How I found adventure and solitude on a solo campervan trip across New Zealand

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Why New Zealand is perfect for a solo campervan adventure

If you’re thinking about hitting the road on your own, New Zealand is hands down one of the best places in the world to do it. Here are a few reasons why:

Stunning landscapes at every turn

It’s a country that feels made for solo campervan travel – easy to get around, filled with jaw-dropping landscapes, and brimming with experiences that make you feel safe, welcome, and excited to explore.

New Zealand’s landscapes are straight out of a postcard. Whether you’re winding through alpine passes, cruising past glassy lakes, or hugging dramatic coastal roads, the scenery changes so often you’ll never get bored. One moment I was driving through the wide, open valleys of Central Otago, and the next, I was pulling over to take in the glassy stillness of Lake Wānaka at sunrise. The best part? I could stop whenever I wanted – no need to check a schedule or worry about anyone else’s plans. Travelling by campervan let me soak it all in at my own pace, with no two days feeling the same.

Safe and easy to navigate

One of the things that made me feel instantly at ease as a solo traveller, especially as a woman, was how safe and accessible New Zealand felt. The roads are well-maintained, the signs are easy to follow, and even though I was driving a campervan for the first time, I quickly got the hang of it. There’s a campervan-friendly culture here – you’ll find well-equipped campgrounds everywhere, from lakesides to small towns, where you can park up for the night. I loved pulling into a holiday park knowing there’d be clean showers, a kitchen to make a quick meal, and sometimes even a friendly chat with fellow travellers.

Welcoming people and balanced solitude

Kiwis have a knack for making you feel at home without ever intruding on your space. One morning, I stopped at a small café outside Dunedin, and the owner gave me a tip about a nearby walking trail that turned out to be the highlight of my day. Little moments like that reminded me I was never truly alone, even if I was travelling solo.

What I loved most, though, was the balance – I could spend hours on my own, walking a quiet beach or reading by the campervan, but when I felt like company, it was easy to find. Whether it was a friendly nod from someone at a campsite or a shared story over dinner in a communal kitchen, there was always the option to connect.

Planning the trip: Choosing the right campervan and route

Planning a solo campervan trip doesn’t have to be complicated – it’s all about choosing the right setup and mapping out a route that works for you.

Choosing the right campervan

A solo campervan trip might sound a little daunting at first, but once I started planning, it all fell into place. When it came to choosing my Britz campervan hire, I wanted something that was easy to drive, had plenty of space for me and my gear, but wasn’t too big to handle on my own. The Britz two-berth Venturer was just right. It had everything I needed: a comfy bed, a well-equipped kitchen, and, most importantly, a hot shower for those cooler South Island evenings. It felt like having my own little home on wheels – modern, practical, and perfect for one.

Mapping out the route

Once I’d picked my campervan hire, mapping out my route was the fun part. I knew I wanted to start in Queenstown and loop my way through Wānaka, Lake Tekapo, Oamaru, Dunedin, and Bluff before heading back. Planning it all out was easy with a road trip itinerary planner – tools like the thl Roadtrip app helped me figure out driving distances, campgrounds, and scenic stops along the way. I loved how flexible it all felt; nothing was locked in, so if I wanted to linger in a spot a little longer, I could.

Planning for solitude or connection

One of the best things about solo campervan travel is being able to choose between solitude and connection, depending on how I’m feeling. Some nights, I’d park up at a remote DOC campsite with nothing but the sound of the wind and the stars overhead. Waking up to total quiet and a view of the mountains through my campervan window was pure bliss. Other nights, I’d pull into a holiday park, where there were hot showers, communal spaces, and a chance to meet other travellers over dinner.

I found that having this balance was the key to making the trip feel just right – enough solitude to feel refreshed and connected to nature, with the option to socialise when I wanted a little company. And with a Britz campervan, I never felt like I had to compromise. Whether I was off the grid for the night or parked up near a bustling small town, I had everything I needed to feel comfortable, safe, and at home.

Unforgettable moments from my solo campervan trip In New Zealand

Every day on the road brought something new – moments of quiet reflection, breathtaking landscapes, and unexpected connections. Here are a few highlights that made my solo campervan journey truly unforgettable.

Waking up to the sunrise by Lake Tekapo

One of the most peaceful mornings of my trip was by Lake Tekapo. I’d parked my campervan at a lakeside campsite the night before, where the water looked almost surreal in its blue-green calmness. I woke early, opened the camper door, and just sat there with a hot coffee, watching the sunrise light up the sky and reflect off the lake. It was completely quiet except for the occasional birdcall. In that moment, I felt a deep sense of solitude – not loneliness, but a kind of calm clarity that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. It was the perfect reminder of why I’d set out on this trip: to slow down and enjoy moments like this.

Exploring the South Island’s walking tracks solo

Hiking alone was something I wasn’t sure about at first, but it ended up being one of the most rewarding parts of my trip. I tackled a few walking tracks along the way, but the Hooker Valley Track near Aoraki/Mount Cook really stood out. Walking at my own pace, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and listening to the crunch of gravel under my boots, I felt completely immersed in the landscape. Reaching the suspension bridge with its views of the glacier-fed river was a highlight – it was just me, the mountains, and the feeling of accomplishment for doing it on my own. Solo hiking gave me a new connection to nature and a quiet confidence I didn’t expect.

Meeting fellow travellers at a coastal campsite in the Wanaka

Not every moment was spent alone, and I loved having the option to connect with others when I felt like it. At a campsite in Wānaka, I ended up parked next to another solo traveller who’d been on the road for months. We swapped stories over dinner, sharing tips about the best places to stop and hidden spots I’d have missed otherwise. Later, a few others joined us around a campfire, and we spent the evening chatting under the stars. It was the perfect mix of connection and freedom – a chance to meet like-minded people while still knowing I could head off the next day, back to my own rhythm.

My top practical tips for solo campervan travel

Travelling solo in a campervan can feel like the ultimate adventure, and now that I’ve done it a few times, I have a few tips to share:

Choosing campgrounds and campsites

When it comes to picking where to stay, I found a mix of holiday parks, DOC campsites, and remote spots worked best. Holiday parks are perfect when you want facilities like longer showers, laundry, and communal kitchens – they’re great for recharging both you and your campervan. DOC campsites, on the other hand, often put you right in the middle of nature, offering stunning views and a peaceful escape. Again, thl Roadtrip app made it easy to find and book spots along my route, complete with reviews and details on facilities. My advice? Plan a couple of stops ahead but leave room for spontaneity – sometimes the best sites are the ones you stumble upon along the way.

Safety tips for solo travellers, especially women

As a solo female traveller, safety was a priority, and I never felt uncomfortable on the road. New Zealand’s strong camping culture means most people you meet are fellow travellers just looking to enjoy the same experience. Still, I had a few personal rules: I always arrived at campgrounds before dark, trusted my instincts about where to stay, and locked the campervan doors overnight. Britz campervans are fully self-contained, so I didn’t have to rely on public facilities – having my own bathroom and kitchen gave me an extra layer of comfort and security. Keeping family or friends updated on my location each day was another habit that helped me feel more at ease.

Balancing adventure and rest

One thing I learned quickly is that solo travel is as much about rest as it is about adventure. When it’s just you, it’s easy to keep pushing to the next stop, but it’s important to slow down and take breaks. I made a point of having a slower day after a big hike or long drive – maybe reading by the lake, enjoying a walk to the nearest café, or just sitting with a relaxing glass of wine and watching the view. Having a Britz campervan made this easy – it felt like my own little retreat at the end of every day, with a comfortable bed, space to cook, and even a spot to stretch out and relax.

How solo campervan travel changed me

Looking back on my first solo campervan trip across New Zealand, I realise it was about so much more than just seeing beautiful places. Travelling on my own gave me a kind of freedom I hadn’t experienced before – the freedom to make every decision for myself, to embrace both solitude and adventure and to step outside my comfort zone in ways I didn’t think possible.

There were moments of pure confidence, like navigating winding mountain roads and arriving at a remote DOC campsite with no one else in sight. And there were quieter moments of reflection – sitting by a lake at sunrise or listening to the rain from inside the camper. I learned to enjoy my own company, trust my instincts, and appreciate the simple things: a warm meal, a good view, and the comfort of a space that felt like home.

By the time I rolled back into Queenstown at the end of the loop, I felt a new sense of independence and clarity. Solo campervan travel had shown me I was more capable than I gave myself credit for. It’s an experience I’ll carry with me for years to come – one that taught me the joy of slowing down and finding adventure in the everyday moments.

Why Britz is the ideal choice for solo campervan adventures

If you’re considering a solo campervan trip, having the right setup makes all the difference. My Britz campervan was modern, well-designed, and came with everything I needed – from a cosy bed to a fully equipped kitchen and plenty of storage for my gear. The van felt compact enough to handle easily on the road but still spacious enough for comfort. It’s reassuring to know that everything you need is right there with you, no matter where the journey takes you.

With the right planning and mindset, solo campervan travel in New Zealand can be both safe and rewarding. Whether you’re looking for adventure or downtime, there’s nothing quite like the freedom of having your own little home on wheels.

Ready for a solo campervan road trip?

If you’re ready to experience New Zealand’s beauty and freedom for yourself, a Britz campervan is the perfect travel companion. With everything you need for comfort and ease on the road, you can focus on what really matters – creating memories that will stay with you long after the trip ends.

Start your solo adventure today – book your Britz campervan and discover New Zealand on your own terms.