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Heading out on a road trip in New Zealand or Australia? There’s a lot to plan, so let me help you with the most important part – picking out your perfect motorhome!
After traveling all over New Zealand in my trusty motorhome from Star RV, I have some high praises to sing. Better yet, I’ve partnered with Star RV to get a promo code for my readers so you can save money on your rental.
I’ll break down the different types of RVs available, why I personally love Star RV, and how to use this money-saving promotion to your benefit. All you’ll have to do is book and pack your bags!
Star RV Promo Code
As you’ve probably guessed, renting a motorhome can add up! This is why I take advantage of any deal I can, including Star RV’s promo code. At first, I didn’t think that 5% sounded like that much, but I quickly found out that it saved me a couple hundred dollars, which I put towards other bucket list activities while cruising around New Zealand.
To use this promo code, simply head to Star RV’s website here, pick out your ideal motorhome, and enter the promo code DTRAVEL25 when you check out. It’s important to note that no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 16, 2024 to January 19, 2025 for New Zealand and Australia. But, for the rest of the year, the discount is yours for the taking!
So as you can see, this is a pretty sweet deal that you don’t want to miss out on! Below I’ll outline the pros and cons of Star RV and break down the different features. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be ready to book your dream motorhome and head out on an adventure – while saving money!
Star RV Discount Code: For a 5% discount on your motorhome, use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout!
Pros of Star RV
Lots of pick up and drop off locations
One of the biggest reasons I love Star RV is just how accessible their locations are! In both Australia and New Zealand, they have pick-up and drop-off locations at most major international airports. So as soon as you land, you can grab your wheels and hit the road! See the full list of locations here, there are just too many for me to write!
To make your life even easier, you can pick up your RV from one location, and drop it off in another spot. This one-way hire is possible for an extra fee, and while I don’t love extra fees, I love how convenient this option is. The exact fee depends on which type of vehicle you book, but the cost can balance out when you factor in how much time and money you’ll save when you avoid backtracking.
For New Zealand – you can find Star RV’s locations in Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown airports. These just so happen to be the most common airports you’ll travel through! Regardless of if you’re traveling to the North Island or the South Island – Star RV will be there.
There are even more locations in Australia – it is a much bigger country and all! Star RV can be found in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
A large inventory of motorhomes
Did you know Star RV is one of the largest motorhome rental companies in New Zealand and Australia? They sure are! This means that they have a large inventory, so you don’t have to reserve your preferred motorhome months and months in advance. They have way more options than smaller companies! I appreciate this because sometimes a spontaneous road trip is calling my name, and Star RV makes that possible.
Big brand with great service
Star RV is known for its great customer service – no matter where you’re at! Every time I’ve reached out to them, they’ve been super helpful, quick to respond, and so friendly. I know that if I ever have a problem on the road their team will be easy to get in touch with. Isn’t that what you want out of a rental company anyway?
Lower price than comparable Motorhomes in NZ and Australia
Besides a great inventory, customer service, and convenient locations, Star RV is popular because of its competitive prices. They were easily the cheapest option compared to other major motorhome providers, and just as high of quality. I love a good budget-friendly option, and booking my motorhome with Star RV saved money for other fun adventures while I road trip!
Motorhomes are easy to drive
Contrary to popular belief, motorhomes are actually easy to drive! Well, at least Star RV’s are because they are all van-style, so they are more car than RV in regards to driving. But, they are still more spacious and comfortable than campervans – so it’s a win-win all around.
I love that they aren’t gigantic vehicles and are much easier to navigate on the road or in tight parking lots. This is especially helpful when navigating New Zealand’s narrow, windy, mountain roads or Australia’s cliffside ocean roads. All of the motorhomes are automatics – so no worries about learning how to drive a stick in a new country!
3 Types of motorhomes available
Three styles of motorhomes are offered in Australia and New Zealand. All of them have a kitchen, shower, and toilet, but the names vary between the countries.
In New Zealand, you can book the Polaris 2, Polaris 4, and Polaris 6. They make it easy and the number correlates with the number of people the RV can comfortably accommodate. Australia follows basically the same format, but instead of the Polaris 4, it is called the Polaris 2+2. My husband and I booked the Polaris 2 on our most recent trip, as there were just two of us!
New Zealand offers an extra perk called the Nova, available with the Polaris 4 and 6. This ensures that your motorhome is less than one year old, so you’re getting the newer models and better condition.
Pet-friendly
Have a 4-legged companion you hope to bring along? Go for it! Star RV loves animals and most of their motorhomes are pet-friendly. Bear in mind that they will charge a flat fee of $299 NZD/AUD per trip. The steep fee covers the deep clean your motorhome will get after your trip, just in case the next tenant has pet allergies.
I get discounts
What’s mine is yours – so when I say “I get discounts” I really mean WE get discounts! Not only is Star RV one of the most affordable motorhome companies in New Zealand and Australia, but they have graciously extended a promo code to my readers and me.
Simply book your Star RV motorhome online here and use the code DTRAVEL24 at checkout and get 5% off. Regardless of where you’re going in NZ or Australia, this code will apply. Happy traveling!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve organized a special discount code that will get you 5% off if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Cons of Star RV
Not the greatest reviews
If you read the reviews online, you might be surprised to see how mid-range they paint Star RV to be. I was shocked when I read these reviews because I have had nothing but positive experiences with the company. That’s why I wanted to write my review here, to tell everyone the good! But, it’s something to keep in mind and everyone’s experience can be different – so consider all perspectives when renting a motorhome!
We had to wait for our motorhome
While most of our experience was seamless, we did have to wait quite a long time to pick up our motorhome. My partner and I rented one during the summer and it happened to be a crazy busy day at the depot. We ended up waiting around two hours to get our motorhome, which definitely set our departure time back.
This wasn’t totally Star RV’s fault, as it happened to be a busy day in the busiest time or year, but it’s worth a mention. Just be prepared for a wait if you’re traveling during high time, and maybe bring a book or headphones to keep yourself occupied while you wait!
Extras cost more
RV’s come with the basic necessities, but if you want to rent other amenities that make camping comfortable, like chairs and a table, they are quite costly. It’s $18 NZD/AUD per camping chair and $25 NZD for a camping table. Which, I was a little irritated about because we were already spending a good chunk of money on the RV itself.
At the end of the day, it’s not a trip-ending expense. But we definitely wanted these comforts to enjoy around the campfire and I would have preferred it if it was included in the price of the motorhome. I will note that this is not only a Star RV thing – most motorhome rental companies do this too!
Related Read: If you’re still deciding between a campervan or a motorhome – check out my blog on the most trusted campervan rental companies in NZ here!
Features of Star RV Motorhomes
Polaris 2
I’ve rented the Polaris 2 with my partner, as it’s designed for couples! It comes with one double bed, tons of storage, a two-burner gas stove, and a self-contained bathroom – everything we needed for a comfortable experience! We appreciated that it was a compact motorhome but still had a lot of storage. Plus, the 90L fresh water tank made traveling to remote areas easy because we didn’t have to fill up as often!
Polaris 2+2
The Polaris 2+2 is only offered in Australia and is made for families! It features one double bed and two single beds, plus the same features as the Polaris 2. The 2-burner stove is perfect for cooking for a family and there is tons of storage for extra clothes, toys, or other road trip essentials. This option is ideal for families exploring Australia on a budget and who want to enjoy the great outdoors!
Polaris 4
The Polaris 4 is a good option for families or small groups. It’s a larger motorhome with two double beds, one of which has a lift system so you can maximize the space. Additionally, it has a gas stove, bench seats, a 130L fridge, and a 147L fresh water tank – which is a pretty generous size for an RV!
This style of RV is great for couples who desire more space than the Polaris 2 provides. I splurged and tried a larger motorhome than I needed once and it was nice to have extra room! The Polaris 4 is only available in New Zealand.
Polaris 6
The Polaris 6 has all the bells and whistles that the Polaris 4 offers, plus an extra double bed and an extendable awning. I love having the awning to sit in the shade in the heat of the day, or to enjoy the outdoors even if it’s raining.
The beds can be folded into seating areas during the day, so I love the versatility of this motorhome.
Would I rent from Star RV again?
Yes, I would absolutely rent from Star RV again! They have a wide inventory and are super easy to book. They are a reliable rental company and one of the best in Australia and New Zealand. However, my favorite aspect of Star RV is their prices – they are consistently the cheapest around. Especially when you use my promo code (see below!).
If you’re in New Zealand, I have also used Kiwi Motorhome and had a great experience. But, they are significantly more expensive so when I’m traveling on a budget, I go with Star RV. If you’re still shopping around, check out my guide on renting a motorhome in New Zealand for all the details on the best companies!
Star RV Discount Code: For a 5% discount on your motorhome, use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout!
Thanks for reading!
Taking a road trip through New Zealand is easily the best way to experience this beautiful country! I’ve lived in a campervan for a while, but I can’t deny the luxuries of a motorhome – and Star RV has always been my top choice. Don’t forget to use my promo code to get 5% off at check out so you can use that money for other epic excursions.
If you found this post helpful, be sure to check out my other New Zealand blogs. I also put together a lot of resources about road-tripping in New Zealand and some can’t-miss destinations. Here are a few related reads to get you started:
6 BEST Motorhome Rentals in Auckland (+My Top Choice!)
10 EPIC South Island Road Trips You’ll Love in New Zealand
North Island VS South Island of New Zealand – Which is Better?