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Australian travellers are looking east as the country prepares to reopen its borders with New Zealand in 10 days for the first time in over a year.

The launch of the quarantine-free travel bubble will see thousands of tourists cross the Tasman from April 19 - many of them to camp and explore the famously scenic nation on lengthy road trips.

Australian travel giant Camplify has already reported a huge uptick in caravan and campervan rentals, as its quirky vehicles pique the interest of holiday-starved Australians eager to jet overseas after more than a year of international border closures.

And with 'Instagrammable' vans on offer from as little as $85 per day, there's a lot to be said for spending your first post-Covid holiday in the driver's seat.

© Provided by Daily MailAustralian travellers are looking east as the country prepares to reopen its borders with New Zealand in just 10 days time for the first time in more than a year (pictured: the Silver Liner campervan, available from just $85 a day)

© Provided by Daily MailThe launch of quarantine-free travel will see thousands of tourists cross the Tasman from April 19 - many of them to camp and explore the famously scenic nation in campervans (the interior of the Silver Liner is pictured)

Camplify CEO Justin Hales said he is 'thrilled' to see Australians preparing to head back to New Zealand for the first time since March 2020, when governments slammed borders shut to slow the spread of Covid-19.

'We have already seen huge demand for road trips across the country, with families looking for socially distanced holiday options within the trans-Tasman bubble,' Mr Hales said.

'With self-contained caravans and campervans socially distanced by design, we understand this style of travel offers holidaymakers an extra feeling of safety and control.'

The Silver Liner

The cheapest of the bunch at just $85 per day, no expense has been spared in the making of the luxury Silver Liner, which Camplify experts promise will take you on a road trip you'll 'cherish forever'.

Kitted out with a built-in kitchen, dining table and a double memory foam mattress, the van is ideal for first-time campers and can be rented from various locations across Christchurch.

The living space is illuminated with LED lighting and powered by solar panels, while a large capacity house battery keeps the fridge humming.

Sockets and USB plugs with 240-voltage have been installed so you can run your laptop and charge camera batteries on the road.

A 72-litre fresh water and 79-litre grey water tanks have been incorporated to ensure you stay cleansed and hydrated no matter how far you travel.

The self-contained van even features a portable toilet that can be neatly stowed when not in use, meaning you're not reliant on finding a campsite whenever you need to use the bathroom.

Added extras include a Bluetooth enabled speaker and an outdoor table and chair set, where you can watch the world go by after a long day of driving.

© Provided by Daily MailKitted out with a built-in kitchen, dining table and a double memory foam mattress, the Silver Liner (pictured) is ideal for first-time campers and can be rented from various locations across Christchurch

The Kiwi Burrow

Built inside an upscale 'Talvor' motorhome, the Kiwi Burrow is an enormous vehicle big enough to sleep six.

Ideal for families or groups of friends, the van - which is available to hire from the Bay of Plenty on the country's North Island - features one double and two queen-sized beds, as well as a six-seater dining table that converts to a wraparound lounge, providing the perfect perch to take in the sunset from wherever you decide to park. 

The kitchen boasts a microwave, cooker, combined fridge-freezer, sink and plenty of bench space to prepare meals at any time of day.

Entirely self-contained, the van has a shower and toilet with running water heated by solar panels on the roof.

The van - which costs $175 per day - has everything you could possibly need on the road, including a new 'Pioneer' radio with Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to connect two devices at once for music, maps and hands-free calls.

From fly screens and skylights to LED lighting and an extractor fan, it sounds more like a city apartment than a custom-made motorhome.

Built inside an upscale 'Talvor' motorhome, the Kiwi Burrow (pictured) is an enormous vehicle big enough to sleep six

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The Hopara

The Hopara, a minimalist 'tear-drop camper' available to hire in Mount Maunganui on New Zealand's North Island, promises to provide everything you need for a road trip without any unnecessary extras.

The van - which will set you back a reasonable $99 per day - is fitted with creature comforts such as a double bed, electrical sockets and a kitchen that has a two-burner gas stove, fridge and sink with running water.

But you'll have to use campsite facilities, because there's no toilet inside. 

The Hopara (pictured) is a minimalist 'tear-drop camper' available to hire in Mount Maunganui on New Zealand's North Island

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The Juno 

Perfect for an off-grid adventure, the vintage-inspired Juno is a 100 percent handcrafted 2019 Volkswagen Crafter that boasts all the bohemian features needed to fulfil your wildest 'van life' dreams. 

The four-person van, which can be picked up in Hamilton and rented from $200 per day, is made from premium timber and has a combined fridge-freezer complete with built-in ice trays to help you mix evening cocktails.

There's also a large outdoor hammock and luxurious memory foam bedding for you to relax in after a long day of driving or exploring the countryside. 

Perfect for an off-grid adventure, the vintage-inspired Juno (pictured) is a 100 percent handcrafted 2019 Volkswagen Crafter that boasts all the bohemian features needed to fulfil your wildest 'van life' dreams

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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday announced the trans-Tasman travel bubble with Australia will reopen from April 19, as both countries continue to enjoy low coronavirus cases.

The launch of the bubble, which will allow travellers to fly between the two countries without quarantining, has prompted airlines to add hundreds of flights with return services on offer for as little as $500.

Qantas and Jetstar - which announced a combined weekly service of 122 flights - will operate the same routes as they did before the pandemic hit, along with two new services - Auckland to Cairns and the Gold Coast.

Australians heading to New Zealand will be kept separate from other international arrivals who are still required to go into mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days. 

The impact of the announcement was seen almost immediately by travel giant Skyscanner, which reported a 66 percent spike in website visits minutes after Ms Ardern made the announcement.

Bookings for New Zealand then surged by a staggering 1,570 percent, with Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch and Wellington the most popular destinations. 

The highest volume of bookings for 2021 are currently for the week of April 19, as Australian travellers scramble to fly overseas for the first time since the pandemic began.

Skyscanner's senior director for the APAC region Paul Whiteway said the opening of the bubble between Australia and New Zealand represents the dawn of a new era of travel.

'Quarantine free travel re-starting to New Zealand is about more than holidays for Australians, it's about being able to visit their favourite places again and connecting and reuniting with family and friends,' Mr Whiteway said.

'There is a close bond between Australia and New Zealand and we expect travellers booking early trips will be going to see family and friends as well as leisure trips with the upcoming ski season.' 

Inside the most elaborate campervan in history

With staycations on the rise, it is of little surprise more of us are thinking about investing in a campervan. 

But very few will enjoy travelling in the sort of luxury the extravagant 'Commander' motorhome affords.

The two-storey, 40ft long model from Australian firm SLRV boasts 10 bunk beds, four televisions and a fully functional kitchen, offering passengers the sort of comfort found in a modern city apartment.  

There is also no need to visit another campsite toilet block because the vehicle comes complete with a spacious shower and toilet.

Families eager to travel together without sitting on top of each other can also breathe a sigh of relief - there is plenty of space to relax on the sleek leather sofas, which overlook the polished monochrome kitchen. 

But all of this luxury comes at a price, with estimates putting the cost of the Commander at up to AUD$2.08million (£1.1million/$1.5million).

This dwarfs the $150,000 (£82,000) Australians typically spend on a motorhome. Making the most of the available space, the designers tucked a washing machine into a cavity that can be accessed from the outside.

© Provided by Daily MailGo big or go home! The two-storey, 40ft long 'Commander' model from Australian firm SLRV boasts 10 bunk beds, four televisions and a fully functional kitchen, offering passengers the sort of comfort found in a modern city apartment

An aluminium roof rack provides additional storage space over the cab, which also has a side ladder for easy access, spotlights to guide the way in poor visibility and metal sidebars to protect the truck from low-hanging tree branches. 

The amenities continue in the kitchen with 475l of freezer space - more than double the 40l-230l capacity found in most campervans. 

Meanwhile cupboards and storage containers are made from premium plastic with soft-close runners and compression latches which stop drawers from rattling over bumps and potholes, giving you a smoother drive. 

As you might expect from such a luxury offering, the motorhome can be fitted with almost any appliance, including an induction stove, convection ovens and microwaves, diesel-powered water heaters and speaker systems for entertainment.

Buyers can choose from a range of bathroom layouts, all of which include a mirrored vanity, shower and toilet. 

© Provided by Daily MailSleek: The polished monochrome kitchen has modern fittings and plenty of space to prepare food on the road © Provided by Daily MailTight squeeze: There is space to sleep 10 - perfect for a big family - but you have to sleep head-to-toe (above)

Attention has also been paid to the functionality.  

The carriage is mounted on a German-made truck typically used to carry refrigerated containers for medium and long-haul transportation, making it perfect for longer road trips and off-road conditions.  

Every piece is waterproof and fire retardant for safety and durability, whether you're exploring rainforest or desert. 

The windows are double-glazed to protect the interior from the elements all year round. 

Fly screens are fitted across the inside, blocking out mosquitoes and other insects found deep in the wilds of the outback. 

Depending on single or two-storey configuration, the Commander can hold between 500 and 1,000 litres of water at a time - perfect for long-term travel across remote regions.

© Provided by Daily MailNo nonsense:  The carriage is mounted on a MAN TGS, a German-made truck typically used to carry refrigerated containers for medium and long-haul transportation. The tough base (pictured) makes it perfect for off-road trips