Pro Camper

Autumn in New Zealand - Shorter days, the odd cold rain shower and grandma's hand-knitted socks make a frequent appearance - Why on earth travel New Zealand in a Hire Campervan during autumn?!

Well... Unless you are looking for a summer holiday with lots of bikini time, autumn is a great season to explore New Zealand by campervan.

 

During autumn things start to quieten down after the annual summer travel frenzy. From mid March onwards there is less traffic on the roads and hardly any crowds, with the exception of Easter which brings back a short burst of activity.

You won't be standing in queues and bookings for activities, ferry services and campsites can be made at short notice without the hassle of constantly planning ahead. The great thing about a campervan hire holiday is the freedom to go wherever you want whenever you want. If you fall in love with a place you are simply be able to stay an extra night if your schedule allows it.

Enjoy pure freedom and serenity without dozens of other people taking the exact same photo two metres away from you. Take in the views, listen to the birdsongs and free your mind.

New Zealand can dish up some of the most mind-blowing scenery during autumn. Beautiful trees in all different autumn colours next to sparkling clear lakes and rivers. Misty mornings with a light fog, calm atmosphere and the dew on the grass, which makes everything shine. The rainforests are lush, the birdlife incredible and you will simply be blown away by spectacular views every single day.

Campervan hire costs start to decrease in March and you get a lot more for your money. During peak periods campervan hire prices double, triple and sometimes quadruple! So if you are on a budget try and plan your New Zealand campervan hire outside the main holiday season. Besides cheaper prices, the overall service from campervan hire providers is superior. Less stress at the campervan depots means staff are more relaxed and able to spend valuable time with their customers and general maintenance duties.

 

Sounds like a win-win situation! But of course there are some downsides to it as well ...

As we are heading towards winter, you need to be prepared for some colder weather. During autumn a full wardrobe is required with clothing for all season. New Zealand still offers warm periods with the odd hot day, but you will generally need your long sleeves as in no time the southerly winds can bring a very chilly airstream right from Antarctica, so many different layers of clothing are vital.

Due to the high potential of cold nights your campervan should ideally be equipped with an independent gas or diesel heating system. If you have to rely on electric 240V heating only, you will feel the cold if you are camping away from powered campsites. Not many campervan hire providers feature vehicles with independent heating, so make sure to check this important detail prior to booking a campervan.

Another negative point may be that you probably won't be experiencing water sports (comfortably) in the sea or lakes of NZ during autumn as water temperatures are usually below 15 degrees from April onward. That doesn't mean you should leave your swimsuit at home, though, as you will be able to indulge in some of the beautiful geothermal springs and spas New Zealand has to offer.

 

Sounds good? Or perhaps you are looking to travel during a different time of the year?

Either way, feel free to contact us with your travel plans and we will assist where we can - be it campervan hire, car hire, general travel advice, hotel recommendations, fuel prices, popular walks, your personalized itinerary, you name it - The team at Pro Camper looks forward to assisting you!

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Posted by Gigi - 18 May, 2014 at 11:44 pm, Posted in Campervan Hire New Zealand | Motorhome Rental New Zealand