New Zealand in Winter: Auckland to Christchurch - Apollo

Twelve nights and 2,489 kilometres from Auckland to Christchurch in a campervan, both islands in winter.

Rotorua comes first in the geothermal belt, where the steam is at its most visible in cold air and the thermal pools are at their most welcome, then Ruapehu, the largest active volcano in the country, which carries the North Island ski fields on its flanks.

Palmerston North and Wellington follow, then the Cook Strait ferry to Picton, and Hanmer Springs, where the thermal pools are developed with slides and a spa. Christchurch comes next, then Lake Tekapo under its dark sky reserve, Wanaka and Queenstown, both of which have ski fields above them, and Dunedin on the east coast, with Timaru before the return to Christchurch.

The camper and the day-by-day plan come from Apollo, and the hire is priced live per vehicle rather than per person; campsites, fuel, ferries, park fees and activities are all extra, with a nil-excess insurance pack available at booking. Thirteen days for 2,489 kilometres in winter is a different proposition from the same route in summer: the campsites are empty, the mountains are under snow and the alpine roads carry chain requirements, so a forecast matters more than an itinerary. Not every camper is set up for winter use, and the heating and water system are worth asking about at booking. The Cook Strait ferry takes campervans and needs booking well ahead. This is a one-way hire, so a relocation fee is worth checking at booking. What winter buys in return is empty roads, cheap sites and the mountains at their best, which is a fair trade for a cold morning.