I explored New Zealand's iconic South Island by campervan - here's why it's the best way to take in the sights
There isn't a more iconic experience in New Zealand than exploring the South Island by campervan.
With a home on wheels, and spectacular scenery guaranteed, the best months to visit are February to May, and September to November, when the weather is warm and the island less busy.
Queenstown is the epicentre for campervan hire, where most begin and end their journeys, and it's wise to spend a few days here to shrug off jetlag before embarking on your journey.
With hundreds of campsites to choose from, planning a route can prove a little daunting, so here is my selection of tried and tested favourites, within an easy drive of one another.
Lake Wanaka - Glendhu Bay Holiday Park
Situated a fifteen-minute drive from the small, laid-back town of Wanaka (with a great choice of restaurants, cafes, and adventure activities), this large campsite sprawls along the banks of picturesque Glendhu Bay.
You're not booking in for fancy toilet blocks & showers (they are basic) but for the beautiful location and its north facing, sunny aspect.
Book ahead to nab a prime spot bordering the lake, then while away hours swimming, barbecuing, and stargazing.
Mount Aspiring National Park, which served as the Misty Mountains in the Hobbit films, is on your doorstep, and nearby hiking trails include the popular five-hour walk to Roys Peak.
A day trip by boat to the island of Mou Waho is another good option.
Book it: From £23 per night for lakeside powered site (www.hampshireholidaysparks.co.nz).
Lake Tekapo - Lakes Edge Holiday Park
Framed by snow-capped mountains, this site is on a bluff above Lake Tekapo, known for its crystal-clear turquoise water.
It has nice communal facilities, including a kitchen and barbecue area, with lake-view picnic benches for al fresco dining.
To get out on the water, rent paddleboards or kayaks (£15 for one hour) at the sandy beach just below the camp
One of the best places in the world for star gazing, visit the state-of-the-art Dark Sky Project to learn more on how Māori people once used the stars to navigate and hunt, and, on a clear night, book a star-gazing tour at the Mt John Observatory.
A walk to the picture-perfect Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935, is lovely at sunset.
Book it: From £35 per night for front row powered site. (lakesedgeholidaypark.co.nz)
Mount Cook - White Horse Camping Ground
Camp beneath magnificent alpine scenery at this Department of Conservation site.
A pitch here can't be prebooked, so arrive by lunchtime to nab a good spot, with those at the rear giving uninterrupted views of Mt Sefton.
You'll find toilet blocks, and fresh running water, but no showers or power to connect to.
The most popular hike is along the Hooker Valley Track to the glacial Hooker Lake (take swimming kit with you for a bracing dip), and it's best to set off by 8am before the day trippers arrive.
Other well-marked trails leave from the campsite and range from gentle to arduous.
Book it: From £6.50 per adult per night. Payable at site. (doc.govt.nz)
Oamaru - Oamaru Harbour Holiday Park
This small campsite is the only one on Oamaru's seafront and has good but few facilities (you may need to wait your turn for a shower).
Although a road runs between the site and the sea, there's such little traffic that it's still worth pre-booking a front row spot.
It is ideally situated for visiting the town's famous Little Blue Penguin colony, which return to shore like clockwork at dusk.
Also, look out also for fur seals basking on the harbour wall.
Book it: From £27 for an ocean view powered site(oamaruharbour.co.nz)
KATE'S TOP CAMPERVAN TIPS
Check dates of school holidays and travel outside of these if you can.
Stock up on essentials at a supermarket before setting off, as you can travel long distances without seeing a grocery store.
It's worth paying a little extra for a premium pitch to enjoy a lake/mountain/sea view.
Shower facilities on most campsites are excellent, so save your campervan shower and loo for Department of Conservation sites.
Call at wineries to buy your booze straight from the cellar door.
Pack insect repellent for camping near rivers and lakes.
Ask your Maui rental provider to include two camping chairs and a foldaway table for dining outdoors.
Don't be put off by the name 'holiday camp'. These are campsites with facilities, not Butlins.
Otago Peninsula - Portobello Village Tourist Park
This hilly, green and tranquil site is tucked away two-minutes' walk from the seafront in the tiny, seaside village of Portobello, with its one pub, restaurant, and shop.
There are plenty of well-maintained showers and loos, and the pitches feel specious, bordered by trees and bushes, which provide extra privacy.
Use this as your base for visiting the Royal Albatross Centre, walking among sealions on Allans Beach, and taking a wildlife-spotting tour with Monarch Cruises, during which you're likely to see Hector's dolphins, fur seals, Little Blue penguins, and soaring albatross out fishing.
Book it: www.portobellopark.co.nz From £22 for powered site (portobellopark.co.nz)
Te Anau - Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park
As campsites go, this is quite fancy. You'll find this large site, with spacious pitches, on the Southern shore of Lake Te Anau, a ten-minute walk into the centre, with plenty of restaurants and cafes.
It has a modern communal kitchen, excellent power showers, small shop, TV lounge, and jacuzzi hire.
If you're not planning an overnight stay at Milford Sound, this makes a great base for exploring the Fiordland National Park.
While there, take an evening cruise on a vintage yacht, or enjoy a show out on by glowworms found within a nearby, extensive cave system.
Book it: From £32 for powered site (teanauholidaypark.co.nz)
Milford Sound - Milford Sound Lodge
Deep within the Fiordland National Park, this stylish campsite and lodge is a cut above the rest, with pitches nestled within the rain forest (be warned, this is one of the wettest places on earth).
It also has a fabulous restaurant, so give yourself a night off from cooking to enjoy Canterbury duck breast or Otago lamb, highlights on a menu that celebrates South Island's finest produce.
The drive to reach Milford Sound is spectacular. Stop off to walk the short trail through moss-covered forest to Lake Gunn, and gaze at mountain reflections in the so-called Mirror Lakes.
Once there, take a boat trip across Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries, and hike a stretch of the Milford Track, reached by water taxi from the town.
Book it: From £53 per night for powered site (milfordlodge.com)
Queenstown Area - Twelve-Mile Delta Campsite
This Department of Conservation campsite breaks the journey nicely between Milford Sound and Glenorchy and offers another chance to get off grid.
Nestled amid regenerative forest, and situated on the banks of Twelve-Mile Creek, close to Lake Wakatipu, there are gentle walking trails to take, and the swimming is safe.
You can't book ahead, so try to reach here by mid-afternoon to bag a good spot.
Book it: From £6.50 per adult per night. Payable at site (doc.govt.nz)
Glenorchy - Mrs Woolly's Campground
After Passing through Queenstown, you'll soon be deep in Lord of the Rings country and its various film locations, where Tolkienites can pay homage at Ithilien (otherwise known as Mount Crichton) before reaching laid-back Glenorchy.
At the heart of the community sits Mrs Woolly's rustic campsite, with five powered and 33 unpowered sites.
You've 360-degree views of the dramatic Richardson Mountains to gaze at, and it's just a short walk to the shores of vast Lake Wakatipu.
Hot showers are coin operated, costing £1 for five minutes. Next to the site, you can stock up at Mrs Woolly's General Store, which also serves light meals and cakes.
Base yourself here for stunning mountain hikes, and jet boat rides along the Dart River.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Tim Dowling: Why are my friends erasing me from their holiday memories?
After a sometimes fraught four-hour car journey, my wife and I and three friends arrive at a remote, sea-facing house in Greece. I've been here once before, a couple of years ago, but my memory of the place is fragmentary. I've remembered, for example, that you can't get the car anywhere near the house – you have to lug your stuff across a beach and over some rocks – and have packed accordingly. But the view from the top of the rocks still comes as a disheartening surprise. 'I forgot about the second beach,' I say, looking at the house in the distance. 'I didn't,' my wife says. 'Press on.' As we trudge along the sand, I think: how could I not remember this? Along with my bag I am carrying my wife's suitcase – whose wheels have never been less use – just as I did two years ago. It's precisely the sort of personal hardship I pride myself on being able to relate in numbing detail. Once we're in the house my brain serves me no better: I've retained a memory of the layout, which turns out to be back-to-front. This will cause me to lose my way over and over again in the course of the coming week: seeking a terrace, I will end up on a balcony, and vice versa. 'It's not that I don't remember it,' I say to my wife the next morning. 'It's that I'm remembering it wrong.' 'Do you remember getting up in the middle of the night to stand in the cupboard?' she says. 'Yes, I do remember that,' I say. 'And I wasn't trying to stand in the cupboard, I just thought it was the bedroom door.' A few days later more friends arrive. We have all been on holiday together many times before, in varying configurations, with and without children. These memories form the basis of a lot of the conversation. One evening I walk into the kitchen where a few people are preparing supper. They're talking about an Easter weekend in Dorset long ago, and laughing about egg-rolling in terrible weather. 'I was there,' I say. Everyone stops talking and turns to look at me. 'Were you?' says Mary, dubiously. 'Yeah,' I say. 'The weather was bad, as you say, and we went egg-rolling.' I try to think of another detail from the weekend that will convince them of my presence, but absolutely nothing comes to mind. Maybe, I think, I wasn't there. My wife walks in. 'What are we talking about?' she says. 'Easter in Dorset,' says Chiara. 'I remember that,' my wife says. 'Egg-rolling in the rain.' 'That's right!' says Mary. 'When I said that, everybody looked at me as if I had dementia,' I say. Everybody looks at me again, in a way that makes me want to go and stand in a cupboard. I recently read that to retrieve a memory is also, in some way, to rewrite it. Frequently recalled episodes are particularly fragile – the more you remember them, the more fictionalised they become. But to be honest, I'm not even sure I'm remembering this correctly. The next day everyone spends the afternoon reading on the terrace. At some point I fall asleep. When I wake, my book is resting on my face, the sun has set, and I am alone. I find everyone else in the kitchen, cooking. I open a beer and listen as my wife tells a story about a holiday in Portugal from 20 years ago. She is recounting the part about the hired van getting a flat tyre while going down a hill. This, at least, I remember. 'The tyre came right off the wheel and started rolling ahead of us,' she says. 'We watched as it rolled all the way down, and halfway up the next hill, till it slowed and stopped. Then it started rolling back down towards us.' 'Well, almost,' I say. 'What?' she says. 'Am I telling it wrong?' 'No, you're being remarkably accurate,' I say. 'Which is weird, because you weren't there.' 'Yes I was,' she says. 'No, it was just me and him,' I say, pointing to a friend whom I'll call Paul, because his real name is Piers. 'Yeah, it was just us,' says Paul. 'But I remember the wheel coming off,' she says. 'I can see it.' 'It's because he's told you the story so many times,' says Paul. 'My memory has infiltrated your brain to become your memory,' I say. 'That's so sweet,' says Paul. 'If you've got any more of mine,' I say, 'I'd quite like them back.'
Times
8 hours ago
- Times
Paradise found: these unspoilt islands off the Irish coast offer otherworldly charm
Go for a taste of cinematic sci-fi These pinnacles of rock make for an adventurous day trip with a hit of history and the austerity of the long-abandoned monastic settlement from the 6th century AD. The fact that it posed as the backdrop for the iconic end scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens might persuade the teens to go with you, too. The one-hour-plus boat journey can be a little hairy, but you're likely to spot dolphins swimming alongside your boat and it's well worth the trip and the steep climb to the top to marvel at the dramatic scenery, the colony of puffins that breed there, the monastic huts and to sit in the same spot as Luke Skywalker. Go to stretch the legs Getting to the 6.5 km long by 1.5 kmwide island is an adventure in itself as you traverse Dursey Sound on Ireland's only cable car, swaying above the rolling Atlantic. You may even be sharing with some sheep since they make up most of the inhabitants on this tiny island, along with colonies of seabirds. Despite its compact size it offers great landscapes and trails for walkers, who come to ramble the Beara Way walking trail. With no shops or restaurants, you'll need to bring supplies, and you're encouraged to embrace the slower pace of life: gentle rambling, birdwatching and those spectacular views of the Beara peninsula. Go for rugged adventuring Ireland's west coast is so breathtaking, it's worth cramming in more than one island and you'll be well served with the Aran Islands. The three windswept isles — Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer — off the Galway coast are as rugged as they come and are easily accessible thanks to the rapid ferry service that zips between them. The islands are small, perfect for family exploring and can be navigated by bikes, which can be hired locally. Inishmore, one of the locations for the Oscar-winning The Banshees of Inisherin, is as stunning off screen as on. Inishmaan, while small, packs a mighty punch with the Inis Meain suites — a clutch of luxury suites overlooking the Atlantic, while the even smaller Inisheer is a walker's paradise. Pack a picnic and hit the beaches, cycle or climb the 2,000-year-old ruins of Dun Aengus fort on Inishmore. • 100 Great Places to Stay in Ireland 2025 Go for a slow, sustainable weekend There's a sense of the edge of the world about the weather-beaten and wild Cape Clear, Ireland's southernmost inhabited island, perhaps because it was the last slice of home seen by thousands of Irish emigrants as they sailed to America. And not much has changed since the 19th century, as it continues its 'slow tourism' spirit. Milk the goats and sample the homemade ice cream at Cleire Goats visitor farm, bag yourself some local pottery at the harbour craft shop or sample some local gin at the Cape Clear Distillery. A short walk around the harbour will bring you to an enclosed bay where you can kayak through sea arches, and if you're on the island in September you can settle in for some grand tales at the Storytelling Festival. Go for the headspace This visit requires some planning if you're to make it out and back before the tide creeps in, but the reward for making it is a wild and free experience on an island measuring just 2.25km by 1km. It won't take you long to get around, but it makes for a nice summer day trip. Head to Carty's Strand at the back of the island, where you can swim, flake out on the sand for the day or spend it surfing (it's known for its great rollers), before heading to the one and only pub, Michael J Ward's, open from May to September. The RNLI encourages people to text Coney to 51155 to find out the safe crossing times for that day, but you could always bring a tent and try some wild camping — there are worse places to be stranded. Go for sealife spotting You may have to jostle your way through the hundreds of seals and dolphins fringing the island as the ferry pulls into the pier on Sherkin. It's not hard to see the appeal. For such a small island (4.8km long) it still delivers enough to keep you interested and active for a day trip: sandy beaches, walking trails, a Franciscan friary, a lighthouse and the Jolly Roger pub for a post-walk pint. There's not much in the way of food offerings here, so pack some snacks and enjoy the peace and quiet — the pace is slow and eminently chilled and life is simple. • Where to bring your teenagers for a screen-free weekend break Go for some deep-sea diving You can escape the bustle of the mainland at Ireland's most remote inhabited island, with its population of just 141 people. Wild in terms of its accessibility, lore and legend, Tory has a long, fascinating history that begins in prehistoric times with evidence of early settlements and ancient artefacts discovered there and the ruins of St Colmcille's 6th-century monastery. And it continues to this day with a Gaeltacht community who still consider themselves to be 'foreigners' on the mainland and who will regale you with stories, music and traditions. There's plenty here to keep you active, but it's probably best known as being a diver's dream with vertical cliff walls, crystal-clear rocky bottom, and caverns to explore. Go for the gardens If you didn't get to Italy but fancy a slice of the Italian outdoors, you can take the short hop from Glengarriff to Garnish Island in Bantry Bay. Created by the architect Annan Bryce and the garden designer Harold Peto 110 years ago, the luscious Italianate gardens are an enchanting mix of manicured and wild landscapes, designed to bring pleasure to visitors throughout the year and teeming with exotic species, vivid rhododendrons and azaleas, climbing plants and perennials. A sunken ornate pool, a Grecian temple and an Italian tea house complete the Mediterranean vibe. Look out for the colony of seals lazing on the rocks as you board the boat for home. Go for remote wilderness There's something appealing about exploring a remote island that few people have seen before, and the spectacularly rugged Clare Island in Clew Bay is as peripheral as it comes, but not so much that you might be twiddling your thumbs. You can spend your days walking, swimming, camping, cycling or hiking Knockmore Mountain. There's plenty of heritage here too, it being the home of the pirate queen Grace O'Malley, who ruled over the western seaboard from her now ruined castle and is said to be buried in the Cistercian abbey. A handful of accommodation options, including Clare Island lighthouse, Bayview House and a glut of B&Bs, means you can overnight and grab breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Clare Island Oven, which serves the gamut of tasty goods from breakfast focaccia to pizza. Go for the birdwatching The Saltees, off the Wexford coast, are home to Ireland's most famous bird sanctuary, and the Neale family, who grant permission to day-trippers to visit the otherwise uninhabited island. If you get there between April and July you'll catch the 2,000 puffins that live on the island, as well as lolloping seals and freewheeling seabirds, including gannets, razorbills and kittiwakes. The island is also known as the Graveyard of a Thousand Ships thanks to the myriad vessels that sank off its coast. Pack a picnic and take a ramble with your binoculars. You might even spot Prince Michael Neale's former throne, which he erected to himself as the 'king' of the Saltees.
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- The Guardian
From the best local hotspots to fraud protection: four ways ‘chief holiday officers' can ace their planning
With the holiday season fast approaching, most people will be busy seeking out the perfect destination. However, for chief holiday officers (CHOs), trip planning goes well beyond the simple question of 'where to go?'. While everyone else is dreaming about sipping cocktails by the pool or taking in the unforgettable vistas from a popular hiking path, CHOs are the ones building the 'who's paid what?' spreadsheets, reading every single review in painstaking detail, and downloading the multitude of apps that will introduce everyone to a wealth of local experiences. Yes, they are the people who thrive on good planning. CHOs love a bit of legwork, get great satisfaction in thinking of the unthinkable, and exude the role of organiser – especially when it comes to putting together a trip to remember. However, even the best CHOs could do with support, and to make their lives easier Barclays has curated a suite of products, including the Travel Pack1 (£14.50 per month), which offers cover for lost bags, cancellations and breakdowns for those who are looking for great value as well as peace of mind, and the Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month), which not only offers traditional travel insurance, but also a wealth of extras that help make any holiday feel safe, comfortable and – dare we say it – an adventure. From discounted fast-track security at airports to 24/7 concierge service, this means being looked after at every stage of the trip. So buckle up, these are the holiday gamechangers you never knew you needed. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, flights from UK airports departed on average 18 minutes and 24 seconds late last year. While even the savviest of travellers do their best to take delays in their stride, it can be a drag arriving at the airport only to be hit with the news that you're going to be waiting around a while – not to mention the inevitable check-in queues and uncomfortable waiting areas that have to be endured. Thankfully, the Barclays Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month) is designed to help soothe these moments. It comes with the DragonPass Premier+ app2, which offers a discounted fast-track service at airport security – all you have to do is pre-book online to avoid the stress and walk straight past those seemingly neverending queues. Once through, you can enjoy six free visits to more than 1,000 airport lounges, with 25% off at selected restaurants. With this extra assistance, that typically harried time spent at the airport can be transformed into a relaxing – and enjoyable – experience. Even better, if you boost your regular Barclays account with Blue Rewards3, you get access to exclusive Apple Original shows and movies only on Apple TV+. While escaping the great British weather is often at the forefront of most people's minds when booking a trip, CHOs are often thinking about how to make the most of their expenditure. The Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* allows you to collect Avios – the currency of the British Airways Club – with every £1 you spend on eligible purchases (T&Cs apply). Collecting Avios through day-to-day spending can save you money on flights, upgrades, hotels and car hire. If you plan to use your credit card abroad, then a Barclaycard Rewards credit card** comes with zero foreign transaction fees. Even better, you get 0.25% cashback on eligible purchases (T&Cs apply). Top tip: always pay in local currency to get the best exchange rate on the day. In 2025, keeping your bank account secure has to be a priority – and Barclaycard has a fraud team on hand in the UK and abroad. This means if the unfortunate does happen, Barclaycard will refund you for any fraud on your account, including associated interest payments. So keep your local helpline number close and get in touch as soon as possible if you think you've been targeted. The Barclays app4 also makes keeping your money safe abroad a breeze – you can temporarily freeze your account with the click of a button should you lose your card while away or fear it's been compromised. *Representative example. 80.1% representative APR (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. **Representative example. 28.9% representative APR (variable); purchase rate 28.9% p.a. (variable); based on £1,200 credit limit. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. Delving deep beneath the touristy hubs of any destination is a must when getting to know the wondrous places that host you. Visiting restaurants, markets and businesses that are owned and run by local communities not only enable you to experience the local way of life, but you can also be reassured your money is going back into the local economy and to those who need it the most. A part of the Barclays Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month), the digital concierge service provided by Ten offers seamless access to the best activities, events and eateries wherever you are in the world. From booking top-name restaurants to activities unique to the destination, the Ten activities hub will guide you to a list of unmissable things to do. Additionally, Ten allows you to book room upgrades and spa experiences in hotels. If your timing is right, members might also be offered complimentary tickets to exclusive events in town, such as music gigs and sporting events. Every good CHO knows that the best way to stay safe while travelling is to have reliable travel insurance that protects every aspect of your holiday. Teaming up with Aviva to include winter sports, cruises and even non-manual work outside of the UK, the Barclays Travel Pack1 (£14.50 per month) protects you on both family holidays and work trips, without any need for extra cover. And if you enjoy the freedom of having your own transport while travelling – especially with a family – it also comes armed with RAC breakdown cover, with unlimited UK callouts for account holders in any vehicle they are travelling in. Even better, this cover will ensure you have access to a hire car, alternative transport options (for example, you'll be able to take a train or plane), and overnight accommodation, if your car was to break down – ensuring your holiday doesn't come to an end too early. If you intend to be away for more than 31 days, you can purchase a 'longer trip upgrade' for up to 120 days. This option is ideal for those taking a sabbatical or those who are off on the adventure of a lifetime. A pre-trip call is all you need to remember, and then the fun can begin! Find out more about Barclays travel perks by visiting 1 Terms, conditions, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. You must have a Barclays current account, be 18 or over and hold this product for at least six months from the date of purchase – then you can cancel at any time. 2 Terms and conditions apply for the DragonPass Premier+ app and fast track security. 3 To join Barclays Blue Rewards, eligibility, conditions and a £5 monthly fee apply. 4 You must be 11 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.
