer and dryer, shower and wash areas. The nicer ones are the DOC campsites located in nature.

To find a suitable site, there are various options. The free Campermate app, available for iOS and Android, is highly recommended. Here you can find campsites of all categories, leave feedback about your stay, or read others' experiences. Additionally, you'll find information about the nearest dump station, locations of public toilets, road warnings, information about free Wi-Fi nearby, and much more. The map function can also be used offline, which eliminates the need for an extra GPS unit.

We exclusively used the CamperMate app on-site. Other travelers also recommended WikiCamps New Zealand or Rankers for finding campsites.

You can find more helpful tips for camping in New Zealand here:

Wild camping is officially not allowed in New Zealand. The alternative is called Freedom Camping. Freedom Camping allows overnight stays on public land with basic sanitary facilities. These spots are usually managed by regional authorities. You are expected to behave respectfully and leave the campsite and surrounding area clean. If there are no trash bins available, it is prohibited to leave your waste (and your business!) behind.

New Zealand has many stunning spots where you'd love to park your car and spend the night. However, if you see a 'No Camping' sign - and usually you will - do not ignore it. The night can end with an unpleasant surprise and a fine of over NZ$ 230. The authorities are quite strict about this!

Another alternative that I didn't try myself, as I only discovered it later during my research, is Okay2Stay. Nowadays, wineries, farms, and other properties offer free parking on their land.

In New Zealand, traffic drives on the left. This can be a bit challenging at first, but with an automatic car or camper van, you will get used to it relatively quickly.

When planning your route, always allow sufficient time for each section. Some roads are longer than they appear on the map, and New Zealand roads can be quite challenging: many are narrower, steeper, and windier than what you might be used to in Germany.

The more remote the area, the more challenging the terrain becomes. Gravel roads and one-lane bridges are common in New Zealand. Signs before single-lane bridges indicate the right of way.

Just like in Germany, seatbelt use is mandatory in New Zealand, and you cannot drive under the influence of alcohol. Read important details in English: What's different about driving in New Zealand.

To drive in New Zealand, you need your valid local driver's license and an international driver's permit.

In New Zealand, the speed limits for cars and RVs are:

In Germany, most drivers now rely on their GPS more than their own instincts. Perhaps that's why they also tend to either take or rent a GPS for New Zealand. But honestly? In New Zealand, a simple road map or an atlas is often perfectly sufficient. You can even get free road maps at some i-Sites. They are often filled with advertisements, but so what... Especially the sightseeing highlights are well signposted. You easily spot them by the brown signs.

If you're unsure, simply use the free CamperMate app. Here, you can also use the map function offline.

Many gas stations in New Zealand are open 24 hours. However, that doesn't mean you will find a seller there, as most pumps operate through a credit card payment system. The first times, this can be a little confusing since it's not something we know from Germany. Just ask a local for help.

Gas prices are usually cheaper than in Germany. You can check current gas prices on www.pricewatch.co.nz. By the way, on our trip, we could never quite figure out why gas is more expensive on the South Island than on the North Island. There are no good tips as to whether it's cheaper to refuel in the bigger city or far outside...

My conclusion, briefly and succinctly: New Zealand is one of the most beautiful travel destinations with a camper van. Regardless of the season. What's most important for you:

1. Plan your trip carefully and in advance! As one of the most expensive travel destinations in the world, you can save quite a bit of money, especially since you should remember that there is a massive demand for camper vans and campsites during the New Zealand summer.

2. For me, the best time to travel is in the off-season (October - early December) and autumn (March - May). In summer, the country is completely overcrowded.

3. Treat nature with respect. As a camper, it is crucial that you do not leave your trash behind. Nature must be protected through responsible interactions and mutual respect while camping.

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