Explore all of New Zealand with a Dunedin to Auckland road trip! We have a wide and versatile fleet of quality vehicles, from reliable SUVs to minibuses for the whole crew. Our car hires include basic insurance and unlimited kilometres, so you can get rolling right away with your GO Rentals car hire.
Explore both Islands from top to bottom with our one-way road trip! With a GO Rentals vehicle, you can enjoy the long, breathtaking Dunedin to Auckland journey at your own pace. Start your journey in New Zealand’s wildlife capital and discover the raw beauty of the South Island.
Once you’re ready to head to the North Island, hop on the Picton-to-Wellington ferry to explore incredible cities and film sets on your way to Auckland. Simply pick up your vehicle in Dunedin and drop it off in Auckland on your preferred date with our one-way rental program. You won’t need to worry about driving the full 20 hours back to Dunedin!
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 a pick-up in Dunedin and return in Auckland, 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 one-way 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.
The journey from Dunedin to Auckland takes over 20 hours by road. There are plenty of amazing destinations and hidden gems you don’t want to miss on your road trip. With our interactive trip planner and extensive travel blog for inspiration, we’re here to help make your Dunedin to Auckland road trip unforgettable. Here are some of the most exceptional stops you could experience on the North and South Islands as you head towards Auckland.
Check out everything the ‘wildlife capital of New Zealand’ has to offer before you head out on your journey. You’ll find distinctive flora and beautiful scenery across the entire city. Dunedin is one of the few places you can see the royal albatross and the world's smallest penguins in their natural environment.
See the mythology of the region up close and personal at the Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. These calcite concentrations are millions of years old and are said to be the remnants of the mythical Canoe Araiteuru, which carried the legendary chiefs to the island.
Drop by the largest town in the Waitaki District to meet the local penguins, stroll through New Zealand's oldest public gardens and discover distinct Victorian architecture. Be sure to try some of the local crafts or walk along Cape Wanbrow to stretch your legs after the drive. Depending on the time of year, you may even run into the yearly steampunk festival!
Lake Tekapo is a once-in-a-lifetime destination famous for breathtaking turquoise waters and an unforgettably clear night sky. Be sure to book a hotel or motel so you don’t miss a fantastic opportunity to stargaze with next to no light pollution. You can also find the picture-perfect Church of the Good Shepherd right beside the lake.
The largest city in the South Island is famous for its incredible parks and gardens, including the stunning Botanical Gardens. Stop by amazing 5-star restaurants, or take a punting boat down the Avon River to relax before you head on the road again. You can also visit the Cardboard Cathedral to witness the city’s resilient spirit for yourself.
Stop by Kaikoura to have unforgettable encounters with New Zealand's iconic marine life. No matter the time of year, you are guaranteed whale sightings of humpback whales, orcas and more. Or, you can visit the South Bay and see over 12 different types of seals at the local colony.
Blenheim is renowned for its quality wineries and outstanding museums and galleries. The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre features Peter Jackson's personal collection of WW1-era fighter planes. You can also find a detailed history of the region at the Marlborough Museum.
Welcome to the capital city! Stop by the Te Papa Museum, try dozens of great cafes and restaurants or take a trip on the historic Wellington Cable car. If you're a Lord of the Rings fan, you won’t regret booking a tour at the Weta Cave to see Middle-earth up close and personal.
The oldest national park in New Zealand is home to more than three active volcanoes, as well as varied and unique park wildlife. Film fans may recognise The Ngauruhoe volcano as the representation of Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Stretch your legs from the long drive by trying out the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the best one-day hikes in the world.
Taupo is one of the best destinations for outstanding natural beauty on the North Island. From Lake Taupo, you can try out fun and relaxing trout fishing, visit Huka Falls, or soar through the Aratiatia Rapids. Or, you can walk past the Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley to witness a geothermal wonderland you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
One of New Zealand's best destinations for Spas, Polynesian heritage and volcanic activity. Rotorua is steeped in local Maori culture and surrounded by crystal-clear streams, forests and geysers. Take a trip through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, enjoy a legendary local spa, or visit Te Pa Tu to learn more about the local culture.
You’ll find plenty of hidden gems in this charming city on the Waikato River. Hamilton’s most famous attraction is the award-winning botanical gardens, featuring over 18 enclosed exhibitions cultivated by expert botanists. Hamilton Zoo is also home to the largest free-flight aviary in the country.
Need to shut off and relax after such a long trip? The Glenbrook Vintage Railway is a historic railway line with a fully functional steam train owned and operated by passionate volunteers to keep a fragment of the region's history alive. Enjoy a calm, relaxed ride through over 15 km of tranquil countryside.
Enjoy a day out on the coast before you finally reach your destination in Auckland. The Coromandel Peninsula features beautiful white-sand beaches with famous sights like the arches of Cathedral Cove. Dig your own natural hot pool on Hot Water Beach, or take on the Kauri Block Walk or the Coromandel Coastal Walkway to learn more about the area's history.
You’ve finally reached the end of your journey! Whether you’re after a thrill after the long drive or want to kick back and relax, you’ll find something to suit your tastes in Auckland. Bungee jump off the Sky Tower, sit back on a dolphin safari, or experience whole new worlds at Weta Workshops Unleashed.
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:
For an adventure like this, we needed a car to match. GO left us a big and comfortable car capable of taking us to the most beautiful corners of the country. If we had been able to handle them, we would’ve even been able to fit a Moeraki rock in the boot!
We travelled to every nook and corner, and it was only possible because of the car provided by GO Rentals.
Driving from Christchurch to Kaikoura, we needed to stretch our legs, so we stopped at St Anne's Lagoon, where we saw lots of beautiful native birds, including shovellers and spoonbills, and lots of sheep. We didn't see any whales in Kaikoura, but we still had a whale of a time. Beaut day for a drive!
My friend and I went on a road trip over both islands, and this image was taken during our drive from Rotorua to Coromandel. We absolutely loved the freedom we had with our car to stop and explore whenever we wanted, whether that was to admire the beautiful views at the beach, get some snacks (freshly made pies!!), or just explore the local towns. I loved driving in New Zealand and can’t wait to come back!!
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.
Dunedin: Traffic is usually light in Dunedin, with congestion during peak hours. You can find street parking, and paid facilities can cost $1 to $3.50 per hour.
Auckland: Traffic in Auckland is typically congested, especially during peak times. Parking options include street parking and several paid facilities. Pay rates are typically around $5.50 per hour on weekdays and cap at $24. Weekends are typically $2 per hour with a cap of $15. Free parking is limited to select shopping centres and the suburbs. Check Auckland Transport for more details.
New Zealand has only three toll roads, all on the North Island. You will encounter a few of them as you make your way to Auckland. The roads across New Zealand are usually well-maintained and have clear signage. Speed limits are 50km/h in urban areas and reach 100 km/h on open roads.
Worried about hitting a toll road? With GO Rentals’ mandatory $3/day Total Road Care package, you can enjoy free passage on all toll roads. We'll cover all your toll road fees, including government and admin costs.
For more info, read our guide on New Zealand's toll roads.
We regularly update our relocation deals to help you save on one-way road trips. Check out our latest relocation deals to see if your itinerary matches our deal. Save money and still access our award-winning customer service.
