New Zealand is an ideal country for touring by campervan. You don’t have to go very far before encountering a diverse range of world-class scenery. Having just completed an eight week holiday through both islands in a hired campervan, I can pass on these budget travel tips for anyone who is intending to do a similar trip.

Make sure when you pick-up your vehicle that you get a spare key cut. The cost is minimal from any key-cutting shop, only a few dollars to ensure that you have a back-up means of accessing your campervan.

Keep the spare key in your wallet and carry it on you. This will save you a lot of bother if you inadvertently lock your supplied keys in the van as I did. If you are touring in the North Island, especially during the cooler months, try warming up in the many public hot thermal pools.

You can find these not only at Rotorua, but at Taupo, Waiwera, and many other towns as well. Hanmer Springs in the South Island is definitely worth a visit. There is no better way to ease your aching muscles after a long day on the road.

The minerals in the pools are said to be beneficial for such conditions as arthritis as well as being a tonic for tired travellers. Save accommodation costs during your trip by staying at Domain reserves en route. There are lots of these in the South Island. For example, I stayed at Springfield Domain in Canterbury for only five dollars a night.

This gave me a powered site, and access to hot showers as well. The facilities were basic, but ideal for a traveller on a budget. During my trip, I hired the most cost-effective campervan I could find. Bear in mind that if you travel in New Zealand in the off season, rental costs will be cheaper.

One condition of my hire was that I should return the vehicle in clean condition. At the end of my holiday, the exterior of my van was muddy, but I had no means of cleaning it. Not wanting to incur a car-wash fee, I found a solution. While travelling in a farming area, I noticed a paddock being watered by a giant rotating irrigator mechanism.

Some of the water was coming over on to the road. It was a simple job to drive my van up next to the field, and each time the irrigator rotated around, I got an instant and free vehicle wash!

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