The Dunedin to Invercargill drive meanders along the stunning Catlins coast and some of the southern scenic route. It's a breathtakingly beautiful drive, best experienced in a stress-free one-way car hire. You can enjoy the freedom of the road without the need to circle back to your pick-up location. With a friendly team and super quick pick-up process with online check-in, you could easily tick off a classic Kiwi road trip.
The Dunedin to Invercargill drive takes you along an incredible coastline down to the southern tip of the South Island. Accelerate to a New Zealand adventure of chasing waterfalls in The Catlins, spotting rare penguins and the smallest dolphins in the world, the Hector dolphin. You can make the journey even more peaceful with a one-way car rental with no need to circle back to your original pick-up. With affordable rental cars, online check-in and unlimited kilometres, we make it easy to grab the keys and get GOing from Dunedin Airport. In a modern, clean and reliable vehicle, you can truly relax on your self-drive South Island trip. With 24/7 roadside assistance, unlimited kilometres and free basic insurance, your peace of mind is a priority. Once you arrive in Invercargill, simply drop off your vehicle and wrap up your adventure with ease. Not ready to end the holiday? Continue onto the adventure capital with an Invercargill to Queenstown car hire!
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.
Booking a one-way car hire with us is easier than spotting a Kiwi in the wild! Simply add your desired rental time to our booking widget, select Dunedin Airport pickup and Invercargill Airport dropoff, and click "Find my car". We do offer one-way car rentals at all of our 9 locations on both the South and North Islands, but please note:
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.
Our car hire at Invercargill Airport is conveniently located inside the main terminal building, so you can quickly swap the plane seat for the driver's seat. A one-way car hire is the ultimate way to enjoy the freedom of the open road, without the inconvenience of driving back the way you came. From thundering waterfalls to tranquil beaches, this route is packed with jaw-dropping backdrops for romantic getaways, family holidays or group road trips that finally made it out of the group chat. So gear up for a Dunedin to Invercargill drive, and get inspired by our six must-see stops.
You can see the best sunrise in New Zealand at the Nugget Point Lighthouse; in fact, it's one of the most photographed spots in the Catlins. You will be rewarded with panoramic views as the sky turns pink and orange behind the picturesque lighthouse, and hopefully spot the smallest dolphin in the world, the Hector dolphin. The perfect way to start the Dunedin to Invercargill trip.
The Catlins area is renowned for stunning waterfalls, and the most iconic one is Purakaunui Falls. With a beautiful three-tiered cascade, this epic waterfall thunders over 20 meters into the pool below. Surrounded by lush forest with relaxing walks, it's a perfect place for a lunch stop.
The Dunedin to Invercargill drive is all about chasing waterfalls, and McLean Falls definitely delivers. As the largest waterfall in the region, the jungle-like forest walk to get here is worth it. Covered in moss and rocks, the water thunders into a pristine pool and is a sight to behold.
Head on to the Catlin route for another rare and unique experience! The 180-million-year-old petrified forest is one of the few accessible fossil forests in the world! You can walk across it at low tide and marvel at how immense it actually is. Try to spot the rare yellow-eyed penguins whilst you are here, they are so cute!
Accessible only at low tide with a small entrance fee, the iconic Cathedral Caves are two sea-formed passages that tower 30 meters high. Steeped in Maori history, it's no wonder it's one of the most popular destinations.
Before getting to Invercargill, don't miss the pristine but remote Cannibal Bay beach. Known for its white sand, rock pools and dramatic but stunning coastal cliffs, the bay is perfect to stretch your legs on a walk or get your hair wet surfing. Try and spot the adorable sea lions often resting on the rocks at the northern end of the beach.
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:
This is taken in the heart of Dunedin. Personally I recommend Go Rentals have always been helpful and kind and cars have been exceptional.
It is our family’s first time visiting New Zealand, and everything has been wonderful — the breathtaking views, the friendly people, the delicious food, the rich culture, and the stunning nature.
Our journey began with GO Rentals, and the car we rented became a reliable companion throughout the trip. In excellent condition, it carried us smoothly as we ventured into the southern part of the South Island, making every stop along the way even more enjoyable.
Oh, and how could I forget — on the second day in Te Anau, we woke up to find everything blanketed in snow, the whole town painted white. It was truly magical, a scene we will never forget.
Jerry the orange car in the mountains
Looking down from the Steepest Street at our orange Go Rental car
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, on the other hand, has fewer free parking options. The majority of central Dunedin is metered, and spaces can fill up during peak hours. Parking in Invercargill is widely available, and it's easy to find free or low-cost spots in the city centre. As one of the easiest cities to drive around in New Zealand, you will likely have no issue parking.
Awesome news! There are no toll roads between Invercargill and Dunedin. Cruise any road you like without needing to stress about toll payments or detours. Although the route is well-maintained, you should expect some windy areas along the Catlins region. Even the trees grow sideways on this dramatic coastline! However, along the State Highway 1, the roads are sealed and suitable for many vehicles like a 2WD SUV, people mover or compact car.
We are regularly updating our hot deals and 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.
