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Rental company category:Low cost
Rental partner · New Zealand · Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown

Hippie Camper campervan hire in New Zealand

Vans for two or four travellers, departing from Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown

branches
4
departure cities
3
models
4
countries
2
on the Hitop and the Endeavour Camper
Automatic
berths depending on the van chosen
2 or 4
  • Airport branch
  • Departures from Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown
  • Depots close to the airports
  • Depots on the North Island as well as the South Island
  • Automatic gearbox on the Hitop and the Endeavour
  • Vans with two to four berths
  • Brand also present in Australia

Official website of the rental company

The rental company

Hippie Camper, vans between the North Island and the South Island

Hippie Camper is a converted van brand belonging to the thl group (Tourism Holdings), headquartered in Auckland. The rental company promises a simple formula, designed for backpackers and tight budgets. In New Zealand, the listing shows four depots in three cities: two in Auckland, one by the airport on Manu Tapu Drive, the other in Mangere; one in Christchurch, on Orchard Road; one in Frankton, the Queenstown airport district.

Four models are listed. The Drift, with manual gearbox, and the Hitop, with high roof and automatic gearbox, are designed for two; the Endeavour Camper, also automatic, offers four berths.

No Hippie Camper offers were recorded by CoolDrive in the country in October 2026. Prices, kilometres included, excess and “self-contained” certification therefore need to be checked in the offers in your search.

Our verdict: a well-spread network for travelling both islands, with departures near the airports most used by travellers and an automatic gearbox on most models. Weak points: a range limited to vans, nothing beyond four berths and no depot in Wellington or at the top of the South Island.

Rental company profile

Hippie Camper in detail: what you need to know

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

General information

Brand
Hippie Camper · thl group, headquartered in Auckland
Models listed
Drift, Hitop, Endeavour Camper · converted van and high-roof vans
Berths
2 or 4 · 4 in the Endeavour Camper
Gearbox
Automatic or manual · manual on the Drift
Official website
hippiecamper.com

Rental conditions

Mileage
Stated in the offer · no offer recorded by CoolDrive in October 2026
Excess
Specified in the offer · reduction options to compare before paying
Self-contained certification
To be checked · in principle required for freedom camping
Licence
In English · otherwise approved translation or international driving permit
Traffic
On the left · many one-lane bridges
One-way hire
To be confirmed · enter the return city in the search

Insurance and extras

Cook Strait ferry
To be booked separately · Interislander or Bluebridge, Wellington-Picton
Equipment
List in the offer · bedding, kitchen and accessories depending on the van

Network and availability

Auckland
2 depots · 13 Manu Tapu Drive (airport) and 470 Oruarangi Road, Mangere
Christchurch
Orchard Road · at number 159, airport area
Queenstown
Frankton · 50 Lucas Place, near the airport
Other country
Australia · same range of vans under the Hippie Camper brand
The fleet

Hippie 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.

Hi-top van

Sleeper van

Branches

Hippie Camper branches in New Zealand

Network

Hippie Camper also operates in one other country

Comparison

Hippie 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
Hippie Camper Drift, Hitop and Endeavour Camper vans Not recorded: specified in each offer Vans for two or four, 3 cities
Jucy Rentals Crib, Condo and Chaser vans Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded Several van formats, 4 cities
Escape Campervans Standard, Standard SC and SC Plus vans Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded Self-contained versions, 2 cities
Spaceships Rentals Beta, Sigma, Dream Sleeper and Cosmo VW vans Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded Choice of compact vans, 2 cities
Lucky Rentals Lucky Rodeo, Roadie, Rover and Rambler vans Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded Five van models, 2 cities
Our view

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

Hippie Camper is ideal if…

  • You are landing in Auckland and heading south
  • You want to cross both islands and return the van at the other end of the country, if the offer allows it
  • You are travelling as two and prefer an automatic gearbox
  • You are starting with Queenstown, Fiordland or the southern lakes
  • You are travelling as four and a van is comfortable enough for you

Hippie Camper is not ideal if…

  • There are five or more of you
  • You want a low-profile or an overcab: only vans are listed
  • You want to set off from Wellington, Picton or Nelson
  • You are aiming for the snowy southern passes in winter with no experience of snow
Practical tips

Our tips for booking with Hippie Camper

  1. Check the certification before planning freedom camping

    In New Zealand, spending the night outside a campsite is in principle reserved for certified self-contained vehicles, fitted with a fixed toilet, and only at authorised sites. Check in the offer whether the van you choose is certified. If not, plan on commercial campsites or Department of Conservation ones.

  2. Plan the crossing between the two islands

    To get from Auckland to Christchurch or Queenstown by road, you need to board at Wellington for Picton, on an Interislander or Bluebridge ferry. Book the van's space early in summer, and check in the offer terms that the crossing is permitted with the vehicle.

  3. Adapt your driving to New Zealand roads

    You drive on the left, often on winding two-lane roads. At one-lane bridges, a sign shows who gives way. Allow plenty of time: journey times often exceed those given by apps, especially with a loaded van and photo stops.

  4. Winter in Queenstown: think about snow chains

    From June to August, the Crown Range road towards Wanaka and the southern passes can be snowbound. Ask the Frankton depot whether chains are provided or optional, and follow road conditions on the NZTA website before each stage.

  5. Check the van before signing

    Walk round the vehicle with the agent, taking photos: bodywork, windscreen, tyres. Open the storage compartments, test the fridge, stove and lighting, count the crockery and keep the departure depot's assistance number in your phone.

What travellers ask

Your questions about Hippie Camper

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

We did not record any Hippie Camper offers in New Zealand in October 2026, and we prefer not to put forward a figure. New Zealand rates rise sharply during the southern summer, from December to February. Run a search with your dates and departure city: each offer shows its total price, mandatory fees included.

Where are the Hippie Camper depots in New Zealand?

Four addresses are listed. In Auckland, 13 Manu Tapu Drive, in the airport area, and 470 Oruarangi Road, in Mangere. In Christchurch, 159 Orchard Road, not far from the airport. In Queenstown, 50 Lucas Place, in Frankton. The exact depot and its opening times are given in the details of each offer.

Can I go freedom camping with a Hippie Camper van?

Only if the van is certified self-contained and you park at a site that allows freedom camping: that is the New Zealand rule. Certification depends on the model and its version; it is stated in the offer. Without it, sleep at campsites, which are plentiful near the country's major sights.

Which Hippie Camper van should I choose?

For two, the Hitop combines an automatic gearbox and a high roof, handy for cooking standing up; the Drift suits you if a manual gearbox does not bother you. For three or four, the Endeavour Camper is the only model listed with four berths. Compare the equipment of each version in the offer details.

Can I pick up the van in Auckland and return it in Queenstown?

Hippie Camper has depots on both islands, which makes this kind of journey possible. Choose Queenstown or Christchurch as the return location when searching: you will only see the offers that accept it, with any one-way fees included in the price. Also allow for the Cook Strait ferry crossing.

Verified customer reviews

They rented with Hippie Camper

4.3
818 reviews

Very responsive to all requests!

(anonymous)
New Zealand · Dec 2019
Avis Vérifiés

very practical in terms of interior layout. forgot to provide us with the electrical cable at the beginning. too bad.

(anonymous)
New Zealand · Aug 2019
Avis Vérifiés

Quick and efficient response

Bruno S.
New Zealand · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
All Avis Vérifiés reviews All Trustpilot reviews
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Hippie Camper campervan hire in New Zealand

Why book Hippie Camper with CoolDrive?

On CoolDrive, Hippie Camper appears in the same list as Jucy, Escape, Spaceships or Lucky Rentals, so you can compare vans, mileage and excesses in a few minutes. The price shown includes mandatory fees. Our experts know the specifics of New Zealand and help you choose the depot, the van and the direction of travel.

What licence do I need to drive in New Zealand?

A valid driving licence is enough if it is in English. Otherwise, New Zealand law in principle requires an international driving permit or an approved translation, to be shown with the original. Hippie Camper sets its own age and driving experience thresholds, stated in each offer: read them before confirming.

Is mileage unlimited with Hippie Camper?

As CoolDrive recorded no Hippie Camper offers in New Zealand in October 2026, we cannot confirm it. The included mileage is given in each offer. For reference, a route from Auckland to Queenstown via the West Coast of the South Island easily exceeds 2,000 km, detours included.

Which season should I choose for a van road trip?

Between December and February, in the height of the southern summer, it stays light late and vans go quickly: it is best to book several months ahead. March, April, October and November are quieter and often pleasant. In winter, nights are cold in a van and snow can close southern passes: check what heating is provided.

Can the van go on the ferry between the islands?

It is the usual way of getting from the North Island to the South Island, between Wellington and Picton. The ferry ticket is generally not included in the hire: book it with Interislander or Bluebridge. Also check in the offer terms that the crossing with the vehicle is accepted.

What should I check when picking up the van?

Before setting off, note with the agent every scratch, windscreen chip or tyre defect, and take photos. Test the fridge, stove, lighting and roof opening on the Hitop and Endeavour. Count the crockery and bedding, then save the rental company's assistance number.

About us

Hire a Hippie Camper van in New Zealand with CoolDrive Nomad

In New Zealand, Hippie Camper awaits you in Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown, close to the airports. Its vans cover trips for two, with the Drift or the Hitop, and for four, with the Endeavour Camper. From Auckland, the road leads to Northland, Rotorua or Tongariro; from Christchurch or Queenstown, to the Southern Alps, Fiordland and the West Coast.

With CoolDrive Nomad, you compare Hippie Camper with the country's other rental companies, such as Jucy Rentals, Escape Campervans, Spaceships Rentals or Lucky Rentals, and book at the total price shown. Our experts help you choose the van, the departure point and the season, and check the self-contained certification if you dream of freedom camping. For the exact rate, run a search with your dates.

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