Find a wide selection of campervans and motorhomes for hire in South Island and the surrounding area. Discover unique vehicles offered by private owners: from compact campervans for 2 people, perfect for couples, to spacious 6-berth motorhomes, ideal for families. Flexibility, competitive prices and insurance included.
New Zealand's South Island stretches over 150,000 square kilometres, making it the country's largest landmass and home to 18 of its 20 highest peaks, including Aoraki/Mount Cook at 3,724 metres. From the wildlife-rich Kaikoura Peninsula to the ancient beech forests of Fiordland National Park, the island rewards those who travel at their own pace. Christchurch to Queenstown is roughly 480 km by road, while the drive from Picton in the north to Invercargill in the south covers around 760 km — distances that feel shorter when every bend reveals a new lake, glacier, or mountain pass. You can follow the braided rivers of the Canterbury Plains, trace the dramatic coastline of the Catlins, or wind through the Haast Pass between towering peaks and temperate rainforest. Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo, the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, and the art-deco charm of Oamaru are just a handful of the landmarks waiting along the way. Travelling by campervan gives you the freedom to linger wherever the mood takes you, and a motorhome offers all the comforts of home while you explore remote corners far from the nearest hotel. With Yescapa, you hire directly from local owners across the South Island, choosing from a wide range of vehicles to match your group size and travel style. It is a peer-to-peer approach that keeps costs fair and puts you in touch with people who genuinely know the roads you are about to drive.
The South Island's peak season runs from December to February, when long daylight hours and warm temperatures make it ideal for campervan touring. Book ahead for this period, as popular freedom-camping spots and holiday parks fill quickly. The Queenstown Winter Festival in late June draws visitors for snow sports and live entertainment, while the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival each February celebrates the region's world-famous sauvignon blanc. Shoulder months — October, November, March, and April — offer quieter roads and excellent hiking conditions. With Yescapa's peer-to-peer model, you can often find better hire rates outside the summer rush, giving you more flexibility to explore the South Island at your own pace.
To help you plan your trip, we have selected six unmissable road trips, suitable for all travelers.
This 250 km route links Picton with Kaikoura via Blenheim's celebrated wine country. Sample sauvignon blanc in the Marlborough Valley, then follow the coast south for whale watching at Kaikoura. Well-placed freedom-camping spots suit campervans perfectly, and the drive takes 3–6 days at a relaxed pace.
A 280 km loop from Queenstown through the Crown Range to Wanaka, returning via historic Arrowtown and the Kawarau Gorge. Allow 3–6 days to enjoy lakeside walks, gold-rush heritage, and South Island mountain scenery. The roads are well-sealed and comfortable for any motorhome.
Covering 350 km from Christchurch to Hokitika, this route crosses Arthur's Pass through the heart of the Southern Alps. Stop at Castle Hill's limestone formations and the Otira Viaduct lookout. Plan 5–8 days to explore both coasts of the South Island by campervan.
Drive 450 km from Greymouth south to Haast along the South Island's rugged Tasman Sea coastline. Highlights include Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and the Franz Josef Glacier. Freedom-camping areas are plentiful, and the route suits both campervans and motorhomes. Allow 5–8 days.
This 600 km circuit from Queenstown reaches Te Anau, Milford Sound, and the southern shores of Lake Manapouri before looping back. Set aside 7–11 days to hike the Kepler Track and cruise Milford's towering fiords. Campervan-friendly holiday parks dot the route throughout Fiordland.
At 750 km, this epic journey runs from Christchurch down through Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook to Queenstown, then across to Dunedin. Allow 10–15 days to take in glacial lakes, the Lindis Pass, and Otago Peninsula wildlife. A motorhome with full facilities makes the long distances easy.
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!
The South Island offers a superb network of holiday parks and campsites spread from the northern wine country to the deep south. Whether you are parking a compact campervan beside a glacier-fed lake or hooking up a larger motorhome at a fully serviced site, you will find powered and unpowered pitches, dump stations, hot showers, communal kitchens, and laundry facilities. Many sites sit within walking distance of trailheads, beaches, or town centres, giving you an ideal base for day trips across the region.
The South Island has no toll roads, so you can travel freely without worrying about extra charges. The open speed limit is 100 km/h, though motorhomes and campervans over 3,500 kg must observe lower posted limits on certain stretches. State Highway 1 runs the length of the east coast, while inland routes such as the Haast Pass (SH6) and Lewis Pass (SH7) cross the Southern Alps with occasional single-lane bridges — always check signage for right of way. Winter chains may be required on alpine passes between June and October. Rest areas with dump stations appear regularly along major highways, making longer journeys comfortable.
great van a few interior problems but apart from that all good
check in took 1.40 hr! legible dirty outside with tape repairs to window and mirror paid for gas but when we got there found canister was empty and we had to replace ourselves
Everything was amazing
Great experience renting the Jimny. The owners were brilliant to deal with from start to finish, and the Jeep was in excellent condition. It was perfect for exploring the Algarve. Would definitely recommend and would happily rent from them again!
Clean, well-maintained vehicle that gave us so many great memories! We traveled to many places and drove around 900 km ourselves, and it handled everything flawlessly. Thanks to its size, parking was super easy, we could fit anywhere, and we were able to sleep in spots where a different kind of campervan wouldn't have worked. It is fully equipped with everything provided, even extra games for beach days! The bed and bedding were clean, and it has a really comfortable mattress. The owners were super nice and sweet. Everything went smoothly during both pickup and drop-off, and they were always there to help whenever we needed it, even when we got a bit lost! 😅 Plus point that they were super cool and easy to talk to. P.S. The AC works like a charm!
Sergey's van is great. Really spacious, easy to drive. We had a great trip. Sergey was really nice helpful and was on hand to help with any questions during the trip. He even gave us a lift to the train station in Ljubljana! Would 100% recommend.
