IzaWhen we first started planning our motorhome trip in New Zealand, our excitement was high! This country has always had a special place in our imagination, famous for its breathtaking landscapes and the warmth of its people. But alongside the excitement came a little nervousness: how would we manage driving a big motorhome, on the left side of the road, packed with facilities we’d never used before?
The answer came quickly. From day one, we realized how intuitive, comfortable, and safe the motorhome was. What seemed intimidating at first turned into one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip.
Why Wilderness?
Choosing a Wilderness Motorhome made perfect sense for a winter trip. It gave us maximum comfort and convenience, with the freedom to explore at our own pace. We didn’t need to book hotels in advance, which meant we could chase the snow for skiing and decide our route day by day.
Exploring the South Island
We focused entirely on the South Island for these twe weeks. We started in Arthur’s Pass, where we found an amazing camp site and enjoyed the scenery after a cosy night and warm coffee in the morning.
We particulary loved the walk to Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, winding through a lush green forest with breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks.
Then followed the coast where we loved walking through lush tropical forests with snowy peaks as a backdrop.
The drive to Wanaka was beautiful in itself. We found the nature particularly surprising. So rich, so diverse and full of contrast!
Wanaka became our base for a ski adventure at Treble Cone, a very nice ski resort.
The views from that ski resort are absolutely breathtaking! This is by far the most beautiful one we’ve been to. Check this out!
Then we hiked Roys Peak at sunrise, a challenging but rewarding climb with panoramic views that were worth every step.
Glenorchy came next, a small town at the edge of Lake Wakatipu that felt like a gateway to wilderness.
There, we explored a portion of the legendary Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, and were reminded again how diverse the South Island’s landscapes can be in such a short distance.
Next came Milford Sound, every bit as magical as we had imagined. The road itself, once again was so beautiful. I can’t tell you how many stops we made to photograph these ever-changing landscapes.
Towering cliffs and snow-capped mountains surrounded us, and we made the most of it by hiking to Key Summit, an easy hike which offers incredible 360-degree panoramas.
Toward the end of our trip, we devoted several days to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.
Staying overnight at the famous Mueller Hut was an unforgettable highlight, watching the last light fade on the surrounding peaks before waking up to a sunrise that turned the mountains pink.
The best of it was the fact that we climbed there with our skis. It was challenging, as the snow line was pretty high and we had to carry them on our back for a few hours, but it was so much fun at the same time!
The descent was amazing and of course, rewarding. As for the views on Aoraki, New Zealand’s iconic highest peak, they were other-wordly beautiful…
There was a lovely campsite at the foot of the mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding towering peaks right through our windows.
But the pinnacle of our adventure was a spontaneous one-day heliskiing trip on the Tasman Glacier.
Standing on untouched snow, surrounded by the huge glaciers of the Southern Alps, and preparing for the descent of a lifetime. That moment remains etched in our memories as the most powerful highlight of the entire journey.
A lasting impression
This trip reshaped the way we think about travel. The comfort and freedom of a motorhome gave us the best of both worlds: adventure and coziness, structure and spontaneity. In New Zealand, where the infrastructure for motorhome travel is so well designed, it felt effortless.
Now, when we think about future adventures, a motorhome isn’t just an option. It’s the way we want to explore New Zealand, and we already know we will come back!
If you’re considering renting a campervan, we highly recommend checking out Wilderness Company. You can find all the details on their website here: https://hubs.la/Q03tvPF30
