Drive from the North Island to the South Island with a one-way road trip! Get GOing on an Auckland to Nelson rental car booking that works for your itinerary. With a wide range of modern vehicles from SUVs to Minibuses, basic insurance coverage and unlimited kms, you can steer into adventure with GO Rentals.
You can experience both the vibrant city life and the natural beauty of New Zealand with an Auckland to Nelson car rental. Start in the largest city on the North Island in Auckland, explore the nightlife and exquisite restaurants before heading South through the stunning countryside. Take your car rental on the ferry between Wellington to Picton and end by exploring the rugged landscapes surrounding Nelson, jam-packed with outdoor adventures.
See the best of New Zealand with a one-way rental. Simply pick up in Auckland and return in Nelson on your chosen date.
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.
Simply add your itinerary details to our booking widget, including pick up at Auckland and return to Nelson, and click "Find my car". We offer one-way car rentals at all of our 9 locations on both the South and North Islands. Please note:
Whilst our one-way rentals are dependent on seasonal peak times and vehicle availability in branches, we can create more one-way availability if we need to move vehicles to another location. If you are not satisfied with our website availability, please call us, and we will do our best to accommodate your epic Auckland to Nelson road trip.
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 9 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.
We may be biased, but New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and we love to know that our car rentals do more than just get you from A to B. We’ve compiled a list of absolute non-negotiable stops on your Auckland to Nelson road trip:
Start your road trip at one of New Zealand’s most famous beaches. The unique, dramatic black sand is a sight to behold. If you are a surfing fanatic, the waves provide excellent conditions to surf to your heart's content. With beautiful natural trails and the stunning Kitekite Falls nearby, it’s a relaxing first road trip stop.
You can’t go to New Zealand without heading to the Hobbiton LOTR movie set. Okay, you can, but why would you? Base yourself in the picturesque town of Hamilton for your gateway to all things Lord of the Rings. Hobbiton is a 45-minute drive away where you can immersive yourself in the Middle-earth movie set.
Make an evening stop to marvel at the majestic glowworms in Waitomo Caves. As you meander through the dazzling tunnel and your eyes adjust, you will behold a natural spectacle as the glowworms light up around you. It is like looking at a cave with a million stars on the roof! You won’t regret this stop, trust us!
Arrive in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island and immerse yourself in natural landscapes, waterfalls and watersport activities. Taupo is home to the expansive Lake Taupo, formed by a supervolcano eruption 25,000 years ago. Discover historic Maori rock carvings only accessed by boat or kayak, or be impressed by the dramatic Huka falls crashing into the lake. It’s a must-visit for every road trip group.
After all of that adventure, it’s time to relax in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay wine region and take time to enjoy the art deco city of Napier. Spend a night in the cute city to discover the unique architecture and book yourself onto a wine tour so you don’t have to argue about a designated driver!
Arrive at the Southern tip of the North Island and spend a few days exploring the cool city of Wellington. Known for its awesome arts scene and cultural heritage, you can learn about New Zealand’s history in the heart of Wellington. Visit the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa before heading up to Mount Victoria to take in the panoramic views of Wellington.
Take your car on the ferry from Wellington to Picton to find this quaint port town tucked away in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds. Get your teeth stuck into dolphin boat tours, sea kayaking or cruises to make the most of the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds area.
Known as “Sunny Nelson”, there is no better place to end a long Kiwi road trip. Relax in the sunny climate and explore one of the three national parks in the region, including the famous Abel Tasman National Park. Our award-winning staff will be waiting for you to drop off your rental car and hear all about your trip.
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:
The first night in New Zealand was one of the best! Flew in, drove to Piha in our GO Rentals, and saw one of the most beautiful sunsets at one of the most beautiful beaches! Amazing!
I was driving around Lake Taupo on a beautiful spring day last week and couldn’t resist pulling over for a few minutes to enjoy the scenery. The waves on the lake and the blue skies made a perfect backdrop, so I took a quick photo of my Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. It was the perfect car for my weeklong road trip all around the North Island. Thanks GO Rentals!
The photo was taken at Island Bay Beach to recreate/revamp a picture that was taken when we were little in the same spot. We're originally from Wellington but have lived overseas now since '96. From start to finish booking the car with GO Rentals has been super easy! Renting a car can be scary with hidden fees etc. But everything was clear, upfront, and seamless. I spent no more than 5 mins at pick up/return. I've been a returning customer for over 15 years because of this service! Thank you again. Always an absolute pleasure with high-quality cars and service.
This summer, I was really lucky to have my mum and sister make their first journey over to visit me from the UK. I have lived in Wellington for almost 5 years now. This picture shows them strolling down the beach during our first evening in Golden Bay. Our trusty GO Rentals took us from Nelson Airport over the Takaka hill to our lovely accommodation in Pohara, and we couldn't resist a paddle shortly after we arrived.
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: During peak hours, traffic can get congested in the centre of Auckland. Outside of peak hours, Auckland is a relatively easy city to drive around. Although Auckland Transport enforces strict parking regulations, you should follow them. There are plenty of parking options, from street parking to lots.
Nelson: Nelson is an easy city to drive around and offers a few parking options, both long-term and short-stay, with many areas providing free parking. During local events, roads can close and traffic can be congested, but in general, Nelson is a great place to drive around.
New Zealand has only three toll roads located on the North Island, which you may come across on an Auckland to Nelson road trip.
Thanks to GO Rentals’ Total Road Care Package, you don’t need to stress about paying for them if you do go to the North Island. This mandatory $3/day package covers you for all toll road fees you incur, including associated admin costs.
The roads between these cities are well-maintained with clear signage. Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas and 100 km/h on open roads.
Read our blog posts for more info on New Zealand's toll roads and New Zealand roads.
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 one-way hire itinerary matches our deal. Save money and still access our award-winning customer service.
