Get GOing with a GO Rentals road trip from Nelson to Dunedin! Enjoy a wild South Island adventure as you explore the mountains and coasts before finally arriving in the wildlife capital of New Zealand. We offer a versatile fleet of great cars suitable for any journey, from reliable SUVs to spacious minibuses. Our car hires include basic insurance and unlimited kilometres, so you can immediately head out with your GO Rentals car hire.
With GO Rentals car hire, you can travel at your own pace without the worry of transport schedules or pickup points.
A Nelson to Dunedin road trip will take you along the beautiful coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Explore gorgeous shores, cities and mountain ranges at your own pace. When you’ve seen everything Dunedin has to offer, you can quickly and easily drop off your hire car on your preferred date with our one-way rental program.
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 a pick up at Nelson for return to Dunedin, and click "Find my car". We offer one-way car rentals at all of our 9 locations on both the South and the North Island. Please note:
While one-way rentals depend on peak seasons and vehicle availability, we can increase availability by relocating vehicles between branches. If you are not satisfied with our website's availability, please call us, and we will do our best to accommodate your incredible Nelson to Dunedin 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.
We want to do more than just get you from A to B. With our interactive travel planner, you can pick up a Nelson Airport car rental and start your trip right away! Here are a few stops you’ll never forget as you make your way from Nelson to Dunedin.
Before you hit the road, why not check out everything Nelson has to offer? You’ll find some amazing exhibitions, like antique luxury vehicles at the Nelson Classic Car Museum or incredible displays at the Suter Art Gallery. If you have time, breathtaking locations like the Abel Tasman National Park are a short drive away and have stunning hiking paths of varying difficulties.
Enjoy a short walk through native forests that combine the sights of beautiful streams with the towering vistas of the local mountain range. You can find a short but serene walk and picnic grounds on the Onamalatu Scenic Reserve. The North Bank Road and the Alpine Route are longer tracks for more experienced hikers that take you high into the ranges.
This beautiful resort town offers picturesque alpine views, a thrilling ski area and natural hot pools. Surrounded by bold mountains and blossoming forests, the village itself features a charming main street filled with remarkable cafes, shops and eateries. Be sure to try the thermal pools and spa to completely relax and rejuvenate yourself before you leave!
Take a walk over New Zealand's longest swing bridge to reach this thrilling river adventure. Be sure to hang on tight as you rocket across the Buller River in a V8-powered jet boat, with signalled spins and bursts of speed. There will also be a peaceful moment for drifting, where you’ll pass historic, hand-dug tunnels from the gold mining era.
The largest city on the South Island has plenty to see. You’ll discover dozens of 5-star restaurants and quality shops near the city centre, or you can strike out on your own and search for hidden gems. For a unique experience Christchurch only offers, visit the International Antarctic Centre. You’ll befriend huskies and survive a winter storm as you learn more about the harsh conditions of the Antarctic continent.
Stop by the largest town in the Waitaki District to encounter local penguin colonies, unique Victorian architecture and New Zealand's oldest public gardens. Be sure to try out quaint shops offering local crafts, as well as interesting galleries and displays. Or take a walk along Cape Wanbrow for a calming sea view before you head back on the road.
Stop by New Zealand's 4th most beloved beach while you’re in the area. Caroline Bay is one of the safest beaches on the islands and is the centrepiece for the annual summer carnival run by the Caroline Bay Association. Enjoy a dip in the waves, use the outdoor gym or even go mini-golfing!
It’ll be hard for you to miss the legendary Moeraki Boulders while you’re driving past Koekohe Beach. Local legend states that each stone is a remnant of the mythological canoe Araiteuru. The boulders themselves are calcite concretions millions of years old that jut out from the sand and weigh several tonnes. Come face to face with history and local mythology as you stop and stretch your legs.
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.
Great service from GO Rentals to collect our car in Nelson and travel around the top end of the South Island over 5 days.
This is my second car rental with GO Rentals in the same month. Loyal customer only comes as testament to great service. This is my north coast of the South Island trip, passing by scenic St. Arnaud Lake Rotoiti on the way back to Christchurch. Superb side trip! Will do this again.
Normally, you have a great view of the Lanarch Castle, but on this morning, it was super foggy, which made it an incredible atmosphere. Due to that atmosphere, we felt it was the perfect spot for our reliable travel partner! :)
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: Because of lighter traffic, Nelson is usually a very nice place to drive. However, depending on the time of year or local events, traffic may be busier, and roads may be closed. You’ll find both short-term and long-term parking available, with some areas offering free parking.
Dunedin: Traffic is generally light in Dunedin, with the odd congestion in peak hours. You can find street parking, and paid facilities can cost $1 to $3.50 per hour.
There are only three toll roads in New Zealand, all located on the North Island. You won’t have to worry about them on your trip to Dunedin.
Thanks to GO Rentals’ Total Road Care Package, you don’t need to worry about toll roads, even 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 Dunedin are well-maintained and offer clear signage. 50km/h speed limits apply in urban and populated areas, and 100km/h limits apply on open roads.
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.
