The Waka Campa Outrider: A New 3-Berth Campervan for South Island Adventures
Updated: 3 days ago
Waka Campa has added a completely new type of campervan to its fleet, and the Outrider is a pretty significant step up in size and capability.
Built on a brand-new 2026 LDV Deliver 9, the Outrider is a 3-berth, certified self-contained campervan designed for travellers who want more room, more onboard facilities and more freedom to get away from the crowds.
There’s a fixed double bed at the back, a proper indoor wet room, an 80-litre fresh-water tank, roof-mounted solar, a large rear garage and something we think will be particularly appealing for South Island travellers: a diesel heater that works without being plugged into mains power.
That last feature makes the Outrider particularly interesting for winter and shoulder-season travel.
What is the Waka Campa Outrider?
The Outrider is Waka Campa's newest and largest campervan.
It's built on the 2026 LDV Deliver 9, with a custom campervan fit-out and a layout designed around three people, but best suited to two.
You can drive it on a normal full car licence, so despite it being larger than the other Waka Camper vans there is no special licence requirement.
And that's really the point of the Outrider: it's not trying to be a tiny campervan that's easy to squeeze into a supermarket car park. It's designed to give you considerably more space and facilities while still being a relatively manageable vehicle for a South Island road trip.
Can I get a discount on the Outrider?
Yes, when you book make sure you use code SOUTHISLANDBYVAN3 and get at least 3% off the hire price
The fixed rear double bed is a big plus
One of the things we really like about the Outrider's layout is the fixed rear double bed.
It measures 1.95 m x 1.40 m, so you don't have to convert the seating area into your bed every night.
That's something that can make a surprisingly big difference on a longer campervan trip.
During the day, the main living area has a dinette and table where three people can sit. At night, the table converts into a 1.70 m x 0.80 m single bed.
So you get two separate sleeping areas rather than having to turn the entire van into a bedroom every evening.
For a couple travelling together, that also means you can leave the rear bed permanently made up and still retain a proper seating and dining area at the front. For three travellers, the third berth is there when you need it.
Yes, you can actually shower inside, but there's a catch
The inside showeris probably the feature that immediately sets the Outrider apart from many campervans of a similar size.
The Outrider has a proper indoor wet room, with a shower tray, drain, curtain and fixed flush toilet. It's also the only Waka Campa vehicle currently equipped with an indoor shower.
There is one important catch, though.... The indoor shower is cold water only.
There is no hot-water system in the van.
Waka Campa supplies a solar shower for warmer showers, or you can use the hot showers available at many holiday parks.
It's worth knowing this before you book rather than discovering it when you're standing in the middle of Fiordland wondering where the hot water button is!
The wet room does, however, have another advantage that becomes very apparent in the South Island's less cooperative weather: you've got an indoor toilet and somewhere to clean up without having to walk outside in the rain. And if you've ever spent a week travelling through the West Coast or Fiordland, you'll know that isn't a small thing.
A campervan designed for getting outdoors
The Outrider's rear garage is another feature that caught our attention. There's enough space underneath the rear bed for bikes, surfboards and hard-case luggage, with additional storage shelves and a 12V socket.
For South Island travellers, this means you can transport your adventure gear without having to fill up the living area.
For cyclists in particular, this is an interesting option because the bikes can be carried inside the rear garage rather than on an external bike rack. That makes the Outrider worth considering if you're planning a trip that combines campervanning with cycling or other outdoor activities.
The feature we think South Island winter travellers will love
If there is one feature that really changes how you can use the Outrider, it's the diesel heater.
The Autoterm Air 2D heater runs from the van's own diesel tank and house battery, so you don't need to be connected to 230V mains power to heat the living area.
That means you can wake up somewhere remote on a cold South Island morning and still have heating without being on a powered campsite. And that's particularly useful because winter camping in the South Island isn't just about dealing with cold temperatures.
If you're considering a winter campervan trip, we've got a whole guide to travelling by motorhome in winter in the South Island, as well as our more general guide on when to visit the South Island. The Outrider is particularly well suited to this kind of travel because its heating doesn't depend on a powered campsite.
Solar power and 80 litres of fresh water
The Outrider also has a fairly serious electrical and water setup for a 3-berth campervan.
There's a 150W roof-mounted solar panel, a separate house battery and the ability to recharge from the engine or 230V mains when you're on a powered site.
Water capacity is 80 litres fresh and 80 litres grey. That combination gives you considerably more independence than a basic campervan, particularly when you're travelling away from holiday parks.
The Outrider is also certified self-contained, with a fixed flush toilet and integrated wastewater systems. If you're new to travelling in a self-contained campervan, it's worth understanding exactly what that means, and, importantly, where you can actually freedom camp.
Our South Island freedom camping guide covers the current rules and explains the difference between simply having a toilet in your van and being legally certified self-contained.
What about fuel?
The Outrider is different from Waka Campa's other vehicles in another important way: it's diesel powered.
The official combined fuel consumption is around 9.5 L/100 km, although Waka Campa recommends allowing around 10–12 L/100 km when loaded and travelling on hilly roads.
The 80-litre tank gives an approximate range of 700–800 km between fills.
Because it's diesel, Road User Charges (RUCs) apply. Waka Campa handles these as a prepaid estimate and then reconciles the actual amount against the odometer when you return the vehicle. It's something to factor into your rental budget when comparing the Outrider with petrol-powered campervans.
For more on the real costs of a South Island campervan holiday, take a look at our campervan budgeting and costs guide.
Who is the Waka Campa Outrider best suited to?
We think the Outrider is particularly interesting for a few types of traveller.
Couples who want more space
If you're travelling for a week or two, the fixed rear double bed, proper seating area, indoor toilet and shower and generous storage make the Outrider much more comfortable than a compact 2-berth.
Outdoor enthusiasts
The rear garage is a big selling point if you're bringing bikes, surfboards or other bulky outdoor equipment.
Winter travellers
The diesel heater, insulation and ability to operate without mains power make the Outrider particularly appealing for South Island winter adventures.
Travellers who want more freedom
With 80 litres of fresh water, an 80-litre grey tank, solar power, a house battery, heating and certified self-containment, the Outrider is set up for freedom campaing and spending more time away from traditional holiday parks.
Who might want something different?
On the other hand, the Outrider isn't necessarily the best choice for everyone. If your priority is a small, easy-to-drive campervan that you can squeeze into normal car parks, this probably isn't it.
If you're travelling as a couple and don't need the extra space, a smaller 2-berth campervan may offer better value. That's why we always recommend choosing your campervan based on how you actually plan to travel, rather than simply choosing the biggest or newest vehicle.
Our Christchurch campervan hire guide is a good place to start if you're comparing different rental companies and vehicle types.
Our verdict
The Waka Campa Outrider is an interesting addition to the New Zealand campervan rental market because it sits somewhere between a traditional campervan and a small motorhome.
It's still compact enough to work for a South Island road trip, but the fixed rear bed, indoor wet room, large garage, 80-litre water capacity, solar power and diesel heating give it a level of independence that you don't normally get in a 3-berth van.For us, the diesel heater and gear garage are probably the standout features.
If you're planning to explore the South Island in the cooler months, spend time outdoors, carry bikes or boards, or simply want more space to live comfortably on a longer trip, the Outrider is definitely one to put on your shortlist.
And don't forget to use code SOUTHISLANDBYVAN3 and get at least 3% off the hire price.
