A successful holiday in New Zealand...

Which island to visit ?

New Zealand consists of two islands, both with has its own features and characteristics. The North Island has rainforest, beaches and geothermal activity while the South Island is world renowned for its magnificent lakes, mountains and glaciers.

The North Island has a warmer climate and its main attractions are the volcanic and geothermal activity, beautiful white and black sand beaches, turquoise sea and lakes. The Maori are strongly represented in areas of Northland and Rotorua. It is also the most populous island (+ / - 3 million). This island is not as large as the South Island and will offer rolling hills and changing scenery at every turn.

The South Island is much larger and wilder than the North Island with a landscape full of contrasts and striking beauty. Every corner of this island is unique with beautiful beaches in the north, tropical forests and glaciers in the west coast, fjords in the south, wide plains around the east coast and impressive mountains in the centre. Far less populated than the North Island (+ / -1 million), the South Island offers a remote and peaceful paradise

How long should the trip be?

It is important to take time to enjoy each island.

If you have less than a week, it’s best to focus on one island. New Zealand offers many places of interest, so you won’t have the time to enjoy everything in both of the islands. Overall it's better to focus on one of the two islands and come back to see the other island next time. After spending some time here, you’ll definitely want to return …

You’ll see more over a period of two weeks.
There are two options available. Either you visit both islands at a fairly steady pace, i.e. moving on almost every day. You will have a good overview of each island but you will certainly need to make choices between different sites. Or you only visit one island and enjoy each place you visit fully and also having rest days. This way you’ll have time to enjoy the many activities on offer and you don’t have to drive every day. Our team will be happy to help you decide what to do by sharing their own experiences of the country.

If you have three weeks or more, you’ll have ample time to enjoy each island. You can immerse yourself in the Kiwi culture, explore each site at your leisure, meet locals and quietly discover all that New Zealand has to offer. You can even get off the beaten track and make your own discoveries.

Best season to travel in?

The best time to tour New Zealand in a motorhome is from early November to late April. Temperatures are certainly more favourable at this time of the year.

The period from December to February is the high season in New Zealand and summer so it will be nice and warm, Kiwis are on vacation and this is the time of festivals. It’s important to be well organised for a trip at this time. Our team will help you with, no problems!

The off-season (Autumn and Spring) is, in our opinion, the best time to visit New Zealand in terms of weather and motorhome rental availability. Vehicle prices are actually quite low and the weather is very mild, especially in March and April.

From May to September, it’s winter in New Zealand, and the prices of motorhomes at this time of year is unbeatable. There are far fewer people on the roads or in the campsites.

You have more freedom. Fortunately, our partners provide campers with two independent heaters (gas and electric) which will allow you to spend nights with heating but when you go outside the motorhome, it might get a bit chilly, especially in the south.

Click here for more information about New Zealand weather.

What to do in New Zealand?

Thanks to its landscape of contrasts, New Zealand offers a multitude of activities. At sea, on land or in the air, you can explore New Zealand in all its facets. This country is one big playground where adults and children alike can enjoy themselves.

If you’re a hiker, you'll find there are walks for all levels (from several minutes to several days). The Maori culture is also strongly present and there is much to learn about the history and customs of these indigenous people.

In addition, the flora and fauna is typical and unique to New Zealand! Don’t hesitate to consult our activities page for more details on some fantastic activities to do while you are here.

Why choose DetourNZ ?

Simply because we are the specialists in motorhome travel in New Zealand. Our partners have been carefully selected to ensure that each service meets your expectations.

In addition to offering you the best motorhome at the best price, we will help you in organising your stay by putting all our experience of the country and motorhomes at your disposal. Our team, based in Auckland, offers quality service and a friendly welcome. With DetourNZ, we support you before and also during your stay for an unforgettable holiday.

Read what some of our previous customers have said...