New Zealand / Queenstown
Rent a Campervan in Queenstown Gateway to Fiordland
Queenstown is the adventure capital of NZ and the closest rental hub to Milford Sound. Three major companies have depots here. The surrounding landscape — Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables mountain range and Fiordland National Park — makes this possibly the most scenic campervan base in the country.
Queenstown Rental Pricing
| Platform | Pricing (NZD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jucy | $70-$130/night | Budget vans, popular drop-off point |
| Britz | $110-$260/night | Queenstown depot, good 4WD options |
| Maui | $200-$330/night | Premium motorhomes, newest fleet |
Smaller fleet availability than Auckland or Christchurch. Spaceship, Wilderness and Apollo don't have Queenstown depots — pick up in Christchurch and drive 5 hours south.
Best Road Trips From Queenstown
Milford Sound
300 km each way via Te Anau. Day trip or 2-3 day circuit. The drive itself is a highlight — Mirror Lakes, the Homer Tunnel (a raw single-lane tunnel blasted through rock) and the Chasm. Milford Sound cruise is the payoff — waterfalls, dolphins, seals and sheer fjord walls. Book a morning cruise for the best light. No camping at Milford Sound itself. Cascade Creek DOC campground ($15 NZD) is 70 km back toward Te Anau. Fill your tank in Te Anau — no fuel on the Milford road.
Wanaka
70 km north via the Crown Range or Cardrona. The Crown Range is the highest sealed road in NZ at 1,076m — dramatic views but challenging in winter. Wanaka is Queenstown's more relaxed sibling. Roy's Peak hike (6 hours) has the most Instagrammed view in NZ. The Wanaka Tree (lone willow in the lake) is right in town. Glendhu Bay DOC campground on the lake is $15 NZD/night. Albert Town campground is popular and well-equipped.
Glenorchy and Paradise
45 km from Queenstown along the lake road. The drive alone justifies the trip — mountains reflecting in Lake Wakatipu. Glenorchy is the trailhead for the Routeburn Track. Paradise (yes, that's its name) was a Lord of the Rings filming location — Isengard. No camping in Paradise itself but Twelve Mile Delta DOC campground is 30 minutes from Queenstown on the lake. Free for self-contained vehicles.
Doubtful Sound via Te Anau
Less visited than Milford. Requires a boat across Lake Manapōuri plus a bus over Wilmot Pass. Overnight cruises on Doubtful Sound are the premium NZ experience ($400-$600 NZD but worth it). The sound is three times longer than Milford and gets 10% of the visitors. Bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins.
Queenstown-Specific Tips
- → Winter is busy too. Queenstown is a ski town. June through August brings skiers and boarders. Accommodation and campgrounds fill up. If you're there for summer camping, December through February is peak.
- → Milford Road closes in winter. Avalanches close the Homer Tunnel road regularly June through September. Check the NZTA website for real-time conditions. Even in summer, weather can close the road temporarily.
- → Freedom camping is restricted. Queenstown Lakes District has strict freedom camping bylaws. Most lakeside spots are off-limits. Use the designated campgrounds or holiday parks. Fines are $200 NZD.
- → Fuel up before heading anywhere. Queenstown has multiple fuel stations but once you're on the road to Milford, Glenorchy or over the Crown Range, there's nothing. Te Anau is your last fuel stop before Milford.
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