Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand and is the perfect place to start a one-way road trip! Get GOing on a Queenstown to Nelson rental car booking that works for your itinerary. With a wide range of modern vehicles, basic insurance coverage and unlimited kms, your adventure is covered with GO Rentals.
The beauty of New Zealand’s South Island is best explored by car so you have the freedom to stop, take in the breathtaking landscape and change your itinerary whenever you want.
Explore the stunning Queenstown region, from the Remarkables ski ranges to the original bungee jumping spot in the World, before embarking on a picturesque drive to Nelson. Cruise through the breathtaking Franz Josef glaciers and steer into the beautiful Nelson, surrounded by remarkable national parks.
Take your time exploring with a one-way rental. Simply pick up in Queenstown 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown to Nelson road trip:
Start your road trip with a winter adventure on the world-renowned ski fields, just 45 minutes from Queenstown. If you are a newbie, don’t stress! The alpine terrain caters for all ski levels, from beginners to thrill seekers. To top it all off, The Remarkables is a sustainable ski area with a commitment to achieving carbon neutrality so future generations can enjoy the pristine slopes!
Lake Wanaka and the picturesque town is known for its outdoor activities all year round, from hiking to water sports. With a culturally quaint town where you can explore local shops, restaurants, and architecture, this stop is a people pleaser for every type of travel group.
If breathtaking blue pools are your thing, then you must make a stop in Haast, which is nestled in the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area. Marvel at the clear, turquoise waters of the blue pools, surrounded by dramatic mountains and nature trails to keep everyone entertained.
Head further northwest, and you will come upon the incredible Franz Josef glaciers that will blow your mind. The glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world that descends into a rainforest, allowing you to hike from icy snow tracks to lush native bush. It is truly a sight to behold.
Head along the West Coast of the South Island to the impressive area of Hokitika. With a turquoise blue gorge, luscious rainforests, and a charming town to spend a day or 2 exploring, Hokitika is a perfect pit stop on a Queenstown to Nelson road trip.
Stretch your legs at the famous Punakaiki region, most known for The Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. The unique landscape was formed over millions of years to create layers of limestone that resemble pancakes and feature dramatic blowholes. Time your visit at high tide for a spectacular natural show on the 1.1km loop walk through the area.
You could honestly spend a week in Abel Tasman and it still wouldn’t be enough. This beautiful national park is one of the most popular in New Zealand, known for its crystal clear waters, golden beaches, and green native bush walk. Book a cabin and explore the great hiking trails or jump on a unique kayaking tour, and you won’t regret it.
Keep your hire car for a few days when you arrive in Nelson so you can cruise through the oldest city on the South Island. Known as “Sunny Nelson” for its bright sunny climate, the city is surrounded by lakes, three national parks, and breathtaking natural beauty. End your road trip with a stop that offers both culture in the vibrant city and adventure in the natural surroundings.
What are you waiting for? GO grab the wheel and start your one-way rental today!
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:
Here's a photo from our camping trip at Lake Wanaka. It was such a peaceful and beautiful spot, with the lake and mountains making a stunning backdrop for our tent. We had a great time just relaxing by the water, taking in the views, and enjoying the quiet of nature. Definitely a trip to remember!
The drive from Wanaka to the West Coast of the South Island via the Haast Pass is simply breathtaking. Traversing the lake with vistas of the Southern Alps and then through canyons of this temperate rainforest and along running rivers and streams as you go through the Pass before arriving on the west coast to head north. One of the great drives.
Admiring the turquoise blue waters of the Hokitika Gorge. GO Rentals takes you to the unsurpassed beauty that only New Zealand has to offer.
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.
Queenstown: During peak tourist seasons, parking and traffic can be a little challenging. There are various parking options, from street parking to public parking lots, but these can fill up quickly and typically cost between $2 and $6 per hour. Free parking can be found in the suburbs or shopping centres within certain time limits. Plan your route ahead of time and check for updates on traffic conditions when travelling in peak season.
Nelson: Nelson is on the smaller side to Queenstown 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. You won’t encounter any toll roads on a Queenstown to Nelson drive.
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 itinerary matches our deal. Save money and still access our award-winning customer service.
