Should you travel New Zealand in a campervan with an itinerary – or wing it?

Ingrid Walker has explored Aotearoa from top to bottom in campervans of all shapes and sizes. She’s experienced both the joy of a perfectly planned itinerary and the freedom of making it up along the way. In this blog, she shares her honest take on what it’s like to travel New Zealand by campervan – with tips to help you find the right balance between structure and spontaneity.

There’s something pretty special about hitting the open road in a campervan in New Zealand. Waking up to a new view each morning, pulling over when something catches your eye, and having everything you need right there with you – it’s a travel style that feels equal parts freeing and rewarding.

But when it comes to planning the trip, there’s always that big question: should you map out every stop, or just see where the road takes you? I’ve done both – from tightly planned itineraries to completely winging it – and there are definitely pros and cons to each.

If you’re planning your first campervan roadie, especially here in Aotearoa, this guide will help you figure out what kind of approach suits you best. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with the whole whānau, I’ve pulled together my top tips to help you find the right balance between structure and spontaneity.

Why New Zealand is perfect for a campervan adventure

New Zealand was made for road trips. The scenery changes dramatically every couple of hours – one minute you’re driving through alpine passes, the next you’re winding along a rugged coastline or parked up beside a peaceful lake. Having a campervan means you can stop whenever you like, take the scenic route, and stay a little longer when a place surprises you (and trust me, that happens often).

There’s also a great mix of freedom camping spots, DOC campsites, and well-equipped holiday parks dotted all over the country, so you’ve got options whether you’re after simplicity or all the bells and whistles.

Driving in New Zealand is pretty straightforward too – distances are short, traffic outside the cities is light, and the locals are usually happy to help if you’re unsure of anything. Whether you’re a first-timer or you’ve road-tripped before, hiring a campervan in New Zealand just makes sense – it’s accessible, flexible, and hands-down one of the best ways to explore.

The case for travelling with a set itinerary

I’ll admit, I’m a planner at heart – and when I did my first big campervan trip around New Zealand, having a set itinerary gave me a lot of peace of mind. Knowing where we were staying each night, having activities booked in, and not having to scramble for campsites made the whole experience feel more relaxed. It was especially helpful because we were travelling during summer, when things can book out fast – particularly in places like Queenstown, Rotorua, and along the West Coast.

Having a schedule really paid off when we rolled into Queenstown late one afternoon. Every holiday park in town was packed, and we saw people being turned away at reception. Luckily, we’d booked ahead – we had a powered site waiting for us and didn’t have to worry about where we were going to sleep.

A set itinerary is also great for making the most of your time, especially if you're on a shorter trip or travelling with kids. You can lock in must-see experiences like Hobbiton, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, or a Milford Sound cruise and build your route around them.

The trade-off? There’s less room for spontaneity. You might drive past a waterfall or a quirky roadside café and not have time to stop. And if the weather suddenly turns, your plans may need to shift, which can be tricky if everything is pre-booked.

The joy of winging it on a campervan road trip

There’s something pretty special about waking up, checking the weather, and deciding where to head next over your morning coffee. No rush, no firm plan – just the open road and a general sense of direction. On my second trip around New Zealand, I decided to take a looser approach, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had.

One day, we were loosely headed south from Nelson and took a spontaneous turn toward Golden Bay. We ended up at Wainui Bay – a quiet, golden-sand beach tucked away at the edge of Abel Tasman National Park. We hadn’t planned to stop, but we ended up staying two nights. That kind of freedom to go where the mood takes you is hard to beat.

This approach is perfect for longer trips or if you’ve already ticked off the big-ticket experiences. It gives you room to follow local tips, stay an extra night somewhere unexpectedly beautiful, or change plans entirely if the forecast isn’t in your favour.

The downside? You might miss out on popular spots that need to be booked in advance, like guided glacier hikes or certain national park campsites. And during peak season, it can be harder to find last-minute spots at holiday parks.

Top tip: If you’re travelling this way, download the thl Roadtrip app. It’s a game-changer for finding last-minute campsites, dump stations, and activities nearby – especially when you’re off the beaten track or changing plans on the go.

How the seasons affect your travel style

One thing I’ve learned is that the time of year can really influence whether planning ahead or winging it works better.

In summer (December to February), it pays to book ahead – especially in popular spots like Queenstown, Abel Tasman, or around school holidays. Campsites, activities, and even some scenic DOC sites fill up fast, and having a plan helps avoid last-minute stress.

Winter (June to August) is much quieter on the roads, but some freedom camping areas and attractions may be closed or harder to access. Planning ahead means you can make the most of shorter daylight hours and stay in places with good heating and facilities.

Spring and autumn are my personal favourites. These shoulder seasons give you more flexibility with bookings, milder weather, and fewer crowds, making them perfect for a semi-planned approach where you book a few key stops and let the rest unfold.

Top tip: If you’re not tied to travel during peak times, consider planning your roadie for shoulder season. It gives you the best of both worlds – a bit of structure and plenty of space to be spontaneous.

Tips for balancing planning and spontaneity

After a few different road trips around New Zealand, I’ve figured out that I’m happiest somewhere between full-on planner and total free spirit. I like having a rough framework to follow – just enough to stay on track – while keeping things flexible enough to change direction if something better comes along.

Here are a few tips that have worked well for me:

Plan the framework, not every detail – I book popular spots like Franz Josef or Queenstown ahead of time, especially during busy periods, but I leave gaps in between to explore at my own pace.

Use the thl Roadtrip app – It’s brilliant for finding last-minute campsites, dump stations, fuel stops, and local attractions when plans change on the fly.

Be flexible with time, not your must-dos – If something’s a real priority, I lock it in early. Then I plan loosely around that, knowing the rest can shift if needed.

Mix holiday parks with freedom camping – I love staying at a holiday park every few nights for a long hot shower and a laundry top-up, then using freedom camping in between to stay flexible and keep costs down.

Keep an eye on the weather – NZ’s conditions can change quickly, especially in the mountains. I’ve switched coasts mid-trip to dodge a rain system, and it ended up being the best decision of the week.

Build in buffer days – Giving myself an extra day or two in the itinerary means I can spend longer somewhere beautiful, wait out bad weather, or just take a slow day when needed, without throwing everything off.

The beauty of a campervan trip is that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A bit of structure and a bit of spontaneity can make for the perfect balance.

What type of traveller are you?

It really comes down to knowing your travel style. If you love structure, get a thrill from ticking off your must-see list, or feel more relaxed knowing where you’ll be each night, then planning your itinerary in advance is probably the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer to follow your instincts, leave space for surprises, and don’t mind a little uncertainty, then letting the road lead you can be incredibly rewarding.

Most of us fall somewhere in between – and that’s totally fine. Your ideal approach might depend on the season, how long you’re travelling for, or who you’re with. I’ve done more structured trips when I was short on time or travelling with others, and more relaxed ones when I had the freedom to go at my own pace.

The best part about travelling New Zealand by campervan or motorhome is that there’s no one right way to do it. Whether you’ve got a colour-coded map or a vague idea and a full tank, this country is made for road trippers. So pick the style that works for you, stay open to the unexpected, and enjoy the ride.

Ready to hit the road?

If you love a detailed itinerary or prefer to follow the road wherever it leads, travelling New Zealand by campervan gives you the freedom to explore on your terms. With stunning scenery around every corner, well-equipped campsites, and endless opportunities to explore, it’s the kind of trip you’ll be talking about for years.

Book your Apollo campervan online today and start shaping your own version of the ultimate New Zealand roadie – planned, spontaneous, or somewhere perfectly in between.