Do I need a special licence to hire a campervan in Christchurch?

In general, a special licence is not required to rent our campervans in Christchurch. However, a valid driving licence is required to operate our vehicles. For some non-EU citizens, a IDP is required, in addition to their home country's drivers licence. Other considerations such as a valid vehicle licence to the vehicle type (manual or automatic) will also be required. For more information regarding our licence requirements read this.

Are pets allowed in your campervans?

Yes, our campervans are pet-friendly. Just make sure to purchase the extra cleaning service during your booking. This service includes professional anti-allergic cleaning after your trip. Please note that only one pet is allowed per motorhome, and it must weigh no more than 30kg. Keep in mind, we are not responsible for any legal fees related to travelling with your pet. For marketplace bookings, check the "vehicle rules" section for the pet-friendly icon to confirm if pets are allowed in that specific vehicle.

How many people can sleep in a campervan/motorhome?

The number of people who can sleep in our campervans will depend on the size of the vehicle and the model. In general, our class C motorhome models can sleep up to 4-8 people, whereas our class B motorhomes can sleep up to 2-4. For cars with a rooftop tent, around 2 people can sleep in this vehicles. More details on our models and sleeping capacities can be found here.

Where can I stay overnight in Christchurch with a campervan hire and is it safe?

If you are travelling in a campervan, motorhome or caravan around Christchurch, it is important to understand official camping rules of the country you are visiting. As natural areas are generally protected by laws, using an official campsite or designated overnight parking area is highly recommended. This helps protect local communities and ensures you can all enjoy safely. Read more safety tips and protocols here.

Is it safe to hire a campervan in Christchurch, will I be protected?

We offer three protection plans to cover incidents and damages during your hire period. All Indie Campers motorhomes come with insurance for third-party vehicles and property damage (valid insurance will depend on the country). For marketplace vehicles, insurance options may vary based on the host. Learn more about our protection plans here.

Can I hire a campervan hire near me?

Yes, our search filter allows you to find a campervan near your location using a 60km radius system. This means depending on the location you are searching from, you will be able to find an Indie campervan hire pick-up centre near you.

Do your campervan hire in Christchurch come with unlimited kilometres?

Yes, a selected number of Indie Campers campervan hire in Christchurch include unlimited kilometres, allowing you to explore freely and make the most of your road trip! Please note that unlimited kilometres applies exclusively to Indie Campers campervans and is subject to responsible use.

Campervan and Motorhome Hire in Christchurch

Campervan and motorhome hire in Christchurch, the gateway to the South Island. Our depot is 15 minutes from Christchurch Airport, and within a few hours you can be at Arthur’s Pass, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook or Kaikōura. Do a loop and bring the van back here, or go one-way to Queenstown or Auckland. Choose from our Comfort, Active and Adventure campervans and motorhomes, with unlimited kilometres, a full kitchen kit and extras like camping tables and bedding. Rated 4.7 stars by more than 73,000 travellers in our reviews. [Confirm the rating used sitewide.]

Campervan Road Trips from Christchurch

5 to 7 days: Southern Alps to Queenstown (about 750 km)

Day 1: Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass (about 150 km, 2 hrs via SH73). Walk the Devils Punchbowl Falls track (about 1 hr return). Camp at the Arthur’s Pass Village DOC campsite.
Day 2: Arthur’s Pass to Franz Josef (about 240 km, 3 hrs via SH73 and SH6). Walk to the glacier viewpoint (about 1.5 hrs return) and stay at a Franz Josef holiday park.
Day 3: Franz Josef to Wānaka (about 285 km, 4 hrs via Haast Pass). Stop at Thunder Creek Falls and the Blue Pools on the way.
Day 4: Wānaka to Queenstown (about 70 km, 1 hr over the Crown Range).
Days 5 to 7: Milford Sound or Glenorchy. Then drop off in

What to do in Christchurch

Top National Parks and Scenic Drives Near Christchurch

Christchurch Coastline, Lakes, and Rivers

Arthur’s Pass National Park. About 150 km west via SH73, 2 hrs. It’s the closest alpine country to Christchurch and the best first-day drive on the South Island. The pass sits at 920 metres, and the Waimakariri Gorge approach is a highlight before you arrive. Key walks are the Devils Punchbowl Falls Track (about 2 km return, 1 hr, easy) and the Temple Basin track (steep, 2 to 3 hrs return, big alpine views). Fill up in Springfield, about 80 km before the pass, because there’s no fuel in the park. Mobile coverage is limited beyond the village.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. About 330 km south-west via SH1 and SH80, 4 hrs. The Hooker Valley Track (about 10 km return, 3 hrs, easy) ends at a glacial lake below Aoraki/Mount Cook, at 3,724 m New Zealand’s highest mountain. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve covers about 4,300 km², so stay inside the park for the best stargazing in the country. Fill up at Twizel (about 65 km away) or Lake Tekapo (about 105 km), because there’s no fuel at the village.

Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. About 770 km from Christchurch via Queenstown and Te Anau, best split over two days. The Milford Road (SH94) from Te Anau is one of New Zealand’s great drives. The Homer Tunnel is single-lane with traffic lights, so expect short waits. Fill up in Te Anau, 120 km before Milford, as there’s no fuel at the Sound.

Banks Peninsula. About 85 km south-east via SH75, 1 hr 15. It’s the remains of an ancient volcano with a deeply indented coastline that many South Island visitors skip. Akaroa is a French-settled harbour town with boat trips to see Hector’s dolphins. With a campervan, stay on SH75 into Akaroa, because some Summit Road side routes are steep and narrow.

Kaikōura. About 180 km north via SH1, 2.5 hrs. The Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway (about 12 km, 3 to 4 hrs) passes a fur seal colony, and whale-watching boats and flights run year-round. The Seaward Kaikōura Range rises straight behind the town.

Hanmer Springs. About 130 km north, 1.5 hrs. Thermal pools, forest walks and an easy first or last night.

Get Inspired

Our Road Trips Itineraries

Why Hire a Campervan in Christchurch

From Christchurch you can head in four directions on sealed roads: north to Kaikōura and Marlborough, west over Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast, south-west to the Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki/Mount Cook, or south to Queenstown and Fiordland. You don’t have to commit to a direction on day one. From Queenstown, you’re in one corner of the island.

The South Island’s best experiences also suit a campervan. Milford Sound is better when you sleep near the fiord and get on the water before the buses arrive. Aoraki/Mount Cook’s dark skies need you to stay inside the park, not drive back to a motel in Twizel. A campervan removes the constant trade-off between where you sleep and what you want to see.

Why Choose Indie Campers in Christchurch

Unlimited kilometres. Drive to Milford Sound, up the West Coast and back through Mount Cook without watching the odometer.
One-way hire between our three New Zealand depots. Pick up in Christchurch and drop off in Queenstown or Auckland, or the other way round. Look out for our one-way relocation deals.
24/7 roadside assistance. It’s included on every booking, and remote South Island roads are no place to be without it.
Basic protection included, with optional upgrades when you book.
Free cancellation up to 31 days before pick-up.
Book now, pay later. Secure your van today and pay closer to departure.

Self-Contained Vehicles and Freedom Camping in New Zealand

Since 7 December 2024, hire vehicles need a green self-containment warrant to freedom camp, and the old blue sticker is no longer valid. Certified vans must have a fixed toilet; portable toilets no longer qualify. Vans without a green warrant need a holiday park or DOC campground.

To find legal spots, download CamperMate, WikiCamps NZ or Rankers before you leave Christchurch, because mobile coverage is patchy in Fiordland and on the West Coast. Our guide to essential camping apps for New Zealand covers the most useful ones.

Best Time to Hire a Campervan in Christchurch

Summer (December to February), 18 to 25°C. Long days and full park access. Campgrounds fill quickly, so book two to three months ahead for Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook and Milford Sound.

Autumn (March to May), 10 to 20°C. Crowds thin after Easter. The beech forests at Arthur’s Pass and in Fiordland turn gold from April, walk-in campsites free up, and most roads stay open. It’s the best-value season on the South Island.

Winter (June to August), 2 to 12°C. Mount Hutt opens in mid-June and is about 1.5 to 2 hours from Christchurch. Queenstown’s ski fields are a day’s drive south. See our Ski the South Island road trip. The Milford Road can close for avalanche control, so check NZTA Waka Kotahi journey planner before heading to Fiordland. [Confirm ski field road and chains policy.]

Spring (September to November), 8 to 18°C. Quiet campgrounds and lower prices than summer. The Mackenzie Basin lupins bloom from mid-November into December. Spring rain is heavy on the West Coast, so build in flexibility if your route includes Franz Josef.

Our busiest months are December, January and February. Locals should book early for Labour Weekend, Canterbury Anniversary Day in November and the summer school holidays.

One-Way Hire from Christchurch

Christchurch to Queenstown (about 480 km, 6 hrs inland). This is our most popular one-way from Christchurch. Drive south via Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook, or west via Arthur’s Pass and the West Coast for a longer approach. Drop off in Queenstown and fly home from Queenstown Airport.
Christchurch to Auckland (about 1,100 km plus the Cook Strait ferry). The full length of the country: complete the South Island, cross from Picton to Wellington, then drive north to Auckland. Book ferry vehicle space early in peak season.

Practical Logistics

Getting from the Airport — Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is 10 minutes from the depot at 189 Blenheim Road, Riccarton. Taxi from the terminal: approx. NZ$25–35. Uber is available at CHC. Confirm shuttle arrangements with Indie Campers at booking.

Driving — New Zealand drives on the left. Speed limits: 50 mph in urban areas, 100 mph on open roads. Many South Island roads are two-lane and winding — budget 20–30% more travel time than a car on the same route. Check road closures at journeys.nzta.govt.nz before remote drives.

Fuel — No fuel at Milford Sound (fill in Te Anau, 120 miles east), at Aoraki/Mount Cook (fill in Twizel or Lake Tekapo), or inside Arthur's Pass (fill in Springfield). Average South Island fuel prices: NZ$2.40–2.80/litre for 91 octane.

Tolls — No tolls on most South Island roads. The main toll roads are on the North Island. If your one-way route takes you to Auckland, pay electronically at nzta.govt.nz/roads-and-rail/toll-roads.

Tips for Renting in Christchurch

Minimum age: 21 for most vehicles. A young driver surcharge applies under 25.

Driver's licence: Full valid licence required. Non-English-speaking country visitors should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their home licence.

DOC bookings: Book popular campgrounds (Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Tekapo) as early as possible at doc.govt.nz. They fill months ahead in summer.

Interislander ferry: Book vehicle space at interislander.co.nz well ahead of travel. December and January vehicle spaces sell out faster than passenger tickets.

How much does campervan hire in Christchurch cost?

How much you’ll pay depends on the van, the season and how long you hire for. As a guide, here are our nightly rental prices from Christchurch:

4WD rooftop tent camper (2 people): from $95 a night in spring and autumn, $105 in summer
2-berth campervan: from $120 a night in winter, $160 in spring and autumn, $320 in summer
4-berth campervan: from $125 a night in winter, $180 in spring and autumn, $300 in summer
5- to 6-berth motorhome: from $125 a night in winter, $200 in spring and autumn, $390 in summer

Winter is June to September, spring and autumn are March to May and October to November, and summer is December to February. Prices are in NZD for the vehicle only. Your protection plan, a one-off preparation fee and any extras are added at checkout. Compare our campervans and motorhomes, and check our deals for current offers.