Campervan Pickup Cities in New Zealand: Where to Start

Quick summary: New Zealand has five main campervan and motorhome pickup cities: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin. The city you start from shapes your whole trip, so choose the one closest to the scenery you most want to see, and consider finishing somewhere else to avoid backtracking.

City	Island	Best for	Key routes from here
Auckland	North	Northland, Coromandel, Rotorua	Northland, Coromandel, Waikato and Waitomo
Wellington	North	Trips across both islands	Cook Strait ferry, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa
Christchurch	South	Southern Alps, Kaikōura, West Coast	Mackenzie and Aoraki, Arthur’s Pass
Queenstown	South	Fiordland, southern lakes	Fiordland and Milford, Queenstown Lakes
Dunedin	South	Otago Peninsula, Catlins, Central Otago	Central Otago, Southland and the Catlins

Which pickup city should you choose?

Choose the city nearest the region you most want to explore. For a South Island trip, Christchurch is the classic start, with the Southern Alps, Kaikōura and the West Coast all within a day’s drive. Queenstown puts you straight into the lakes and Fiordland. For the North Island, Auckland is the main gateway, while Wellington suits travellers heading south across Cook Strait.

Can you pick up in one city and drop off in another?

Yes, and it is often the best way to see more of the country. Popular one-way combinations include Auckland to Christchurch, Christchurch to Queenstown, and Queenstown to Christchurch. Our guide to one-way trips and relocation deals explains how they work.

Which New Zealand cities can you pick up an RV in?

Self-drive holiday vehicles are hired from depots in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin, with smaller depots in some other towns. Most depots sit close to the airport, so you can collect a campervan or motorhome soon after landing.

What do the city guides cover?

Each city guide covers what to do before you drive away, the best first-night campsites, how to get out of the city in a large vehicle, the best half-day and day tours for your first or last day, and the routes that leave from there. For the bigger picture, start with our complete guide to campervanning in New Zealand.

Frequently Asked Questions