New Zealand’s North Island, with its glorious natural beauty, volcanic geysers, hot springs and deserted beaches, is perfect for touring with campervan hire. Campingvans are a good alternative to rental cars as you can overnight at will. Auckland Airport, set in the neighbouring city of Mangere, 20kms from Auckland city centre, is New Zealand’s premier air hub.
Hiring is easily arranged as there’s an RV rental company on the complex. Small and medium-sized, fully-equipped recreational vans can be hired here, and give better mileage than larger models. Auckland’s motorway system gives straightforward access to the city and the countryside.
Recommended campervan drives in Auckland Airport
Waitakere Ranges:
Scenic Drive, the road from Auckland’s Swanson suburb through the ranges to Titirangi, is well-named for its sweeping views of the native bush and distant mountains. Passing through Centennial Memorial Park and the charming village of Waiatarua, it also connects with other picturesque routes. Waitakere Regional Park has several caravan sites for overnight stops.
Auckland city to Rotorua:
is a three-hour scenic drive on state highways 1 and 5 to geothermal Lake Rotorua, active volcanoes, geysers, boiling mud pools and spectacular scenery. All Seasons Holiday Park and Holdens Bay Vacation Park both offer camping sites near to this must-visit New Zealand thermal wonderland.
Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula:
this lovely drive passes mysterious rainforests, magnificent coastal scenery, white-sand beaches, charming small settlements and rugged outcrops, and is a world away from the teeming city. The peninsula is easily accessed from Auckland Airport, and a 1 hour, 30 minute drive gets you to Hahei and Miranda holiday park’s caravan sites.
About the airport
New Zealand’s premier air arrivals hub, Auckland International Airport, supports a passenger throughput of well over 14 million per year through its international and domestic terminals. It’s the base for national flag carrier Air New Zealand and offers flights to London-Heathrow, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other major world cities.
The complex lies on state highways 20A and 20B, giving fast access to Auckland and the rest of North Island via State Highway 1. The city is reached within 45 minutes, while premier attractions can be reached within a three-hour drive.