Another MH stop scheme to look out for is campingcarparks, they are growing rapidly particularly in France. They seem to be taking over many municipal campsites.
Re NZ - based on my own family visits & several friends’ tourist experience, I wouldn’t hire a MH (though we have one in uk). Hire a car & go to places that a MH can’t go; stay in motels or “bookabach” or Airbnb: you can book the day or a few days before & cancel easily, because the country is used to floods or landslips or cyclones changing plans. That way you have clean sheets & you’re not taking time out to launder your bedding; a decent kitchen and maybe a town’s restaurants within walking distance; someone else cleans your shower & toilet; and best of all, you meet New Zealanders, sit in their orchards, walk round their sheep farm, drink the wine their vineyard has produced, use their BBQ with its view of the lake surrounded by tree ferns, chat about rugby….
What we also see now is the convoy of MHs that have all stayed at X site, leave at roughly the same time & everyone will stop at Y view or point of interest for the same amount of time. And when I was there this year (Jan / Feb as usual), it was also very noticeable that MHs / camper vans are increasing in numbers (like here) and the number of spaces allocated for what’s called “freedom camping” isn’t now enough for the high demand in the car parks at popular places (eg Red Rocks beach at Wellington).
Beautiful country, well worth visiting however you do it!
Thanks to everyone who has told us of their experiences of NZ.
Ancient Uncle your description of your MH tour and tips about hire companies and useful app companys were very helpful. May I ask what MH company you actually hired from as personal recommendations like yours are very helpful.
Thanks Fiona W for taking trouble to post your very description of you car tour of NZ. This was very helpful as we are considering all the travel/ accommodation options and trying to find the best one to suit our needs. We are considering at MH Hire, Car hire and coach tours at the moment. You make a very attractive case for the car hire/accommodation option How busy and how was the weather when you toured in Jan/Feb? We are considering going in either Spring or Autumn to avoid the Summer rush. What sort of car did you hire and from what company?
Quote: Originally posted by Tim and Cary on 17/5/2025
Thanks to everyone who has told us of their experiences of NZ.
Ancient Uncle your description of your MH tour and tips about hire companies and useful app companys were very helpful. May I ask what MH company you actually hired from as personal recommendations like yours are very helpful.
Just for the moment, I can not remember the name, will need to check my paperwork
Fiona gives an excellent description of what happens if you go in the peak season, January/ February. AVOID, AVOID at all costs. We were there October/November. It was busy, but plenty of room even at most of the free sites and DOC sites (6 years ago)
Personally we were glad of our own on board shower and kitchen. You need to be self contained to use these types of sites. Full facility sites tend to be expensive. Using a car and stopping at lodges is not something we would contemplate having seen some of the kitchens. Of course we only saw a handful during our trip so no doubt others have experienced much better.
The choice is of course personal, but I do stress the need to avoid peak season, because it is then just one long queue of motorhomes with cars stuck in between.
Found it. https://www.sunriseholidays.co.nz/
In those days it was Nathan and Sarah.
If you do seriously consider going, it would do no harm to email and I am sure they would be happy to advise on best time of year to visit and recommend places to visit. We found them really helpful people.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Advice to a Motorhome newbie
via mobile 17/5/2025 at 12:28pm
