A parking lot is good too, just to get an idea of remembering to stay on the right side (the left side ;) ) and give way in the appropriate directions.
I saw you posted earlier about ferry costs- is that the InterIslander? I think the prices for that are pretty set in stone...
The other is Bluebridge, you could try them and see what their prices are like.
With Interislander, theres a Web Saver fare but selling out quick. Random date in March (17th) is NZ$248 for a 6m campervan and one adult.
Check with the rental company as they may be able to get a more favuorable rate if they book for you.
Bluebridge is $239 so a little cheaper. Bluebridge also has another type of vehicle that can be selected: "car, ute, van < 5.5m". The camper van I am planning to hire is "TUI Backpacker sleeper van" (see https://www.newzealand-motorhomes.com/quoting/display.php?703 ) and is only 4.4m long so instead of camper van, should I select the "car, ute, van < 5.5m"? And same way on InterIslander, should I select van rather than camper van?
The rental company gave me the quote I listed earlier: $233 for the car + $73 for myself, totaling $306.
Thanks westwood. I just sent a message to the rental company asking (1) whether I select "van" or "camper van" and (2) my credit card will cover insurance, deductible, collision damage etc. so maybe if they can rent the car without the minimum insurance of $15 per day. Let's see what happens.
Looks like what we call a "people mover" and been converted into a camperr. I'd do a bit more looking to see how the rental company came up with the price of the ferry. Definitely compare both companies and select van rather than car.
I'd call that just a regular van, yeah. I think a camper van refers to something more like this: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/O9aH4VRcRAJHcDwIlSl4PNZexAsPbOtl95oP_XMQNXjzL77k0U8C15OFJuhhXb8EaiuyoO3xpO2loBcsGr1pDyvSLafqe6op67FLTBWKprmpwqXQ5Lk (do links even work here?). They're a lot taller, for one. BUT I'm speculating, having not taken the ferry before.