The Best Campervan Rental NZ for North & South Trips

It is the classic question when you plan a campervan rental in NZ. North Island or South Island. Both deliver great road trips, but in very different ways. One is all big landscapes and remote roads. The other packs beaches, geothermal spots, and shorter drives into a smaller space.

We've driven both islands more times than we can count, and the truth is, you can't go wrong with either. But if you're trying to choose, here's what each island offers best, and how to make the call.

What the South Island Does Best

The South Island is where NZ's landscapes stand out. Mountains, glaciers, fiords, and wide-open roads with barely another car in sight. If you want dramatic scenery and space to breathe, this is your island.

Milford Sound is the headline act with its sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and water so still it mirrors everything. The drive through Fiordland is just as good. Further north, the West Coast delivers wild beaches, rainforest, and Fox and Franz Josef glaciers. Abel Tasman National Park sits at the top of the island with golden sand beaches and crystal-clear water. Depending on the season, Queenstown offers everything from bungee jumping to skiing if you want to give this a try.

With only a million people spread across the whole island, you'll find freedom camping spots where you're the only van for kilometres. Our South Island planning guide covers the best routes and stops.

Best for: Big landscapes, mountain passes, glaciers, solitude, serious photography.

What the North Island Does Best

The North Island is warmer, more populated, and packed with variety. Beaches, volcanoes, geothermal zones, and more Māori culture woven into everyday life.

The Coromandel Peninsula has white sand beaches and bush-clad hills. Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach are the famous ones, but there are quieter spots if you know where to look. The Thermal Highway between Rotorua and Taupo delivers bubbling mud pools, geysers, and hot springs you can soak in.

Tongariro National Park gives you volcanic landscapes that look like another planet. You might also recognise Mt Ngauruhoe as "Mt Doom" from Lord of the Rings. The Desert Road drive past Mt Ruapehu is worth doing just for the views. Wellington's a proper city with good coffee and easy access to the ferry if you decide to add the South Island after all.

Check out our North Island scenic drives guide for campervan-friendly routes.

Best for: Big landscapes, mountain passes, glaciers, solitude, serious photography.

How to Decide: Time, Season, and Priorities

How Much Time Do You Have?

Two weeks or less? Pick one island and do it properly. Trying to cram both into a short trip means you’ll most likely spend more time driving than exploring.

Three weeks or more? You can do both comfortably. Take the Interislander ferry between Wellington and Picton. It's a scenic crossing, and one-way campervan rentals make it easy to start in Auckland and finish in Christchurch (or the other way around).

What Season Are You Travelling in?

Summer

Both islands are great, but the South Island’s alpine roads are easiest in warm weather.

Winter

Expect snow on the South Island mountains and some road closures. You may want a heater in your van. The North Island stays milder and is usually the safer choice for winter road trips.

What Do You Want to See?

If your list includes Milford Sound, Queenstown, or the glaciers, that's the South Island. If it's geothermal parks, beaches, or Hobbiton - North Island. Our North vs South Island comparison breaks it down further.

Freedom Camping on Each Island

Both islands have excellent freedom camping, but the South Island has more spots and fewer restrictions. With a self-contained campervan, you can park up at Department of Conservation sites and council-approved areas for free.

The North Island has tighter rules in popular areas like the Coromandel, where fines are common if you camp in the wrong spot. Download CamperMate or Rankers to find legal spots on either island.

For South Island freedom camping rules, check our dedicated guide

Planning Your Route

South Island routes

Christchurch to Queenstown
Scenic highways through the Canterbury Plains and into the Southern Alps.
Our Christchurch to Queenstown guide has all the key stops.

The West Coast
Remote, rugged, and one of the most impressive coastal drives in the country.

North Island routes

Auckland to the Coromandel
Easy driving and great beaches.

The Thermal Explorer Highway
Rotorua to Taupo with geothermal stops along the way.

Our North Island scenic drives guide has more ideas.

Can You Bring a Dog?

Some campervan rental companies in NZ allow pets, but policies vary. We're pet-friendly at BLC, and you may check out our guide to campervan exploring with a dog for tips on making it work.

North or South? Wrapping Up the Campervan Rental NZ Debate

The truth is, there's no wrong choice. The South Island delivers raw, dramatic scenery and wide-open freedom camping. The North Island brings beaches, thermal parks, and easier driving in winter. If you've got time, do both.

We've helped hundreds of travellers figure out which island suits their trip. Whether you're chasing mountains or beaches, we'll point you in the right direction.

Can't decide which island? Our team has explored every corner. Get in touch for personalised recommendations based on your timeframe and interests.

It is the classic question when you plan a campervan rental in NZ. North Island or South Island. Both deliver great road trips, but in very different ways. One is all big landscapes and remote roads. The other packs beaches, geothermal spots, and shorter drives into a smaller space.

We've driven both islands more times than we can count, and the truth is, you can't go wrong with either. But if you're trying to choose, here's what each island offers best, and how to make the call.

What the South Island Does Best

The South Island is where NZ's landscapes stand out. Mountains, glaciers, fiords, and wide-open roads with barely another car in sight. If you want dramatic scenery and space to breathe, this is your island.

Milford Sound is the headline act with its sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and water so still it mirrors everything. The drive through Fiordland is just as good. Further north, the West Coast delivers wild beaches, rainforest, and Fox and Franz Josef glaciers. Abel Tasman National Park sits at the top of the island with golden sand beaches and crystal-clear water. Depending on the season, Queenstown offers everything from bungee jumping to skiing if you want to give this a try.

With only a million people spread across the whole island, you'll find freedom camping spots where you're the only van for kilometres. Our South Island planning guide covers the best routes and stops.

Best for: Big landscapes, mountain passes, glaciers, solitude, serious photography.

What the North Island Does Best

The North Island is warmer, more populated, and packed with variety. Beaches, volcanoes, geothermal zones, and more Māori culture woven into everyday life.

The Coromandel Peninsula has white sand beaches and bush-clad hills. Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach are the famous ones, but there are quieter spots if you know where to look. The Thermal Highway between Rotorua and Taupo delivers bubbling mud pools, geysers, and hot springs you can soak in.

Tongariro National Park gives you volcanic landscapes that look like another planet. You might also recognise Mt Ngauruhoe as "Mt Doom" from Lord of the Rings. The Desert Road drive past Mt Ruapehu is worth doing just for the views. Wellington's a proper city with good coffee and easy access to the ferry if you decide to add the South Island after all.

Check out our North Island scenic drives guide for campervan-friendly routes.

Best for: Big landscapes, mountain passes, glaciers, solitude, serious photography.

How to Decide: Time, Season, and Priorities

How Much Time Do You Have?

Two weeks or less? Pick one island and do it properly. Trying to cram both into a short trip means you’ll most likely spend more time driving than exploring.

Three weeks or more? You can do both comfortably. Take the Interislander ferry between Wellington and Picton. It's a scenic crossing, and one-way campervan rentals make it easy to start in Auckland and finish in Christchurch (or the other way around).

What Season Are You Travelling in?

Summer

Both islands are great, but the South Island’s alpine roads are easiest in warm weather.

Winter

Expect snow on the South Island mountains and some road closures. You may want a heater in your van. The North Island stays milder and is usually the safer choice for winter road trips.

What Do You Want to See?

If your list includes Milford Sound, Queenstown, or the glaciers, that's the South Island. If it's geothermal parks, beaches, or Hobbiton - North Island. Our North vs South Island comparison breaks it down further.

Freedom Camping on Each Island

Both islands have excellent freedom camping, but the South Island has more spots and fewer restrictions. With a self-contained campervan, you can park up at Department of Conservation sites and council-approved areas for free.

The North Island has tighter rules in popular areas like the Coromandel, where fines are common if you camp in the wrong spot. Download CamperMate or Rankers to find legal spots on either island.

For South Island freedom camping rules, check our dedicated guide

Planning Your Route

South Island routes

Christchurch to Queenstown
Scenic highways through the Canterbury Plains and into the Southern Alps.
Our Christchurch to Queenstown guide has all the key stops.

The West Coast
Remote, rugged, and one of the most impressive coastal drives in the country.

North Island routes

Auckland to the Coromandel
Easy driving and great beaches.

The Thermal Explorer Highway
Rotorua to Taupo with geothermal stops along the way.

Our North Island scenic drives guide has more ideas.

Can You Bring a Dog?

Some campervan rental companies in NZ allow pets, but policies vary. We're pet-friendly at BLC, and you may check out our guide to campervan exploring with a dog for tips on making it work.

North or South? Wrapping Up the Campervan Rental NZ Debate

The truth is, there's no wrong choice. The South Island delivers raw, dramatic scenery and wide-open freedom camping. The North Island brings beaches, thermal parks, and easier driving in winter. If you've got time, do both.

We've helped hundreds of travellers figure out which island suits their trip. Whether you're chasing mountains or beaches, we'll point you in the right direction.

Can't decide which island? Our team has explored every corner. Get in touch for personalised recommendations based on your timeframe and interests.