Get GOing with GO Rentals for easy car hire from Auckland to Invercargill! This incredible, once-in-a-lifetime road trip will take you across the most famous sights of both the North and South Islands. With GO Rentals’ versatile range of SUVs to minibuses, basic insurance coverage and unlimited kilometres, even this 25-hour journey across the country will be a breeze.
More Reasons to GO
With GO Rentals, you can head towards some of the most iconic vistas and experiences New Zealand has to offer. From the biggest cities to gorgeous natural hot springs to the wild unknown of the South Island, an Auckland to Invercargill road trip is your chance to truly immerse yourself in kiwi freedom. We make it easy to pick up your rental car in Auckland and drop it off in Invercargill within your own schedule with our one-way rental.
FREE basic car rental insurance
Our basic insurance cover is included in the cost of every car hire with two upgraded insurance options available!
One-way car rentals
We can organise one-way rentals with pick-up in one location and drop-off in another. Stick to your dream itinerary without worrying about circling back.
Offset carbon emissions
In partnership with CarbonClick, you can choose to offset the carbon emission of your GO Rentals road trip.
24hr AA roadside assistance
All GO Rentals hire cars have access to the AA 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance and our Tesla EVs have access to Tesla Roadside Assistance.
GO App
With our GO Rentals App, you can book a car, check in faster and even control your Tesla car functions, right from the palm of your hand.
We offer convenient one-way rentals from all ten of our locations across New Zealand. If you’re planning a car hire from Auckland to Invercargill, simply add your itinerary details to our booking widget, enter your return locations and hit ‘find my car.’
Please note:
If you’re unable to find the availability you’re after on our website, give us a call, we’ll do our best to help make your one-way road trip happen.
You can take any GO Rentals vehicle on the Cook Strait Ferry between the North and South Island, which is perfect for a stress-free one-way road trip. We have 10 car rental branches spread evenly throughout New Zealand, in the major destinations. You’re never far from a GO Rentals car.
Get your journey started as quickly as possible thanks to our speedy check-in. Manage your booking online or download our app to get through the check-in process and on the road faster.
Get the most out of your North to South Island road trip with our interactive trip planner. Using our extensive travel blog for inspiration, you can craft an unforgettable trip through some of New Zealand's most iconic stops and hidden gems. Here are some of the must-see stops on your way to Invercargill from Auckland.
There's plenty to see in the largest city in New Zealand before you head out on the reload! Whether you want to kickstart your journey with a thrilling bungee jump off Sky Tower or admire the artistry of Weta Workshops, Auckland has something to suit everyone's taste. You can also sit back on a dolphin safari or sunbathe on local shores like Cheltenham Beach.
This vibrant city offers spectacular natural landscapes, an energetic calendar of events and a unique taste of New Zealand heritage. Immerse yourself in local culture at the New Zealand Rugby Museum and the Te Manawa Museum of art, science and heritage. You can also explore the bustling cafe and food scene, or stroll along the Victoria Esplanade.
Wellington will be your last stop on the North Island leg of your road trip, and it’s well worth exploring before you hop on the ferry. The capital city of New Zealand features many iconic landmarks and experiences. Hop on the vintage Wellington cable car, explore Maori history, art and culture at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa or see local flora and fauna at the Zealandia Ecosanctuary.
The ferry from the North to the South Islands stops at Picton, and this charming port city has plenty to offer before you head further down south. Head to stunning golden beaches, go whale and dolphin watching or take a calm walk through the nearby forests. For the more adventurous, Picton is one of the best places to base an exploration trip to the Marlborough Sounds from.
Kaikoura is an absolute must-see destination for animal lovers and safari fanatics. No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be able to have incredible encounters with local marine life. Spot dolphins, orcas, humpback whales and more, whether you’re just watching from the shoreline or enjoying a boat tour.
The largest city in the South Island has a thriving cafe and restaurant scene and enough activities to make stopping for a day or two well worthwhile. Christchurch offers 5-star restaurants and incredible boutiques and stores to explore. You can also immerse yourself in local history by visiting the Riverside Market, built to help the city recover after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake.
The ‘Steampunk Capital of New Zealand’ captures the spirit of the 19th century with its untouched 19th-century Victorian Limestone architecture. In addition to unique attractions like the Steampunk HQ museum, Oamaru also features wonderful artisan shops, cafes, galleries and even a local blue penguin colony.
Dunedin and the surrounding areas are famous for their natural beauty and abundant wildlife, giving the city the nickname of ‘The Wildlife Capital of New Zealand.” You’re never too far from a chance encounter with New Zealand's iconic wildlife in this charming city, including kiwis, rare birds and marine life. Dunedin also embodies its fascinating history with antique and unchanged Victorian heritage buildings.
You’re finally at the end of your long journey! Welcome to Invercargill, the City of Water and Lights and the southern-most city in all of New Zealand and the perfect place to take a rest after your long trip. Invercargill has plenty of tranquil beaches and a thriving motor culture. Take a stroll along Oreti Beach, or check out antique vehicles at the Classic Motorcycle Mecca and Bill Richardson Transport World. Depending on the time of year, you may even catch a glimpse of the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis)!
We love that our stress-free rental cars do more than get you from A to B. They become part of your travel memories, and we want to see them!
Submit a happy photo to our Snap Happy Photo Competition and be in with a chance to receive up to $500 back off your booking!
New Zealand is best explored in a modern, reliable car. But don't take our word for it. Cruise through the happy customers revv'd up about their experience:
Took a trip to Auckland Zoo, Daddy orangutan on duties babysitting his super cute little offspring. Very happy with our GO Rental Car.
Giant Sequoia or Redwood tree. Definitely a giant tree! Amazing.
We loved using the ASX to get to the wedding with the bride in tow!
Dunedin: Driving my GO Rentals car along the roads of New Zealand, even the sheep seemed to part the way for me.
With a great selection of affordable vehicles, GO Rentals is ready to get you on the road for a one-way trip. Choose from 4-wheel drives and SUVs for ski or family trips to luxury electric vehicles for a stylish self-drive trip. Put your itinerary details in to see our vehicle availability and start planning your GO trip.
Auckland: Traffic in Auckland can often be congested, especially during peak times. Parking options include paid facilities and street parking. Rates are typically around $5.50 per hour on weekdays and cap at $24. Weekend parking is typically $2 per hour with a $15 cap. Free parking is limited to specific shopping centres and the suburbs. Check Auckland Transport for more details.
Invercargill: Parking in Invercargill is generally easy to find, with many free or low-cost options available in the city centre. It’s also considered one of the most driver-friendly cities in New Zealand, so you’re unlikely to encounter any issues when it comes to parking. Traffic in Invercargill is typically light, although it can get congested during peak hours. Free and paid parking is easy to find, and paid rates tend to be $2 per hour on weekdays and $5 on weekends.
There are only three toll roads in New Zealand, all located on the North Island. You may be running into them on your trip to Invercargill.
With GO Rentals’ Total Road Care Package, you don’t need to stress about paying for toll roads. This mandatory $3/day package covers you for all toll road fees you incur, including associated admin costs.
The roads between Auckland and Invercargill are well-maintained and offer clear signage. However, some roads on the South Island may be winding or narrow. 50km/h speed limits apply in urban and populated areas, and 100km/h limits apply on the open road. See our blog posts on New Zealand's toll roads and general roads guide for more information.
We are regularly updating our relocation deals so you can get GOing on a one-way road trip for cheaper. Check out our latest relocation deals to see if your itinerary matches our deal. Save money and still access our award-winning customer service.
The price of our rental vehicles does not increase for one-way hires. However, depending on the location availability, a relocation fee of between $100 - $1,000 may apply and will be shown within your booking summary before checkout.
All of our car rentals can go on the Cook Strait ferry from the North to the South Island. Book your one-way car rental in advance and secure a place on the ferry from Wellington to Picton and you can have a stress-free road trip across the whole of New Zealand.
You can add an additional driver to your booking at any time, and they can return your one-way rental. The additional driver will need to meet the minimum licence requirements and be able to present this licence at any of our branches before being added to the rental agreement.
You are not restricted to a kilometre limit on any of our GO Rentals car classes. This means you can pick up your one-way car rental, drive the whole of New Zealand, and not be charged an additional fee when you drop off. Get GOing on your epic Kiwi trip today!
On average, a trip from Auckland to Invercargill takes around 22-25 hours. We highly recommend making the journey within 5-7 days, to give yourself time to rest between destinations and enjoy exploring at your own pace.
Invercargill is absolutely worth visiting for its fascinating heritage and expansive and beautiful parks, like Queens Park. It is also a fantastic base to explore nearby areas like Bluff or Stewart Island/Rakiura.
