2-Week New Zealand Campervan Itinerary (both islands)

If you have 2 weeks to explore New Zealand in a campervan, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime.

14 days might sound like a lot, but it will go by fast. New Zealand is bigger than it appears on a map, and driving often takes much longer than what Google Maps says. 

The key to a successful road trip in New Zealand is to be strategic about what you’ll see and what you’ll skip. And that’s where I can help!

I live in New Zealand and have spent years road tripping and camping around the country.

I’ve designed this 2-week campervan itinerary for time-pressed travellers who want to see the country’s highlights without feeling completely exhausted by the end of the trip.

Normally, I’d suggest focusing on just one island if you have two weeks or less in New Zealand. However, I know that many visitors want to see a bit of both islands.

The route I’m sharing here is fast-paced but realistic, and covers both the North Island and South Island. It includes many of New Zealand’s iconic destinations while still leaving room for some hikes, scenic stops, and relaxed nights under the stars. 

Here’s how to spend 14 days enjoying New Zealand by campervan!

A heads-up: this blog is reader-supported, and this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a booking through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping me continue to write, take photos, and share my favourite places in New Zealand!

A quick note about this 2-week New Zealand campervan itinerary 

This itinerary goes from south to north, starting in Queenstown and ending in Auckland (although you can also follow it in reverse from Auckland to Queenstown if that works better for your plans). 

It mostly skips the big cities in favour of outdoor landscapes. 

Since many international flights arrive in Auckland, you may need to catch a domestic flight from Auckland to Queenstown to begin your trip.

There’s a reason why I think starting in Queenstown makes a lot of sense. It’s a beautiful and easy place to start a campervan trip.

Unlike the big cities (Auckland & Christchurch), the Queenstown airport and campervan rental companies are located an easy 10-minute drive from the town centre. It’s the perfect place to start a campervan trip with minimal stress.

2-week New Zealand campervan itinerary map

Where to rent a campervan for your road trip

🚐 I use Motorhome Republic to compare prices and ratings on campervan rentals in New Zealand.

For this itinerary, you’ll want to find a campervan company that has depots in both Auckland and Queenstown. This does rule out some options, as not every company has a depot in Queenstown (some only have depots in Auckland and Christchurch).

Some campervan brands I like (with depots in Auckland and Queenstown) include Maui, Britz, Mighty, Apollo, and JUCY.

2-week New Zealand campervan itinerary day-by-day

Day 1: Queenstown

Where to camp: Creeksyde Holiday Park

Kick off your 2-week campervan itinerary in Queenstown, known as the “Adventure Capital of the World.”

Flying into Queenstown is a scenic experience in and of itself, with close-up views of the Southern Alps. Book a window seat if you can!

Once you land in Queenstown, head to your campervan rental depot to pick up your van. 

After getting acquainted with your campervan, you’ll probably want to head to the supermarket to stock up on anything you might need. The Pak n Save in Frankton is close to the airport and has a good selection of groceries.

Then check in to your campsite, park up your van, and explore the Queenstown town centre on foot!

With the remainder of the day in Queenstown, I’d go to the lakefront and then walk around the beautiful Queenstown Gardens. 

Then head up the Skyline Gondola to get an epic view over Queenstown, and maybe try the luge while you’re at it!

For dinner, queue up for a famous Fergburger. I like to bring my burger on board Perky’s Floating Bar, a uniquely Queenstown experience. 

Where to camp in Queenstown

The Creeksyde Holiday Park is a quirky, cute little campground located right in the Queenstown town centre. 

It makes an easy base for your first night in Queenstown, as you can park up and then walk everywhere without having to navigate your campervan around town.

Further reading: the best campsites in Queenstown

Day 2: Queenstown to Glenorchy

• Drive time: approx. 82 km | 1.5 hours (or more if you drive beyond Glenorchy)
• Where to camp: Twelve Mile Delta DOC Campsite

Hit the road today on the super-scenic drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy.

Glenorchy is a small settlement at the head of Lake Wakatipu, located about a 45-minute drive from Queenstown. 

The Queenstown-Glenorchy road skirts along the shores of the lake and offers up amazing views of the Southern Alps. It’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous!

There are lots of beautiful places to stop today, so it will easily turn into an all-day adventure.

One stop I recommend is the Bennett’s Bluff Viewpoint, where you’ll get sweeping views over the lake and mountains.

Then, once you arrive in Glenorchy, pay a visit to the famous red Glenorchy boat shed and wharf. 

Near the wharf, you’ll find the peaceful Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, an easy trail that’s lovely on a calm day when the lagoon reflects the surrounding mountains. 

If you’re keen to keep driving, continue past Glenorchy to Mount Aspiring National Park. As you get closer to the mountains, the drive somehow becomes even more stunning! 

A nice little hike out this way is the Lake Sylvan Track, a gentle trail through beech forest to picturesque Lake Sylvan. 

Then drive back along the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road to reach your campsite for the night: Twelve Mile Delta.

Where to camp between Queenstown and Glenorchy

The Twelve Mile Delta DOC Campsite is the perfect place to spend the night. 

It’s located right off the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road, and right on Lake Wakatipu. Oh—and it was a filming site for the Lord of the Rings to boot (this is where Ithilien Camp was filmed).

This campsite has basic facilities, but it’s very picturesque. 

There are also a couple of hiking trails you can access on foot from the campground, including Twelve Mile Delta to Bob’s Cove, and the Mount Crichton Loop Track.

Further reading: where to go camping near Glenorchy

Day 3: Queenstown/Glenorchy area to Milford Sound

• Drive time: approx. 297 km | 4 hours and 10 minutes
• Where to camp: Milford Lodge Campervan Park (book way ahead!)

Today will be a fairly long driving day, but also an epic one.

Your destination today is Milford Sound, sometimes referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” 

Milford Sound is one of the most popular destinations in New Zealand, and for good reason. And tonight, you’ll get to camp right by it.

After leaving the Twelve Mile Delta campsite, drive from Queenstown to Te Anau.

Te Anau makes a good stop for lunch or a leg stretch, and I also recommend doing a grocery and fuel top-up here because there aren’t any shops at Milford Sound.

Then set out on the scenic drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound. 

This is, quite honestly, the most beautiful drive in the entire country, in my opinion. The road is lined with scenic viewpoints, hikes, and a mix of alpine and rainforest scenery that will take your breath away!

On the drive into Milford Sound, you might want to do a walk or hike along the way. Mirror Lakes is a nice short stop. For a longer hike, the Key Summit Track is a fantastic option.

Then check in to your campsite and enjoy being in Milford Sound this evening after the daytime crowds have departed!

Where to camp in Milford Sound

Camp at the Milford Lodge Rainforest Campervan Park, the only camping option within Milford Sound itself.

This is a beautiful place to camp, but come prepared with insect repellent because there are usually lots of sandflies here! It’s also quite expensive (but worth it!).

I really can’t emphasize this enough: book this campsite as soon as you can! It sometimes books out months in advance, and I don’t want you to miss out.

Day 4: Milford Sound to Te Anau

• Drive time: approx. 116 km | 2 hours
• Where to camp: Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park

Lucky you—you’re waking up in Milford Sound this morning!

One of the benefits of camping right here is that you’ll have easy access to joining a Milford Sound cruise this morning. 

The morning Milford Sound cruises are the best because there are way fewer crowds than later in the day when the day trippers start arriving!

After checking out of the campground, drive to the Deepwater Basin carpark for free parking near Milford Sound (otherwise, you’ll pay an arm and a leg at the paid parking closer to the cruise terminal). Give yourself at least 30 minutes to park and walk to the cruise terminal.

Then go on a scenic cruise of Milford Sound and see the beauty of this place from the water. The cruises typically take about 1.5-2 hours.

After your cruise, check out the lovely Milford Foreshore Walk on your walk back to your campervan. 

Then, make your way back to Te Anau. 

You could do another hike along Milford Road—Lake Marian is good for a bit of a challenge, or the Lake Gunn Nature Walk is nice for something easy. 

Or you could save your energy for a hike around Te Anau.

Once you arrive in Te Anau, there are a number of ways to spend the rest of the day. 

I always love going for a day hike on part of the Kepler Track—the Control Gates to Brod Bay is a lovely stretch, as is Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay.

Another option is to take your second cruise of the day, this time to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.

In the evening, walk from your campsite down to the Marakura Wharf for a beautiful sunset view of Lake Te Anau. You could even make your camp dinner down here on the free lakefront BBQ, which is what I always like to do!

Where to camp in Te Anau

The Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park is my go-to campground in Te Anau. 

The facilities are great, and it’s right across from the lake and just a short walk from town.

Further reading: where to camp in Te Anau & Milford Sound

Day 5: Te Anau to Wanaka

• Drive time: approx. 227 km | 3 hours
• Where to camp: Hampshire Holiday Park Wanaka

Today you’ll leave Fiordland and head north, driving past Queenstown to reach another beautiful lakeside town: Wanaka.

On the way to Wanaka, take a short detour into Arrowtown, a charming gold mining village just 20 minutes out of Queenstown. 

Arrowtown is a nice spot for lunch—Slow Cuts or the Dishery are both great—and it’s nice to go for a walk along the Arrow River, too. The Royalburn Farm Shop is a wonderful spot to pick up pastured eggs, seasonal produce, and locally raised lamb to stock up the campervan fridge!

You’ll have two options for driving to Wanaka: via the Crown Range Road, or via Cromwell and State Highway 6. 

The Crown Range Road is quicker, but it’s very steep and winding, and some campervan companies prohibit driving their vans over this road. So, check the terms and conditions for your van rental before driving this way.

If you do drive over the Crown Range Road, it’s nice to stop at the Crown Range Summit for a great view, and also at the Cardrona Hotel for a look at one of New Zealand’s most-photographed buildings.

After arriving in Wanaka, plan to have a relaxed afternoon after lots of driving over the last few days. 

You could go for a walk along the lakefront to visit the famous Wanaka Tree, and continue on the path to reach Waterfall Creek before turning around. 

Or, if it’s a nice summer day, you might just want to hang out by the lake and go for a swim!

If you’re ready for a break from campervan cooking tonight, I highly recommend going to the Brownston Street Food Trucks for dinner. There are lots of different options here, but my go-to is a burrito with chips and salsa from the Burrito Craft food truck—they make such good food!

Where to camp in Wanaka

The Hampshire Holiday Park Wanaka is the best place to camp if you want to be right in town. 

From the campground, it’s a short walk to the town centre and lakefront, making it easy to park up your van and get around on foot.

Further reading: where to camp around Wanaka

Day 6: Wanaka to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

• Drive time: approx. 206 km | 2.5 hours
• Where to camp: White Horse Hill DOC Campsite

Today, you’ll take yet another scenic drive, this time from Wanaka to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

A nice stop along today’s drive is the Lindis Pass Summit, where you’ll find a parking area offering an epic view over the winding alpine pass between Central Otago and the Mackenzie Region.

Once you drive over Lindis Pass, you’ll soon reach Omarama. If you’re up for a detour, it’s nice to head into the Clay Cliffs for a short walk to see towering hoodoo-like rock formations. 

The Omarama Hot Tubs are also a nice stop if you’re ready for something relaxing.

About 20 minutes from Omarama, you’ll get to Twizel, which is the last town before Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. 

Just before Twizel is the High Country Salmon shop and cafe—I always love popping into the shop to pick up some smoked salmon (so good on a bagel for a camp breakfast!).

In Twizel, I’d top up your fuel tank, and do a grocery top-up if you need to at one of the two Four Square supermarkets here. If you’re keen on some lunch, Mint Folk & Co Cafe does great food.

After leaving Twizel, you’ll soon reach the road to Aoraki/Mount Cook along the shores of turquoise-blue Lake Pukaki. 

The colour of the lake is so stunning that you really need to see it to believe it. Peter’s Lookout is a good place to get a great view of Lake Pukaki and the road to Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Then, you’ll arrive at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park—prepare to be awestruck! 

Home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain and a dream location for outdoor lovers, I think this will be one of the highlights of your trip.

After parking up at your campsite, go on a short walk this evening if you’re up for it. Kea Point is a nice, easy trail with a trailhead located right by the campground.

Then settle in for a relaxing night of camping beneath the mountains.

Where to camp in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

The White Horse Hill DOC campsite is the only campground within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, and it’s a stellar spot (easily one of my favourite campsites in the South Island!).

Facilities here are basic, but the location couldn’t be better. You’ll be right in the heart of the park within walking distance to the trailheads for several hikes, including Kea Point, the Hooker Valley Track, and the Sealy Tarns Track.

Further reading: the best camping spots near Aoraki/Mount Cook

Day 7: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park to Lake Tekapo

• Drive time: approx. 100 km | 1 hour 10 minutes
• Where to camp: Lake’s Edge Holiday Park

Waking up within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a special feeling. 

There’s nothing like enjoying a hot coffee or tea while looking at views of the mountains!

After enjoying your morning at camp, go on a hike. 

The Hooker Valley Track is the most popular track in the park, with a gentle trail leading you across swingbridges and a boardwalk, past glacial lakes, and—on a clear day—to incredible views of Aoraki/Mount Cook itself.

Another walk to consider is the Sealy Tarns Track, also known as the “Stairway to Heaven.” It involves climbing up over 2,000 steps and is a workout, but offers panoramic views across the park.

After your hike of choice, drive to Lake Tekapo. The drive today is short and straightforward, but it’s incredibly gorgeous as it follows Lake Pukaki for much of the way.

One stop I recommend between Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo is the Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Shop, where you can pick up fresh fillets of salmon to enjoy for your camp dinner tonight.

Once you arrive in Tekapo, check in to your campground and go for a wander into town. It’s nice to walk along the lakefront to the Church of the Good Shepherd, a popular photography spot. 

In the evening, you might want to go for a soak at the Tekapo Springs hot pools, located a short walk from the campsite. The hot pools have views over Lake Tekapo and are so relaxing.

After dark, make sure to peek out from your campervan to look up at the stars. Tekapo is part of a Dark Sky Reserve, and the stargazing opportunities are next-level!

Where to camp in Tekapo

The Lake’s Edge Holiday Park is the only campground in Tekapo. It has a great location right by Lake Tekapo, with both town and the Tekapo Springs hot pools just a short walk away.

Day 8: Lake Tekapo to Kaikoura

• Drive time: approx. 406 km | 5 hours 15 minutes
• Where to camp: Peketa Campground

I’ll be honest: today is a bit of a long drive. 

That said, it’s an easy drive and there aren’t that many stops I’d recommend. It’s best to just hit the road, plan on some quick stops for leg stretches and snack breaks, and get to Kaikoura.

One stop I do recommend making is the Fairlie Bakehouse, located just 30 minutes out of Tekapo. This bakery is famous for their incredible pies, and I think they’re some of the absolute best in the country (the pork belly and applesauce is my favourite!).

Soon after Fairlie, the scenery becomes a little bit boring (sorry, but it’s true!) as you drive through the Canterbury Plains. 

You’ll drive right past Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island. Then make your way up the Waipara Valley, a nice bit of countryside that’s home to some lovely vineyards.

Once you reach the Kaikoura coastline, the scenery becomes magnificent yet again. The road follows the shoreline, with incredible ocean views following you all the way to Kaikoura.

After arriving in Kaikoura, check in to your campsite and let yourself have a relaxing afternoon after that long drive. 

Or, if you’re up for a walk, head to the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, one of my favourite day hikes in the South Island. You’ll get sweeping coastal views and the chance to spot numerous NZ fur seals—it’s incredible! 

Where to camp in Kaikoura

Peketa Campground is my favourite camping spot in Kaikoura, with a fantastic beachfront location and laidback atmosphere. 

Further reading: the best camping spots in Kaikoura

Day 9: Kaikoura to Marlborough Sounds

• Drive time: approx. 170 km | 2 hours 20 minutes
• Where to camp: Momorangi Bay Campsite

Spend the morning enjoying some time around Kaikoura.

You could go on a whale watching cruise, walk the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway if you didn’t get to yesterday, or just have a wander around town (it’s one of the best beach towns in New Zealand, after all!).

A couple of my favourite spots in Kaikoura are the Bus Stop Cafe (they do the best bagel sandwiches), Bee Box for local honey, and the Middlehurst Farm Shop for locally raised meat and delicious handmade sausages. 

After spending the morning in Kaikoura, hit the road towards Picton.

Just after leaving Kaikoura, check out the Point Kean seal colony right off the main highway. You’ll likely get to see heaps of seals basking on the rocks.

One stop I always make on the drive from Kaikoura to Picton is the Kekerengu Store, where you can enjoy a coffee or meal with amazing ocean views.

Once you get closer to Blenheim, you’ll start seeing rows upon rows of vineyards. This means you’ve officially entered Marlborough wine country!

If you’re keen to sample some of Marlborough’s famous Sauvignon Blanc, you could stop in for a tasting at one of the many cellar doors here. Saint Clair, Wairau River, or Cloudy Bay would all be excellent choices.

Then head up to the Marlborough Sounds for a night of camping at the top of the South Island before heading to the North Island tomorrow.

Where to camp in the Marlborough Sounds

The Momorangi Bay Campsite has an awesome waterfront location on Queen Charlotte Sound. It’s such a nice place to camp! At night, check out their bush walk to see glow worms.

Day 10: Ferry from Picton to the North Island; drive to Tongariro National Park

• Drive time: approx. 352 km | 4.5 hours (plus a 4-hour ferry ride)
• Where to camp: Whakapapa Holiday Park

You’ll say goodbye to the South Island today and make your way to the North Island. 

To get to the North Island, you’ll need to cross the Cook Strait on one of the interisland ferries. 

Interislander and Bluebridge are your two options for ferries, and both leave from Picton and arrive in Wellington.

Today is the biggest travel day on the itinerary, with the ferry and driving making for a long day. I’d definitely book a morning ferry to give yourself plenty of time today.

Crossing the Cook Strait usually takes around 4 hours, but once you park your van on the ferry, you can sit back and relax while enjoying views of the Marlborough Sounds and Cook Strait. On a nice day, it’s such a scenic experience.

Then you’ll land in Wellington, and your North Island adventure begins!

From the Wellington ferry terminal, get on State Highway 1 and start making your way north. There aren’t many stops I’d recommend on today’s drive—I’d just try to get up to Tongariro National Park so you can enjoy the scenery up there.

Once you arrive in Tongariro National Park, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of volcanic mountains. This is where Mordor was filmed in the Lord of the Rings movies, and it has an otherworldly feel to it.

Depending on how much time and energy you have once you get there, consider doing a short hike in Tongariro National Park. 

Tawhai Falls is a lovely 15-minute walk to see a beautiful waterfall, and Taranaki Falls is a stunning 6km walk that typically takes around 2 hours—it’s easily one of my favourite day hikes in the North Island, and I highly recommend it!

Where to camp in Tongariro National Park

The Whakapapa Holiday Park is in a great location close to the trailhead for Taranaki Falls. The sites are surrounded by native bush and it’s just a lovely place to camp.

Note: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is the most famous hike in Tongariro National Park, and also a challenging one. If you’re keen to hike the crossing, you’ll want to add on another day to this itinerary to allow yourself a full day for the hike (and know that the weather may affect your plans).

Day 11: Tongariro National Park to Rotorua 

• Drive time: approx. 156 km | 2 hours
• Where to camp: Waikite Valley Hot Pools Campground

If you didn’t get to go hiking yesterday, I’d spend some time enjoying the trails this morning. Taranaki Falls would make for a lovely morning hike!

Then head north to Rotorua, with a stop in Taupo along the way.

As you drive from Tongariro National Park to Taupo, you’ll follow the shores of Lake Taupo for a good chunk of the drive. It’s a gorgeous stretch of road, with options to pull over at scenic lakeside picnic spots along the way—if it’s a nice day, you’ll definitely be tempted by a swim!

Then stop in Taupo for some lunch. Replete Cafe is my favourite lunch spot here, with great meals and a well-stocked cabinet with delicious sandwiches and treats.

Taupo is also a good place to stock up on any groceries you might need.

Then continue driving towards Rotorua. Huka Falls is a nice, quick stop just after you leave Taupo. 

As you get closer to Rotorua, you could also stop by a geothermal park. Wai-O-Tapu is a popular one, and Waimangu Volcanic Valley is another good choice. Or you could stop by the aptly named Mud Pool to see some geothermal activity for free.

Then check in to your campsite and relax with a hot pool soak—see below for more on this!

Where to camp in Rotorua

The Waikite Valley Hot Pools Campground is my favourite camping spot in Rotorua.

This is a fairly basic campsite, but it’s set right next to the awesome Waikite Valley Hot Pools, one of my favourite hot pools around Rotorua. 

Your camping fee includes access to the hot pools, and they’re such a treat! Even better is that campers get first access to the hot pools the next morning, before daytime visitors arrive. 

Day 12: Rotorua to the Coromandel Peninsula via Hobbiton

• Drive time: approx. 258 km | 3 hours 45 minutes
• Where to camp: Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park (stay two nights)

If you’re keen to spend more time around Rotorua this morning, you could head into the Whakarewarewa Redwoods for a walk. Otherwise, I’d hit the road towards your next stop—Hobbiton!

Hobbiton tops the bucket lists for many visitors to the North Island, and I’ve got to say that it’s pretty fun to visit. You’ll get to tour the movie set for Hobbiton from the Lord of the Rings films, followed by a visit to the Green Dragon pub for a drink.

Make sure to book your Hobbiton tickets far in advance, because they do sell out!

If you have time before your Hobbiton tour, another nice place to check out is the Putaruru Blue Spring, where you can take a short walk to see a stunning crystal-clear freshwater spring.

Then head up to the Coromandel Peninsula to spend the last bit of your trip by the beach!

Where to camp in the Coromandel

The Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park is my go-to campground in the Coromandel, and one of my favourite campsites in the North Island in general. 

It’s located just a 10-minute walk from the famous Hot Water Beach and has excellent facilities.

Further reading: the best camping spots in the Coromandel

Day 13: Coromandel Peninsula

On the last full day of your 2-week New Zealand itinerary, visit the Coromandel’s two top attractions: Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove.

At Hot Water Beach, you can dig your own hot pool in the sand and have a soak while looking out at the ocean. It’s a lot of fun, but I do need to warn you that it’s very popular and it’s almost always busy! 

You can hire spades (shovels) right at the campground for digging your hot pool. Also, make sure to time your visit to Hot Water Beach within two hours either side of low tide; otherwise, the hot pool area will be covered by the sea.

Cathedral Cove is another popular place to visit in the Coromandel, and for good reason. One of the most beautiful beaches in the Coromandel, Cathedral Cove is a picturesque golden-sand beach with an impressive rock archway. 

To get to Cathedral Cove, you can either hike in or take a water taxi from Hahei Beach. Alternatively, you can opt for a cruise or kayak tour to see Cathedral Cove from the water.

Hahei Beach is another nice beach to enjoy—on a warm summer day, it’s so nice to go swimming here! 

And if you’d like a nice little walk, head up to Te Pare Point Historic Reserve at the south end of Hahei Beach, where you can visit historic Māori pā sites and get sweeping views over the sea.

To end the day, head to the Pour House for a craft beer or cider and delicious woodfired pizzas.

Day 14: Coromandel Peninsula to Auckland Airport; depart

Drive time: approx. 161 km | 2 hours 20 minutes

Your trip has come to an end, sadly—hopefully you’ve had an amazing time and will return again someday!

This morning, spend some time at the campground getting packed up and organising/tidying up your campervan. There’s a campervan dump station at the Hot Water Beach Top 10, so I’d make use of that before you leave.

Then head to Auckland Airport to drop off your campervan and depart. Give yourself extra time today to make sure you don’t feel rushed (and ideally, you’ll have booked a late afternoon or evening flight out of Auckland).

Don’t forget to top up your van’s fuel tank before returning it—the Z Station on Tom Pearce Drive is the closest one to the airport.

The best time of year for this 2-week New Zealand campervan itinerary

This itinerary works best from November to April, when the daylight hours are longer and roads are typically free from snow and ice.

If you plan to visit New Zealand between May and October, you’ll want to be prepared for potential ice and snow, particularly in the lower and central South Island and around Tongariro National Park. 

If you’re planning a winter campervan trip, I’d actually recommend a less ambitious itinerary, particularly because daylight hours are short. Sticking to just one island would be best in winter, in my opinion.

Thanks for reading my 2-week campervan itinerary!

I truly hope this has helped you plan your New Zealand adventure.

As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me—I really love hearing from you!

Choosing a campervan for your trip

Small/compact campervans

If you’re travelling solo or with one other person, consider booking a small campervan (in New Zealand, these are often Toyota Estimas or low-roof Toyota Hiaces).

Small campervans are basically sleeper cars, but they’re more fuel-efficient and are easier to drive on New Zealand’s winding roads. 

The downside is that you’ll have less space inside the van (but it’ll also feel cosy!). 

Also important to note is that a small campervan will usually not be self-contained, meaning you won’t be able to camp at most freedom campsites (which for this itinerary is perfectly fine, as I’ve recommended campgrounds and holiday parks).

My small campervan recommendation ⤵️

🚐 The JUCY Crib—it sleeps up to 2 people, is a breeze to drive, and has a basic but perfectly suitable camping setup.

Medium campervans

A medium campervan will give you more space than a very compact van, while still being relatively easy to drive.

You’ll have a range of different van options in this category, and most of them will have higher roofs so you can stand up in the van.

Personally, I think medium-sized campervans are best for 1-2 adults and maybe 1 child, max. 

My medium-sized campervan recommendations ⤵️

🚐 2 or 3-Berth JUCY campervan
🚐 2-Berth campervan from Britz, Mighty, or Apollo

Motorhomes

A Motorhome is the most spacious and comfortable out of all the campervan options. If you want lots of space for a couple or small family, this is the best choice!

That said, a motorhome will be more expensive than a smaller van (both for the rental, and for fuel), and it also might take some getting used to when it comes to driving on New Zealand’s winding roads.

My top motorhome recommendation ⤵️

🚐 A Maui motorhome is the ultimate adventure van, with awesome features and a large rear window that’s perfect for soaking up the views from camp.

More New Zealand itineraries for you

If this itinerary feels like too much driving, I suggest sticking to one island, or flying between the islands to save time. These itineraries are all excellent options!

• 2-week South Island itinerary
• 2-week North Island itinerary
• 7-day North Island itinerary + 7-day South Island itinerary