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Planning an epic road trip across Australia or New Zealand? Well, then you’ve probably come across the name “Star RV” by now. But are they worth it, or should you shop elsewhere for your home on wheels?
I’ve rented motorhomes with Star RV several times now and have found that they offer convenience and great service. But motorhomes aren’t one-size-fits-all, so I’ve written this in-depth review to help you decide whether or not Star RV is the right motorhome provider for your trip. After all, this is going to be your home for the next few weeks or months, so it’s important to make the right choice!
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
Star RV has a ton of pick-up and drop-off locations around both Australia and New Zealand – you can see the full list online when you book here. In fact, they have locations at most major international airports, which means you can usually pick up your vehicle as soon as you arrive in the country. Trust me, this makes life so much easier!
You also don’t have to pick up and drop off your RV in the same place. There’s a one-way hire option which will incur an extra fee. The amount depends on the vehicle you hire and where you’re going, but I’ve found that it’s worth it because this has allowed me to save on travel time, snag cheaper flights, and select my perfect itinerary without having to return to where I started.
In New Zealand, Star RV has pick-up and drop-off locations at the Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown airports. Chances are, you’ll be flying into one of these three. Plus, this means they’ve got both the North and South Islands covered!
Meanwhile, they have even more locations in Australia including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
A large inventory of motorhomes
Star RV is one of the biggest motorhome rental companies in Australia and New Zealand. Their large inventory means that you can book closer to your date of travel, whereas smaller companies that only have a few RVs tend to book up way ahead of time. I like this because it’s allowed me to be more spontaneous and not have to plan months in advance.
Big brand with great service
Star RV is a well-known brand and is used by tons of travelers every year. They have a dedicated customer service team and I’ve always found them to be really responsive and helpful. It’s always worth going with a big name you know you can trust, especially if this is your first RV trip!
Lower price than comparable Motorhomes in NZ and Australia
One of the reasons Star RV is so popular is that they offer really competitive prices. I’ve found that using them has meant I end up paying way less than a comparable motorhome from one of their competitors. They’re one of the most budget-friendly choices out there, so choosing one of their motorhomes is a good way to save money on a road trip.
You can check out my 5 favorite motorhome rental companies in New Zealand here to see other competitive options, and how Star RV holds up!
Motorhomes are easy to drive
All of Star RV’s motorhomes are van-style, which means that they are so much easier to drive! Although they’re comfy and spacious, they’re not behemoth vehicles, so it’s easier to maneuver them around and park up.
This was a huge bonus for me, especially when driving along New Zealand’s winding mountain passes and Australia’s meandering ocean roads. Their motorhomes also all have automatic transmission, which again makes life super easy, especially if you’ve never driven a stick before.
3 Types of motorhome available
There are three types of Star RV available in both Australia and New Zealand, all of which are fully equipped with a kitchen, shower, and toilet.
In New Zealand, they’re named the Polaris 2, Polaris 4, and Polaris 6, and the number indicates the maximum number of people the RV can accommodate. Australia is similar, only instead of the Polaris 4, they have the 2+2, which is slightly different. Since I was traveling with my husband on our most recent trip in New Zealand, we went for the Polaris 2!
I should add that in New Zealand, you can also choose a Nova when selecting a Polaris 4 or 6 RV. This means that your motorhome has spent less than one year on the fleet, so it’s brand new and in top-notch condition.
Pet-friendly
If you’re wondering whether Star RV will allow you to bring your furry friend along for the ride, the answer is yes! Most of their motorhomes are pet-friendly although there is a flat fee of $299 NZD/AUD per trip. This is because they rigorously sanitize the vehicles afterward in case the next customer has a pet allergy.
I get discounts
When I say “I get discounts” … I actually mean you get discounts! Star RV is already one of the most affordable motorhome companies out there, but my readers can save even more money by using my special discount code!
After you book your Star RV motorhome online here, you can use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout and get 5% off. Yup, it’s that easy, and it applies to rentals in both Australia and New Zealand. Need more information about this promo code before you book? Check out my guide to Star RV’s promo code here so you can secure the best deal for your road trip.
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! This promotion is available for the entire year, except for travel dates from December 16, 2024 to January 19, 2025.
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 entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!
Related Read: For road trip inspo, check out my 10-day South Island itinerary or my 10-day North Island itinerary that break down my fave routes on both islands.
Cons of Star RV
Not the greatest reviews
To be honest, their reviews online are pretty mediocre which I think is a shame, as that doesn’t match up with my experience at all. I’ve had really positive experiences with them and will definitely use them again in the future. With that being said, it’s still something to consider when renting a motorhome with them.
We had to wait for our motorhome
The only real negative part of my most recent experience with Star RV was the long wait to pick up our motorhome. My hubby and I rented one during the middle of summer, so the depot was super busy and we had to wait for around two hours to pick up our vehicle.
It wasn’t really their fault as there was just a high volume of people picking up their motorhomes that day, but it’s still worth mentioning. Definitely bring a book or some headphones with you to keep you entertained while you wait!
Extras cost more
One thing that I found slightly annoying is that basic extras like camping chairs and a table cost more. It’s $18 NZD/AUD per hire for a camping chair and $25 NZD/AUD for a table.
It isn’t the end of the world, but given that these are pretty necessary items for a comfortable camping experience, it would have been nice if they were included in the base price of a motorhome. Still, Star RV certainly isn’t the only motorhome company that does this!
Features of Star RV Motorhomes
Polaris 2
The Polaris 2 is designed for couples, with one double bed, a swivel front seat, a two-burner gas cooker, and a self-contained bathroom. Basically, it had everything we needed to hit the road! It’s compact but has tons of storage, so both of us were super comfortable on our road trip. It also had a 90L fresh water tank which was so convenient.
Polaris 2+2
Only available in Australia, the Polaris 2+2 is ideal for families with younger children. It has one double bed and two singles, as well as many similar features to the Polaris 2, such as a two-burner cooker and swivel seats rather than benches, which the larger RVs usually have. I think that this one is ideal for families road-tripping through Australia on a budget.
Polaris 4
The Polaris 4 is a larger RV that has two double beds, as well as a full gas cooker, bench seats, and a bed lift system so that guests can make the most of the space. This one is exclusive to New Zealand and I think it’s a great option for families or small groups.
It has a 130L fridge and a 147L fresh water tank, which is pretty generous, and I think it could also be a good option for couples who want a bit more space than the Polaris 2 allows. I’ve rented larger motorhomes than strictly necessary before just to get a bit of extra breathing room!
Polaris 6
This one is available in both Australia and New Zealand, and it’s perfect for groups and families. It has pretty much everything the Polaris 4 offers, as well as an additional double bed and an extendable awning, which is perfect for sitting outside. The beds can be folded away to create two separate seating areas, which is ideal if you want some space during the day away from your fellow travel companions!
Related Read: If you’re planning to see one of the most beautiful places in the world, check out my road trip guide on going from Queenstown to Milford Sound!
Would I rent from Star RV again?
Yes, I definitely would. Overall, I like Star RV a lot and wouldn’t hesitate to rent a motorhome from them again. I think that they’re one of the best rental companies in both Australia and New Zealand, and their prices are very competitive.
When road-tripping in New Zealand, I do also like Kiwi Motorhomes a lot, but they’re more expensive so when I’m on a budget, Star RV is my go-to! If you are still in the research stage, I break down pros and cons of different companies in my blog on the most trusted campervan rental companies in New Zealand.
Star RV Discount Code: For a 5% discount on your motorhome, use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout!
Thanks for reading!
Going on a road trip is one of my favorite ways to explore New Zealand, so whatever campervan you go with, you’re going to have an amazing time! Star RV is still my top choice when I’m looking for something affordable, comfortable, and convenient.
Make sure to have a look through my blog all about New Zealand here. I even have a handy section just on the best road trips in New Zealand! Or, I’ve picked out a few links below that might be helpful.
10 EPIC South Island Road Trips You’ll Love in New Zealand
Two Week North Island Itinerary Ideas – 3 Tried and Tested Itineraries!