When you pass another classic Defender on the road, you give them the wave.

Defender people are a passionate bunch, and there’s an unspoken camaraderie that comes with driving one. You’ll start noticing other Defenders everywhere, giving a nod across the steering wheel, and by the end of your trip you’ll probably be doing it without even thinking.

It takes one to know one. Welcome to the club.

We’ve packed in everything you need for an epic road trip. Your Defender comes equipped with a Feldon rooftop tent, awning, bedding, sleeping bags, camp chairs, table, cooking equipment, stove, YETI cooler, Bialetti coffee maker and all the camping essentials you need.

All you need to do is pick up some food and ice for the YETI, throw in your bags and bring your sense of adventure. We’ll take care of the rest.

Billie is automatic, while Rocky and Sunny are manual. If you’re booking one of our manual Defenders, you’ll need to be confident driving a manual vehicle.

Yep! Our Feldon rooftop tents are designed to be quick and easy to set up and pack away in minutes.

When you collect your Defender, we’ll show you exactly how everything works and make sure you’re comfortable with the setup before you head off. You’ll be a rooftop-tent pro in no time.

Our Feldon rooftop tents comfortably sleep two adults. They have a proper mattress inside, so once you’re set up, you’ve got a pretty cosy little bedroom with a seriously good view.

Travelling with kids or a bigger crew? No worries — we can also provide a ground tent and extra sleeping gear so everyone has somewhere comfortable to sleep.

Just let us know how many people are travelling when you book and we’ll make sure you’re set up for your adventure.

We’ve got you covered! The rooftop tent comes set up with a comfy mattress, fitted sheet, pillows and warm sleeping bags, so there’s no need to bring bedding from home.

If you’re travelling with kids or need additional sleeping space, just let us know — we can also provide a ground tent and extra sleeping gear.

Pretty toasty! We use genuine British Army surplus sleeping bags, made for winter sleeping conditions down to -10°C when used inside a tent or shelter.

They’re insulated with a warm hollow-fibre fill, with an insulated hood that can be tightened up on those extra chilly South Island nights.

Our sleeping bags are polyester rather than down, which means we can properly wash and freshen them between every adventure — so you’ll always climb into a clean one.

Absolutely! We provide everything you need for a cosy night — sleeping bags, pillows & sheets — but if you have a favourite sleeping bag, pillow or blanket you can’t travel without, feel free to bring it along.

Just let us know before pickup if you’d prefer us to leave any of our bedding out to give you a little more room for your own gear.

All Wild Rovers adventures start from our base in Drift Bay, Queenstown, about 15 minutes from Queenstown Airport.

We’ll meet you here, show you around your Defender, run through the camping setup and get you ready for the road.

Unless we've arranged something different with you, your Defender will return to our Queenstown base at the end of your adventure.

Allow around 20–30 minutes.

We’ll take a copy of your driver’s licence, get the rental paperwork signed and process the pre-authorised security bond. Then we’ll show you around your Defender, run through the rooftop tent and camping gear, answer any questions and make sure you’re happy and confident before you hit the road.

All drivers must be 25 years or older and hold a current full driver licence.

If your licence isn’t in English, you’ll also need an International Driving Permit or approved English translation.

Road User Charges, or RUCs, are a New Zealand government road charge that applies to diesel vehicles, including our Defenders.

RUCs are charged based on the distance you travel, rather than being included in the price of diesel at the pump.

At The Wild Rovers, RUCs are charged at NZD $0.09 per kilometre ($9 per 100km) and are additional to your daily rental rate and fuel.

For example:
If you travel 1,000km during your adventure:
1,000km × $0.09 = $90 in RUCs

You don't need to organise or pay anything along the way. We record the odometer when you collect your Defender and again when you return it. Once your total kilometres travelled have been calculated, the RUC amount will be charged to the card on file at the end of your rental.

So all you need to do is fill up with diesel as you go, and we'll take care of the RUCs at the end of your trip.

As tempting as it might be, our Defenders need to stay on formed, legal roads.

Off-roading, beaches, river crossings and prohibited roads are not permitted. But don’t worry, there are hundreds of incredible back-country roads, mountain passes and remote corners of New Zealand that you can explore.

All Wild Rovers rentals include vehicle insurance, with different excess options available when you book.

You’ll be able to choose the level of cover that suits you and your adventure, with all costs and excess amounts clearly outlined before you hit the road.

Our Defenders are diesel vehicles, so New Zealand Road User Charges (RUC) apply in addition to your rental.

RUC is currently charged at $0.09 per kilometre travelled and is calculated from the distance you travel during your hire.

We know plans can change. If you need to move your trip, get in touch with us as soon as possible and we'll do our best to accommodate a change of dates, subject to availability.

If you need to cancel your booking:

60+ days before pickup: Full refund
30–59 days before pickup: 50% refund
Less than 30 days before pickup: No refund

Bookings are paid in full at the time of reservation.

Date changes are subject to availability and any difference in the rental rate for your new dates will apply.

For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions.

New Zealand has specific rules around freedom camping, and because our rooftop-tent Defenders don't have an onboard toilet, you'll need to stay in appropriate campsites.

Luckily, some of the best places to spend the night are DOC campsites, holiday parks and designated camping areas, often tucked beside lakes, rivers, mountains and some seriously spectacular scenery.

We also recommend downloading CamperMate to help find campsites while you're on the road.

Now you’re asking our favourite question.

We’re always happy to share ideas and point you towards some of our favourite South Island roads, campsites, swimming spots, hikes and places to pull up for the night.

Whether you’re dreaming of Milford Sound, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Wānaka, the West Coast, Kaikōura, or somewhere a little further off the usual tourist trail, just ask us.

We also recommend following RoadyNZ on Instagram for loads of epic road trip inspiration, hidden gems and places to add to your route.

Absolutely. In fact, we think you should.

The road to Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s great drives. Give yourself plenty of time, check the weather and road conditions before setting off, and make sure you’ve got enough fuel.

If you have time, make a night of it rather than racing in and out in a day. Treat yourself to a night at Milford Sound Lodge, or camp somewhere spectacular along the Milford Road, like Eglinton Valley Camp or Cascade Creek Campsite (DOC).

Wild Rovers tip: Book a RealNZ Milford Sound cruise, or even better, their overnight cruise. We’ve had amazing feedback from Wild Rovers guests who’ve done the overnight experience, and it’s a pretty special way to experience Milford once the day-trippers have gone.

Yes! You’re welcome to take your Defender across on the ferry and continue your adventure through the North Island.

The Defender does, however, need to make its way back to our Queenstown base. You can either return it to Queenstown yourself or talk to us about arranging collection from the North Island. Vehicle collection is quoted individually depending on the location.

If you’re planning a one-way adventure, get in touch before booking and we can work through the options with you.

Absolutely. We love a dog-friendly road trip.

Just make sure you plan your route with your four-legged co-pilot in mind and choose dog-friendly campsites and accommodation along the way.

Dogs aren't permitted in many of New Zealand's national parks and conservation areas, so please check the rules for the places you're planning to visit and respect any dog-free areas.

Definitely. Some of the best adventures are family ones.

Our Defenders have different seating capacities, so let us know how many people are travelling when you book and we can help you choose the best Defender and camping setup for your crew.

Bring comfortable layers, a warm jacket, good shoes, toiletries, personal items, food and your favourite road-trip playlist.

South Island weather can change quickly, even in summer, so layers are always a good idea. We provide the bulky camping gear, so you don't need to arrive in Queenstown carrying half a campsite.

Weather in the South Island can change quickly, particularly around alpine areas. Keep your itinerary flexible, check weather and road conditions regularly and don't be afraid to change plans if Mother Nature has other ideas.

Sometimes the unexpected detour ends up being the best part of the trip.

Classic Defenders have plenty of personality, but we don't expect you to be a mechanic.

You’ll have access to 24/7 roadside assistance throughout your rental, and we'll give you our contact details before you leave. If something isn't right, give us a call and we'll help get things sorted.

We’re a small, independent business with just a handful of classic Defenders, so once they're gone, they're gone.

Summer, Christmas/New Year and school holiday dates can book out well in advance, so if your travel dates are fixed, we recommend getting your Defender locked in early.

100%. We live here, we love road trips, and The Wild Rovers was created because we genuinely love exploring this part of the world.

Tell us what you’re into, whether that's hiking, swimming holes, photography, surf, great food, remote campsites or simply finding somewhere beautiful to park up for the night, and we'll happily point you in the right direction.

There are some seriously epic walks and hikes to discover around the South Island.

We recommend downloading AllTrails or Plan My Walk before you head off. They’re great for finding trails, checking distances and difficulty, and helping plan your next adventure.

Wild Rovers tip: South Island weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains, so always check the forecast and track conditions before heading out, and make sure you’re prepared for the conditions.

DOC stands for the Department of Conservation, which looks after some of New Zealand’s most incredible wild places.

DOC has a huge network of campsites and backcountry huts across the country, often tucked away beside lakes, rivers, mountains and hiking trails. They range from simple, remote campsites with basic facilities to larger serviced campgrounds, and they’re one of our favourite ways to experience the South Island.

Because our Defenders don’t have an onboard toilet, DOC campsites are a great option for Wild Rovers adventures. Just check the facilities and whether you need to book before you arrive.

Queenstown has plenty of places to stock up before you hit the road. You’ll find supermarkets for food, ice and everyday essentials, as well as outdoor and camping stores if you need any extra gear for your trip.

We’ll point you in the right direction at handover if there’s anything specific you need — then you’re ready to load up the Defender and head off.