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Rental company category:Low cost
Rental partner · New Zealand · Automatic vans

Happy Camper campervan hire in New Zealand

Five automatic vans observed, with two to four berths, to pick up near Auckland and Christchurch airports

per day, from (observed prices)
€21
public rating, 169 reviews
4.0/5
branches
2
departure cities
2
models
15
countries
3
of the 40 offers observed with no kilometre limit
100%
excess observed, the same on all five vans
€1,520
  • Airport branch
  • Pick-up at Lucky Rentals, near Auckland and Christchurch airports
  • Unlimited kilometres in the 40 offers observed
  • Five vans observed, all automatic
  • Up to four berths with the Happy Cruise
  • Brand also present in Iceland and South Africa

Official website of the rental company

The rental company

Happy Camper, vans for couples and small families on both islands

Happy Camper, also found under the name Happy Campers, hires out vans in New Zealand from two cities: Auckland, on the North Island, and Christchurch, on the South Island. Its two depots are listed as “c/o Lucky Rentals”: you are welcomed at this rental company's premises, in the Airport Oaks area in Auckland and on Wairakei Road in Christchurch, two addresses close to the airports. The brand also hires out vehicles in Iceland and South Africa.

The listing includes 15 models, mostly high-roof vans. Our October 2026 observations cover five of them, all automatic: the Happy Trail for two, the Happy Scout (three seats, two berths), the Happy Horizon and the Happy Summit for three, and the Happy Cruise, which sleeps four people.

The 40 offers observed all come with unlimited mileage, with an excess of around €1,520 whatever the model.

Our view: an interesting option for travelling without breaking the bank, especially outside the southern summer, with vans that suit couples and small families alike. Its limits: only two departure cities, no model observed with more than four berths, and additional costs (excess reduction, cleaning, gas) to read closely before paying.

Rental company profile

Happy Camper in detail: what you need to know

The key facts to decide whether Happy Camper suits your trip.

General information

Brand
Happy Camper · also written Happy Campers
Vehicle types
High-roof vans and converted vans · the listing also includes an overcab, the Happy Kea 4
Models observed
Happy Trail, Scout, Horizon, Summit, Cruise · 40 offers observed in October 2026
Berths
From 2 to 4 · four with the Happy Cruise
Transmission
Automatic · on the five vans observed; the Happy Kea 4 and the Happy 2 ST are listed as manual

Rental conditions

Mileage
Unlimited · across all the offers observed
Excess
Around €1,520 · same amount on the five models observed
Minimum age
Specified in each offer · along with the years of licence required
Licence
Valid driving licence · in English, or supplemented by an approved translation or an international driving permit
Security deposit
Amount stated in the offer · credit card generally required
One-way hire
Depending on the offers · enter a different return city in the search

Insurance and extras

Excess reduction
Paid option possible · options and price detailed in the offer
Additional costs
Cleaning, gas, equipment · according to the rental company's conditions

Network and availability

Auckland
Airport Oaks · 107 Montgomerie Road, near the airport, outside the terminal
Christchurch
Wairakei Road · at number 791, close to the airport
Counter
Lucky Rentals · both depots are listed as “c/o Lucky Rentals”
Other countries of the brand
Iceland, South Africa
The fleet

Happy Camper vehicles in New Zealand

Models offered by the rental company. Not all of them are available at every branch: the search form shows availability and prices.

C-class motorhome

Campervan

Hi-top van

Sleeper van

Observed prices

Prices recorded at Happy Camper in New Zealand

Vehicle Winter July Spring October Summer January Autumn April
Campervan from €22/day median €33/day from €23/day median €36/day from €51/day median €91/day from €21/day median €56/day

Daily prices recorded at Happy Camper on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental from its branches in New Zealand: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,520.

Branches

Happy Camper branches in New Zealand

Network

Happy Camper also operates in 2 other countries

Comparison

Happy Camper compared with other rental companies in New Zealand

Our comparison of the country's rental companies: each has its strengths depending on your trip.

Rental company Vehicles Mileage Best for
Happy Camper Happy Trail, Scout, Horizon, Summit and Cruise vans Unlimited in 100% of the offers observed Automatic vans with 2 to 4 berths, 2 cities
Lucky Rentals Lucky Rodeo, Roadie, Roadie Plus, Rover and Rambler vans Unlimited in 100% of the offers observed Five van models observed, 2 cities
Jucy Rentals Crib, Condo and Chaser vans Unlimited in 100% of the offers observed Vans, 4 departure cities
Kiwi Campers Kiwi 2, Kiwi Hi 4, Kiwi Hi 5, Kiwi Deluxe… vans Unlimited in 100% of the offers observed Eight van models observed, 2 cities
Pacific Horizon Vans and motorhomes, from the 2+1 to the SAM Motorhome Unlimited in 100% of the offers observed Large motorhomes, 3 cities
Our view

Happy Camper: who is it for, and who should look elsewhere?

Happy Camper is ideal if…

  • You are travelling as a couple on a tight budget and a simple van suits you
  • There are four of you and you all want to sleep on board: the Happy Cruise offers four berths
  • You are landing in Auckland or Christchurch and want to take the wheel without crossing the city
  • An automatic gearbox will help you get used to driving on the left
  • You are travelling in July or October, the most affordable months in our observations

Happy Camper is not ideal if…

  • There are five or more of you: no model observed has more than four berths
  • Your route starts in Wellington, Queenstown or Nelson
  • You want a coachbuilt campervan with a proper living space: look at Pacific Horizon or McRent
  • You can only travel in January, the month when observed prices peak
Practical tips

Our tips for booking with Happy Camper

  1. Look for the Lucky Rentals sign

    Both Happy Camper depots are listed as “c/o Lucky Rentals”: so it is at this rental company's counter that you are handed the van. In Auckland, the address is in the Airport Oaks business area, a stone's throw from the airport; in Christchurch, on Wairakei Road. Keep the key handover times noted on your confirmation close at hand.

  2. Count the berths, not just the seats

    The Happy Scout carries three people but sleeps only two. For three sleepers, go for the Happy Horizon or the Happy Summit; for four, the Happy Cruise. If the listing gives the dimensions, look at them too: a vehicle longer than expected makes parking harder in town and on small roads.

  3. Review the costs before confirming

    The CoolDrive price includes mandatory fees, but other expenses depend on your choices or on the van's condition on return: excess reduction, extra equipment, cleaning, gas refill. Read the offer conditions line by line, then return the vehicle clean and with the required level.

  4. Take your time over the condition check

    Before leaving the car park, photograph each side of the van and have existing scratches noted on the contract. Light the stove, test the fridge, count the crockery and bedding, then save the assistance number in your phone. With an excess of around €1,520, this quarter of an hour is time well spent.

  5. Bet on the southern spring

    In our observations, the January median reaches nearly three times that of July. October, in the southern spring, stays close to winter rates with lengthening days; April, in autumn, sits between the two. In the depths of winter, check the condition of the South Island passes before setting your stages.

What travellers ask

Your questions about Happy Camper

Where can you pick up a Happy Camper van in New Zealand?

Two addresses are offered, both at the Lucky Rentals counter. In Auckland, pick-up is at 107 Montgomerie Road, in the Airport Oaks area, right next to the airport. In Christchurch, it is at 791 Wairakei Road, close to the airport. Neither is in a terminal: plan a short transfer and check the appointment time on your confirmation.

Which Happy Camper van should you choose for your group size?

For two, the Happy Trail is the simplest in the range observed. The Happy Scout adds a third seat, with no extra berth. For three travellers sleeping on board, the Happy Horizon and the Happy Summit are suitable. A family of four will turn to the Happy Cruise. All five have an automatic gearbox.

Is mileage limited with Happy Camper?

No, according to our observations: the 40 Happy Camper offers observed in October 2026, across the five models, let you drive with no kilometre cap. A tour linking Northland, Rotorua, the West Coast glaciers and Fiordland can therefore be planned with no per-kilometre surcharge. The applicable rule is still written in the offer you choose.

What is the link between Happy Camper and Lucky Rentals?

The two Happy Camper depots in the country are listed as “c/o Lucky Rentals”: pick-up and return take place at this rental company. Each brand nevertheless keeps its own range, Happy Trail or Happy Cruise on one side, Lucky Rodeo or Lucky Rover on the other. Run a search on your dates to see both side by side, with their conditions.

How much does a Happy Camper hire in New Zealand cost?

For a 15-day hire, our prices observed in October 2026 start at €21 per day, mandatory fees included, with the Happy Trail. The median for a Happy Camper van is around €33 per day in July, €36 in October, €56 in April and €91 in January. The Happy Summit, in high season, approaches €115 per day. Your dates will give the exact amount.

Verified customer reviews

They rented with Happy Camper

4.3
818 reviews

Public rating of Happy Camper

Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (169 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

This is the second time I have used the services of Cooldrive for trips in NZ. I can only say good things about their advice and the follow-up on their offers. However, during my last experience, the rental of a van got off to a bad start due to a rental company's failure to meet its commitments. Through their professionalism, Cooldrive was able to get them to reconsider their decision and revert to the initial conditions.

F.
New Zealand · Jan 2024
Trustpilot

After an unanswered complaint email, a registered letter is being sent today to request a refund for an overcharge demanded on-site under the threat of not providing us with the van.

(anonymous)
New Zealand · Apr 2023
Avis Vérifiés

Yes, however, we planned a vehicle template that suited us for our trip preparation, but we ended up with a much longer one, which penalized us for parking and made driving in tight spaces more complicated.

(anonymous)
New Zealand · Feb 2020
Avis Vérifiés
All Avis Vérifiés reviews All Trustpilot reviews
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Happy Camper campervan hire in New Zealand

Why book Happy Camper with CoolDrive?

A CoolDrive search lines up Happy Camper vans with those of other New Zealand rental companies for the same dates, and the amount advertised already includes mandatory fees. You read the excess, the mileage rule and the options offered before paying, with no last-minute discoveries at the counter. If you are torn between two models or between Auckland and Christchurch, our experts help you decide.

What excess and security deposit does Happy Camper charge?

In October 2026, the excess observed on the five Happy Camper vans amounts to around €1,520. This is the maximum sum you pay in the event of damage, unless you take out a reduction offered in the offer. The security deposit is usually blocked on your credit card on the day of pick-up: make sure its limit allows for it.

What licence do you need to drive a Happy Camper van?

The vans in the range can be driven with a car licence. If yours is not written in English, New Zealand regulations require it to be accompanied by an approved translation or an international driving permit. The required age and years of licence appear in each offer. Bear in mind that traffic drives on the left throughout the country.

Can you pick up the van in Auckland and leave it in Christchurch?

With a depot on each island, this route is tempting, but its availability varies with the dates and fees may apply. Enter Christchurch as the return city in the search: only the offers that accept this journey appear, price included. Between the two islands, the van boards the Wellington-Picton ferry, to be booked separately.

Where can you spend the night with a Happy Camper van?

Holiday parks and Department of Conservation campsites welcome all vans. Free camping, on the other hand, is often limited to certified self-contained vehicles, and fines penalise any breaches. Certification does not appear in the names of the models observed: check it on your van's page before planning nights away from campsites.

Which season should you choose to hire a Happy Camper van?

Our observations place July and October among the gentlest months for your budget, April a notch above and January considerably higher. The southern summer offers long evenings but fills campsites and ferries: book early. Spring, in October and November, combines quieter roads with landscapes in bloom.

About us

Hire a Happy Camper van in New Zealand with CoolDrive Nomad

In New Zealand, Happy Camper offers a range of vans designed for couples and small families, from the Happy Trail for two to the Happy Cruise for four. Vehicles are picked up in Auckland and Christchurch, at the Lucky Rentals counter, near the airports. In the offers observed in October 2026, kilometres are unlimited and the excess is around €1,520, useful benchmarks for a tour of both islands.

On CoolDrive Nomad, you set Happy Camper against other rental companies in the country, such as Lucky Rentals, Jucy Rentals, Kiwi Campers or Pacific Horizon, then pay a price that already includes mandatory fees. Unsure about the model, the departure city or the crossing between the islands? Our experts are there to talk it through. Enter your dates and departure city to get the exact price.

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