South Island by Campervan (Winter)
You may be thinking — campervanning? In the dead of winter? Why?!
New Zealand has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and in the winter, it can be even more enchanting. Snow-capped mountains, lakes & beaches to yourself, empty roads, more space at campsites, cheaper rates - the list goes on! If you’re lucky and time it right, you may even get some snowfall! This is a hefty, loooong journal post with lots of information so be prepared!
Hiring A Camper
New Zealand is the perfect place to go for a campervan trip. The freedom to roam wherever you please, campsites that are great, with good facilities, endless roads to journey through and of course, the beauty of Mother Nature everywhere you turn. Our campervan had a fireplace, endearingly called the Roaring Meg (after the dam located near their town), wooden interiors, a permanent bed, portable toilet, small kitchen and sink. It was 2 berth, low top, self-contained converted van.
But which camper is the right one for you? Of course, there are a few considerations to make.
— Season
We decided to try out campervanning in the winter to see how well we deal with it - testing out the cold conditions. As a result, we picked a special kind of campervan - one with a fireplace inside of it and wooden interiors! The aesthetics + function of such a van just immediately took me. Of course, that might not be for the case for some people, who would prefer heaters for winter/airconditioning in the summer for the convenience of not having to maintain a fire.
— Budget
Usually in winter, companies offer better rates for campers as it is considered New Zealand’s off-season. Consequently summer rentals can get quite pricey - remember to book as early as you can. Other costs to consider I’ve written more about below.
— Self-contained vs Non Self-contained
Self-contained vehicles allow for easier freedom camping in New Zealand. A lot of campsites, including free ones, and places to stay overnight rely on vehicles to be self-contained to preserve New Zealand’s clean environment and ecology. You are also able to freedom camp on public land where permitted. To be self-contained your vehicle must have a toilet, a sink, fresh water storage, waste water storage and a rubbish bin with a lid. Self-contained vehicles get a certification showing that they have all of that.
— Group Size
Campervan sizes are based on their berth, which means the designated sleeping area in a van - 2 berth for 2 people, 3 berth for 3 and so on. Of course, the more people you can fit in, the more you can split the cost each way. 2,3 or 4 berth campervans, high top or low top, self-contained or not are all options to be considered for your group.
— Transmission (big one for me haha)
Some boutique campervans, like the one we hired, only run on manual. Make sure to check.
— Level of Comfort
Your home on wheels can be as furnished as you’d like it. There are campervans with microwaves, full kitchens and even showers - it all depends on you. Aside from comfort, convenience is also another factor. For example, our campervan had a permanent bed in the back meaning we never had to take the time to pack everything away to make a living space, making it easier for us to just leave when we were ready.
— Features
Fireplace, barbecue grill, snow equipment racks, pull-out kitchens, wooden interiors - the list is endless for campervan fitouts. If you are after a unique campervan, try searching with these features in mind.
Costs
For 5 days in the South, this is how much it costed us. I think we did pretty well if you account that our accomodation was our transport at the same time + we barely ate out.
Campervan Hire
$675.92 the hire includes insurance fees, bedding, towels + cleaning
Security Deposit
$500 (most rentals charge a security deposit on credit card but of course, it comes back on your card when the vehicle is returned hence I didn’t add this to the total)
Flights
$230 per person (Return flights Auckland to Queenstown)
Groceries
$284.31 (Big shop in Queenstown Countdown + mini shops in Four Square Twizel)
Petrol
$100 diesel
Diesel Road Charge
$65 (there is no tax on using diesel in New Zealand but instead there are road user charges which help improve and maintain our roads)
Campsites
$60 for 2 nights on paid campsites (White Horse Hill + Twelve Mile Delta)
Hot Shower
$10 (we took a coin operated shower by Mount Cook National Park - first one in 3 days!)
Total
$1655.23 for 2 people // $827.62 per person
Info, Tips + Checklist
Before you set out on your great adventure, here are some things you need to know — this basically covers the general culture of camping in New Zealand and what to expect:
Tourism is a large part of life in New Zealand, with major campaigns aimed to get people exploring. In turn, it is our responsibility to look after it, whether you live here or are just travelling. Everyone is expected to follow the Tiaki Promise (www.tiakinewzealand.com)
Drive Carefully, Be Prepared, Respect Cultures, Protect Nature & Keep NZ CleanBook campervans in advance as soon as you have made a plan! You don’t want to miss out on one that you’ve had your eye on purely because it was taken.
Freedom Camping is normal in New Zealand and you can find some great spots using the CamperMate app. I can’t recommend this app enough - it has filters for self-contained or non self-contained areas, facilities, things to do and even electrical vehicle charging stations!
There is an abundance of campsites in New Zealand, with some still having quite simple systems (i.e. fill a form with your details, car registration + money for your stay in an envelope and drop in a box). Bring CASH ($30 was the maximum we had to spend and that was on the most popular campsites in NZ)
Pack for all seasons, no matter which one you plan to travel on. New Zealand weather can get quite unexpected and turn for the worst BUT with a campervan you can try an itinerary that’s based on the weather and heading for wherever is good! However not many people travel like this hence it’s best to be prepared.
Tips
— A checklist is necessary; before heading out, be prepared with the essentials (first aid kit, water bottle etc.)
— Some campervans have charging sockets that only work when plugged into power (usually at campsites) however, ours was fine running on car battery. It pays to check, otherwise you will have to look into getting car chargers for all your devices.
— For packing, remember the 3:1 tops to bottom ratio. Compartmentalise your luggage for easy access
— Bring reusable bags for your trip! These are lifesavers for storing/hanging/carrying things.
— A good insulated bottle is a great way to keep warm during the day. In the morning, boil some water and store in the bottle to use throughout the day, for tea or coffee breaks.
— Headtorches, blankets and a hot water bottle go a long way in making the trip more comfortable.
— Security: goes without saying but a reminder nonetheless; always hide your valuables and lock all doors when leaving the campervan.
— Parking with a campervan can be quite tricky, especially in a city. Stick to the fringe of the city and walk in or head to areas with big carparks like Frankton (in the Queenstown Area)
— Do not leave your waste & rubbish behind! Take it all with you and dispose properly.
Checklist
- Electricals
- Camera
- Lenses
- Mavic 2 Pro
- Mavic 2 Pro Batteries
- Airpods
- SSD + Harddrives
- Laptop
- Chargers (camera, drone + laptop)
- Power Bank
- Tech Pouch
- Multi Box Outlet (great hack for multiple charging!
- Speakers
- Fairy Lights
- Car Chargers (drone + phones)
- Gear + Accessories
- Blankets
- Headtorch
- Hiking Poles
- Tripod
- Lantern
- GoodFor Water Bottle
- Insect Repellant
- Clothing
- Toiletries
- Thermals + warm clothes
- Scarves
- Gloves
- Beanies
- Swimsuit (for those glacial dips)
- Puffer Jacket + Down Coat
- Hats for the road
- Hiking boots
- Raincoat
- Face & Body wipes (for no shower days)
Recommended Campsites
Lake Pukaki
My favourite place to camp, right on the shores of my favourite lake. One for the freedom camping list, Lake Pukaki has tons of spot to camp but most cater to self-contained vehicles and usually there are no facilities except for the toilet by the iSite. You get the place to yourself though, especially in the winter. We were even pleased to find a fire pit assembled by previous wild souls, ready to be lit (which we were grateful for when we arrived in the dead of the night).
White Horse Hill Campground
Located at the start of the Hooker Valley Track, this campsite is beautifully surrounded by mountains and is a perfect base for hikes around the area. First come, first served, this DOC campground costs $15pp/night and is payable via form and drop box. Don’t worry if you don’t bring cash for this one - a ranger comes by in the morning to take any payments by card. For facilities, there are toilets located on the campground. There is also a Public Shelter for cooking, hot showers ($2 coin/min) and dumping waste in Mount Cook Village, a 4 min drive away (2.7km)
The best thing about this campground is it’s proximity to trails, the starry nights and the mountain views you’ll wake up to.
St. Bathans Domain Campsite
St Bathans is a hidden gem located about about 2 hours from Queenstown. Here you’ll find an old mining town lost in time, a haunted hotel and an astonishing blue lake surrounded by hills of white quartz. Not far from the township is this basic DOC campsite, with its only facilities being a toilet and a lot of open space. Bookings are not required and it is first come, first served.
The place is perfect for solitude and quiet as you’ll usually have the place to yourself (like we did), and great for starry nights.
Twelve Mile Delta Campground
Twelve Mile Delta Campground is located on the road to Glenorchy, 15 mins away from central Queenstown. This is a DOC campsite but privately maintained, with fees of $15pp/night via form and dropbox - CASH only.
Surrounded by mountain views typical of Queenstown, right next to Lake Wakatipu, this is a great campsite with toilets and benches, perfect for cooking and hanging out. It’s the perfect base for Queenstown adventures, away from the main centre but not too far from the main attractions and activities. For any Lord of The Rings fans, this is also a film location for the movie! And for hikes around the area, I recommend checking out Bob’s Cove not far away with different trails ranging from 20min to 2 hours.
I hope you enjoyed this journal post - and that it provides you with the information you need to set out on your own great adventure x