Motorhome travel suits Australia and New Zealand better than almost any other destination — well-maintained roads, extensive holiday park infrastructure, and landscapes that reward stopping wherever something looks compelling. ANZCRO manages motorhome bookings as part of a wider itinerary package, giving advisors a single point of contact for all components.
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Why is motorhome travel a strong recommendation for clients?
The format solves the scale problem: both countries are large relative to their headline attractions, and a motorhome converts driving time into part of the experience. Clients sleep where they stopped and wake up in the scenery. Best suited to:
- Couples and small groups – Flexibility without multiple hotel bookings. A shared travel rhythm many find more enjoyable than coordinating separate accommodation nightly.
- Families – One vehicle, one base, no repeated packing. Kitchen facilities keep food costs manageable and children find the motorhome itself part of the adventure.
- Returning visitors – A more immersive, self-directed experience through regional areas missed on a first visit.
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When is the best time to book and how far in advance?
Timing is the single most important variable. Peak season hire and holiday parks both fill fast — raise the booking timeline at the first conversation.
| Season | Conditions | Booking Lead Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb (peak summer) | Best weather but tightest availability. Holiday parks at Queenstown, Noosa, and the Great Ocean Road fill weeks ahead. | 6–12 months. Flexibility on dates improves availability significantly. |
| Mar – May (autumn) | Excellent conditions, manageable crowds, good holiday park availability. ANZCRO’s recommended motorhome season. | 3–6 months. Easier to secure preferred dates. |
| Jun – Aug (winter) | Cooler in alpine and southern regions. Some freedom camping areas restricted. Fan heater essential — must be pre-booked. | 2–3 months. Advise All In rate for winter travel. |
| Sep – Nov (spring) | Improving weather, lower crowds, shorter booking lead times. Strong value season for flexible clients. | 2–3 months. Good option for clients avoiding peak pricing. |
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Where can clients pick up and drop off a motorhome?
New Zealand has three pickup and dropoff locations: Auckland (North Island gateway), Christchurch (South Island gateway), and Queenstown. Clients wanting to travel both islands can take their motorhome on the Interislander ferry between Wellington and Picton — a scenic 3.5-hour crossing through the Marlborough Sounds. A vehicle fee applies; ANZCRO coordinates the booking.
Australia has significantly more flexibility — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, and Cairns all offer pickup and dropoff, with one-way rentals available between most combinations. One-way itineraries (Sydney to Cairns, Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road, Darwin to Broome) are particularly strong sellers. ANZCRO can advise on one-way fees and build accommodation extensions at either end.
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What is included in a motorhome hire package and what should advisors brief clients on?
Standard inclusions across most packages: all bedding and linen, full kitchen equipment (crockery, cookware, utensils), gas cooking, and built-in GPS. Clients pack clothes and food only.
The All In rate adds outdoor table and chairs, children’s booster and car seats, and — most importantly — an electric fan heater. ANZCRO recommends the All In rate for most clients, particularly families and anyone travelling outside peak summer. The fan heater is the critical inclusion: motorhomes get cold overnight in alpine regions, the South Island, and Tasmania in winter.
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What should advisors’ brief clients on before a motorhome vacation?
The quality of the pre-departure briefing is one of the most significant factors in how well a motorhome holiday goes.
- Vehicle size and road width – Motorhomes are large. Some scenic roads in both countries are narrow, winding, and steep. Clients who are not confident drivers should stick to main highways. Brief specifically on routes like the Coromandel Peninsula and South Island mountain passes.
- Wildlife hazards – In Australia, kangaroos and wombats are a genuine collision risk at dusk and dawn. In New Zealand, possums and sheep. Advise clients firmly to avoid rural driving in low-light periods.
- Freedom camping rules – New Zealand: permitted in designated areas; self-contained motorhomes have access to more locations. Australia: rules vary significantly by state — national parks generally prohibit it outside designated campgrounds. CamperMate app covers both countries and is the most practical client tool for finding legal overnight spots.
- Peak season holiday parks – At locations like Queenstown, Rotorua, Noosa, and Airlie Beach, holiday parks fill well in advance in December–February. Brief clients to pre-book key nights while leaving flexibility for less popular stops.
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What are the best motorthome routes in Australia & New Zealand?
- Auckland to Queenstown via the West Coast (14–21 days) – The full New Zealand circuit: Hobbiton, Rotorua, Tongariro, Wellington, Interislander ferry, Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman, West Coast glaciers, Queenstown. One of the world’s great motorhome routes.
- Christchurch to Queenstown via the South Island (7–10 days) – Mackenzie Basin, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, West Coast glaciers, Wanaka, Queenstown. The South Island’s most dramatic landscapes in a focused itinerary.
- Great Ocean Road — Melbourne to Adelaide (7–10 days) – Twelve Apostles, Otway Rainforest, Coonawarra wine region. Australia’s most popular motorhome route and a strong recommendation for first-time visitors.
- East Coast — Sydney to Cairns (14–21 days) – Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Whitsundays, Mission Beach, Tropical North Queensland. Beaches, rainforest, and reef in one long-form itinerary.
- The Red Centre — Darwin to Adelaide via Alice Springs (10–14 days) – Katherine Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru, Coober Pedy. The ultimate outback route — advise clients on long fuel stop distances and unsealed road restrictions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a motorhome hire package in Australia and New Zealand?
Standard packages include all bedding and linen, full kitchen equipment, gas cooking, and GPS navigation — clients bring clothes and food only. The All In rate adds outdoor table and chairs, children’s car seats, and an electric fan heater. ANZCRO recommends the All In rate for most clients, particularly families and those travelling outside peak summer.
Is freedom camping allowed in Australia and New Zealand with a motorhome?
Yes, with conditions. In New Zealand, self-contained motorhomes have access to more freedom camping locations than non-self-contained vehicles — designated areas managed by councils and DOC. In Australia, rules vary by state and territory; national parks generally prohibit it outside designated campgrounds. The CamperMate app covers both countries and is the best client tool for finding legal overnight spots.
Can travel advisors book a motorhome holiday in Australia or New Zealand through ANZCRO?
Yes — ANZCRO manages motorhome hire bookings alongside pre- and post-motorhome accommodation, the Interislander ferry for New Zealand two-island itineraries, and activity pre-bookings along the route. Contact ANZCRO’s reservations team or log in to ANZCRO Connect.
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Discover these Motorhome itineraries today:
To book a motorhome holiday in Australia or New Zealand for your clients, contact ANZCRO’s reservations team or log in to ANZCRO Connect. USA & Canada advisors: 1(800) 941-5360.