How to explore New Zealand in a camper van
How I did it: My boyfriend and I looked online at people selling camper vans, and found one we liked before we left. We had set up with the seller to meet once we arrived, and after a test-drive we decided to get it. The next six weeks cruising around, sleeping and eating where we wanted, was an awesome experience. It felt very freeing to be able to go where we wanted, when we wanted. It was also nice to just pull off on the side of the road for a break, or to follow some roadway to where ever it went.
Lessons & tips: It's worthwhile to look around at a few choices before just settling for the first one you see. There is a lot of differences between vans - space/make/year/price. Figure out what is and is not important for you to have. Space inside was important to us. There was room enough for a bed, and a small living/kitchen area, which we really appreciated. Also we had a taller top, so it gave more room for sitting/hunched over standing.
Resources: A very useful website where people sell their cars/camper vans.
http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz/noticeboard/cars-campervans.php
