A New Zealand road trip, the source of many a daydream!
When you daydream about travelling New Zealand, what is it that comes to mind?
The surreally-stunning landscapes? The fascinating Maori culture? The friendly local Kiwis you will spend your adventures mixing with?
Whatever it is that comes to mind when you are mentally planning your road trip of a lifetime to New Zealand, one thing is certain: adventure is calling your name, and waiting for you around every corner. And there is no greater New Zealand adventure than a 1,465 kilometre road trip, spread over 25 hours of driving time across both the North and South islands!
What is the Auckland to Christchurch route?
The Auckland to Christchurch road trip is not just an urban myth you hear whispers of in backpacker bars across the globe. It is a real journey, an adventure waiting to happen, with a route ready to host you and your campervan as you traverse the country of New Zealand in absolute (four-wheel) style.
So how do you get started?
Firstly, you can check out the Summer Campers Ultimate Auckland to Christchurch 21 day Itinerary to really get your travel tastebuds going! We recommend three weeks to complete this road trip, allowing just enough balance between chilling and taking it easy on the open road while still taking in all the hot spots (and the hidden gems you will undoubtedly stumble across!).
Then, hit up these top tips, hacks, and insider information to help you curate the absolute Kiwi road trip of your dreams!
Consider the season!
1. Summer:
December, January and February are the peak Summer months in the Southern Hemisphere, where the combination of hot weather and school and office closures result in the most crowded and expensive months to explore New Zealand. Something to bear in mind!
2. Spring and Autumn:
If winter sun is not your priority, consider the summer-fringe seasons of Spring (September, October and November) and Autumn (March, April and May). The weather is typically still very pleasant, the crowds (and roads) are quieter, and plane fares can be considerably less than during the Summer months.
3. Winter:
For those of you that are not fussed about chasing the sun, are looking to save the most money possible, or value the lack of other travellers above all else, then the Winter season (June, July and August) is a super chilled (aka relaxing and low-temperature) travel window that ticks all the above boxes.
Want to save some big bucks?
1. Ditch the ferry:
The ferries that take you and your campervan between the North and South Islands via the Cook Strait can set you back around $300. If you are travelling on a lean budget, looping around the North Island (starting and finishing in Auckland) and then flying to Christchurch and looping around the South Island (starting and finishing in Christchurch) can mean you could replace your $300 ferry fare with a plane ticket for as low as $50 between Auckland and Christchurch.
This option is a great choice when saving money is your priority, with the downside being the extra travel time required could eat into your precious New Zealand travel-window, plus more logistics to factor into your travel plans.
2. Select the right campervan rental company:
Hidden costs like under-21 years’ old driver-surcharges, fees to change your dates, and having to kit out your campervan with the likes of gas, bed linen and towels because they are not included in the rental price can (very) quickly add up…so pick your campervan rental company carefully!
3. Flip the route!
The well trodden route for this most epic of road trips is starting at the top – Auckland on the North Island – and travelling south to the end point of Christchurch on the South Island.
Some savvy travellers report that flipping the route (starting south in Christchurch and making your way north to Auckland) offers more value for money, as this less typical route affords opportunity to save money, from ferry fares through to perhaps even your campervan rental fee. Definitely worth looking into, if saving money is the name of your game!
How do I get started?
Summer Campers are experts at helping travellers access the campervan of their dreams.
Not only do we not charge any booking fees (yes you read that right: zero booking fees!), we also do not charge for changing your dates and we offer instant confirmation for most of our campervans.
On booking, we also hook you up with a complimentary booking pack that contains all the Summer Campers-approved apps you will need while exploring New Zealand, a digital travel itinerary, a fuel calculator (super helpful, trust us!), and all our top tips and essential information for your trip.
It doesn’t get much easier, quicker, or cheaper, than when you book with Summer Campers.
Are you ready to explore our range of epic campervans and start planning your New Zealand road trip?
