We took the Kea for nine days down to Milford and back through the West Coast. The van was spotless, the itinerary guide saved us hours of planning and the awning was perfect for rainy evenings at DOC sites.— James & Priya, Melbourne, February 2026
Campervan hire from Wānaka
Your road. Your pace.
Wandervan Wānaka hires self-contained campervans for exploring the South Island. Two-berth and four-berth, with everything you need — cooking gear, bedding, chairs, a South Island itinerary guide and a 24/7 breakdown line.
Check availability →Our vans
Three models, all self-contained and freedom-camping certified. Every van has been fitted out in Wānaka with New Zealand conditions in mind — insulated for alpine nights, vented for summer lakes.
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The Tūī — 2 berth
Our compact explorer. Based on a Toyota HiAce, easy to park and cheap on fuel. Perfect for couples and solo travellers.
- Sleeps
- 2 (double bed, 1.9m × 1.4m)
- Kitchen
- Two-burner gas hob, sink, 40L fridge, utensils for two
- Toilet
- Porta Potti (self-contained cert.)
- Fuel
- Diesel, ~9L/100km
$139 /day · low season
-
The Kea — 2 berth+
More headroom, a larger kitchen and a rear awning. Same easy driving as the Tūī but with space to spread out. Our most popular van.
- Sleeps
- 2+1 (double + child bunk option)
- Kitchen
- Two-burner gas, 65L fridge, full cookware
- Extras
- Roll-out awning, Bluetooth speaker, USB ports
- Fuel
- Diesel, ~11L/100km
$179 /day · low season
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The Weka — 4 berth
The family van. A fixed double above the cab and a dinette that converts to a second double. Stands up inside.
- Sleeps
- 4 (cabover double + dinette double)
- Kitchen
- Three-burner gas, oven, 90L fridge, full kit
- Shower
- Indoor hot shower + cassette toilet
- Fuel
- Diesel, ~14L/100km
$229 /day · low season
Rates & extras
Rates include unlimited kilometres, full insurance (excess applies), all linen, cooking gear, two camping chairs, a South Island itinerary booklet and 24/7 roadside assist. Minimum hire is three nights.
| Van | Low season (Apr–Sep) | Shoulder (Oct, Mar) | Peak (Nov–Feb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Tūī (2 berth) | $139/day | $169/day | $199/day |
| The Kea (2 berth+) | $179/day | $209/day | $249/day |
| The Weka (4 berth) | $229/day | $269/day | $319/day |
Optional extras
- Mountain bike rack
Thule rack fits two bikes. Straps and pads included.
$15/day
- Portable BBQ
Weber Go-Anywhere gas grill with a full gas bottle.
$10/day
- Child seat
Forward-facing booster or full seat, ISOFIX compatible.
$8/day
- Snow chains
Mandatory for some alpine passes in winter. Fitting demo included.
$30 flat
- Extra driver
Named on the insurance. Full NZ or international licence required.
$5/day
Trip planning
We include a printed South Island itinerary guide with every hire. Here are three of our favourite routes from Wānaka — tested by us, updated each season.
The Lakes Loop — 5 days
Wānaka → Queenstown → Glenorchy → Kingston → Te Anau → Milford Sound → Wānaka. 680 km. Best in any season.
The West Coast — 7 days
Wānaka → Haast Pass → Fox Glacier → Hokitika → Arthur's Pass → Christchurch → Mt Cook → Wānaka. 1,100 km.
The Full South — 14 days
The complete circuit: Wānaka → Milford → Dunedin → Christchurch → Abel Tasman → West Coast → Wānaka. 2,800 km.
Pre-trip checklist
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How it works
- Choose your van and dates
Check availability below. Three-night minimum. We will confirm within a few hours.
- Collect from Wānaka
Meet us at 14 Reece Crescent. We walk you through the van — kitchen, toilet, electrics, driving tips — and hand over the keys. Allow 30 minutes.
- Explore the South Island
Freedom camp, DOC sites, holiday parks — whatever suits. Call our 24/7 line if anything goes wrong.
- Return to Wānaka
Bring the van back with a full diesel tank and an empty toilet cassette. Bond returned on the spot if everything is tidy.
Guest stories
First time freedom camping with our two kids in the Weka. The hot shower was a game-changer. We camped at Lake Hawea, Glendhu Bay and Mavora Lakes — all stunning.— The Taylors, Auckland, January 2026
Solo trip in the Tūī. Compact enough to park anywhere, diesel goes forever. I did Wānaka to Dunedin and back in five days and spent less than I would on motels.— Lena, Berlin, April 2026
The snow chains saved us on the Crown Range in July. The team walked me through fitting them before I left. Could not have been easier.— Reuben, Wellington, July 2026
Check availability
Send us your dates and preferred van and we will confirm availability, usually within a few hours. No deposit until we confirm.
Wandervan Wānaka
14 Reece Crescent, Wānaka 9305
Frequently asked questions
What does self-contained mean?
It means the van has a toilet, fresh water tank and grey water tank. You can legally freedom camp on public land. All our vans carry a current self-containment certificate.
Can I take the van on the Inter-Islander ferry?
No — our vans must stay on the South Island. If you want to explore the North Island too, we can recommend a partner operator in Picton.
What is the insurance excess?
$3,000 standard excess. You can reduce it to $500 for $25/day or to $0 for $40/day. We recommend the reduction for gravel roads.
Is there a one-way option?
Yes — Wānaka to Christchurch or Queenstown for a $200 relocation fee. Other drop-offs by arrangement.
What age do I need to be?
Minimum 21 years with a full licence held for at least two years. Under-25 surcharge of $10/day applies.