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FAQ's

Always happy to advise on your camping and holiday queries

• Can we stay overnight without using a campsite?
  

• I have never been on holiday in a motor home before, shall I book a few stays in hotels?
  

• We had friends who went with another company last year but didn’t get the motorhome they booked; also they complained the vehicle was filthy?
  

• We are arriving late; can you pick me up from the Airport?
  

• Where do the babies seat fit in The Bolero, and will I be able to reach my toddler?
  

• Can my children watch TV when we are driving along?
  

• How unpleasant will it be to empty the toilet?
  

• Are there any roads we cannot use in the Motor Home?
  

• I’m worried we shall not be warm enough, can you supply extra duvets?
  

• We shall be staying with friends in Christchurch can you drop the motor home to us there?
  

• We leave on a very early flight can we leave the motorhome at the Airport?
  

• Can we bring our bikes with us; we shall be very responsible with them?
  

• We have three small children; if they all sleep in one bed can we hire a motorhome with you?
  

• I’m worried the vehicle is too long for me to manage?
  

• We are thinking of coming in the winter, but are worried about driving in snow do you get much?
  

• If I hire an inverter, can my girlfriend use her hairdryer if we are freedom camping?
  

• Am I able to drive these motorhomes on my normal car license?

• We would like to hire the motor home at Queenstown and drive back to Christchurch?

• I’m very sensitive to cigarette odours; can you tell me if smoking is allowed in your campervans?

 

 

Can we stay overnight without using a campsite?

New Zealand does still have area’s a great choice of overnight stops where you will be able to freedom camp, but this excludes towns and cities, and in our National Parks where department of Conservation campsites would be a great low key choice.. Our motorhomes are very well equipped for freedom camping, with gas central heating, gas cooking including oven and grill, and gas fridge/freezer. The other systems on the vehicle such as lighting work from the leisure batteries.

I have never been on holiday in a motor home before, shall I book a few stays in hotels?

Around 99% of our customers have never tried camping or camper van holidays, but with our vehicles you will find they are well equipped and very easy to get used to living in. After your first nights sleep you will feel very pleased with your accommodation on wheels. After you have been out for 2 or 3 days, you will be wishing you had booked for longer as New Zealand has so much to see, and traveling in a motor home is definitely a comfortable way to see the country. You will also enjoy meeting new people at campsites along the way and getting tips on things to see and do, and showing off your fabulous vehicle.

We had friends who went with another company last year but didn’t get the motorhome they booked; also they complained the vehicle was filthy?

Unfortunately many of the larger motor home rental companies do overbook vehicles (Maui, Britz & Backpackers) and it’s too late to do anything about it when you get here. We do not use this policy at all, our customers are very important to us and our repeat business and recommendations is a growth part of our business. This will not happen with South Island Travel. Our cleaning policy is that each vehicle is presented for every hire as if it were new. So far we have achieved 100% satisfaction with all our clients. We do have a great team of Detail Cleaners.

We are arriving late; can you pick me up from the Airport?

Our hours for pick up are fixed I’m afraid. Monday to Friday our pick-up hours are 9.30-15.30 hours and Saturday, Sundays and public holidays 10-14.00 hours. It is also advisable if you are on a long haul flight to have an overnight stay prior to collecting your vehicle, especially if traveling with children. The paperwork and show through on the Motor Home can take between 1-2hours.

Where do the babies seat fit in The Bolero, and will I be able to reach my toddler?

The seating is located on either side of the vehicle just behind the drivers and passenger seats. The seats face inwards, and baby seats and boosters are fixed using the lap belt, and a back securing strap. These are easily removed for stationary use, and yes you will be able to chat and reach your children easily. The Voyager and KON-TIKI options have forward facing seats in the rear with 3 point harness seat belts.

Can my children watch TV when we are driving along?

Sorry no.

How unpleasant will it be to empty the toilet?

Most people are worried about this job, but it really is not as unpleasant as you imagine. The toilet holds waste in a sealed cassette, this is easily removed, and just a quick job to empty down the long drop at the camping ground. We supply disposable gloves and toilet chemicals in the form of tablets, one of these is dropped into the cassette after flushing out with clean water, and it’s all good to go again.

 

Are there any roads we cannot use in the Motor Home?

We so have a few restricted roads in New Zealand. These are un-sealed roads, and are designed only for the use of 4x4 vehicles. You will not miss any of the attractions of New Zealand by not being able to go on these roads. Our vehicles are also not allowed up to the ski areas. These roads are not for the faint hearted at the best of times, best leave that job to the ski resort bus.

I’m worried we shall not be warm enough, can you supply extra duvets?

The Motorhome can be heated up to 40 degrees Celsius (104°F)! No need for extra blankets with our vehicles.

We shall be staying with friends in Christchurch can you drop the motor home to us there?

We can pick you up from your friends if they are in Christchurch city area, but all hires start and finish at our depot.

We leave on a very early flight can we leave the motorhome at the Airport?

The vehicle will be your responsibility until we collect it the next day in normal office hours. You will also be responsible for the parking fees. This arrangement has to be agreed to at the time of booking, and dependant on time and day may incur additional charges.

Can we bring our bikes with us; we shall be very responsible with them?

Unfortunately no, the motorhome is not equipped for carrying bikes, they will definitely get in your way, and cause damage to the interior of the motor home. Bikes are readily available throughout the island to hire for day trips, and we also have a variety of Off Road Mountain Bike tours for those looking for more extreme adventures.

We have three small children; if they all sleep in one bed can we hire a motorhome with you?

Unfortunately no, the law in New Zealand requires that all passengers must have a seat belt. All of our vehicles are only able to take a maximum of 4 persons no matter what age. My thoughts also would be are you crazy!! This is a driving holiday children get easily bored, wait till they are older, or get a sitter and come just with your partner.

I’m worried the vehicle is too long for me to manage?

No need to worry, the vehicle drives like a car, after the first few hours you will be used to allowing a wider turn, and happily overtaking slow motorhomes and campervans (the pleasure this brings is undeniable). Not one person yet has said that they did not enjoy driving the vehicle, and all are surprised they are at how easy it is to drive. New Zealand is mountainous, but our roads are wider than those country lanes you would find in Cornwall.

We are thinking of coming in the winter, but are worried about driving in snow do you get much?

New Zealand can get a dump of snow which causes roads to close from time to time, this does not happen all through the winter; in fact our winters can be very mild and sunny. You will have snow chains on the vehicle for winter, and if you do wish to keep driving then they can be fitted. My advice would be to find a pull in and park up for a few hours until the snow plough gets through and clears the road.

If I hire an inverter, can my girlfriend use her hairdryer if we are freedom camping?

Sorry the inverter is only capable of charging batteries for things such as cameras and laptops and mobile phones.

Am I able to drive these motorhomes on my normal car license?

Yes definitely, as long as you are at least 25 years of age (our minimum age requirement), and have had a full license for at least 5 years.

We would like to hire the motor home at Queenstown and drive back to Christchurch?

Christchurch Depot, Picton Ferry and Auckland International Airports are options for drop off of our vehicles. Christchurch is included in the hire rates. Alternate drop-offs are also dependant on availability, length of hire, and season. Both of these options will also incur an additional fee, which may work out more expensive than an internal flight.

I’m very sensitive to cigarette odours; can you tell me if smoking is allowed in your campervans?

Definitely not, smoking is not allowed in our campervans.