Coachbuilt motorhome
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Camper and RV rental — Christchurch
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.
Motorhomes available for hire — Christchurch
From sleek A-class models to versatile coachbuilts and low-profiles, there’s a motorhome for every adventure—whether you need a compact getaway for two or a spacious multi-berth for the whole family.
Low profile motorhome
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Low profile motorhome
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Campervans available for hire — Christchurch
The campervan is the ultimate all-rounder. Effortlessly practical and built for freedom, it’s just as at home navigating tight city streets as it is exploring the heart of the countryside.
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Why choose Christchurch for your road trip
Christchurch — a city worth exploring
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.
Best time to visit
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.
Top getaways from Christchurch
Christchurch is the perfect base for exploring the region by motorhome or campervan. Here are our 6 must-see getaways
Christchurch to Akaroa
85km southeast 1–3 days
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.
Christchurch to Hanmer Springs
90km north 1–4 days
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.
Christchurch to Kaikōura
160km northeast 3–6 days
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.
Christchurch to Lake Tekapo
190km southwest 3–6 days
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.
Christchurch to Queenstown
330km southwest 5–8 days
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.
Christchurch to Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
350km west 5–8 days
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.
Rent a campervan on Yescapa: how does it work?
Discover step by step how we work. We accompany you at every stage of the rental process, both owners and travellers.
Discover
Find the perfect vehicle
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
Confirm your booking
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
Go on an adventure
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
All good things must come to an end...
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!
Campsites and parkings for recreational vehicles in Christchurch
Recommended campsites
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 TOP 10 Holiday Park Christchurch (3km east)Powered sites, dump station, kitchen, laundry, Wi-Fi, playground
- Amber Kiwi Holiday Park Christchurch (5km northeast)Powered sites, hot showers, kitchen, laundry, BBQ area
- North South Holiday Park Christchurch (7km north)Powered and unpowered sites, dump station, showers, kitchen
- Meadow Park Top 10 Holiday Park Christchurch (6km north)Powered sites, swimming pool, kitchen, laundry, dump station, Wi-Fi
- Le Bons Bay Camping Ground Le Bons Bay (95km southeast)Unpowered sites, toilets, cold showers, stream water, beachfront access
Where to park your motorhome
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.
- Christchurch Art Gallery Car Park, Adjacent to the city — Open-air car park near the Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, within walking distance of the central city. Suitable for larger vehicles on weekdays. Pay-and-display, no overnight stays.
- Hagley Park Car Park, 1km west — Free parking areas around Hagley Park with easy access to the Botanic Gardens. Spaces can fit campervans. Daytime use only, no overnight parking permitted.
- New Brighton Beachside Car Park, 8km east — Large open car park beside New Brighton beach, about 8 km east of the city centre. Good for motorhomes wanting a coastal stop. Daytime parking, check signs for restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
Campervan hire in Christchurch typically ranges from NZ$80 to NZ$250 per night depending on the vehicle size, season, and features. Summer holidays see higher demand, so booking ahead helps secure better rates. Through Yescapa, you hire directly from local owners, which often means more competitive pricing than traditional rental companies and a more personal handover with local tips for your Canterbury trip.
Most Yescapa vehicle owners in the Christchurch area offer pick-up from suburbs such as Riccarton, Burnside, or near Christchurch Airport, making it easy to start your trip as soon as you land. Some owners are also based in Rolleston or Rangiora, just outside the city. You can arrange the exact meeting point directly with your host when you book through Yescapa.
To find affordable campervan or motorhome hire in Christchurch, try travelling outside the peak summer months of December to February. Yescapa's peer-to-peer model connects you with local owners, cutting out middleman costs. Use the platform's filters to compare vehicles by price and features, and look for last-minute availability where owners may offer reduced rates to fill gaps in their calendar.
For couples or solo travellers exploring Canterbury, a compact campervan with two berths is ideal and easy to park on Banks Peninsula's narrower roads. Families or groups of four to six should look at larger motorhomes with more sleeping space and onboard bathrooms. On Yescapa, each listing details the berth count, layout, and vehicle dimensions so you can match the right fit to your group.
Yes, some Yescapa owners near Christchurch welcome pets in their vehicles. Check the listing details for pet-friendly tags when browsing. New Zealand has many dog-friendly beaches and walks, including Taylors Mistake and the Groynes recreation area near the city. Always confirm any pet policies directly with the owner before booking to ensure a smooth trip for everyone.
What our users say about our campervans and motorhomes in Christchurch
Mads Nørskov
5 / 5
We had an amazing time with the car! Looks exactly like the pictures and they were very nice to us. We can definitely recommend this campervan. :-)
Emil
5 / 5
It was a pleasure meeting Fernando and his girlfriend. They were friendly, respectful, considerate, and took excellent care of the motorhome. They returned it clean and exactly as expected, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. I would gladly rent to them again and highly recommend them to other owners.
Egor
5 / 5
It was unbelievable from the very beginning))) first of all - the owner! Pedro made this perfect 4x4 Jeep by himself, and he gave all the stuff he use by himself during our trip) we just don’t take the solar panels, because we prefer not to stay for a long time in one spots) So the kitchen, the shower, roof top living area and A coffee machine almost))) that was really incredible to have it with us and to use it during our trip! Moreother Pedro was available during the rental period and before our trip he send us some great spots to stay and very quit and awesome route in the heart of Portugal! So we are thinking about the next experience with him and his Jeep. Definitely will come back for another trip! Thanks 🤗
Nuno
5 / 5
The owner, João was amazing, he explained everything in detail so we could enjoy as much as possible. The campingcar was exactly what we wanted and it was pretty awesome We will come again 100%
Alexander Paolo
5 / 5
The van was perfect for our trip through Portugal. The owners were very nice and helpful and always available. We had a very good experience!
Jose Leonardo
5 / 5
Hem tingut una molt bona experiència llogant la furgoneta camper amb l’Adrià. La comunicació va ser excel·lent des del principi: sempre va respondre ràpidament i va ser molt flexible amb els horaris i les necessitats que teníem. La furgoneta era exactament com es mostrava a les fotos, estava en molt bon estat i no vam tenir cap problema durant tot el viatge. Sens dubte, el recomanaríem i repetiríem sense dubtar-ho. ———— We had a great experience renting the camper van from Adrià. Communication was excellent from the beginning—he was always quick to respond and very flexible with timings and anything we needed. The van was exactly as shown in the photos, in great condition, and we had no issues throughout our trip. We would definitely recommend renting from him and would happily do it again.
Rent an RV — Christchurch and its surroundings
Discover our converted vans for hire
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80