[marcia]

We are planning to visit in Dec/Jan for a three week reccy. There will be six of us, me, my hubby, 3 kids and my mother in law. We are planning to hire a motor home as we feel this will give us more freedom to go where we want and stay where we want.

I've been on quite a few websites looking at them, but has anyone hired one or used a particular company they could recommend?

[jo b]

Marcia

that is what we did. One of the largest companies is Maui, they also own backpackers.

We chose backpackers as they were far cheaper, the reasonbeing is that the campervans are a few years older.

We had no problems thoguh and they were clean which is important.

Although I was the quilts and bedding before we used them ;)

Jo

[marcia]

But aren't camper vans too small for six people?

I will have a look at the backpackers - do you have a website of is it a google job?

[jo b]

Marcia

you can get 6 berth campervans or if M-I-Law can drive and you can afford it do what we did. We hired 2 campers 1x 4 berth and 1 x 2 berth, but that puts the cost up.

Weblink

http://www.backpackercampervans.com/

Good luck

jo

[Diny]

Hi Marcia

We did this too. We hired 2 x 4 birth campers (one for us and one for my sis & family). They sure are the way to go, very flexible. We went during April and had no trouble at all getting into campsites and motorparks. However, Dec/Jan is 'high season' so it may be an idea just to send off a few e-mails before you leave just to find out whether parks in the areas you plan to visit foresee having plenty of room. Having to book a campsite in advance kinds of cancels out the flexibility of the campervan though I guess.

We found that alot of towns had a 'TOP 10' motor park (obviously all part of a chain). They were very good value for money and the facilities were great.

Have a look here for details:

http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/-new-zealand/accommodation/campsites-and-holiday-parks/jumpto/17680

Like Jo - we went for a 'cheaper option' and hired vans which were abit older than some that you come across. However, they were clean, tidy, drove like a dream and had everything which you could possibly need.

This is where we hired ours from:

http://www.breakawaynz.com/customer/home.php?cat=1

Hope this has been of some help to you. Good luck.

Diny

[A & M]

We had a motorhome for about 10 weeks this summer and used Adventure Rentals who were fine, very helpful. We booked it from the UK through our local travel agent who managed to get us a good discount. We had a 5 berth for the 4 of us, but they also do a 6/7 berth. Website is www.nzmotorhomes.co.nz I am guessing that if you are coming out in high season you will have to get a move on booking the van - we booked in April last year for the Dec/Jan.

We used a lot of Top Ten campsites as the children loved them - most of them have good playgrounds with trampolines etc, and some have swimming pools. We bought a discount card for $20 (I think), and then you get 10% off your stay at any top 10. Cost of a night for a motorhome was around $25 from what I remember.

Some of the campsites filled up pretty fast, especially in the tourist hot spots, but if we knew where we wanted to stop we phoned ahead in the morning and usually got a pitch OK.

HTH Mandy

[sarahc]

SNAP! This is exactly what we are doing - but just us & 2 kids - I have had quotes from 4 companies - Maui, Britz, Backpackers & Pacific Horizon - at the moment we are tending towards Pacific Horizon as it seems to be a bigger van & the bond is much lower - has anyone out there used this company?
We have found it hard to compare prices as many companies seem cheaper on paper but the have lots of extras like having to pay extra for bedding and insurance.. also worth cosidering fuel economy I guess - a van may be more expensive but if its more fuel efficient it will save money over 3 weeks motoring.

SO much to think about!

Here are the websites I have used (not mentioned yet by others)

www.walkaboutrentals.co.nz
www.pacifichorizon.co.nz
www.britz.co.nz
www.maui-rentals.com


Sarah.

[clarabell]

We are also going Dec - Jan (18th-9th) Hearthrow to Auckland...we could start a convoy! :clap :clap :clap

My question is, its gonna be peak season when we're out there, will it be too busy to arrive at the camp sites on spec? Dont really want to book sites before we go, cause we would like the freedom to pick and choose we like once we're there.

Also, xmas time in NZ...panicked frenzy or laid back and chilled out? (the locals that is!)
When do the food shops close over this period? Were thinking of lobster bbq on the beach for xmas dinner... :cool Dont want to have to take it travelling with us in the back of a camper for a week :?

Cheers :nice1

[clarabell]

This is a good site for campsites btw :mrgreen:

http://www.tourism.net.nz/accommodation/campsites-and-holiday-parks/

[A & M]

Clarabell

We were in the camper all through December and January and either just turned up at campsites, or phoned ahead in the morning for that evening. It is probably worth booking for Christmas a few days in advance if you know where you are likely to be.

Christmas food shopping blissfully easy, called in at supermarket on Christmas Eve for a few things, no queues, and the shops were open again on Boxing Day. We were in the South Island near Dunedin at the time. It was the most laid back Christmas we have ever had - one present each, then the kids played on the camp site. Coming from someone who loathes everything about Christmas I found it brilliant.

Another thing that occured to me - to start with in the van we under-estimated how long it would take to get places, especially on mountainous South Island roads. Also too long in the back on the winding roads and we all felt a bit sick. So if I was doing it again I'd try to do shorter distances in one day I think.

Mandy

[clarabell]

Cheers for that :nice1

Thanks for the tip about the distances, with two kids (7 and 3) we dont really want them feeling ill when theres so much fun to be had!

Dont suppose you can recommend a particulary nice campsite around Christchurch can you? Were thinking of settling there so need to spend a bit more time there than anywhere else. :mrgreen:

[gavnali]

We hired a campervan from Apollo, very satisfied with the service, picked it up from Auckland and dropped it at Christchurch (no extra cost) then flew back to Auckland. We did all our bookings through the internet including the ferry. As already mentioned we went in april and had no problems getting into sites but you may have to book in jan and feb. Christchurch has a very good `Top Ten` campsite just outside the city, only a short bus ride back in to eleviate parking.

[gavnali]

Forgot to mention, watch the speed limits, you dont know if you get a ticket until you get home!

[jo b]

Oh yes as for the ticket got one today.

BUT my husband remebers the incident a car was overtaking us as we pulled over to turn left going slowly as it is a campervan then 'flash'.

So we think the speed of the car trigerred the camera but got details of our slower than a 3 toed sloath of a campervan.

Not a happy bunny.

Jo

[A & M]

Would also recommend the Christchurch Top 10. Near the mall, with supermarkets, and bus stop outside to get into town. Has small swimming pool, play area, internet access and nice showers. Probably worth booking nearer the time if you know the dates as it was often full by mid afternoon.

Mandy

[Billy]

Try www.tigertravel.co.nz for campervan hire. I booked my Pacific Horizon van through these people, at a big discount on the standard rates quoted by Pacific Horizon.

I got a quote 6 weeks in advance. I then got one 2 weeks in advance, and it became cheaper still.

Cheers
Billy

[JJG]

Try this link, they seem to have the awards and the prices seem pretty competitive with Pacific Horzion.

http://www.keacampers.com/

KEA Campers - Winner of 4 prestigious New Zealand Tourism Awards 2004
- SUPREME AWARD (highest Award given to a NZ Tourism Company)
- Category Winner 'Tourism Transportation Services' 2004/05
- Transportation Providers Awards 2003/04 & 2004/05
- Innovation in E-Commerce and New Technology Awards 2003/04 & 2004/05

[Malin]

Hello,

we are going to move in the end of may and as long as we have no jobs we will rent a campingcar. We can drive around and talk to every job recruiter we see :roll ...
The best offer we found so far is from "EZY", is here anyone who has experiences with them? Alternatives are ANZ or KEA, but KEA is already 10 % more expensive compared to EZY.

Thanks for all replys
Malin

[Park City Partner]

We just bought a Kea campervan in part becausse they turn their fleet when the vehicle hits 3 years (about 120k on the engines) but also because we think they are outfitted/designed the best. We also looked at Mauis which get turned out after 6 years. I also understand that Maui owns Britz as well.

We looked at a Pacific Horizion 3 berth but the bed was only a double and not king which we wanted as we are both tall and need lots of room to sleep.

One another note, you should check to see if the camper is petrol or diesel. Diesel is cheaper but there is also an additional charge (and I forget what they call it) but the campervan co. may already pay for that.

And finally, last year we drove around for 6 weeks and I think we were only on a straight road 2 times! The roads are VERY curvy.

Have a fun trip! :raebanana

[willsken]

We hired one with Adventure. They were very helpful. We went for the 6/7 berth (OH, me and 2 kids 8 and 11) as we wanted more room because we were there in the winter and stayed inside most evenings.

All the camps (bar the one in Clive...although it wasn't that bad!) we stayed in were really great.

[marcia]

We used the same company as Willsken. Adventure rentals

http://www.nzmotorhomes.co.nz/

I scouted round online and managed to get a good deal from them. We did have a couple of problems with the van, but the company sorted everything out pronto and i can highly recommend them.

The charges for the size of the vehicle / diesel (hub charge or something they call it - theres a meter on the back axle and they have to pay per kilometer) is paid for by the motorhome company - just make sure your contract states unlimited milage.

[Malin]

We are convinced - and made a reservation at Adventure, it looks really good and they also gave us the best price, compared to the others I asked. They are really friendly, I had so many stupid questions and they are still patient and friendly to me ... :roll
Thank all of you
Malin

[katiejay]

We've booked flights for 24th March '07, and are looking for a campervan for a 3-week tour. Only trouble is, we can't find anything with rear seatbelts and that worries us with two little lads in tow. Does anyone know of any companies offering vans with rear belts? I hear NZ as a whole is something of an accident black'spot', so we don't want to take any chances!! Also, did anyone have any problems parking? - ie any problems with height restrictions/width in Christchurch/Dunedin. We're combining the trip with job interviews (hopefully :uhoh ) so we may need to park in the city somewhere.

[marcia]

The motorhome we hired had seat belts - not in the very back section - (it was a big one 6/7 berth) - but at the table area just behind the cab there were 4 seats all with seatbelts! You can also hire the car seats from them too if you need to.

Try emailing the companies you have short listed and see if they can help!

We had no problems parking anywhere we went - no height restrictions - and we even managed to park in the middle of a very busy pak 'n' save car park!

[katiejay]

:clap Excellent, thanks Marcia - I'll give Adventure a look, then.
Katie
xxx