Blog

Set within the beech forest of Mount Aspiring National Park near Makarora, the Blue Pools Track is a South Island crowd-pleaser. A short, easy walk leads you across swing bridges to a series of deep, glacier-fed pools that glow a striking turquoise. It is an achievable stop for families, photographers, and road trippers, and it fits neatly into a campervan journey along the Haast Pass. 

Park up, stretch your legs, and within an hour, you can be standing above water so clear you can often see trout suspended in space. If your New Zealand itinerary runs between Wānaka and the West Coast, this is a stop many travellers are glad they made time for.

Set between the Tasman Sea and the mouth of the Buller (Kawatiri) River, Westport blends rugged cliffs, roaring surf and rainforest-cloaked hills with a community shaped by gold rush dreams and coal-mining grit. Come for lighthouse walks and seal encounters, stay for heritage stories, swingbridge thrills and easy campervan access to some of the West Coast’s most dramatic sights. 

When road tripping in a Britz campervan, Westport makes a handy overnight hub and a springboard to Cape Foulwind, Buller Gorge, Paparoa National Park and beyond.

Turn a West Coast road trip into a moment you will never forget at Hokitika Gorge. Just half an hour from the seaside town of Hokitika, this vivid blue-green river slices through white granite walls, framed by lush rainforest and a sky that seems to amplify the colour of the water. 

A short, easy walk leads to suspension bridges and lookouts that deliver the classic postcard views the West Coast is famous for. Pack the camera, cue the awe, and point your Britz campervan east for a spectacular stop that fits easily into any South Island itinerary.

Deep in the Matukituki Valley, the Rob Roy Track, often called the Rob Roy Glacier Track, delivers one of the South Island’s most rewarding day walks. In just a few hours, you’ll leave farm flats behind, cross a milky‑turquoise, glacier‑fed river on a swing bridge, and climb through cool beech forest to a natural amphitheatre where waterfalls pour from a hanging glacier. 

It is classic Mount Aspiring National Park scenery that feels wild yet remains refreshingly accessible. When travelling campervan, check your rental terms before driving the unsealed access road and fords, as conditions and coverage vary by vehicle and policy.

Carved by sea, wind, and time, Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks rise from the Tasman Sea like a stack of stone flapjacks, fringed by surf and lush coastal rainforest. Set on the celebrated Great Coast Road in Paparoa National Park, this compact stop offers huge rewards, from thundering blowholes to sweeping clifftop views. 

It is an easy, short walk that suits most travellers, which makes it perfect for a spontaneous pull-in when you are road tripping the West Coast in a Britz campervan. Park up, stretch your legs, and step out to see one of New Zealand’s most photographed natural wonders.

Hidden in a fern-lined valley on Auckland’s wild west coast, Karekare Falls is a short stroll to a big reward. The 30-metre cascade drops into a clear, shallow pool framed by lush native bush, creating a peaceful pocket of the Waitākere Ranges that feels a world away from the city. 

It is an easy add-on to a coastal road trip, a perfect leg stretch for families, and a photogenic stop for travellers exploring in a Britz campervan. With beaches, forest walks, and scenic lookouts close by, Karekare Falls turns a simple wander into a memorable day in West Auckland.

Sunshine, soft white sand and a laid-back surf town vibe make Whangamatā one of the North Island’s favourite summer playgrounds. Fronted by a 6-kilometre beach, with native bush and Coromandel Forest Park close by, it is the kind of place where you can paddle at dawn, often surf by mid-morning when conditions line up, wander to a café for lunch, then kayak to a hidden lagoon before a golden hour stroll along the harbour. 

It is also campervan-friendly, with holiday parks in town and designated freedom camping spots for certified self-contained vehicles. Spaces are limited and local bylaws apply, so plan ahead. If you are planning a Coromandel road trip, this is the spot to unroll the awning, settle into coastal time and make the most of your Britz NZ campervan.

Ngarunui Beach is Raglan’s signature black-sand sweep, a big, beautiful arc of west coast shoreline where the Tasman meets a relaxed surf town vibe. With Mount Karioi forming the southern skyline and the famous surf breaks of Raglan nearby, it is the go-to spot for easy beach days, beginner-friendly waves, long walks, and unforgettable sunsets. 

It is also wonderfully accessible for campervan travellers, with spacious day parking on the headland reserve above the beach and excellent holiday park options nearby. Roll in with your Britz campervan, and you will find everything you need to slow down, set up a picnic, and let the rhythm of the waves lead the day.