Campervan Hire South Island New Zealand
The South Island of New Zealand is one of the great road trip destinations on earth. Fiordland, the Mackenzie Basin, the Catlins, the West Coast glaciers, the Marlborough Sounds — the South Island packs more dramatic landscape into a smaller area than almost anywhere else in the world. And the best way to see it is by campervan.
Why a Campervan Is Perfect for the South Island
The South Island has thousands of free and low-cost campsites administered by DOC (Department of Conservation) and local councils. Many of the best ones are on lake edges, riverbanks, or clifftops — places you’d never reach staying in motels. A self-contained campervan lets you access all of them, and stay as long as you like.
The South Island is also large. Driving from Christchurch to Queenstown takes around 4-5 hours on the direct route, but most travellers spend 3-4 weeks exploring the whole island. A campervan gives you that flexibility — you move at your own pace, stop when something looks good, and don’t pay for nights you don’t use.
Our Base: Christchurch
Campervanz Rentals is based in Christchurch — the South Island’s largest city and its main transport hub. All rentals pick up and drop off from Christchurch. It’s an ideal starting point: easy to reach by international flight, well-stocked supermarkets, and within 90 minutes of some seriously beautiful scenery.
Recommended South Island Routes
Classic South Island Loop (10-14 days): Christchurch → Arthur’s Pass → Greymouth → Franz Josef → Wanaka → Queenstown → Milford Sound → Te Anau → Dunedin → Christchurch
Compact South Island (7-10 days): Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Mount Cook → Queenstown → Wanaka → Christchurch
Full South Island (3+ weeks): Add the Catlins, the Marlborough Sounds, Nelson Lakes, and Abel Tasman to the classic loop for a complete exploration.
Freedom Camping on the South Island
All our vans carry a valid self-containment certificate — the legal requirement to freedom camp on public land in New Zealand. Freedom camping (also called wild camping or dispersed camping) is legal at thousands of sites across the South Island, including many with extraordinary locations that commercial campgrounds simply don’t have access to.
Ernesto has spent years exploring the South Island by van and knows the best spots. Ask him when you pick up — he’ll give you a list of his favourites for your specific route.
What’s Included
Every van is fully equipped: solar power, house battery bank, fridge, hot water, gas cooker, full kitchen kit, bed with linen, camping table and chairs, and everything you need to live off-grid. You don’t need to buy or hire extras.
Book Your South Island Campervan
We run a small fleet of 7 vans — all built and maintained by Ernesto personally. Book in advance for the peak season (December-February). Shoulder season (March-May, September-November) offers great weather and fewer crowds.
Check Availability and Book Online or message us on WhatsApp: +64 21 143 2801
