Arrive or depart from Auckland
We’ll happily meet you on arrival or departure at Auckland Airport or your central hotel, motel or Airbnb.
As our campervans (or RVs as they’re known in the USA) are mostly set up for 2 people (and therefore only have seat belts for 2 people) we meet you at the Auckland Airport in our SUV and then transfer you and your luggage to your chosen campervan which we park at a convenient location about 5 minutes away from the busy terminal.
We then introduce you to your campervan, go through all her features and, sign off the rental agreement and send you off on your New Zealand campervan adventure!
We live in Auckland so you’ll be dealing with Kylee and me in person.
Where to stay in and around Auckland
If you’re planning on spending a night or two in Auckland then we know and recommend these holiday parks:
Takapuna Beach Holiday Park. Ideal if you’re heading north from Auckland towards the Bay Of Islands as this park is on the way and right on Takapuna Beach within easy walking distance of cafes and restaurants. About 45 minutes drive from Auckland Airport but add another 30 minutes if you’re travelling during commuter hours. Book early and try and get a beachfront space – you won’t regret it.
Orere Point Holiday Park. A great spot if you’re heading east towards the Coromandel Peninsula especially if you’re tired and don’t want to drive the whole way to the Peninsula on your first day. A little over an hour’s drive from Auckland Airport but well worth it – it’s a lovely quiet destination out of the hustle and bustle.
If you’re planning on heading south from Auckland to Rotorua then options for campsites and holiday parks along the way are limited and we suggest just driving right through to Rotorua where options abound. Allow about 3 and a half hours to drive from Auckland Airport to Rotorua. We love the DOC campsite at Lake Okareka but it’s first in, first served (you can’t book ahead) and our vans need a roomy spot as they’re 7 metres long so get there early. Otherwise, there are holiday parks in and around Rotorua and if you’d like suggestions just ask.
Things to do in Auckland
It’s our home town and so we know it well. Here are a few of our favourite things to do and places to visit.
Visit Waiheke Island. It’s a 45-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. On arrival, catch the bus that meets the ferry or hire a car or even a couple of scooters. We like to visit the beaches (Oneroa, Palm Beach or Onetangi are all lovely). The restaurants on the Island are excellent – our favourite is The Oyster Inn in Oneroa or drive a little further to Onetangi and hang out with the locals at Charley Farley’s. Some of New Zealand’s more picturesque vineyards are found on Waiheke. Man O’War Vineyard is right down the end of the island (too far for a scooter but there’s a bus) and has superb wines for tasting. Mudbrick Vineyard is much nearer the ferry, looks out across the harbour and is probably one of the best places in Auckland to watch the sun go down.
Piha, Kare Kare, Bethells or Muriwai beaches are all rugged west coast surf beaches and well worth the drive. There are fabulous bushwalks in the area, interesting little cafes and of course the surf!