Walkabout Rentals Review

Editors Review

Last Updated: 8/2/19

There have been changes within Walkabout Rentals' fleet. They no longer offer their 4 berth Mitsubishi Fuso. As a replacement, they now rent out their latest 2 berth Magis.

Magis 2 berth

This latest motorhome is a 2019 Magis model that leaves more than enough room for two. It's a luxury European-designed unit that features a separate shower and toilet, swivel front seats, and a front lounge area. The interior rear area is allocated for a gorgeous semi-private bedroom while the exterior rear comes with a spacious garage for some of your stuff. This lowline motorhome is such a breeze to drive with its cruise control, reverse camera, traction control, and ESC & ABS brakes.

Walkabout Rentals is unique in that they mostly offer luxury motorhomes for hire at rates that place them in the midrange market. If you’d like to be pampered on the road but don’t want to break the bank, you may want to try them out. 

About Walkabout Rentals

Before, Walkabout Rentals rents out a vast majority of early model vehicles – most having been manufactured between 2007 to 2009. Now, with their revamped range, they now focus on newer motorhomes. Still, they offer their older yet go-to family motorhome. All rentals include extras like unlimited kilometers, outdoor tables and chairs, no credit card fees or diesel road taxes, and—maybe coolest of all―free transit to airports and hotels. Whether you pick up the motorhome from their Auckland or Christchurch depot, don't forget to know the freedom camping rules per district using this NZ free camping tool.

Fleet

So, the Walkabout Rentals fleet is composed of nice vehicles, with a mix of older and modern vehicles out there. The oldest they have is the 6 berth Mitsubishi Fuso, which ranges from 2009 to 2010 model. They have a recent addition to their selection- the Magis and the Prestige, both ranging from 2015 to 2019 units. One other thing to keep in mind: the motorhomes for hire operate on 5-speed transmissions and 6-speed automatic/ manual transmission. 

Vehicles

Prestige 2 Berth

The Prestige 2 berth are fine European-styled units with a sleek exterior and a nice bathroom with panoramic skylight and Thetford flush chemical toilet. A right-hand-drive motorhome, Prestige is simply a pure luxury for travellers looking for a fancy trip. Because of its Fiat 2.3 Turbo Multijet diesel engine, cruise control, ABS brakes, LED driving lights and reverse parking sensors, driving this unit is very easy. Inside, there are 4 safety belts that give you a hint that you can squeeze in two extra passengers during your trip. In addition, there's a gas heating for added comfort.

Magis 3 Berth

Another recent add-on to the fleet is the elegant 3 berth Magi, an Italian designed luxury motorhome. This fancy unit is all about posh amenities, starting with a separate shower and toilet to LED lighting in the entire main cabin. The 2 single beds at the rear are very functional in terms of keeping your stuff intact because it features an underneath storage, and the front lounge area transforms into a roomy single bed. Not only that, this lowline unit is furnished with a big rear garage for your outdoor equipment 

Mitsubishi Fuso 6 Berth

The 6 berth Mitsubishi Fuso gives you more than space and comfort than you need. A 2009 to 2010 model with seating for 3 in the front and 4 behind the driver, the motorhome is a suitable option for bigger groups. With a separate lounge for indoor relaxation and huge windows for panoramic viewing, the unit truly provides a home away from home ambiance. The model, however, is much bigger compared to other vehicles on fleet, so parking on standard places might be an issue. 

Insurance

Walkabout Rentals is one of the few NZ rental companies that require a compulsory insurance charge. For NZ$20.00 per day, you will be covered for windscreen damage and flat tyres. All rentals must comply with the security deposit amounting to NZ$3000 including GST for Mitsubishi Motorhomes and $3500 bond for all Fiat units through credit card payment. There are no options to limit the excess but the company offers a global travel insurance policy at a minimal cost to cover the vehicle excess insurance as well as medical expenses, travel delays and more. 

Reputation

Walkabout offers good family motorhomes that have almost everything you need. The entire range of motorhomes for hire from Walkabout Rentals is quite appealing. Unfortunately, over the past years, there have been several issues about after-sales and motorhome maintenance. Though what might be a problem is the fact that, as other units are early model vehicles and don’t feature all the bells and whistles of the newest motorhomes for hire in New Zealand. Still, they have other options for those looking recent luxury models with lesser possibility of a vehicle breakdown. 

Summary

Overall, Walkabout Rentals is worth a try if you’re looking for luxury on a budget and don’t mind experiencing that luxury in a modern or slightly older model. The motorhomes at Walkabout Rentals are nice, but they aren't on the cutting-edge and some other companies can give you a much better deal at the same price.