New Zealand by Campervan: Our Practical Tips
64 Days, Two Islands and Murphy on Board
From mid-October to mid-December 2024, we spent 64 days travelling in our 4x4 Westfalia James Cook campervan and covered around 8,500 kilometres across the North and South Islands. Here, we share some of the experiences and tricks that helped us during preparation and on the road — from small everyday helpers and potential NZMCA benefits for those who can use them, to how we managed to get tickets for Hobbiton and for the rare opening days at Gibbs Farm.
Pak’nSave Grocery Coupons & Small Change
Gaspy: This fuel app belongs on every smartphone in New Zealand. It shows current prices nearby and helps you save a few dollars when filling up.
Pak’nSave coupons: Even without doing a big shop, you can save cleverly at Pak’nSave. The 6-cent fuel-discount coupons on grocery receipts are often carelessly thrown away and can sometimes be found in abandoned shopping trolleys. At the pump, if in doubt, ask your fellow New Zealand motorist how to redeem the coupon.
Small change: Better to have it than need it. Coin rolls and small notes saved us a lot of searching for change at washing machines, coin-operated showers and honesty boxes along the roadside.
NZMCA: Cheaper Campsites and Ferries
Who is the NZMCA worthwhile for? If you have been a paying member of the German Camping Club (Deutscher Camping-Club) for at least twelve months, you can join the NZMCA as a visitor to New Zealand. The annual fee is NZ$102 (approx. €52).
As of October 2026 · Euro amounts rounded. You should clarify any possible additional joining fee in advance.
Campsites: Membership provides access to member campsites. For two adults, they usually cost around NZ$10 (approx. €5) per night. According to reports from our New Zealand friends, they are not always idyllic, but they are a practical additional overnight option — and comparatively inexpensive with regular use.
Ferries: NZMCA members receive special rates with Interislander and Bluebridge. Particularly interesting is the short-term flexibility: with Interislander, the date and time can be changed free of charge up to two hours before departure; with Bluebridge, member fares can be rebooked up to one hour beforehand and are fully refundable.
Alternative: Before booking, also compare Wendekreisen. They also offer discounted Interislander tickets without membership. According to their offer page, these can be changed or cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours before departure. We booked our ferry crossings there and also used the change and cancellation options.
Information on partner clubs & joining
→ How fuel costs, ferry crossings and camping affected our budget
Hobbiton Evening Banquet: Sold Out😞 - 🎫Trick
Our goal: to experience Hobbiton in daylight and then, after the lavish feast, walk back through the dark Shire with lanterns. Although we checked months in advance, tickets for our preferred time slot were completely sold out.
Gibbs Farm: Securing Tickets for the Rare Opening Days
Because the Gibbs Farm sculpture park only opens on very few days each year, usually as part of charity events, tickets are highly sought after and difficult to obtain. When we were searching, either no dates were listed on the official website yet, or the tickets had already sold out. The charity dates are apparently not published directly on the Gibbs Farm website until shortly beforehand; by the time they appear there, tickets via the respective foundation’s website are often already gone.
We found organised day trips by bus, including a ticket, to be significantly overpriced.
Gibbs Farm 2027: Preview & Outlook
February 2027: Sweet Louise has announced a fundraising day at Gibbs Farm. Ticket sales are already open — however, as of late October 2026, the Gibbs Farm website still showed nothing about it.
March and April 2027: Before the winter break, there are usually one or two charity days.
May to August 2027: Winter break. According to Gibbs Farm, no visits take place during these months.
September to December 2027: With the New Zealand spring, the new season begins. Dates are usually announced in mid-2027.
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
Admittedly, a real cost factor. But the two boat trips into the Sound, the opportunity to explore it by kayak, the hot tub with a view of the fjord, significantly fewer day tourists and the guest-only campervan parking area directly in the fjord made the overnight cruise worth every cent for us. Murphy was, for once, not on board.
Franz Josef Glacier Flight: The Quieter Heliport
We definitely did not want to take off from Glacier Country Heliport — a helicopter mega-hub where what felt like dozens of helicopters wanted to take off at the same time. That is why we chose helicopter.co.nz (The Helicopter Line): We booked online, were taken by minibus to a much quieter heliport, and then took off in a manageable AS350 with only four passengers and the pilot.
For us, this was the more relaxed and personal option away from the hustle and bustle.
The Journey Behind It: Our Polarsteps Report
This page is an excerpt. You can find the complete route, all stops, our experiences and lots of photos...