Find a wide selection of campervans and motorhomes for hire in Christchurch 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.
Christchurch sits at the edge of the Canterbury Plains, where the Avon River winds through a city that has reinvented itself since the 2011 earthquake. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, founded in 1863, cover 21 hectares of native and exotic plant collections right in the heart of town. Wander through the innovative Christchurch Transitional Cathedral, designed by Shigeru Ban from cardboard tubes, or explore the Canterbury Museum for a deep dive into Antarctic exploration and Māori heritage. The International Antarctic Centre, just 5 km from the airport, offers a hands-on look at life on the ice. For art lovers, the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū showcases over 6,500 works. Akaroa, a charming former French settlement, lies 85 km southeast on the Banks Peninsula, while the alpine town of Hanmer Springs is 90 km to the north — both make excellent day trips or overnight excursions. The flat terrain around Christchurch makes driving a motorhome straightforward, and the well-maintained roads leading out to the peninsula and beyond suit all vehicle sizes. With Yescapa, you can hire a campervan directly from a local owner, giving you insider tips on the best routes and a more personal start to your South Island adventure. Whether you are heading towards the mountains or the coast, Christchurch is a natural base for exploring Canterbury at your own pace.
Christchurch enjoys a temperate climate that suits campervan travel year-round. Summer, from December to February, is the busiest period, with warm days ideal for coastal drives and the World Buskers Festival bringing street performers to the city each January. Autumn, from March to May, offers golden colours across the Canterbury Plains and quieter campsites. Book your Christchurch campervan or motorhome through Yescapa to benefit from peer-to-peer pricing, which can be especially competitive outside peak season. Plan ahead for the summer holidays and secure your hire early to get the best choice of vehicles.
Christchurch is the perfect base for exploring the region by motorhome or campervan. Here are our 6 must-see getaways
Head 85 km southeast from Christchurch over the scenic Summit Road on Banks Peninsula. Stop at Hilltop for panoramic harbour views, then descend to the French-influenced village of Akaroa. Take a harbour cruise to spot Hector's dolphins. Campervan parking is available near the waterfront, though book early in summer.
Drive 90 km north from Christchurch through the Waipara wine region to the alpine village of Hanmer Springs. Soak in the natural hot pools and walk the Conical Hill Track for mountain views. Several holiday parks in town offer powered sites for motorhomes, making it a relaxing overnight stop.
Travel 160 km northeast from Christchurch along State Highway 1, hugging the Pacific coast. Kaikōura is famous for whale watching and the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. Stop at the Ohau Stream to see fur seal pups. Freedom camping spots and holiday parks with full facilities are plentiful for campervans.
Head 190 km southwest from Christchurch through the Mackenzie Country to Lake Tekapo, known for its turquoise waters and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Visit the Dark Sky Reserve for stargazing. Motorhome-friendly parking is available near the lake, and several campsites offer hook-ups and hot showers.
Cover 330 km southwest from Christchurch via the Lindis Pass, passing through Cromwell's fruit orchards and the Kawarau Gorge. Queenstown offers jet boating on the Shotover River and the Skyline Gondola. Hire a campervan for this route and use well-equipped holiday parks around Frankton for your base.
Drive 350 km west from Christchurch across Arthur's Pass, stopping at Castle Hill's limestone boulders and Ōtira Viaduct lookout. Reach the West Coast glaciers for guided ice walks and rainforest trails. Freedom camping areas near Franz Josef village welcome self-contained campervans with dump stations nearby.
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!
Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region offer a good range of holiday parks suited to both campervans and motorhomes. In the city itself, you will find parks with powered sites, dump stations, kitchen facilities, and hot showers. Heading out to Banks Peninsula, more rural camping grounds provide a quieter setting with basic amenities. Most Christchurch parks are well set up for larger vehicles, with wide pitches and easy access.
Christchurch has several car parks in the central city that can accommodate larger vehicles, though height and length restrictions apply in some multi-storey buildings. For motorhomes and campervans, open-air car parks near parks and the coast are the best option. Overnight parking in public car parks is generally not permitted unless signposted. Always check local council signs for time limits and vehicle size rules before leaving your vehicle.
Everything worked just fine and we realized that we are for sure campervan-people. The Van was very new and fresh.
Workers were very helpful
Tuve un poco de prevención porque hay comentarios de que hay cobros ocultos, pero al usar el seguro y el pack de limpieza pues ya todo estuvo cubierto
Location of pick up, hours od drop off, support team is bad
Good and Friendly Communication , we were able to get the vehicle earlier in the day which was Great for our planning, we liked the vehicle and it was clean and well equipped. We had a great time. Thank you Jana for this experience!
Jacob took a great care of our van and the commumication was very easy. He treated our van like his own, which we very much appriciated :)
