Adventures around Queenstown: Campervan Edit

Fancy a few adventures around Queenstown – the adventure capital of the world? It’s a place where every corner turned reveals a photo-worthy vista, and every day presents a new adrenaline-pumping or awe-inspiring experience, combined with the inherent friendliness of New Zealand. Thanks Campstar for sponsoring this post!

When we popped home to New Zealand recently we finally organised a much talked about visit to Queenstown, and based on our experience (read: many late night organisational Whatsapps booking accommodation and tourist activities with the NZ family) to truly unlock the magic of Queenstown and the surrounding Otago region, I think it would be much better to ditch the rigid hotel bookings and embrace the open road with a campervan. The sheer value of flexible, spontaneous travel here is unparalleled – especially factoring in the beautiful changable weather.

Queenstown itself is an excellent base as it’s a gateway to some of the South Island’s most iconic locations, all within a flexible road trip radius. While you’re in town, get brunch in, have a Fergburger (worth the wait) and don’t miss out on their pies and gelato, make sure you catch the panoramic sunset views from the Gondola (taking the luge downhill is optional) and we did the Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise which was really scrumptious.

Adventures in Queenstown New Zealand — The Remarkables as viewed from our favourite Queenstown brunch place

You might start with the charming, gold-rush heritage of Arrowtown and you should absolutely go to Glenorchy, enjoy the curves of the coastal road and get a photo with the Red Shed, trying a fresh cheese roll in the local cafe before finding the smallest library in the world (approximately 1 block over).

Perhaps the day’s great weather report inspires you to push on directly to the epic landscapes of Milford Sound a day earlier than planned.

Or, maybe you decide to take the well-maintained picturesque drive to Mt Cook through beautiful scenery, with possible stops in towns taking in the tranquility of Wānaka and Lake Tekapo, before entering Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

With your accommodation and kitchen travelling with you, changing your plans is as simple as turning the key and driving.

The single greatest benefit of a campervan holiday (say, in one from Campstar) from Queenstown is unbeatable freedom. Imagine waking up to a pristine, mirror-like lake without having to rush to a hotel check-out time. One day you might be bungee jumping off a bridge, and the next you might discover a quiet, hidden trail that demands an entire afternoon. With a fixed accommodation schedule, these unplanned moments of beauty and adventure are often sacrificed. A campervan makes the journey the destination.

This freedom extends to where you choose to rest your head. Forget the stress of peak-season hotel prices in the town centre. Instead, a campervan lets you choose from a range of stunning overnight locations. How about this as your morning coffee view…?

You can opt for the affordability and incredible scenery of Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites, which are often nestled in nature right by the hiking trails, or even find a legal freedom camping spot just outside of town—waking up next to Lake Wakatipu with a mountain backdrop is a memory you won’t get from a downtown apartment.

While renting a campervan might seem like a premium option, the value it offers in combining transport, accommodation, and a mobile kitchen can lead to significant cost savings. Cooking your own meals allows you to bypass expensive restaurant bills, and choosing low-cost or free campsites, especially if you hire a certified self-contained vehicle, keeps your nightly expenses minimal. It shifts the budget away from costly stays and towards memorable activities. Like the spa overlooking Queenstown.

A campervan also provides an unmatched closeness to nature. New Zealand is a country of constant, jaw-dropping scenery, and having a mobile base allows you to fully immerse yourself in it. You can brew a cup of coffee with a view of snow-capped mountains right outside your door, or pull over to a secluded spot for a picnic whenever the landscape takes your breath away. This deep connection is the very essence of the Kiwi road trip experience.

Ultimately, flexible campervan travel from Queenstown is more than just a way to get around; it’s a philosophy for exploring a country that rewards spontaneity. It gives you the power to be an adventurer, not a tourist. So embrace the flexibility, download your camping app, and prepare for a journey where the only schedule that matters is your own. Top tip: campervan insurance policies may have exclusions for certain areas, and tourists often forget to check for these limitations, especially when traveling to remote locations or using specific services like those around Queenstown.