Rhythm and Vines runs from 28 to 31 December 2026 at Waiohika Estate in Gisborne, and it's the festival's final year there before it moves to a new home in 2027. A campervan from Auckland turns it into a North Island road trip, via Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty, with your bed parked close to the festival.
Rhythm and Vines 2026 at a glance
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | 28 to 31 December 2026 (campers arrive from 28 December) |
| Where | Waiohika Estate, Gisborne, New Zealand |
| Why this year | The last Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne after 24 years |
| Nearest pick-up | Auckland |
| Drive from Auckland | Around 7 hours without stops |
Check the official Rhythm and Vines website for tickets, the line-up and camping options before you book.
Why go by campervan
Gisborne is a long way from New Zealand's big cities, and there are few flights or buses over New Year. A campervan solves the transport and the accommodation in one go: drive down from Auckland, sleep at the festival or nearby, and take the scenic way home. Gisborne is also one of the first cities in the world to see the sunrise, which makes it a memorable place to start the new year.
Camping at the festival in a campervan
Rhythm and Vines has festival campgrounds at Waiohika Estate, and the camping area opens on 28 December. If you want to sleep in your campervan on site, check the festival's camping page for the vehicle or campervan pass you need, and buy it with your camping ticket. Passes for the final year are likely to sell out.
Auckland to Gisborne: the route
Allow two days for the drive so you can enjoy it. Head south to Rotorua for geothermal parks and hot pools, then east along the Bay of Plenty coast to Ōpōtiki and through the Waioeka Gorge to Gisborne. The gorge road is winding, so take it in daylight.
After the festival, recover with a slow drive home, or loop south to Napier and Taupō before returning the van in Auckland.
A five-day plan
- Day 1, 26 December: pick up the campervan in Auckland, stock up on food and water, and drive to Rotorua
- Day 2, 27 December: a morning in Rotorua, then the Bay of Plenty coast and the Waioeka Gorge to Gisborne
- Days 3 to 6, 28 to 31 December: the festival, with the van at your campsite
- 1 January: rest day, or a slow start towards Napier
- 2 and 3 January: Napier and Taupō, then back to Auckland
Roads out of Gisborne are busy on 1 January, so there's no rush to leave. Many hire companies charge more for a one-way drop-off, so a loop back to Auckland usually works out simplest.
Freedom camping and holiday parks on the way
Freedom camping rules in New Zealand depend on your vehicle and the council. Many sites only allow certified self-contained vehicles. Over the festival period, holiday parks along the route are busy, so book the nights before and after.
Freedom camping in New Zealand→What to pack
- Sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water: the festival is outdoors in a summer vineyard
- Earplugs and an eye mask for sleeping in a busy campground
- A torch or head torch for finding the van at night
- Easy food you can cook in the van, so you're not paying festival prices for every meal
- Your camping ticket, vehicle pass and photo ID
Hire a campervan in Auckland
Compare campervans and motorhomes from Auckland in one search. Choose a self-contained van for the most freedom on the way.
Campervan hire Auckland→New Zealand travel guide→More summer events by campervan
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When is Rhythm and Vines 2026?
28 to 31 December 2026 at Waiohika Estate in Gisborne. It's the festival's final year in Gisborne.
Can you take a campervan to Rhythm and Vines?
Yes, with the right camping ticket and vehicle pass. Check the festival's camping page for what campervans need.
How long is the drive from Auckland to Gisborne?
Around 7 hours without stops. Most people take two days, stopping in Rotorua or on the Bay of Plenty coast.
Where is Rhythm and Vines moving to?
The festival has said it will move to a new venue from 2027 but hadn't named it when we wrote this.
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