Budget Camper
Ground-tent vehicle
- Seats
- 5
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- —
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TREK Campers review
TREK Campers spans tent-based vehicle hire and two-berth camper conversions.
Profile reviewed and updated on
Background
Company overview
TREK Campers is part of Elements World, with a rental offer in New Zealand and Australia. It traces its beginnings to demand from backpackers taking surf tours around Auckland: family-built conversions developed into a wider business through partners and subsequent expansion into Australia.
The two countries have different rental ranges. New Zealand combines tent-based hire with converted campers, while the Australian offer centres on vehicles supplied with ground or rooftop tents. The Australian business also sells used vehicles; those sales categories are separate from the rental range.
Our verdict
Editorial review
TREK has a coherent offer for two-person camping trips, with different sleeping formats shaping how to live at each stop. The more consequential decisions lie in the rental package: reducing the bond can ease the money needed at collection, but it does not remove every category of damage exposure.
Good points
- Room to vary the journey and share the driving.Unlimited kilometres and no additional-driver charge are included in the rental offer in both countries. Those inclusions make changes in driving distance and sharing the wheel easier to budget for, subject to each driver's eligibility.
- Options for younger and provisional-licence drivers.The minimum age is 18. Alongside full licences, TREK accepts New Zealand restricted licences in New Zealand and Green P licences in Australia, giving eligible drivers a route into renting before they hold a full licence.
Things to consider
- The Off-Roader name does not extend protection.The Australian rooftop-tent vehicle is advertised as all-wheel drive, but the rental terms exclude off-road protection apart from reasonable access to commercial campgrounds. Its product name should not determine the route you assume is covered.
- Cosmetic wear is part of the Australian proposition.TREK describes its Australian vehicles as pre-owned and says they may have cosmetic wear. That sets a different expectation for appearance from a new-vehicle rental; it does not establish the condition of an individual vehicle.
Vehicle categories
TREK Campers fleet
Medium Camper
Converted camper
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- —
Large Camper
Converted camper
- Seats
- —
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- Yes
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- —
Off-Roader
AWD rooftop-tent vehicle
- Seats
- 5
- Sleeps
- 2
- Toilet
- —
- Shower
- —
- Transmission
- —
TREK's rental range combines outdoor sleeping setups with two-berth camper conversions. Budget Camper is offered in both countries; Medium Camper and Large Camper belong to the New Zealand range, while Off-Roader is offered in Australia.
Budget Camper includes a mattress, two sleeping bags, bedding and cooking equipment with crockery. The Australian version also includes an outdoor table and two chairs. In the Australian Off-Roader, the tent moves onto the roof; bedding, cooking equipment, crockery, a table and two chairs are included.
New Zealand's Medium and Large campers bring sleeping inside the vehicle. Both include a sink and pump, fresh- and greywater tanks, storage, cooking equipment, crockery and bedding. The Large Camper adds a built-in dining table; it still has two sleeping places, rather than a higher berth capacity. TREK describes both conversions as self-contained, but that description alone does not establish the particular vehicle's current certification or permission to camp at a given location.
Locations
TREK Campers pickup locations
Open each country to see its pickup locations.
New Zealand
-
Auckland Airport Auckland
-
Christchurch Airport Christchurch
Australia
-
Sydney Airport Sydney
-
Brisbane Airport Brisbane
-
Cairns Airport Cairns
Before booking
Practical facts
These conditions apply to TREK's direct rentals in New Zealand and Australia.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Paying for the rental | The booking advance is 10% in New Zealand and 20% in Australia. It is part-payment towards the rental, not an additional fee. Full payment is due before collection. |
| Days charged | Both the collection day and the return day count as rental days. The minimum duration is set for the booking. |
| Mileage | Unlimited kilometres are included in both markets. New Zealand diesel rentals carry a separate distance-based road-user charge. |
| Driver eligibility | Drivers must be at least 18. A full licence is normally required, with New Zealand restricted licences accepted in New Zealand and Green P licences in Australia. Learner licences are excluded. A non-English licence requires a translation. Additional drivers carry no additional charge. |
| Bond | Smart Choice has a zero bond: NZD 0 in New Zealand or AUD 0 in Australia. Danger Zone requires a refundable bond of NZD 5,000 or AUD 5,000 respectively, subject to deductions. A refund may take at least five business days after processing; that is not a five-day deadline measured from vehicle return. |
| Damage exposure | Even with protection, rollover or single-incident roof damage can leave liability of up to NZD 5,000 in New Zealand or AUD 5,000 in Australia. This is damage responsibility, separate from the bond. |
| Card surcharge | Visa and Mastercard payments or bond transactions carry a surcharge of 2.5% in New Zealand or 2.7% in Australia. |
| Optional equipment | Baby seats, roof racks and snow chains cost NZD 40 per item per rental in New Zealand, or AUD 40 in Australia, subject to availability. |
| One-way arrangements | One-way rentals require approval and a quoted fee. Changing the return location without authorisation can incur a charge of up to NZD 1,500 in New Zealand or AUD 500 in Australia. |
| Collection and return | After-hours collection can be requested with the paperwork completed at least 48 hours beforehand. It requires an arrangement; the request is not a guarantee of access. Return is to the branch, not the airport terminal. |
| Roadside assistance | TREK offers roadside assistance around the clock in both countries. |
| Off-road protection | Protection excludes off-road driving apart from reasonable access to commercial campgrounds. This also matters when hiring the Australian Off-Roader. |
| Cleaning and greywater | Return-condition charges can include up to NZD 250 for cleaning and up to NZD 500 for unemptied greywater in New Zealand. The Australian limits are AUD 250 and AUD 500 respectively. They are conditional charges, not routine additions to every rental. |
| Refuelling | Where the refuelling charge applies, it is fuel plus NZD 60 administration in New Zealand, or fuel plus AUD 20 in Australia. A prepaid arrangement can change this requirement. |
| Pets | Pets are excluded, with an exception for registered assistance or guide dogs. |
Quick answers
TREK Campers FAQ
Does Budget Camper sleep five people?
No. Budget Camper has five travel seats, but the supplied ground tent sleeps two. Off-Roader also has five travel seats and a two-person tent, mounted on the roof. The seat count is not the accommodation capacity.
What does Large Camper add over Medium Camper?
In the New Zealand rental range, both sleep two in a double bed and include a toilet, sink, water tanks and cooking equipment. The Large Camper adds a built-in dining table; choosing it does not add another sleeping place.
Can I take the Off-Roader off road with protection?
The rental protection excludes off-road driving apart from reasonable access to commercial campgrounds. The Australian vehicle's all-wheel-drive specification and Off-Roader name do not override that exclusion.
Does Smart Choice remove all damage liability?
No. Smart Choice has a zero bond, but TREK's terms retain liability for certain damage even with protection. Rollover or single-incident roof damage can leave you responsible for up to NZD 5,000 in New Zealand or AUD 5,000 in Australia.
Can I rent with a New Zealand restricted or Australian Green P licence?
TREK accepts New Zealand restricted licences for its New Zealand rentals and Green P licences for its Australian rentals. The minimum age is 18, learners are excluded, and non-English licences require a translation. These are market-specific exceptions, not general acceptance of every provisional licence.
Do TREK's airport locations mean I return the vehicle at the terminal?
No. TREK's return rule directs you to the branch, not the terminal. Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, Sydney Airport, Brisbane Airport and Cairns Airport are its advertised location names; they do not establish a terminal desk or a transfer service.
Can TREK arrange collection outside normal hours?
You can request it, with paperwork completed at least 48 hours in advance. Collection outside normal hours depends on the arrangement being agreed; submitting the request does not guarantee access.
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