Big Little Campers

Big Little Campers specialises in compact campervans that combine the convenience of a standard van with the essential comforts needed for touring New Zealand. Their fleet is designed to be easy to drive, economical to run and well suited to everything from city streets to winding alpine roads.

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Most vehicles are configured for two travellers, making them an excellent choice for couples or friends exploring the South Island. Each campervan is fitted with sleeping accommodation, a kitchenette, dining area and practical storage for luggage and travel gear. Many vehicles are certified self-contained, allowing guests to stay at a wide range of campsites and designated freedom camping locations throughout New Zealand.

Big Little Campers has carved out a niche by focusing on compact, easy-to-drive campervans that are ideal for travellers who want the freedom of a road trip without the size and complexity of a large motorhome. Their vehicles are designed to be practical and comfortable while remaining simple to drive, making them a popular choice for first-time campervan travellers as well as experienced road trippers.

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Another standout feature is their Christchurch location, providing a convenient starting point for exploring New Zealand's South Island. Many travellers choose to begin their journey here thanks to easy access to destinations such as Arthur's Pass, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook, the West Coast and Queenstown.

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Big Little Campers also focuses on providing a straightforward rental experience. Their fleet is intentionally compact rather than offering a wide range of vehicle classes, making it easier for customers to choose a campervan that suits their needs without feeling overwhelmed by options.

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For travellers who value affordability, fuel efficiency and the flexibility to access places that can be difficult for larger motorhomes, Big Little Campers offers an attractive alternative. Their campervans strike a balance between comfort and practicality, making them well suited to couples and small groups planning to explore New Zealand at their own pace.

If you're hiring from Christchurch, you'll collect and return your campervan at the Big Little Campers depot located at Airpark Canterbury, 17/25 Logistics Drive, Harewood, Christchurch. The depot is just a few minutes from Christchurch Airport, making it a convenient starting and finishing point for a South Island road trip.

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Big Little Campers does not operate an airport shuttle service. Instead, they recommend taking a short Uber or local rideshare from the airport to the depot.

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One-way rentals between Christchurch and Auckland are available, allowing travellers to start their journey in one city and finish in the other. If you're returning your campervan to Christchurch, simply drop it back at the Harewood depot before making the short trip to the airport for your onward flight.

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As they operate depots in both Auckland and Christchurch it's always worth asking if a relocation deal is available if you're intending on a one way hire between the North and South (or visa versa)

Big Little Campers positions itself in the middle of the New Zealand campervan hire market. Rather than competing at the very cheap end of the market (occupied by the likes of Spaceship Rentals), the company focuses on delivering good value through a combination of well-equipped, self-contained campervans, transparent pricing and a straightforward rental experience.

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Rental rates vary depending on the season, with peak summer prices typically higher than winter. As a guide, daily rates generally range from around NZ$200–$400 per day during busier travel periods, while winter specials can be available from around NZ$80 per day. Discounts are also offered for longer rentals of 14, 21 and 28+ days, making extended South Island road trips more affordable.

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One of the biggest value advantages is that every campervan is certified self-contained, giving travellers access to designated freedom camping areas throughout New Zealand. This can significantly reduce accommodation costs compared with staying exclusively in holiday parks. Big Little Campers also includes a range of essentials in the rental price, such as unlimited kilometres, basic insurance, kitchen equipment and 24/7 roadside assistance, helping minimise additional costs once you're on the road.

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For travellers looking for an affordable, well-equipped campervan without paying premium luxury prices, Big Little Campers offers strong overall value—particularly for couples planning longer road trips or travelling outside the peak summer season.

Big Little Campers includes most of the essentials you'll need for a New Zealand road trip, so you can arrive, collect your campervan and get on the road with minimal preparation. Every rental comes with unlimited kilometres, certified self-contained accommodation, basic insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, quality bedding, bath towels and a fully equipped kitchen featuring ceramic crockery, cooking utensils, cookware, a camp kettle, espresso maker and camping stove. Drinking water, camping gas and USB charging points are also included, along with practical extras such as maps and on-road trip planning advice.

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While the core camping equipment is included, there are a number of optional extras available if they suit your trip. These include:

• Premium insurance to reduce your excess/bond to $0.

• Bike racks for travellers bringing bicycles.

• Roof racks and roof boxes for additional storage.

• Snow chains for winter travel.

• Child seats for families travelling with young children.

• Optional bedding upgrades, including luxury pillows, extra blankets and winter-weight duvets.

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For most travellers, the only significant additional cost to consider is the optional insurance upgrade. Every booking includes basic insurance, but this requires a security bond. Travellers wanting greater peace of mind can choose the premium insurance option, which reduces the bond to zero for an additional daily fee.

All Big Little Campers vehicles are certified self-contained, meaning they're equipped with a fixed toilet, fresh water and grey water tanks that meet New Zealand's current self-containment standards. This allows you to stay at designated freedom camping locations throughout the country, giving you greater flexibility and the opportunity to reduce accommodation costs during your trip.

This is an important advantage when hiring a campervan in New Zealand. Since 7 June 2026, only vehicles with the new Green Warrant self-containment certification can legally use areas reserved for self-contained vehicles. Older "blue sticker" certifications are no longer valid for freedom camping. Big Little Campers fleet meets the Green Sticker requirements, so you can travel with confidence knowing your campervan complies with the latest legislation.

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While having a self-contained campervan opens up many more overnight parking options, it's worth remembering that freedom camping is still regulated by local councils and the Department of Conservation (DOC). Some locations prohibit overnight camping altogether, while others restrict it to designated areas. Always check local signage and bylaws before staying overnight to ensure you're camping legally.

Their campervans are designed to feel much less intimidating to drive than a traditional motorhome. The company focuses on compact, automatic vans that are built for New Zealand's roads, making them a great option for first-time campervan travellers as well as experienced road trippers.

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The Little One is based on a 2018 Nissan NV350, measuring just 4.7 metres long. Its compact footprint makes it easy to park, navigate city streets and tackle winding South Island roads while still providing everything needed for comfortable camping.

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The Big One is built on a Toyota Hiace, one of New Zealand's most popular and trusted commercial vans. Although it offers full standing room inside, it remains relatively compact at 4.9 metres long, making it noticeably easier to manoeuvre than larger six to seven-metre motorhomes. The Hiace is well regarded for its reliability, comfortable driving position and smooth handling, making it well suited to long-distance touring.

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All Big Little Campers vehicles feature automatic transmissions, reducing driver fatigue and making them particularly easy to drive for visitors unfamiliar with New Zealand roads or left-hand-side driving. The company also designs and builds its own campervan interiors, with a strong emphasis on maximising space without compromising drivability.

Big Little Campers vehicles are especially well suited to:

• Couples looking for a compact campervan that's comfortable for both short breaks and extended road trips.

• First-time campervan travellers who want an automatic vehicle that's easy to drive and park on New Zealand's roads.

• International visitors seeking a hassle-free rental experience, complete with local travel advice and personalised recommendations from a team that has explored New Zealand extensively.

• Freedom campers wanting a certified self-contained campervan that can access designated freedom camping areas throughout the country.

• Road trippers planning longer itineraries, thanks to unlimited kilometres and discounts for extended rentals.

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Big Little Campers is likely to be a particularly good fit if your priority is spending your days exploring rather than relaxing inside your campervan. Their compact vehicles are ideal for travelling scenic roads, visiting small towns and fitting into standard parking spaces, while still providing everything needed for comfortable camping.

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Travellers who need sleeping space for larger families, want a luxury motorhome with premium amenities, or prefer a spacious vehicle with separate living areas may find that a larger four- to six-berth motorhome from another rental company such as Maui or Britz is a better match. However, for most couples and independent travellers, Big Little Campers offers an excellent balance of comfort, drivability and value.

Pros

• Compact campervans that are easy to drive and park, even for first-time campervan travellers.

• All vehicles are automatic, making them simple to drive on New Zealand roads.

• Every campervan is certified self-contained, providing access to designated freedom camping areas.

• Unlimited kilometres are included with every rental.

• Well-equipped campervans with bedding, towels, kitchen equipment and camping essentials included.

• Convenient Christchurch depot just minutes from Christchurch Airport.

• One-way rentals between Christchurch and Auckland are available.

• Discounts offered for longer rental periods.

• Smaller vehicles are more fuel-efficient than large motorhomes.

• Friendly, personalised service from a locally owned New Zealand company.

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Cons

• Fleet is primarily designed for couples, so there are limited options for larger families or groups.

• No airport shuttle service—you'll need to arrange a short taxi or rideshare to the depot.

• Smaller living space than a traditional motorhome, particularly on longer trips or during poor weather.

• Limited range of vehicle types compared with some larger rental companies.

• Premium insurance is an optional extra if you want to reduce your excess to zero.

• No onboard shower, so you'll rely on campground or public shower facilities during your trip.

• Compact storage means you'll need to pack efficiently, especially if travelling with bulky luggage or outdoor equipment.

Big Little Campers has built a strong reputation as one of New Zealand's highest-rated independent campervan rental companies. The company consistently receives excellent feedback from travellers, with a 5.0-star average across more than 260 Google reviews, alongside outstanding ratings on independent travel platforms such as Rankers.

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Across customer reviews, several themes appear time and time again:

• Friendly, personalised service before, during and after the rental.

• Easy-to-drive campervans that are comfortable and well maintained.

• Thoughtfully equipped vehicles with plenty of practical touches and camping essentials included.

• Excellent communication, with quick responses to questions and helpful travel advice.

• Reliable vehicles that perform well on long New Zealand road trips.

• Good value for money, particularly for couples looking for a compact campervan rather than a large motorhome.

Compared to:

• JUCY / Waka – Big Little Campers offers a more boutique, personalised rental experience with newer campervans and custom-built interiors, while JUCY and Waka have larger fleets and more nationwide depots.

• Britz / Apollo – Big Little Campers focuses on compact, easy-to-drive campervans for couples and small groups, whereas Britz and Apollo offer a much broader range of larger motorhomes and family-sized vehicles.

• Maui / Wilderness – Big Little Campers delivers excellent value and simplicity for travellers who don't need a premium motorhome. Maui and Wilderness are better suited to travellers wanting more space, luxury finishes and high-end onboard amenities.

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​Big Little Campers is an excellent choice for couples and independent travellers looking for a modern, compact campervan with personalised service.

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Compare Big Little Campers side by side with other Christchurch campervan hire companies.​

Big Little Campers is one of the standout choices for couples and solo travellers looking to explore New Zealand in a compact, modern campervan. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, the company has focused on doing one thing exceptionally well: providing thoughtfully designed campervans that are comfortable to live in and easy to drive.

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What impressed us most is the balance between practicality and comfort. The vehicles are small enough to make driving New Zealand's narrow roads and finding parking relatively stress-free, yet they're equipped with the essentials needed for extended road trips. Add in certified self-containment, unlimited kilometres and a strong reputation for friendly, personalised service, and it's easy to see why Big Little Campers consistently receives outstanding customer reviews.

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It's not the right choice for everyone. If you're travelling with a large family, want a spacious motorhome with a separate shower and toilet, or are looking for luxury accommodation on wheels, you'll likely be better served by a larger motorhome rental company.

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However, if you're a couple, solo traveller or two friends planning a South Island adventure, Big Little Campers is one of the companies we'd confidently recommend. It offers an excellent combination of quality, value and ease of use, making it a great fit for travellers who want to spend less time worrying about the vehicle and more time enjoying New Zealand.

• Book early for summer travel. Big Little Campers has a relatively small fleet, so campervans can sell out months in advance during the peak season (December to March).

• Consider a longer rental. The company offers discounted rates for extended hires, making longer South Island road trips better value than shorter bookings.

• Think about your insurance options. Every rental includes basic insurance, but upgrading your cover can reduce your excess to $0 for added peace of mind.

• Plan your airport transfer. The Christchurch depot is only a few minutes from the airport, but there is no complimentary shuttle service, so budget for a short Uber or taxi ride to collect your campervan.

• Depot: Christchurch (near Christchurch Airport), with one-way rentals available to and from Auckland.

• Fleet: Compact, automatic, self-contained campervans designed primarily for couples and solo travellers.

• Best for: Couples, first-time campervan travellers and anyone wanting an easy-to-drive campervan.

• Bathroom: Fixed toilet included; no onboard shower.

• Self-contained: Yes – all campervans are certified self-contained.

• Kilometres: Unlimited kilometres included with every rental.

• Insurance: Basic insurance included, with optional premium cover to reduce your excess.

• What's included: Bedding, towels, kitchen equipment, camping essentials, roadside assistance and trip planning advice.

• Reputation: Consistently excellent customer reviews and a strong reputation for personalised service.

• Value: A great mid-market option that combines quality, comfort and affordability without the price tag of a luxury motorhome.