See the South Island in its entirety on a Wellington to Invercargill One-way road trip! Start your journey from the end of the North Island and make your way to the Southernmost point of the South Island on your way to Invercargill. With our versatile range of SUVs to minibuses, unlimited kilometres and basic insurance coverage on all vehicles, you can take the wheel on an incredible journey with Go Rentals!
A Wellington to Invercargill road trip gives you a chance to craft your own route through the entirety of New Zealand's South Island. Take a relaxed drive along the entire east coast, or head inland to discover your own hidden gems.
We make it easy to pick up your rental car in Wellington and drop it off in Invercargill 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.
Booking your ride is easy. Simply enter your itinerary details into our booking widget, add your return location, and click ‘Find My Car’. We offer one-way rentals from all 9 of our locations across New Zealand. Planning a one way car hire from Wellington to Invercargill? Just choose your pick-up date and drop-off location for a hassle-free, great-value rental experience.
Please note:
While one-way rentals are subject to peak season demand and vehicle availability, we can sometimes create more availability if we need to relocate vehicles between branches. Can’t find what you’re looking for on the website? Give us a call and we’ll do our best to help make your one-way road trip a reality.
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.
With almost 15 hours of driving ahead of you, there’s plenty to see on your trip across the entire South Island! With our interactive trip planner and extensive travel blog to inspire your ideas, your hire car is a fantastic travel companion for an amazing adventure. Here are some of the must-see highlights on a Wellington to Invercargill road trip:
You’ll start your journey right in the capital city of New Zealand. It’s well worth booking a hotel for a day or two to make sure you can see everything Wellington and the surrounding area offer. Be sure to visit the Te Papa Museum, hop on the vintage Wellington cable car or check out native flora and fauna at the Zealandia Ecosanctuary before you leave.
Try to book a night in Picton or Blenheim to give yourself time to explore the unforgettable sights of the Marlborough Sounds. This ancient sunken river valley makes up over one-fifth of New Zealand's coastline. Today, they are a perfect spot for water exploration, beach days and guided tours by boat or by air.
Kaikoura is undeniably one of the best spots to stop and experience New Zealand's iconic marine wildlife. No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be able to experience chance encounters with dolphins, orcas, humpback whales and more, whether on a boat tour or from the shoreline.
South Island's biggest city is famous for stunning landmarks and a wide array of 5-star restaurants and shopping boutiques. There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Christchurch and its surrounding areas. Take a gondola trip, visit the Riverside Market, or experience Antarctic conditions at the International Antarctic Centre.
Lake Tekapo is one of the most awe-inspiring locations in all of New Zealand. The colours of the mountains, lavender, lake and greenery all boldly stand out across the entire area, contrasting the stark brickwork of the Church of the Good Shepherd. Stop by for a night to see the unmissable sunset and sunrise, or book a professional stargazing tour.
No matter the season, Wanaka offers something truly special. Hit the slopes of the country's only Nordic Ski area, or hike the cross-country trails running from June through to September. When the warmer months arrive, Lake Wanaka becomes a hub for water-based activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and waterskiing, with plenty of picturesque beach spots to relax by.
Often referred to as the ‘adventure capital of New Zealand’, Queenstown is packed with heart-pumping activities set against a backdrop of stunning alpine scenery. Take the Skyline Queenstown gondola for panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu, then experience the thrill of bungee jumping or ride the Queenstown Luge down the hillside. Nature lovers can also lace up their boots for the Ben Lomond Track, where the sweeping vistas are well worth the hike.
The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is worth the journey for the scenery alone. Just 20 minutes away, this small settlement is a must-visit for Lord of the Rings fans. Several iconic scenes were filmed here, including locations representing the Misty Mountains, Isengard, and the Ford of Bruinen. You can also stop by the Dart River for a thrilling day out jet boating and kayaking.
You’ve made it to the Southernmost City in New Zealand! Invercargill has a truly unique motor culture you can experience at the Bill Richardson Transport World and the Classic Motorcycle Mecca, both featuring rare and antique vehicles. To decompress and relax after your long drive, you can also take a stroll on Oreti Beach or visit the Southland Museum and Art Gallery.
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 I am, peacefully enjoying Wilson Bay in Queenstown, when suddenly, my personal paparazzi (aka my partner) starts crawling through rocks like it’s a Vogue cover shoot. This place never fails and Go Rentals made sure we arrived like the chaotic duo we are.
Annual girls golfing weekend, shared with friends and laughs
It was a stunning view that we just can't get our eyes off
It was always my dream to drive a purple tractor!!
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.
Wellington: Traffic in Wellington can get heavy, especially during peak hour congestion. Street parking and paid facilities are available and typically cost $4 to $5 per hour on weekdays, and $3 on weekends. Free parking is not common, but can be found in outer districts or residential areas. For more information, visit Wellington City Council.
Invercargill: Invercargill is one of the easiest cities to drive in across New Zealand due to low congestion and widely available parking. You can find free and low-cost parking in the city centre.
There are only three toll roads in New Zealand, all located on the North Island, closer to Auckland than Wellington. You won’t have to worry about any toll roads on your trip to Invercargill.
Thanks to GO Rentals’ Total Road Care Package, you don’t need to stress about paying for toll roads even when you are 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 Wellington and Invercargill are maintained very well and offer clear signage. However, some roads on the South Island may be winding or narrow. 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 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.
