1. Enjoy the famous Kiwi hospitality
Kiwi’s are known for being some of the friendliest people you could ever meet, which sure makes travelling a whole lot more fun. Our locals are excited to take you on our famous tours and welcome you to our many eateries so you can experience a taste of what we get every day!
With plenty of cultural and historical areas to delve into, you won’t have time to be bored!
Things To Do
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Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Enjoy the beautiful museum, tours and performances that showcase New Zealand's rich history.
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Te Pā Tū (Rotorua’s Tamaki Māori Village) - The authentic performances give an intriguing insight into Māori culture - a history lover's dream!
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Te Papa museum, Wellington - This incredible museum on the Wellington waterfront features everything from whale bones, to special exhibits. General admission is free, and there’s even a cafe on-site when you get peckish.
These popular areas are used to hosting travellers from all over the world, so there are plenty of motorhome facilities nearby while you take in the history.
2. Explore nature in its purest form
Second, to the friendly people, New Zealand is also known for its breathtaking natural beauty from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island. Travelling in a motorhome is not only easy but it’s also a great way to take in the sites from the comfort of your home on wheels. Here are some top nature spots you should not miss on your New Zealand motorhome adventure.
Things To Do
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Central North Island - The Hamilton and Waikato Region has plenty to offer nature lovers. Hit the Waitomo Caves for black water rafting, the geothermal pools for a heavenly soak or try out the Tongariro Crossing if you love hiking.
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Lower South Island - Made famous for its stunning scenery, you’ll find beautiful vistas all year round in the Fiordland region. Travel to Wanaka for unbeatable lake views, then on to Queenstown past snow-capped Mount Cook and the Remarkables. Enjoy some of our Great Walks and immerse yourself in nature - check out Milford, Kepler and Routeburn tracks. A cruise around Milford Sound is also not to be missed.
There’s natural beauty to be found no matter where you explore. Follow your Instagram feed (and the advice of the locals) to discover hidden gems whenever you travel in your Maui motorhome.
3. Drink some of the best wine in the world
With wines that are famous the world over, you have to visit some of the many wineries around the country, and enjoy a bite to eat while you are there!
Things To Do
North Island Wineries
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Martinborough - A short day trip from the capital city of Wellington you will find the quaint town of Martinborough. With more than 20 wineries to choose from and boutique shops to die for, this is a day trip worth making.
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Hawkes Bay and Gisborne - Travelling the east coast of the North Island you will find many wineries in this delightfully warm part of the country. Established bike trails help you to make a day of it working your way through the vineyards - remember to add bike racks to your motorhome hire!
South Island Wineries
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Nelson - Starting at the top of the South Island you have sunny Nelson. With a 200 year long history of winemaking in the region, they know what they are doing with their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Aromatic varieties.
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Otago - Otago is the world's southernmost wine growing region - that has to be worth a visit! Best known for their Pinot Noir, Otago combines delightful tasting with stunning mountain views.
Whether you love a dry sauvignon blanc or a fruity pinot noir, there’s sure to be a glass that pleases your pallet. With all the wine tasting going on, why not make the most of it and book an overnight winery stay!
4. Experience some of New Zealand's great walks
If you want to take in the sites at your own pace, New Zealand walks have everything you could want from basic bush walks suitable for families, all the way through to the more advanced options for keen trampers.
If you just want somewhere to stretch your legs, try one of the many short walks around - the locals are always happy to reveal where their favourite spots are! Many walking tracks have campsites near them too, so you can park up and secure your belongings while you take a hike. New Zealand boasts 11 Great Walks - here’s a couple of our favourites.
Things To Do
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Abel Tasman Coast Track - offering a mix of golden beaches and lush coastal native bush.
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Tongariro Northern Circuit - a landscape of stark glacial contrasts and alpine views.
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Milford Track - hike along valleys carved by glaciers, through ancient rainforests and past cascading waterfalls.
5. Stand in awe of New Zealand's incredible mountains
We are a small country, but we do have some incredible mountains to show off. Whether you want to park up the motorhome and climb to the top of one or see one from the sky, there are plenty that are worth a visit. Here are our favourite picks from around the country.
Things To Do
North Island Mountains
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Mt Ruapehu - Mt Ruapehu is the largest active volcano in New Zealand, located in the centre of the North Island. With two ski areas to choose from, it’s a hot spot for cold-weather adventurers and home to New Zealand’s longest gondola, the Sky Waka.
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Mt Taranaki - This volcanic mountain sits in Egmont National Park and is 120,000 years old. Hiking to the summit should be left to experienced hikers, but there are shorter walks around the base that can be done in an afternoon. Try the York road loop track and you’ll find stunning rainforests along the way.
South Island Mountains
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Aoraki Mt Cook - Aoraki Mt Cook is New Zealand’s tallest mountain which is surrounded by unimaginable glaciers and ice formations, making it an ideal place to experience a helicopter flight, or even land on the mountain via a ski plane.
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Mt Tasman or Horokoau - Even though it is New Zealand’s second-highest peak, the hiking tracks at Mt Tasman are better suited to those looking for something more challenging.
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Roy’s Peak - For panoramic views over glacial lakes, head to Roy’s Peak in Wanaka to really stretch your legs. You’ll walk through tussock grasslands before winding your way up and be rewarded with a moment to snap a truly envy-inducing picture from the top.
6. Wake up to some of the best views in the world
When you take your bed with you, you get to wake up to the best views in the world. Whether you want to wake up at the base of a mountain, to waves kissing the coast or in lush tropical forests, your Maui motorhome will get you there.
7. Sleep under some of the brightest stars
Not only is waking up a dream, but bedtime isn’t too bad either! See the Milky Way, the Southern Cross, and a few shooting stars if you’re lucky. Here are some of the best stargazing spots in NZ.
Things To Do
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Aoraki National Park - Park the motorhome up at the nearby White Horse Hill campground, and stargaze among the alpine views.
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Mt John Observatory - Head to the Mt John Observatory and enjoy New Zealand’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary where you can see the stars and the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights.
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Coromandel Peninsula - The Coromandel Peninsula offers astronomy tours where you can use their research-grade telescope, and they will even show you how to identify constellations.
Not only are NZ skies a stargazer and night photographer's dream, but they make for some pretty spectacular evening entertainment on the road.
8. Keep cosy in winter, there's lots to do!
Embrace the cosiness winter brings. You can enjoy New Zealand winters in snow or mild temperatures. Depending on your favourite way to spend the off peak travelling winter months, we can provide something special for every traveller.
Things To Do
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Explore delicious laneway eateries in Wellington, perfect for foodies and central city eats.
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Cosy up in one of our many hot springs, and marvel at the geothermal energy at these hot spots.
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Celebrate Matariki (Māori New Year) with our city centres and regional areas often have Matariki themed events for you to enjoy.
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Take a whale watching tour in Kaikoura.
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Visit Zealandia or Auckland Zoo to get up close and personal with Kiwi critters.
9. Kiwis like to celebrate! Check out a festival or two
In summer head to big music festivals like Laneway Auckland, Soundsplash or Splore. You’ll find Jazz festivals, Art and Film Festivals in major centres throughout the year.
For the food lovers, head to regional food, wine and beer festivals. For sports fans, there’s a tonne of sports events to watch (or join!).
Things To Do
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Taranaki Light Festival - Five weeks of free art, nature, music and good vibes.
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Queenstown Winter Festival - Queenstown is a hive of activity in winter.
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Napier Art Deco Weekend - celebration of heritage, style, and spectacle.
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Wellington’s World of Wearable Art - a spectacular show combining theatre, art, fashion, music & performance.
10. Chase the adventure
With New Zealand being the adventure travel capital of the world you can enjoy exhilarating experiences around every corner! Here are a few of our favourite heart-pounding activities.
Things To Do
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Bungy Jumping - Given that bungy jumping was invented by a Kiwi, we know what we are talking about when it comes to outdoor thrill. With bungy spots in Rotorua, Queenstown and Taupo to name just a few, you can get your heart racing almost anywhere!
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Jet Boating - Can’t quite bring yourself to jump off a bridge on a bungy? Why not try jet boating and leave the thinking to the driver! Packed into a boat with other adventure-seekers you’ll fly down rivers like Waimakariri at speed, enjoying the pre-planned twists and turns on the way.
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White Water Rafting - There are no crocodiles to worry about here in New Zealand, so take the plunge (literally!) and try out rafting in rapids that sit on beautiful rivers. For extreme rafters, check out the 7-metre high waterfall in Rotorua!
Best Time to Visit New Zealand
New Zealand is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit really depends on the type of experience you’re looking for. Summer (December to February) is the peak travel season, with long sunny days perfect for beach trips, hiking, and outdoor adventures. This is also the busiest time, especially around school holiday periods and long weekends, so it’s wise to book motorhomes and campsites in advance. Autumn (March to May) brings fewer crowds, mild temperatures, and stunning foliage, making it ideal for scenic drives and vineyard tours.
Winter (June to August) is perfect if you love snow sports, as the South Island’s ski fields come alive, while the North Island still offers mild conditions for sightseeing. Spring (September to November) is a great shoulder season for budget-conscious travellers, with blooming landscapes, fewer visitors, and comfortable weather for exploring. No matter the season, travelling New Zealand by motorhome offers flexibility. You can chase the sun, adjust to local conditions, and enjoy the country’s diverse landscapes at their very best.
Ready to book your trip?
Inspired to go on a splendid New Zealand adventure? To get started on this journey, book a maui motorhome today, we have branches in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown. You can also check out our latest deals and specials. Keen to explore more scenic routes and must-do itineraries around New Zealand? Check out our recommended routes.