Camper provider

Mad Campers NZ

Mad Campers New Zealand – A breath of fresh air for your vanlife adventure

Mad Campers is a young, innovation-driven and New Zealand-run company (founded in 2017) that brings a breath of fresh air to the campervan scene with a modern approach. The fleet offers practical, self-catering sleeper vans and campers for solo and couple travelers – all with functional, well thought-out interiors and high-quality equipment.

Highlights at Mad Campers

  • Innovative features & practical equipment
    Pull-out taps for kitchen & outdoor shower, LED lighting, USB and 12 V connections, powerful additional battery and optional solar panels – well thought-out details for comfort & freedom.
  • Reliable vehicles from the years 2004 to 2021
  • Versatile vehicle fleet
    • NoMAD – One-person camper with standing height, room to sit and a compact layout.
    • MAD1 – New Zealand’s first solo campervan with fitted kitchen, 10 L compressor fridge, camping toilet & spacious single bed (2.12 m × 0.7 m).
    • MAD2 – Compact two-person sleeper with kitchen, wider bed and functional room concept.
    • MAD Explorer & MAD Tracker – Premium 2-person camper with toilet, shower, stand-up interior, complete kitchen and large battery / solar equipment.
    • MAD Adventurer – Non-self-contained model with roof tent for adventure travelers, focused on campsites with on-site facilities.
  • Flexibility & freedom
    All self-contained models comply with New Zealand’s Freedom Camping regulations. Diesel camper with road user charge per kilometer.
  • Customer service & sustainability
    • 24 hour roadside assistance, mechanical support, free additional driver & national rental stations (Auckland, Christchurch).
    • Environmentally conscious commitment, e.g. participation in “Trees that Count” – almost 400 trees already planned by the fleet and customers.
  • Positive value-for-money ratings
    According to travel reports and reviews, ideal for solo travelers, couples or those on a budget – budget-friendly, energy-efficient and originally equipped.

✅ Conclusion
Mad Campers stands for young, creative and clever – ideal for adventure travelers who want to explore New Zealand self-sufficiently. The sophisticated equipment, compact to spacious models, self-contained options and local anchoring make them an exciting alternative to established providers. Whether it’s a solo trip in the NoMAD, a road trip in the MAD2 or a premium experience in the Explorer – with Mad you are perfectly equipped for your individual Kiwi adventure.

Tip: Ideal for solo adventurers or couples who value design, flexibility and environmental awareness – ideal for freedom camping away from the crowds.

Find your perfect fit

Seats 5 - Sleeps 0

Mad Campers – Car NZ

Mad Campers Car – Flexible, compact and ideal for independent New Zealand explorers

Seats 2 - Sleeps 2

Mad Campers – Mad Tracker 4WD NZ

MAD Campers – MAD Tracker 4WD four-wheel drive sleeper van for adventure seekers in New Zealand

Seats 2 - Sleeps 2

Mad Campers – Mad Explorer NZ

Mad Campers – MAD Explorer – Innovative, high-quality and self-sufficient campervan in New Zealand

Seats 2 - Sleeps 2

Mad Campers – Mad 2 NZ

Mad Campers MAD 2 – The compact low-top van for adventurous couples

Seats 4 - Sleeps 2

Mad Campers – Mad Adventurer NZ

Mad Campers – Mad Adventurer – The compact 2-person sleeper van for adventurers & nature lovers

Seats 1 - Sleeps 1

Mad Campers – NoMad NZ

Mad Campers NoMAD – The self-sufficient solo campervan for independent explorers

Seats 2 - Sleeps 1

Mad Campers – Mad 1 NZ

Mad Campers Mad 1 New Zealand – The compact solo camper for independent adventurers

How to book your camper

We handle the details so you can focus on the road ahead.

Pick your camper type

Tell us what kind of setup you’re after — big, small, cozy, rugged.

Fill out quick trip details

A few basics: when, where, and how many people.

Choose your camper

We’ll show you a shortlist that matches your trip.

Book and hit the road

Secure your camper in just a few clicks

Why choose Ausventure

Real humans. Real advice. Real local experience

Loved by 1000+ happy travelers, and counting.

Lisa W.
Abolut toller Service. Wir haben garnicht damit gerechnet so ausführliche Infos zu bekommen aber Annika hat uns all unsere Wünsche erfüllt und noch mehr. Wir sind schon gespannt auf unseren Camper!!
Katrin M.
Sehr netter Kontakt und kompetente Beratung. Perfekte Unterstützung bei Planung und Buchung der Touren, zudem immer hilfreiche Tipps und Empfehlungen. Absolut empfehlenswert.

Real local support — from planning to pickup.

Anne Dressel

Founder and camper expert
I started Ausventure after my own unforgettable road trip through Australia. I know how overwhelming planning can be, especially from overseas. That’s why we do things differently: real advice, real people, and support you can count on.

Whether you’re chasing reef, rainforest, or red dirt — we’re here to help you make it unforgettable.

The Best Prices,
Always.

We partner directly with trusted providers to get you the best rates — with no extra charges or booking fees.

If you find a better deal, we’ll make it right.

Camper FAQs

Both are possible in Australia – it’s all in the mix!

Campsites offer you comfort: electricity, showers, kitchens and often a nice community atmosphere.
🚐 Freedom camping is ideal for anyone who likes to travel independently and inexpensively – but beware: overnight stays are only permitted in designated areas and vary from state to state.

We recommend a good combination of both in order to travel flexibly and relaxed.

👉 You can find all the tips and information on how free camping works legally, safely and stress-free in our blog:
Free camping in Australia – how to do it legally, relaxed & free of charge

Australia is a popular travel destination – especially during the school vacations, in summer (Dec-Feb) and spring (Sep-Nov) it can quickly become scarce. We recommend this especially for routes with one-way rentals or special camper models:

🕒 The earlier the better – 6+ months in advance is ideal
In the short term, many providers may already be fully booked or only more expensive options may be available.

👉 You can find more tips on the best time to book in our blog article:
What you should book well in advance – your Australian adventure

The battery life depends on the type of vehicle and how it is used. On average, the following applies:

1-3 nights self-sufficient – then the vehicle should be reconnected to the power grid (e.g. at a campsite).

🚐 Important to know:
The on-board battery is only fully recharged while driving (slightly) or when connected to the mains.

☀️ Some campers also have a solar panel that supports the battery when parked – ideal for short stops without a power connection. Nevertheless, we recommend:
🔌 Connect to the mains every 2-3 nights – to ensure that the fridge, lights etc. run smoothly.

🚐 With a standard camper (2WD), you may only drive on paved roads.
This means: paved roads or partially well-maintained access roads to official campsites or tourist attractions (depending on the provider).

🌄 O nly with a 4WD camper are you allowed to deviate from paved roads and drive on gravel or off-road routes.
But be careful:
For certain routes (e.g. Gibb River Road, Oodnadatta Track, Cape Leveque Road), written permission from the rental company is often required – and not all providers allow beach drives or river crossings.

💬 O ur tip: If you’re planning an off-road adventure, just let us know – we’ll tell you which routes are permitted and which campers are suitable.

💳 Yes, a credit card is required to collect the vehicle.

Even if you can pay for your booking with Ausventure Travel conveniently by credit card or bank transfer, all rental companies require a valid credit card on collection.

This is required in order to:

  • pre-authorize the deposit (liability sum)(depending on the insurance package selected),
  • to charge any additional fees such as tolls, fines or fuel costs retrospectively.

💡 Tip: A prepaid credit card or debit card is not accepted in most cases. Make sure that your credit card is valid at the time of collection and has a sufficient limit.

You can choose between different insurance packages – depending on how much security and comfort you want for your trip:

🟥 Risk package (standard)
This option is included in the basic price. It includes a higher excess (liability), which is payable in the event of damage – regardless of who is at fault.
💡 Important: The full liability amount will be blocked on your credit card as a deposit when you collect the vehicle.

🟩 Premium package
Our most popular option: This package significantly reduces liability – in many cases even to $0. At the same time, you benefit from many practical extras such as:
✔️ Camping chairs & table
✔️ Child seats (on request)
✔️ Second driver included
✔️ Additional insurance for e.g. tires, windscreen, single vehicle accidents (depending on provider)

💬 O ur tip: The premium package not only offers more protection, but often also the best value for money.

If you are unsure which package suits you best, we will be happy to advise you personally!

The perfect camper depends entirely on your personal travel plans. The more clearly you know what you want, the easier the decision will be. It’s best to ask yourself a few basic questions:

What is my budget?
How many people are traveling with me – and how many beds do I need?
Do I absolutely need a shower & toilet in the vehicle?
(In Australia there are campsites with all amenities almost everywhere!)
Is there anything I would definitely not want to do without? (e.g. headroom, automatic system, solar system, etc.)
Where do I want to travel to? (For some routes you need a 4WD, for example)

You’ll find all the important information about features and functions in the individual offer we send you. And if you’re unsure – just write to us! We’ll be happy to go through the right options with you personally.

👉 Still unsure? You can find more tips in our blog:
Which camper is right for me?

As a rule, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a camper.
However, some of our partners also allow trips from the age of 18 – provided you have a full driving license in English or an Australian P2 driving license (Green P Plate).

Please note:
👶 Restrictions sometimes apply to young drivers when choosing a vehicle
💰 Afee may apply

We will be happy to tell you which options are available for your age!

Mad Campers NZ
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