New Zealand, famous for its sheep, rugby and the Lord of the Rings movies, is an incredible country to explore, especially by renting a car. This gives you the freedom to travel where and when you want. On the South Island, visit Lake Wanaka, Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park for some quality outdoor time, and on the North Island be sure to check out the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington and the charming town of Taihape, the gumboot capital of the world. There is so much to see in the small country of New Zealand, and a car rental is a perfect way to discover all that it has to offer.
Car rental New Zealand: The most important sites
You can book a car hire in New Zealand for a short or long term trip. Please be aware that with a car rental in New Zealand, the conditions and accessories can depend on the vehicle category and destination booked. Plan ahead for the best deals and keep in mind that one way trips are also possible. Cheap car rental sites are available all over the country, giving you maximum flexibility with your travels. A car rental in New Zealand is available in several of the larger cities:
Auckland
Wellington
Christchurch
Picton
Queenstown
Dunedin
Rent a car: New Zealand and its sights
Adrenaline junkies should make sure to head to Queenstown on the South Island for bungee jumping, white-water rafting and skydiving, all offered by multiple outdoor adventure companies and easily accessible with your auto rental in New Zealand. For amazing natural landscapes, visit Lake Wanaka, Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park. Put on your hiking boots and trek through the set of the Lord of the Rings as you hike through stunning landscapes of jagged mountains, thick forests and sparkling rivers and lakes beyond comparison.
For an incredible experience, hop aboard one of the many whale watching tours offered in Kaikoura to view these incredible animals in their natural habitat. With a rental car in New Zealand, you can visit the capital city, Wellington, and explore the country’s national museum, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, located by the harbour. The local cuisine is excellent and the waterfront makes for a relaxing afternoon stroll.
Getting around with your New Zealand car rental
Many of the roads in New Zealand are hilly and subject to strong crosswinds, so be aware that a planned journey may take longer than anticipated. In New Zealand, you should drive on the left side of the road. You need to have your valid driving licence with you when you are driving. If this licence is in a language other than English, be sure to have a translated copy with you as well. Once you enter New Zealand with a foreign driving licence, you can drive there for up to 12 months. This 12-month period is renewed every time you arrive in New Zealand.
Speed limits are indicated in kilometres per hour. In towns, the speed limit is usually 50km per hour, and in less urban areas this may be anything between 60km and 80km per hour. On rural roads and the majority of motorways, the open road speed limit is 100km per hour. In towns and cities, you may only park in designated parking spaces. Do not park facing oncoming traffic or along broken yellow lines. Beware of speed cameras, which are common all over New Zealand. Be sure to fill your tank regularly as there are often large stretches between petrol stations, especially in rural areas.
