1. 23Travel Digest, February 2012
CAMPERVAN
Carriage by
With summer well and truly here, it’s time to hit the road and
explore our beautiful country. And what better way to do that than
in a campervan, combining bothtransport and accommodation
in one easy vehicle. SARAH WEEKS discovers some great
holiday spots in a Britz
D
uring the Rugby World Cup,
campervans were the
accommodation of choice for visitors
and it’s easy to see why! The dual
cab Renegade is brand new to the Britz range
and is the first of its kind in the fleet. Now the
kids can sit up front with the adults, bringing the
entire family together while delivering
comfortable travelling! If you’re a large group
or family of up to six, this is the perfect
campervan for you. Unlike other campervan
models, the Renegade allows everyone to sit
up front in the cabin – there’s even twin
seven-inch DVD screens to entertain the kids in
the back seat and a 14 litre
refrigerator to ensure easy access
to snacks and cold drinks on the
road. This family-friendly campervan
allows everyone to share every
moment of your holiday, not just
when you arrive at your destination
– there’s also two reversing
cameras to help keep the little
ones safe.
Depending on where you’re
starting your Britz adventure, you
can choose from four easy locations
to pick up – Auckland, Wellington,
Christchurch or Queenstown. Both
the Auckland and Christchurch
branches have recently been
refurbished inside with lounge
waiting areas, refreshments and even showers,
making this a great start or finish to your trip.
Their friendly staff will take you through your
campervan, inside and out to ensure you have
all the knowledge you need before setting off
on your adventure – you can even watch a
helpful video guide.
The Renegade campervan sleeps up to six
people – four adults and two children or two
adults and four children – comfortably. It has
three double beds, including the super king
over-cab bed that transforms into twin singles.
Shifting all passenger seats to the cab allows
more room in the campervan for a larger
kitchen, lounge and dining space.
The new-style Renegade campervan was
custom-made to Britz’s own specifications after
company research showed customers wanted
more quality time together on family holidays.
A true home-away-from-home for families,
other features of the Renegade include a TV
and DVD player, stereo with both internal and
external speakers, a microwave, four-burner
gas stove and all cutlery, crockery and
cookware plus its own shower and toilet and
an electric awning.
Britz has also teamed up with hire company,
Natural High, to provide bikes as an optional
The dual cab Renegade is brand
new to the Britz range and is the
first of its kind in the fleet.

2. 24 25February 2012, Travel Digest Travel Digest, February 2012
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CAMPERVAN TIPS:
l Ensure your water tank is filled
each day so you don’t run out and
empty waste water when leaving
each holiday park.
l Aim to arrive at your holiday park
as early as possible during the
daylight hours so you avoid having
to hook up power at night when
there is limited lighting available.
l Don’t forget to wind down your
TV antenna and skylight before
embarking on your journey –
something easily forgotten when
moving to the next holiday park.
l Check-in online to save time at
the branch office when picking up
your motorhome.
l Remember that campervans
are wider than cars so keep
an eye on rear-view mirrors and
rear video cameras and take
extra caution when driving
around bends.
motel units, campsites and 26 powered
sites. Located within an easy ten-minute
walk from Coromandel town centre, this
holiday park is perfectly situated to access all
local attractions and sights. Kids will revel in
the chance to burn some energy in the
swimming pool and play area with pool,
trampoline and playground or challenge
family or friends to a game of pool or air
hockey in the large games room. Other
on-site facilities include Wi-Fi internet bike
and go-cart hire and the staff are super
friendly and welcoming!
While you’re staying in Coromandel, be
sure to check out Driving Creek Railway
and Potteries, New Zealand’s only narrow-
gauge mountain railway along with a working
pottery and wild life sanctuary. Owner,
developer, conservationist, engineer and
artist Barry Brickell began laying a track in
1975 shortly after he established his pottery
workshop. The one-hour return trip on their
innovatively designed trains takes you
through replanted native kauri forest and
several large viaducts as it climbs up to the
mountain-top terminus. Once you reach the
Eyefull Tower, you will enjoy stunning
panoramic views out over the island-studded
Hauraki Gulf with the forested valley and
mountains behind.
No visit to the Coromandel Peninsula is
complete without soaking in a hot pool you
have created with your own hands – at the
world-renowned Hot Water Beach on the
east coast. Underground, natural hot
springs filter up through the sand between
the high and low water tidal reaches. The
new Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
is conveniently located near this stunning
geothermal attraction. Surrounded by native
bush and spacious landscaped sites, this
holiday park is perfectly suitable for large
families or groups travelling together. They
have all weather sites designed for
campervans / motorhomes. They also
have a range of cabins to suit all needs and a
great range of new luxurious and comfortable
villa units. Their range of facilities include a
BBQ area, internet kiosk, kayak hire, laundry,
pedal go-cart hire, playground, restaurant/
cafe, on-site shop, tour booking desk,
trampoline and TV room with SKY.
CAMPERVAN
extra when securing a Britz campervan
or car. Natural High has been pedaling
adventures since 1996 and is one of the
country’s premier bike hire and cycle
touring companies. This new adventure
option allows an even more amazing
experience on your self-drive holiday.
Once you reach your destination, you’re
able to get even closer to nature and avoid
those inner city parking problems with your
very own pedal power! Choose from their
hybrid model, great for country trails and
town riding or the mountain bike for some
serious off road riding. All the essentials
you need, from helmets to pumps, are
included in your hire and the bikes will be
securely transported in Britz’s customised
bike racks that are fitted to the back of the
vehicle upon hire. You can also hire a
picnic table and chairs to enjoy dining in
the great outdoors.
All Britz campervans come complete
with a complimentary Tourism Radio unit
– the perfect companion for any tourist
wanting to discover more about the places
they’re visiting. Using the latest GPS
technology, this automated personal tour
The Renegade campervan sleeps up to six people – four
adults and two children or two adults and four children.
Specials
guide will share the secrets of the
surrounding scenery as you travel.
You’ll learn about the local area
you’re travelling through,
prominent landmarks, scenic
highlights and attractions as you
approach them, there’s even a
selection of easy listening driving
music to keep you entertained in
between points of interest.
Britz has also recently added
the Navigator to their fleet – a
new four-berth camper loaded with
great features. A unique design,
two double beds, full bathroom,
spacious kitchen and dinette area
facilities and an LCD TV with DVD
player provide a home away from
home feel, making it the perfect
camper for the family who wants to
get out and explore our backyard.
Designed and built by New
Zealand manufacturing company
Ci Munro, the Navigator is the third
new Britz campervan to join the
New Zealand fleet in 12 months,
helping to support the increasing
demand for this brand.
Where to stay
Britz are partners with Top 10
Holiday Parks who have, for over
25 years, set the standard for
New Zealand holiday parks
(camping grounds / motor
camps) with over 50 to choose
from. All their holiday parks offer
fully integrated accommodation
options, from park motels and
self contained units through to
cabins, tent and powered sites
(caravans, motorhomes,
campervans) and are in unique
park-like settings offering you
breathing space with children’s
play facilities, BBQ and safe
indoor and outdoor recreational
areas. Their helpful staff can also
answer any little questions you
have about the vehicle whilst you
are there.
A recent addition to the family,
Coromandel Top 10 Holiday
Park offers a range of
accommodation options to suit all
needs and budgets, from basic
cabins to self-contained