Hot deals: Uber-cheap campervan deals

For $5 a day you can hire a two-to-three berth campervan for a one-way rental from Christchurch to Auckland, but you must take advantage of the deal by December 19, and the $5-a-day rate lasts for a maximum of five days.

A new rental vehicle company, Stand By Cars, is offering walk-through campers at $5 a day, a huge reduction from the standard $155-a-day rate. The company plans to offer a general last minute car hire service.

Contact: Standbycars

Under $870

Seven nights in Cairns are priced from $869 a person, twin-share, including return airfares with Qantas and a stop-off in Sydney to change aircraft. Travel must start and finish between February 1 and March 31, and flights are available from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Auckland departures are at 6am each day, and there's a two-hour stopover in Sydney.

Payment is preferred within seven days of booking, and credit cards are not accepted. Seats for flights are filling fast and there's a choice of accommodation at different rates. Departure taxes and surcharges are not included in the package price.

Contact: Itchyfeet Travel, (09) 353 2626.

Under $7800

An escorted tour to Southern Africa that includes 10 days' camping in Botswana leaves from New Zealand on April 20. The group is made up of no more than 16 people. Three nights are spent in Cape Town and meals are included. The cost is $7795 a person, twin-share, and includes return airfares from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. Airport taxes and other surcharges are not included.

Contact: House of Travel, freephone 0800 838 747.

Under $1570

A seven-night package to Tahiti is priced from $1569 a person with accommodation in self-contained bungalows at Villa Aute, beside the beach at Moorea.

The villas can sleep up to four people and Guests have complimentary use of kayaks, canoes, bicycles and barbecue facilities. Travel is from Auckland.

Contact: Tahiti Vacations, (09) 4141947 or (09) 4141685. Email: info@tahitivacations.co.nz