Christchurch & the South Island

Hire campervans in Christchurch and the South Island

Meet Harry, our fully equipped Toyota Hiace campervan for hire in Christchurch. He is a high-roof you can stand up in, with everything you need already on board, so you can just turn up, pack your bags and hit the road.

From $169 a night* · 4-night minimum · based in Christchurch

Check dates and availability

Booking, payment and the bond are all handled securely through Camplify.

*Indicative from-price. Live seasonal pricing and availability on Camplify.

White high-roof Toyota Hiace campervan for hire, parked in Christchurch 4.9 from 131 hires
4.9 stars, 131 ratings Christchurch pickup 24/7 roadside assistance Sleeps 2, queen bed Secure booking via Camplify

Meet the van

Say hello to Harry

Harry is a 2011 Toyota Hiace high-roof campervan, and he is a genuine one-off. The high roof means you can stand up, cook, get changed and relax in comfort. He drives like a car, not a bus, with a strong 2.7L petrol engine that is well-geared for the South Island hills.

There is a reversing camera to make parking easy, and a towbar on the back if you want to bring a bike rack or even a jet ski. Pick him up in person in Christchurch and you will be on the road in no time.

  • High roof, stand up inside
  • Sleeps 2, queen bed
  • 3 seatbelts
  • Manual, 2.7L petrol
  • Reversing camera
  • Towbar fitted
Inside the campervan looking to the rear bed with mood lighting and a smart TV

Turn up and go

Everything is already on board

Every hire comes fully kitted, so there is nothing to buy or pack at the last minute. Here is what travels with Harry.

Campervan kitchen with gas hob, sink, microwave and bench space Foldout dining table and seating inside the campervan Campervan bed made up in the evening with the smart TV on and LED mood lighting

Kitchen

  • Gas double hob
  • 82L fridge and freezer
  • Microwave
  • Nespresso coffee machine
  • Cutlery and crockery

Sleep

  • Comfortable queen bed
  • Optional linen pack ($30)
  • Optional mattress topper ($10)

Outdoor

  • 3.5m Fiamma awning
  • 2 camping chairs
  • Foldout table

Power and tech

  • 200W solar and 3000W inverter
  • 12V and 240V outlets
  • 32 inch smart TV and tablet
  • Mobile signal booster

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Fan heater
  • Gas hot water shower
  • Portable toilet

Safety and support

  • 24/7 roadside assistance
  • Reversing camera
  • GPS tracker
  • Smoke alarm and fire extinguisher

Self-contained, with a portable toilet on board. The solar keeps your lights, fridge and devices going, and the gas cooker and hot-water boiler work anywhere off grid. The coffee machine, microwave and fan heater need mains power, so Harry is happiest at powered campsites. You also get free coffee pods and water to start your trip.

Optional extras, available on request

  • Linen pack $30
  • Mattress topper $10
  • Solar shower $15
  • Sandwich maker $3
  • GoPro hire on request
  • Drone hire on request
  • Electric blanket on request

Just let us know when you book and we will have it ready for you.

A typical trip

Harry's classic South Island loop

Here is the trip we would do. Pick up Harry in Christchurch and loop the South Island over a relaxed week or two: turquoise lakes, glaciers, fiords and skies full of stars, all from your own bed on wheels.

Gravel roads and alpine passes are no problem, so you can just point the bonnet at the next view. Here is how the loop unfolds.

Campervan parked with snow-capped South Island mountains behind
White high-roof Toyota Hiace campervan ready to hire in Christchurch
1 Start

Christchurch

Pick up Harry in Christchurch, load the fridge, and point the bonnet south. Your South Island loop starts here, and the first jaw-dropping view is only a couple of hours away.

Turquoise Lake Tekapo with tussock and the Southern Alps, South Island New Zealand
2 Day two

Lake Tekapo & Aoraki / Mt Cook

Roll into Tekapo and the bluest lake you have ever seen. Camp at the water's edge, watch rabbits hop past at dusk, then look up: this is a Dark Sky Reserve and the stars are unforgettable. Detour to the foot of Aoraki / Mt Cook for an easy alpine walk.

Queenstown on the shore of Lake Wakatipu with mountains behind, South Island
3 Day three

Queenstown

The adventure capital. Ride the gondola, jump off something if you dare, and join the queue for a Fergburger. Order the biggest one on the menu, it is worth every cent and every minute in line.

Mist rising over Milford Sound and Mitre Peak in Fiordland, South Island New Zealand
4 Day four

Te Anau & Milford Sound

Soak in a hot tub at Te Anau and cruise out to the glow-worm caves after dark. Next morning, make the unforgettable day trip into Milford Sound, where waterfalls pour straight off the cliffs into the fiord.

The lone Wanaka tree standing in Lake Wanaka with mountains behind, South Island New Zealand
5 Day five

Wanaka

Camp right on the water at Glendhu Bay with the mountains mirrored in the lake. Wander into town to find that famous lone tree standing out in the shallows, then watch the sun drop behind the ranges.

Franz Josef Glacier flowing down between mountains on the West Coast, South Island New Zealand
6 Day six

The wild West Coast

Cross to the rugged West Coast, where rainforest runs right up to ancient glaciers at Franz Josef. Further north, watch the sea explode through the blowholes at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks.

Alpine highway winding toward snow-capped mountains at Arthur's Pass, South Island New Zealand
7 Heading home

Over Arthur's Pass

Climb back over the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass. Stretch your legs on the short walk to the thundering Devils Punchbowl waterfall, then grab a world-famous pie in Sheffield on the run home to Christchurch.

New Zealand fur seal resting on the rocks at Kaikoura on the South Island coast
Side trip

Or go north to Kaikoura

Short on time, or fancy the coast instead? Point north to Kaikoura for seal and dolphin encounters, with the ocean on one side and snow-capped peaks on the other.

Campervan with the awning out, table and chairs set up for an evening in the South Island

What travellers say

Kiwi and overseas travellers love Harry

4.9 out of 5 from 131 ratings

"We had a wonderful time with Harry. We hired him for 11 days exploring the South Island. Everything is as described and he had everything we needed, and more."

Emma February 2026

"I had an absolute blast in Harry for 10 days touring the South Island. It was clean and very reliable."

Jamie December 2025

"Harry is a legend. Very easy to drive, powerful up the hills, and the bed was very comfortable."

Lorraine February 2025
Ready to book? View Harry on Camplify

Read all reviews and check live availability on Camplify.

Simple and secure

How to book Harry

1

Check your dates

Open Harry's Camplify listing to see live availability and pricing for your trip.

2

Book and pay securely

Camplify handles your payment, insurance and the bond, so you are fully covered.

3

Pick up and go

Collect Harry in person in Christchurch, get the quick rundown, and start your adventure.

Your booking is protected

Booking, payment and damage protection are all handled securely through Camplify, New Zealand's leading peer-to-peer campervan hire platform. No separate hire insurance to arrange.

No surprises

Good to know before you book

Questions

Campervan hire: your questions answered

How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Christchurch?
Harry is available from $169 per night. A 4-night minimum applies, so a short trip starts at around $676. A Camplify platform service fee of $95 also applies at booking. Optional extras include a linen pack ($30), mattress topper ($10), solar showers ($15) and a sandwich maker ($3). GoPro hire, drone hire and an electric blanket are also available on request. Live pricing and availability are on the Camplify listing.
What is the minimum hire period?
The minimum hire period is 4 nights. There is no maximum, and longer trips often work out better value per night.
What is included in the hire?
Everything you need for a self-contained South Island trip is included: gas double hob, 82L fridge and freezer, microwave, Nespresso machine, cutlery and crockery, queen bed, 3.5m awning, 2 camping chairs, 32 inch smart TV, tablet, 200W solar, air conditioning, gas hot water shower, reversing camera, mobile signal booster, GPS tracker, smoke alarm, fire extinguisher, and 24/7 roadside assistance. Complimentary coffee pods and water are provided to start your trip. Linen is optional at $30 extra.
Where do I pick up the van?
Harry is based in Christchurch, South Island. The owner hands the van over in person at a Christchurch pickup point. Standard pickup and drop-off hours are 9am to 5pm. The exact pickup address is confirmed after booking through Camplify.
What licence do I need to hire a campervan in New Zealand?
You need a full, current driver's licence and must be at least 25. A licence in English is fine. If yours is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit or an official English translation, arranged in your home country before you arrive.
Can I drive on gravel or unsealed roads?
Yes, normal gravel roads and alpine passes are fine. Extended unsealed roads over 7km are not permitted under the hire conditions. The van handles South Island terrain well, with a strong 2.7L petrol engine that is well-geared for hills.
How do I book, and how does payment and insurance work?
Bookings are made through Camplify. Camplify handles secure payment, insurance cover and the bond, so you are protected through their platform. There is no need to arrange separate campervan hire insurance.
Is 24/7 roadside assistance included?
Yes. 24/7 roadside assistance is included with every hire. The van also has a GPS tracker, smoke alarm and fire extinguisher on board for added peace of mind.
Is Harry self-contained, and where should I stay?
Yes, Harry is self-contained with a portable toilet on board (just empty and rinse it before you return). For the comfiest trip we recommend powered campgrounds and holiday parks, which run the coffee machine, microwave and heater. Unpowered DOC sites are a great cheap option too, about $15 a night or a $190 pass for 30 days, using Harry's gas cooker and hot-water boiler. Solar showers are available for $15 if you are heading off grid.
Can I add extra drivers?
Yes. Extra drivers are added in person at pickup. Each driver just needs to be there with their ID and a full driver's licence. We cannot add drivers remotely, so bring everyone along to the handover.
Can the van tow a trailer, bike rack or jet ski?
Yes. Harry has a towbar fitted and can tow a trailer, bike rack or jet ski. That makes it a good option for skiers, mountain bikers, fishers and water sports enthusiasts heading to the South Island.

Hire Harry from $169 a night*

4-night minimum, based in Christchurch. Your South Island adventure is one click away.
*Indicative from-price. Live rates on Camplify.

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