18/08/2025
🗺️ Planning a South Island roadie? Here’s your no-BS guide to routes, seasons & vanlife tips for making the most of it. 🚐 Save this post for your NZ trip! 📌
🚐 WHY CAMPERVAN?
Wake up to mountain views, chase the sun, and never unpack twice.
A campervan = freedom on four wheels.
The best way to see the South Island? No contest.
🧳CHOOSE YOUR VAN
Solo or with mates? Budget or bougie?
Pick a van that fits your vibe and checks your boxes.
🛻 Small vans = easy to drive & park up incognito
🚐 Bigger vans = more space, ideal for groups
❄️ Winter? Choose one that you can cook inside of
🌦️ PICK RHE SEASON TO MATCH YOUR VIBE
🕶️ Summer = sun & crowds & daily swims
🍂 Autumn = crisp air, fewer people, chance of snow and sun
❄️ Winter = snow-capped magic (chains on, heater blasting)
🌸 Spring = wildflowers, lupines, longer days and crowds getting bigger - especially in lupin season
Pick your season, prep for it.
📍 PLAN YOUR ROUTE
🌴Beaches of the North land
🌀Hot pools and Hobbiton
🧊 Glaciers of the West Coast
☄️ Lake Tekapo (stars + that blue water)
🏔️ Aoraki/Mount Cook
🎢 Queenstown (adventure + vino)
🛶 Te Anau → Milford Sound
🚣♂️ Wanaka
🧊 Glaciers on the West Coast
🎒 Arthur’s Pass return
Build your dream trip around these, then leave room to wander.
QUICK ROADTRIP TIPS
⛺ Book campsites early (especially in summer)
⛽ Fuel up often
🛒 Stock up in bigger towns
🚰 Plan your water & waste stops
🎯 Aim for a loose plan – and leave room for detours
We’ve wrapped all this (and more) into one easy blog post.
📖 head to our website to read the full guide & start planning your South Island campervan adventure.
📸 .hochgrassl
