What to do on your Christchurch campervan road trip?

With Apollo’s campervan and motorhome hire in Christchurch, you can explore every corner of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island.

Head north, to Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura, where the stunning scenery and friendly locals combine with fresh seafood and the famous Marlborough wineries. Further on you’ll be able to explore the Marlborough Sounds and the golden sands of the Tasman National Park.

To the west coast, the photo opportunities are endless. There's so much on offer including tramping, mountain biking, the glaciers of the wild West Coast and the local beers and whitebait patties. Yum!

And of course the famous southern scenic route, including the Southern Lakes, Aoraki Mt Cook, Queenstown and Milford Sound, where every bend in the road will take your breath away. Literally millions of people come from all over the world to see our back garden, why not you!

Discover Christchurch City

Welcome to Christchurch, the doorway to the South Island. On your journey, you will discover endless natural beauty in this uniquely New Zealand setting, from snow-capped mountain ranges to lake-side vistas. However, now that you’re here, why not check out what the city of Christchurch has to offer first?

After you set off from our branch just outside the airport, cruise on into the CBD and enjoy the cultural delights of New Zealand’s oldest city. From restaurants and heritage architecture, to street art and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra concerts in Hagley Park, feast your senses on all Christchurch has to offer.

Botanic Gardens

As one of the city’s most popular attractions, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens feature the most extensive collection of local and exotic plantlife throughout New Zealand. With over 1.1 million patrons each year, these epic botanic gardens are a place of ever-evolving natural beauty. There's something new to see with every season.

Christchurch Gondola

For the best view in town, ride the Christchurch Gondola to the top of the Port Hills. This experience offers a stunning outlook over the city, the Southern Alps, Lyttelton Harbour and the Canterbury Plains. At the summit, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including shopping, the Time Tunnel Ride or a beverage and snack at the Red Rock cafe.

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Want to see a Kiwi bird in its natural habitat? How about with no glass between you? At the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, you can get close to many of New Zealand’s native icons, as well as other local and introduced species. Walk around the park at your own pace and let the animals eat out of your hand, then stay for a Maori cultural demonstration or walk through the gift shop.

Your South Island campervan adventure

Ready to see the Lord of the Rings in real life? After exploring what Christchurch has to offer, it’s time for the main event. With the dazzling scenery in every direction, we lay out what the South Island has to offer, place by place. Read on to discover where our campervan hire can take you.

Lake Tekapo

Regardless of the season, Lake Tekapo is a sight to behold. Fed from a nearby glacier, bask in the reflection of the crystal clear waters, or visit one of the local cafes to gaze across this great blue expanse. When the sun sets, prepare yourself for a dazzling night time display. Known for its stargazing, local tours operate from Wednesday to Sunday, taking you to the perfect spots to witness our vast milky way.

Aoraki Mount Cook

Standing at 3724 m above sea level, Aoraki Mount Cook is the tallest mountain in New Zealand. On a clear day, it stands magnificently against the sky - a memorable sight for anyone to behold. For day trips to Mt Cook, we highly recommend the Hooker Valley Track. At an easy 3 hour return time, the Hooker Valley Track offers stunning views of Hooker Lake, the Mueller Glacier and, of course, Aoraki Mount Cook.

Hanmer Springs

Unlike most places, Hanmer Springs is ideal for both thrill seekers and chill seekers. The thermal springs are the perfect place to unwind after a long day’s driving, with temperatures reaching up to 36C in some pools. However, for those who are a little more restless, Hanmer Springs Attractions offers a whole host of high-octane fun. From jet boating to river rafting, to quad bike tours and bungy jumping, they have it all. The best part is, they operate from one location, making it possible to do multiple tours in a single day.

Marlborough Sounds

With over 50 conservation reserves, 1500 km of coastline and many hidden bays and quiet beaches, the Marlborough Sounds are a place to find your own piece of paradise. The perfect setting for an island hopper cruise, float between islands and coves as you drink in some of NZ’s most picturesque coastline. With the best south island wineries located in this region, the Sounds are also the ideal place to please your palate, as well as your soul.

Things to do in Christchurch

Hannah Klein / Tuesday, 9 August 2022

/ Categories: NZ blog

6 Reasons Why Van Travel is the Best Way to see New Zealand

What better way to see NZ than staying and playing in its most spectacular locations, all from the comfort of an Apollo campervan or motorhome. See why you should road trip holiday this year.

New Zealand is the poster child for larger-than-life natural beauty.

Home to towering mountain ranges, striking national parks and landscapes fit for blockbuster movies (did someone say The Lord of the Rings?), it’s no surprise New Zealand attracts almost 4 million travellers a year.

Take it from us, New Zealand is best enjoyed by fully immersing yourself in the scenery with the same enthusiasm and energy of an All-Black diving headfirst into a tackle.

What better way to see NZ than staying and playing in its most spectacular locations, all from the comfort of an Apollo campervan or motorhome?

Read on for six reasons why van travel is the best way to see New Zealand.

1. Experience freedom camping

Freedom at its finest is about taking things at your own pace, having full control of your itinerary, and immersing yourself in the here and now.

In other words, freedom = camper holidays. Hiring a campervan in New Zealand lets you take full advantage of freedom camping - as long as you abide by freedom camping regulations.

What is freedom camping? Think of New Zealand as one giant campground, where you get to pick and choose what postcard-worthy vista becomes your backyard for the day.

The privilege of freedom camping isn’t accessible to all vehicles, so be sure to check your vehicle is freedom camping certified and fully self-contained before setting off on your adventure. Wanting to double check? Chat to our friendly staff to confirm.

With great power comes great responsibility, and it’s the mission of every New Zealand local and traveller to commit to the “Tiaki Promise” – care and conservation of the land.

Put simply, you’re a guardian of the land, sea and nature, agreeing to tread lightly and leave no trace. You must promise to respect the culture and local communities, and travel with an open heart and mind.

Woman in campervan by a lake

2. Vanlife is all about locations, locations, locations

Welcome to the ultimate room with a view, your Apollo camper.

Since New Zealand is the master of taking dreamlike landscapes, dialling them up to 100 and adding nature sounds, you’d be wise to sleep amongst its iconic wilderness rather than in a traditional hotel room.

What nature scenes await? Pull up beside the glassy waters of Lake Tekapo for towering mountains and mirrorlike reflections.

On your next day, drive along raised roads to Arthurs Pass to capture the feeling of soaring through valleys flanked with green and white-capped behemoths.

When you campervan, you don’t need to leave time to commute to and from the hotel. Your home on wheels can be right on the doorstep of the day’s adventure.

New Zealand aerial shot of coastline

3. Experience seasonality

What do vans and New Zealand have in common? Both have a (Welling)ton to offer all year round.

While NZ summers bring verdant green scenes and a plethora of outdoor adventures, June to August gifts travellers with smooth snowfields, winter wonderland scenes and frozen glaciers in stark contrast to its lush summers.

Whether your holiday aligns with sunny or ski seasons, your van is kitted out with everything you’ll need to keep warm in winter and cool in summer - view our vehicle features here.

Apollo van with New Zealand wild flowers on roadside

4. Make your trip spontaneous

Everyone’s heard of island time, but have you heard of campervan time? With no stressful check in lines or hotel room dramas, buckle up and take your holiday at your own pace.

Not only does a home on wheels let you stay in your favourite destinations, you also dictate the length of your stay and enjoy the perks of a flexible itinerary.

Friendly Kiwi told you about an awesome local gem? Sweet as bro - consider it added to the itinerary.

As a teaser for the adventures-on-wheels that await, check out these two driving itineraries or build your own:
o 9 day itinerary from Christchurch to Queenstown via Dunedin
o 7 day Cape Reinga Campervan Loop

Apollo van parked next to lake

5. Time your visit with a New Zealand event and stay close to the action

Looking to experience New Zealand with all five senses?

After sorting accommodation and transport in one go, let the many food and drink events of New Zealand be your guide as you traverse the country to sample incredible seafood, meats, traditional meals, and wines.

Buckle up and leave plenty of stomach space for the Marlborough Food and Wine Festival, Wellington on a Plate foodie festival, Bluff Oyster and Food Festival or Hokitika Wildfoods Festival along the West Coast.

Are you driving a campervan or tasting truck? We’ll let you decide when visiting these 10 NZ Foodie events.

New Zealand rainforest

6. Get back to nature

How many National Parks does New Zealand have? Here’s a hint: You’ll need more than two hands to count them all.

Each with its own magic, New Zealand’s 13 National Parks offer memorable ways to reconnect with nature.

For scenery on steroids, head to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to stand before New Zealand’s tallest mountain and witness glacial landscapes blending with vibrant greenery.

Prefer to kick back and relax? Pull up the handbrake and lay out a rug on secluded beaches in Abel Tasman National Park to drink in relaxed coastal vibes.

For the hikers, Tongariro National Park calls. Its volcano-scarred landscapes and dramatic fissures are enough to wow any walker.

By staying amongst striking landscapes, you’re likely to build a closer connection to the land and learn the legends behind Māori culture.

Embrace this connection by immersing yourself in a Māori Cultural Experience, or setting up camp in significant sites where you can discover the relationship between people and place.

We highly recommend a visit to geo-thermal wonder Rotorua, a place of great significance within Māori culture and history.

Ready to road trip New Zealand? Say Kia Ora to Apollo in Auckland and Christchurch for more details.

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Tags: Apollo Camper Auckland Christchurch Queenstown travel tips

Where to stay in Christchurch

The Canterbury region is ideal for motorhome and campervan journeys with excellent holiday parks located close to all the popular tourist attractions and towns. These areas are well equipped for road trippers, as they have everything from kitchen and bathroom facilities to powered sites specifically for campervan rentals. Some holiday parks also offer various recreational facilities like barbeque areas, swimming pools, biking and walking trails, and small stores for basic goods.

For inspiration, check out these fantastic holiday parks which cater to motorhomes and campervans:

Tasman Holiday Park, Christchurch - Only 15 minutes from the Christchurch CBD, the Tasman Holiday Park is the perfect place to begin your holiday on New Zealand’s South Island.

Leithfield Beach Holiday Park - North of Christchurch, stop here on your way to the Marlborough Sounds and enjoy beach-side accommodation for a fraction of the price.

The Lake Tekapo Holiday Park - Stay at the top of Lake Tekapo while remaining within walking distance of the town centre, the lake’s edge and local hot springs.

For the more adventurous Christchurch campervan travellers, you can also free camp in certain places throughout the South Island. Freedom camping is a great way to explore New Zealand on a budget, but it comes with strict rules and regulations. You must have a certified self-contained vehicle with your own toilet, shower and waste disposal facilities on board. If you’re planning to free camp in your motorhome rental, Christchurch City Council has rules and regulations about where you can stay.

Why choose Apollo for campervan and motorhome hire in Christchurch?

Apollo is New Zealand’s leading provider of premium quality motorhome and campervan rentals. Designed and built by expert RV manufacturers, our entire fleet is custom-made for New Zealand’s unique climate and terrain. Whether you are looking for your next adventure or want to enjoy a relaxing scenic drive, the best way to explore Christchurch is with an Apollo campervan.

We offer a wide range of campervan and motorhomes to suit any budget and group size. Each vehicle is kitted out with quality appliances and furnishings so you can have all the comforts of home on your road trip. For great Christchurch campervan deals, contact our friendly team at Apollo and start planning your dream holiday.