Many travellers like the comforts of home while on holiday. Others take their home with them.

Helen and Brian Cox fall into the latter category, and are in Timaru this weekend as part of the New Zealand Motor Caravan rally.

They love the lifestyle, and after five years travelling around New Zealand have no plans to park up.

"It's the free and easy lifestyle that appeals. You also get to meet a lot of people," Mrs Cox said.

And if you don't like your neighbours, you can just drive on.

The motor-home is like a luxury launch on wheels and is valued between $200,000 and $250,000.

There is sky television, a DVD player, and surround sound.

The home has a double bed at the rear, an ensuite with separate shower, toilet and basin, and a washing machine and dryer.

The kitchen has a fridge freezer, gas hobb and oven. Then its on to the plush sofas and chairs.

Outside, there's a built in barbecue that pops out.

The couple, Mr Cox is originally from Timaru, spend their time travelling around New Zealand in their two-year-old bus which was built for them.

The couple fell into mobile homes by accident.

After selling up their motel business and home, they moved into their first mobile home.

AdvertisementAdvertisement"We went around looking for where we wanted to live and haven't stopped.

"If we get sick of a place we just move on," Mrs Cox said.

Fellow mobile home owners Wilma and Bunty Meyer, from Hamilton, use their bus for holidays.

They arrived in Timaru after an 18 day safari around the MacKenzie Basin.

The Meyers have done full-circle when it comes to holidays.

They bought their first mobile home in the early 1970s, but later traded it in for a holiday home and the boating lifestyle.

They have since returned to mobile homes.

"It's more relaxing and not as much work."

The Meyers' bus is distinctive by its number plate, BEWICHD, and is valued around $100,000.

The rally has attracted around 1200 people.