Find a wide selection of campervans and motorhomes for hire in New Plymouth and the surrounding area. Discover unique vehicles offered by private owners — from compact campervans for 2, perfect for couples, to spacious 6-berth motorhomes, ideal for families. Flexible booking, competitive prices and insurance included.
New Plymouth sits beneath the near-perfect volcanic cone of Mount Taranaki, a 2,518-metre peak that dominates the skyline from almost every street in town. The city wraps around the western coastline of New Zealand's North Island, offering a rare combination of mountain and sea within minutes of each other. Stroll the 13-kilometre Coastal Walkway that links Port Taranaki to Bell Block, pausing at Len Lye Centre — a striking gallery dedicated to the kinetic sculptor's shimmering steel works. Pukekura Park, a 52-hectare botanical garden with lakes and a fernery, sits right in the heart of the city and hosts the annual Festival of Lights each summer. For art lovers, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is one of New Zealand's most respected contemporary art museums. Heading south, Ōakura is just 15 km along Surf Highway 45, a legendary stretch of coast dotted with black-sand breaks. Whanganui lies roughly 190 km to the east, opening up river country and heritage architecture. The Taranaki region's roads are well-maintained and campervan-friendly, with wide routes circling the mountain and plenty of freedom camping spots along the coast. With Yescapa, you can hire a motorhome or campervan directly from local owners in the region, making it easy to pick up a vehicle and start exploring at your own pace.
New Plymouth enjoys a mild maritime climate year-round, making it a great base in any season. Summer, from December to March, is ideal for the Coastal Walkway and beach days, and the TSB Festival of Lights transforms Pukekura Park each January. Autumn brings calm seas and golden light over Mount Taranaki — perfect for campervan touring without the peak-season crowds. The WOMAD festival, usually held in March, draws music fans from across the country. Book your Yescapa hire early for the summer months, when local owners list a wide range of vehicles. In the cooler months, you can often find excellent deals through Yescapa's peer-to-peer platform.
New Plymouth is the perfect base for exploring the region by motorhome or campervan. Here are our 6 must-see getaways
Head 55 km south along Surf Highway 45 from New Plymouth, stopping at Ōakura for a swim at its black-sand beach. Continue to Cape Egmont Lighthouse for panoramic views of the Taranaki coastline. Freedom camping spots are dotted along the route, and the road is wide and campervan-friendly throughout.
Drive 80 km south-east from New Plymouth to Stratford, gateway to the Forgotten World Highway. Explore the Tawhiti Museum and its remarkable life-sized displays, then venture into the Tangarakau Gorge. Allow extra time on narrow stretches and top up fuel before leaving Stratford — services are limited beyond town.
Cover 110 km east from New Plymouth to reach Tongariro National Park, home to the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Stop at Whangamōmona, a quirky self-declared republic, on the way. Motorhome parking is available at Whakapapa Village, and campsites near National Park township offer powered sites with mountain views.
Travel 190 km east from New Plymouth to Whanganui, a city rich in Māori heritage and Victorian architecture. Visit the Whanganui Regional Museum and take a paddle steamer up the Whanganui River. Several holiday parks along the riverbank welcome campervans, with hook-ups and hot showers available year-round.
This 280 km route south from New Plymouth follows the coast to Wellington, with a rewarding stop at Kāpiti Island nature reserve. Pause in Ōtaki for its famous outlet shopping and fresh local produce. Campervan-friendly parking is plentiful along the Kāpiti Coast, and holiday parks near Paraparaumu make ideal overnight bases.
Head 310 km north-east from New Plymouth to Rotorua, detouring through the Waitomo Caves for a glowworm boat ride. Continue to Rotorua for geothermal parks like Te Puia and a soak in hot pools at Polynesian Spa. Motorhome sites around Rotorua are well-equipped, with dump stations and powered pitches widely available.
Discover step by step how we work. We accompany you at every stage of the rental process, both owners and travellers.
Discover
Find for a leisure vehicle near you or a destination idea according to your planned route, then specify the pick-up and return dates. The perfect vehicle for your road trip holiday is waiting for you!
Connecting people
Make one or more booking requests for leisure vehicles that have caught your eye and wait for the owners' responses. Once your request has been accepted, all you have to do is confirm your booking.
Pick-up
On the pick-up date, collect the vehicle and listen to the valuable advice of the owner for handling it; you are ready hit the road with family, as a couple or with friends.
Return
Once again, with the owner complete the vehicle condition check and sign the Rental Agreement as well as exchange your travel stories. All you have to do is imagine your next road trip!
New Plymouth and the surrounding Taranaki coast offer a fine selection of seaside and bush-edge campsites suited to both campervans and motorhomes. Most sites provide powered pitches, dump stations, hot showers and kitchen facilities. Coastal parks let you wake to the sound of waves, while inland options sit closer to Mount Taranaki's walking tracks. Whether you prefer a fully serviced holiday park or a simpler motor camp, you will find a welcoming spot within easy reach of the city.
New Plymouth offers several car parks that can accommodate larger vehicles, though it is worth checking signage for height and length restrictions before pulling in. Overnight parking in public car parks is generally not permitted within the city centre; for overnight stays, head to a nearby holiday park or a designated freedom camping area along the coast. The council maintains up-to-date information on freedom camping zones through the CamperMate app and local i-SITE visitor centres.
The best experience ever!! Amazing van and amazing people who run it
Alfonso Y su pareja ha sido un placer tratar con ellos, son encantadores, muy educados, cuidaron nuestra autocaravana como si fuera suya y la devolvieron a tiempo, en perfectas condiciones y muy, muy limpia, la devolvieron igual que la recibieron. Los recomendamos encarecidamente, esperamos volver a verlos en el futuro. Muchas gracias. Gary y Michelle
Lovely experience and fantastic van. Clean and worked very well. Leonardo and Eleanora were very friendly and helpful. One small feedback is the fridge did not work very well but otherwise its a great van.
Muy buena experiencia. Ana nos ha tratado muy bien.
Proprietários espetaculares e super atenciosos. Autocaravana estava impecável, super confortável, excelente condução. Painéis solares dão autonomia total. Tudo impecável.
We had an amazing trip! Rafaela and Carina were so kind, and we couldn’t recommend their van enough 🤩🙏🏼 The van had everything we needed for a proper “van life” experience, and you can also stay at campsites whenever you want!
