Try a South to North Island adventure with our one-way road trip! Enjoy a journey that suits your itinerary with a Nelson to Auckland car hire. We have a versatile fleet of quality vehicles, ranging 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.
A Nelson to Auckland adventure will let you experience almost everything New Zealand has to offer at your own pace. Start your journey in the beautiful rural landscape and enjoy beaches, forests, and gorgeous hikes in New Zealand’s South Island. When you’ve finished taking in the rugged wilds, take your car rental on the Picton-to-Wellington ferry to explore incredible cities and film sets on your way to Auckland.
Simply pick up in Nelson and drop it off in Auckland on your preferred date 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.
Just add your itinerary details to our booking widget, including pick up at Nelson and return at 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:
While our one-way rentals are dependent on season 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 incredible Nelson to Auckland Car Rental.
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.
A trip to New Zealand is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and we want to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Here’s our recommended list of must-see destinations on your way from Nelson to Auckland:
Enjoy a relaxed start to your road trip with a day or two in ‘Sunny Nelson’. Spend a few days on the golden beaches, or visit over three national parks and take a gorgeous hike through nature. You can also experience this amazing region with walking tours, skywires and a trip to the famous Abel Tasman National Park.
Before taking the ferry to Wellington, consider stopping in this charming port town. Picton is perfectly located for whale watching and dolphin tours. Or you can make the most of the beaches and take a cruise or go sea kayaking.
Start your journey through the North Island right in New Zealand's capital. Wellington is famous for its incredible art and proud cultural heritage. Visit the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, hike up Mount Victoria or stop in at quality restaurants, breweries and cafes.
Spend an evening at Waitomo Caves to take in a breathtaking natural marvel. This glowworm cave is one of New Zealand's most famous attractions. You’ll see thousands of glowworms lighting the cave as you glide by on a serene boat tour.
Immerse yourself in Kiwi culture in the charming town of Otorohanga. Otorohanga has a number of attractions reflecting all things ‘Kiwiana’, or icons that define what it means to be a New Zealander. Be sure to visit the Kiwi House for an unforgettable meeting before you leave!
Take a quick pit stop to rest from the road and dive into the wide variety of activities this bustling city has to offer. Hamilton has some of the most unique locations you’ll find in the North Island. Stop by the zoo, visit its unique Botanical Gardens or experience local art and culture at the Waikato Museum.
It’s not a real trip to New Zealand without a stop in Middle-earth. Immerse yourself in Tolkien's world at the Hobbiton Movie Set and experience the Peter Jackson trilogy like never before. Walk through the Shire, visit Bag End, and celebrate with a feast at the Green Dragon Inn.
Relax at the end of your trip and enjoy all that Auckland has to offer! Take in a thrilling view from the Sky Tower, explore the Botanical Gardens or visit incredible art galleries and museums. Our award-winning staff will be waiting for you to drop off your rental car when you’re ready to end 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:
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.
Had the best scenic drive of our lives after taking the ferry from North to South Island and making our way from Picton.
We travelled to every nook and corner, and it was only possible because of the car provided by GO Rentals.
This photo was taken from our stay in Devonport. Our experience with GO Rentals was fantastic and allowed us to explore areas outside of Auckland, such as Mount Maunganui and Waihi Beach.
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.
Nelson: Nelson is a great place to drive, and traffic is typically light. However, during major local events, traffic will be more congested and roads may be closed. Nelson offers many long-term and short-term parking spaces, and some areas have free parking available.
Auckland: At peak hours, traffic congestion can be an issue in the city centre. Outside of peak hours, Auckland is an easy city to drive in. Auckland Transport has strict parking regulations that must be obeyed, but you can find plenty of parking options, from lots to street parking.
There are only three toll roads in New Zealand, all located on the North Island. You may run into them on your journey to Auckland.
Thanks to GO Rentals’ Total Road Care Package, you don’t need to stress about paying for toll roads when travelling on the North Island. This mandatory $3/day package covers you for all toll road fees you incur, including associated admin costs.
The roads between Nelson and Auckland are well-maintained and offer clear signage. 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 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.
