Ranking: 6/10

Selected Wilderness because the offered a fixed bed van ideal for 2 people albeit expensive. Greeted with enthusiasm and camper explained in detail however once I mentioned I was using my own insurance being used the tone changed. For 50 days at $69 per day ($3,500) its an expensive offering when I could get a similar package on line for $750 but this decision would come back to bite me. On the road the van was comfortable but not without its problems. Invertor didn't work from day one and after 4 different visits to repair agents I gave up, cupboards and bed that needed fixing along with annoying noises on most roads. Easy to maintain but not much space inside. I managed to drive into a car park that damaged the roof and had to stump up $7,500 on parts which in UK would cost half of that - still waiting for invoiced breakdown. Buy NZ frenzy, have a good Sat Nav (don't rely on Google maps/phone) get a NZMCA member ship before you travel (Its $220 but you get this back on one crossing of cook straits - Use a NZ postal address otherwise you won't get), use Golf clubs for cheap parking, download the free apps such as Wilderness/NZMCA/Campermate/Campable etc. let other drivers past but don't expect a thank you, Enjoy taking to locals and just take in those views. Food/drink pricing similar to UK but the various attractions can be expensive. Research and find loads of free stuff and save the money for Shotover etc. Loved bay of Islands but not $50 a head for the Treaty grounds. Rotorua and Queenstown if you must but tourist traps so bear in mind it is the country and its people that offer the best experience. Try if you can to master the Town names but remember if you get it wrong then so do they when they come to UK and try and pronounce Birmingham - none of us are perfect so embrace the differences

Reviewed 9 days ago

Ranking: 9/10

Our first campervan experience and Alpine 4 served us well.

Reviewed about 1 month ago

Ranking: 10/10

Amazing

Reviewed 6 months ago

Ranking: 10/10

We rent a motorhome from Wilderness, picking up and drop of in Christchurch, for 8 days. Our motorhome is a Summit 5 model. Tarnia attended to us and brief us on our rental as well about our plans. She encouraged us to upgrade our vehicle insurance to comprehensive which we did. And fortunately so, as a stone from no-where hit the windscreen causing a crack of about 2 inch when we were entering a town called Hinds. The Summit 5 has all the amenities we need such as towels, bedding, crockery, cooking utensils, etc...We were given (loan) a guide book - NZ Frenzy and other useful information. We found a scenic and quiet site in Lakeside Domain as well as the Onawe trek not far from christchurch. The motorhome is not without issue. The 12V battery do not seemed to be charged even when the vehicle is moving. It could only last about 10 hours before nothing works unless it is plugged to a powered site. This was feedback to Tarnia when we return the motorhome and she offered a compensation for one night of our fee at a powered site. At the Aroraki Mt Cook DOC campsite, as it was really cold there, we were apprehensive whether the 12V battery and heating can last us through the night. Should we stay in the motorhome or should we check in a motel in the village? I make a call to the after office hours numbers of Wilderness, left messages to call me back as well as email, alas, no responses. I wonder, if there is any real emergency, who could help? The next day, however, I received a return call, which I do not need any help by then. On the whole, the mechanical/electrical issue of the motorhome also depends much on feedback from previous customers, without which we cannot fault Wilderness for not knowing. I would suggest that there should be a 24/7 standby responses to the phone numbers indicated for assistance, not just AA. On the whole, my experiences with Wilderness is still a 10/10 despite the minor hiccups. Would still recommend Wilderness Motorhomes.

Reviewed 6 months ago