Find a wide selection of campervans and motorhomes for hire in Gisborne 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.
Gisborne sits on the eastern tip of New Zealand's North Island, making it the first city in the world to greet each new day's sunrise. The city wraps around Poverty Bay, where Captain James Cook first set foot on New Zealand soil in 1769, and the Te Poho-o-Rawiri Meeting House stands as one of the largest and most ornately carved Māori meeting houses in the country. Stroll along the Tairāwhiti Museum to explore the region's maritime and Māori heritage, or follow the Titirangi Reserve walkway to the summit for sweeping views across the bay and harbour. Wine lovers can explore the Gisborne Wine Region, home to more than a dozen cellar doors specialising in Chardonnay, just minutes from the city centre. Wainui Beach, only 8 km east, draws surfers year-round, while Mahia Peninsula lies roughly 95 km to the south-west, offering coastal walks and wildlife spotting. The surrounding landscape is a mix of river flats, rolling farmland and rugged coastline, with well-maintained highways that suit motorhome travel comfortably. Hiring a campervan through Yescapa connects you directly with local owners who know the best spots to park up and explore, giving you the freedom to discover Gisborne and the wider East Cape at your own pace.
Gisborne enjoys warm, dry summers from December to March, ideal for surfing, vineyard visits and coastal camping. The Gisborne Wine and Food Festival, typically held in October, is a great reason to time your trip around local flavours and live music. January brings the Rhythm and Vines music festival, one of New Zealand's most popular New Year's celebrations. Book your campervan early for the December–February peak, when campsite demand is highest. Through Yescapa, peer-to-peer pricing often makes shoulder months like November or March excellent value for a motorhome trip around Gisborne.
Gisborne is the perfect base for exploring the region by motorhome or campervan. Here are our 6 must-see getaways
Head 310 km south-west through Wairoa and past Te Urewera to reach Taupō on the shores of New Zealand's largest lake. Visit Huka Falls and the Craters of the Moon geothermal walk. Motorhome sites near the lakefront provide a scenic base for exploring.
Head 85 km north-east along State Highway 35 to Tolaga Bay, home to New Zealand's longest wharf at 660 metres. Walk the Cooks Cove Walkway for dramatic coastal scenery and stop at Tokomaru Bay along the way. Campervan parking is available near the wharf, making an overnight stay easy.
Drive 60 km south-west on State Highway 2 to Morere Hot Springs, set within native bush in the Morere Scenic Reserve. Soak in the thermal pools and walk the Nikau Palm Loop Track through lush forest. Motorhome-friendly parking is available at the reserve entrance.
Follow the Pacific Coast Highway 170 km north-west through Tikitiki and Te Araroa, where you can see the oldest pōhutukawa tree in New Zealand. Visit the East Cape Lighthouse, the easternmost point of mainland New Zealand. Campervan freedom camping spots dot the route.
Travel 150 km south-west via State Highway 2 to Napier, famous for its Art Deco architecture rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake. Explore the National Aquarium of New Zealand and cycle the coastal Ahuriri Estuary trail. Several well-equipped motorhome parks line the route.
Cover 295 km west through the Waioeka Gorge to Rotorua, known for its geothermal activity at Te Puia and Wai-O-Tapu. Stop in Ōpōtiki for a riverside walk before continuing inland. Campervan-friendly holiday parks around Rotorua offer full hook-ups and lake access.
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!
Gisborne and the surrounding East Cape region offer a good range of campsites suited to both campervans and motorhomes. You will find sites with powered pitches, dump stations, hot showers and kitchen facilities close to the coast and inland rivers. Several holiday parks sit within easy reach of Gisborne city, while freedom camping is permitted at designated spots along the coastline with certified self-contained vehicles.
Gisborne is a compact city where parking a larger vehicle is generally straightforward. Overnight parking in a campervan or motorhome is permitted at designated freedom camping areas for certified self-contained vehicles. Always check local council signage for time limits and restrictions, particularly along the waterfront and in the central business district.
I recommend Menko as a responsible motorhome renter. Everything was wonderful.
My partner and I rented the motorhome for 6 days and had a great time! It had everything we needed for the trip, and we didn’t have a single issue with it. Andre was extremely responsive and helpful throughout, always quick to answer our questions and provide guidance on anything we threw his way 🙂 Highly recommended!
O Sr. Ricardo atendeu-nos muito bem. A autocaravana está em excelente estado, tem muita arrumação e todos os equipamentos funcionaram perfeitamente. Tanto para conduzir como para estacionar, a autocaravana tem um tamanho excelente. Provavelmente iremos voltar a alugar em breve. Tivemos umas férias inesquecíveis!
We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Martin’s van. We travelled through Belgium, France and Switzerland for a month and never had any issues. The van was reliable, comfortable, and had everything we needed for our trip. Martin was excellent to deal with from start to finish. He was always quick to respond to our messages, which was especially reassuring as we were travelling all the way from Australia. He was genuinely helpful, friendly, and a pleasure to deal with. The van was supplied with everything we needed, including utensils, a table and chairs, and all the essentials for a great holiday on the road. The awning was a real bonus and was easy to set up, providing a lovely space to sit and relax. We would highly recommend Martin and his van to anyone looking to explore Europe. We had an amazing month and would happily hire from Martin again for our next adventure!
brand new van, quick and professional handover, excellent communication.
Great communication with the owner – everything went smoothly and without any problems. The Marco Polo campervan was fantastic and perfect for our trip. We had a great experience and would definitely recommend it! 🚐😊
