My Motorhome Trip in New Zealand was everything I hoped for. Will I do it again? Should you?

Five years. That’s how long it had been since I last saw my brother in New Zealand. Five long years of video calls with dodgy internet, missed birthdays, and online sibling banters. So, when Christmas and New Year started gaining visibility on the calendar last year, I did what a thoughtful sibling would do — I invited him over to India. But my brother, being the staunch Kiwi that he has become, turned the invitation on its head. “No, you come here this time!” he declared, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. After much back-and-forth, several calls filled with mock indignation, and a begrudging acceptance of his logic, I relented. And that, my friends, is how our great New Zealand Motorhome Expedition was born.

My first tryst with New Zealand happened way back in 2007 with my wife, when we were newly married. Prior to getting married, my travels had been dictated by my merchant navy career, hopping from one port to another, more focused on tides and shipping schedules than picturesque landscapes. The trip to New Zealand in 2007 was the first trip abroad in the sense holidays are supposed to be. Over the years, with several holidays behind us, our travel style has evolved. We have moved away from structured tourist-spots-hopping holidays and cookie-cutter vacations to self-driven road trip adventures — keeping them spontaneous and flexible.

Along the years, two kids also entered our lives, and, poor souls, they have got to experience very few “relaxed” holidays. Instead of all-inclusive resorts with planned activities, most of our family trips mean hours of driving, long hikes, impromptu picnics at scenic spots, and at the last moment itinerary changes to suit the new inputs that come along as we drive. A day could begin at 5 AM, and end at 11 PM, all the while on the road, hopping from point to point. Sure, we cover the touristy spots too, but what we truly root for are hidden gems, like little cafes with no name, the roadside stalls serving the best pies, and the sheer joy of soaking in everyday local life.

So, when New Zealand came into our plans for December 2024 — January 2025, we felt the need to step up our game. A regular road trip wouldn’t cut it because the team had already experienced many road trips and was now ready for more adventure. This time, we had to embrace the full adventure, things we had seen others do in 2007 but did not have the confidence to embrace — A Motorhome Road Trip… holidays, adventures and travelling on wheels!

Flight tickets and a motorhome van were booked quickly. No sooner had we finalised the itinerary and patted ourselves on the courageous lot we are, we started talking about the expedition to NZ with others too. Hearing our grand plans, my 75-year-old mother chimed in, “I’m coming too!” Thinking this was one of her spontaneous statements, I brushed it off with a laugh, politely and with courtesy expected of a good son. My mother may be old, but she is bold. And persistent too. Before we knew it, our merry band of four became five — my wife, two young teenager kids, my determined septuagenarian mother, and I! We started gearing up for what my wife aptly termed ‘an expedition’ — because calling it ‘an adventure’ didn’t quite capture the madness of taking a senior citizen on a cross-country campervan trip. So be it! We prepared for the expedition to NZ with a team having members aged 12 years young to 75 years old.

What ensued in the next few days is a story for a book, however, to sum up the experience in one line: New Zealand isn’t just ready for motorhome trips — it was practically designed for them! It has pristine roads smoother than a baby’s bum, an infrastructure that welcomes adventure enthusiasts and campers, and lacks terrifying wildlife — seriously, there are no reptiles or wild animals in the whole of New Zealand! The most dangerous thing we encountered was an overly ambitious Kia bird trying to steal chips from a car, and in that too, it failed!

Was I nervous about driving a 7.2-meter-long motorhome with beds for six people? Absolutely! Did we get the hang of it immediately? No, we did not! But now, having survived the adventure, sorry… expedition, I can confidently say that if I ever travel to New Zealand, it will be in a motorhome again. No second thoughts!

This article is to share a few pointers about the trip, and to log it for my next expedition, should one happen again to New Zealand.

Motorhome Magic

Imagine taking your home, shrinking it down, and sticking it on wheels. That’s a motorhome for you! Ours came fully loaded — WiFi, kitchen, toilet with shower, fridge, microwave, toaster, gas and electric hobs, music, TV, beds, water tanks, heating, cooling — you name it, we had it. The only catch? Space was at a premium. Every inch was a cleverly designed Tetris puzzle of storage and functionality. But hey, unlike a regular home, this one moved! How many houses can boast that feature?

Long scenic drives

Compared to India, where I am from, New Zealand appears like a speck on the map. It is deceptively small on paper, but don’t let that fool us. Distances aren’t just about kilometres — they’re about the sheer beauty that compels us to stop every few minutes. A supposedly simple 200 km drive turns into an all-day affair when there are waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, glacial rivers, and impossibly perfect picnic spots pulling you in every direction. Rushing through the country would be a disservice to this beautiful place, and to ourselevs; the landscapes compel us to stop and take them in.

Designated parking for the big one

Parking a motorhome isn’t like parking a car. A king demands space. Fortunately, New Zealand understands honouring the king and provides designated motorhome parking practically everywhere — city centres, malls, scenic spots… you name it. We expected to be banished to the outskirts of main city precincts but often found ourselves right in the thick of the action, within walking distance of campervan parking. We had provisioned to park the motorhome far from the cities, aiming to Uber our way to the hotspots. We were surprised — all cities we went to (Wellington, Napier, Picton, Christchurch, Taupo, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford, Hokitika, Nelson, Tekapo, Rotoria, Waitomo, Hamilton, Auckland) in NZ have designated motorhome parkings within their cities in their main squares, or within walking distance of it.

Designated campsites

The bohemia that surrounds a motorhome travel plan, built by years of watching exciting movies, is so carefree in New Zealand. Motorohomers and campervanners follow the guidelines, which include camping at designated places only. New Zealand has strict rules for these available on the city municipality’s website. While free camping spots exist, they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid uncertainty, we opted for paid campsites, especially to ensure my mother’s comfort, who at seventy-five also believes she is sweet sixteen. Free camping outside designated areas could result in big fines and disapproving glances.

A bit more on campsites

My deep dive into the world of campsites revealed three main categories:

1. Freedom Campsites — Free-spirited and cost-free but only accessible if your motorhome is self-contained (read: has its own bathroom).
2. Paid Campsites (Basic) — Offers parking with shared cooking and bathing facilities.
3. Paid Campsites (With Power) — Like the basic ones, but with the holy grail of modern life — electricity!

Given that we were traveling with a seventy-five-year-old mother and two kids, roughing it out completely wasn’t an option. We stuck to the paid-powered sites, which, in peak season New Zealand, were harder to get than front-row concert tickets. That said, I have a long way to go before I can call myself a hardcore camper. One step at a time — maybe next time, a real off-grid expedition? (Okay, I’m not getting ahead of myself anytime soon.)

Cosy Home

With five people crammed into a compact motorhome, things got cosy (that’s British for “slightly suffocating”). But here’s the beauty of it — when there’s nowhere to go, we tend to talk. And laugh. Not to miss, we fight too! We pass around snacks, play music in turns from our lists, and have the kind of deep conversations that only happen on long road trips. At times, two of us would need the loo at the same time, forcing one to hold tight while the other used the facility, deliberately delaying getting out — family bonding at its finest! In most other to-do’s, the ‘I’ was sacrificed, everything was about ‘we’.

Organisational Olympics

A motorhome is not just a vehicle — it’s a boot camp in organisation! Every item needed a designated home, or else we’d be starring in our own reality show: ‘Lost & Found — Campervan Edition’. Sweaters up top, snacks in the middle, water bottles within easy reach, and cutlery precisely where it belonged, strap this, tie that… our checklists were our gospel. One tiny lapse, and it was chaos. Case in point: a rogue cheese was left uncovered in a tuck box under the table. It didn’t just smell bad — it declared an air-pollution odour emergency. Thankfully, the search-and-rescue team (a.k.a. us) swiftly contained the tasty culprit. Lesson learned: when living in tight quarters, order is king, and cheese must always be sealed.

Supply Chain Management

We started the journey like survivalists — our fridge stocked for three days, determined to cook our meals. But reality struck fast. Cooking in a compact kitchen required patience, agility, and the precision of a Swiss watchmaker. So, we adapted: pre-cooked meals became our best friends, and eating out was limited to once a day. We also cracked the motorhome travel hack — making full use of campsite facilities for cooking, bathrooms, and laundry. This kept our storage space optimized and our van feeling less like a cluttered pantry on wheels. Lesson learned? A well-planned supply chain isn’t just for big businesses — it’s survival 101 in a campervan!

Weather Preparedness

When the weather gods were on our side, life inside the van was a breeze — literally! On cool nights, we’d fling open the windows, manholes, and doors, letting nature’s air conditioning do its magic. The mesh screens, our silent guardians, kept the pesky flies and insects out while allowing the fresh air in. But one must never underestimate the whims of nature. One drizzly night, the gentle pitter-patter of rain woke me up just in time to shut the manholes before we had an indoor shower situation.

Driving through the elements had its own challenges. Heavy rains? The rhythmic swoosh-swoosh of the wipers battled the downpour valiantly, albeit at a slower pace. Gusty winds? At times, the motorhome swayed ever so slightly, reminding us that we were essentially driving a giant moving box vulnerable to nature’s mood swings. Temperatures ranged from a crisp six degrees to a toasty twenty-eight — nothing we couldn’t handle with a little air conditioning wizardry.

Frugal Living

Living in a motorhome taught you the art of minimalism, voluntarily or otherwise. Cleaning water had to be used in moderation, food had to be managed wisely, and waste had to be minimized. Once the tanks were topped, we could easily go on for two or three days without refilling. The bags and packaging in which groceries and meals came were strategically deployed as garbage bags, thus reducing our carbon footprint even further. Cooking on board was possible but time-consuming, so we leaned on pre-cooked meals and the occasional restaurant indulgence. Laundry? Kept to a minimum — strategic outfit repeats and mix-matching became the norm. Even tiny habits, like sharing plates and glasses, added up. The best part? Being frugal wasn’t just about saving money — it also meant being kinder to the planet. Win-win!

The Power of Regimentation

Like in any expedition, it was important here too to delegate tasks and regiment-ise workflows. While the driving was assigned to my better half and me, my son took to character-building jobs — clearing the poop tank, grey water tank, and garbage bins — with unparalleled efficiency and interest. He even showed proficiency in converting seating into beds like a seasoned pro. My 12-year-old daughter, the snack manager, ensured we never ran out of essentials. She also washed dishes, though grudgingly. Everyone had a role, making the trip smoother and more enjoyable. My mother was the queen. She wanted to do some stuff, but we were happier if she did nothing. And, that’s how things got done in our regiment.

Safety First, Glory Later

Ah, the call of adventure is strong, but safety takes the front seat — always! Seat belts must always be on by everyone while driving… else be ready for a pesky roll or fall when on the road. From securing the cupboards before hitting the road to ensuring power cables and gas lines were properly disconnected, our checklist could rival a pilot’s pre-flight routine. And yet, despite our best efforts, mishaps happened. Speeding over an edge once sent our drawers flying open, sacrificing an entire crockery set in the process. Perhaps plastic plates would have been the sensible choice? But then again, can one truly sip coffee from a plastic mug or enjoy a fine wine from a plastic glass? Some compromises are simply unacceptable. Bottom line? Follow the golden rule: Safety First, Glory Later!

Is a motorhome expedition for you?

Who knows!

You know what it’s like when you have tried it.

Our 19-day New Zealand journey, with 8 days in a motorhome and the rest by SUV, was an experience of a lifetime. Yes, things could have gone topsy-turvy, but they didn’t — mostly. From breathtaking landscapes to unexpected family bonding moments, this trip was everything we hoped for and more. Will I do it again? No question about it.

So, if you ever dream of a New Zealand adventure, forget hotels and embrace the campervan life. My 2-cents would be to try a motorhome trip for 3-days. If you like it, extend it by a week. Then two weeks… so on, so forth. It would be your calling to move into a motorhome permanently.

I might one day.