Looking to explore the stunning cities of Wellington and Nelson? Our cars are always ready to take on whatever the day brings.
With GO Rentals, you can easily pick up a car rental from Wellington Airport and drive to Nelson at your own pace. One-way car rentals mean that there’s no need to backtrack. You can cruise to your final destination, drop the car off, and you’re done!
With GO Rentals, experience the ultimate Kiwi freedom with our one-way Wellington to Nelson car rental options. That means no backtracking or unnecessary drives!
Start by taking advantage of super simple pick-up at our Wellington branch. You can make things even easier with the GO App, allowing you to locate our branch, check in faster and enjoy other benefits.
Then, you’re on your way to adventure. With GO Rentals, you can travel stress-free across New Zealand, knowing you're covered by unlimited kilometres, basic insurance and transparent pricing.
With one end goal in mind, you have the flexibility to make your own route and adventure. That means you’re free to check out stunning beaches, vineyards and national parks alike. Check out our road trip planner for some extra assistance.
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 enter your pick-up date, along with your pick-up location and drop-off locations, into our booking widget and click “Find My Car" to start searching cars ranging from luxury vehicles to compact cars and more.
We offer one-way rentals at all of our 9 locations across New Zealand, making it easier for you to explore the stunning sights of the North Island and South Island. That means drivers can enjoy every stop they desire on a Wellington to Nelson road trip.
Unlike many other car rental companies, GO Rentals allows all our vehicles to be taken on the North Island to South Island ferry. That’s what enables your epic one-way trip from Wellington to Nelson to take place.
Please note that a one-way fee may apply, ranging from $100 to $1,000. This depends on the availability of vehicles at your pick-up and drop-off locations. This fee will be clearly shown in your booking summary before checkout, so you’ll know exactly what to pay.
The minimum rental period for one-way car rentals typically is from 1 to 7 days, depending on the driving distance between your pick-up date and drop-off locations.
If you need a specific vehicle and can’t find availability, feel free to give us a call—we’ll do our best to make sure your one-way trip is organised with good value and the perfect car for your adventure!
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.
Experience an unforgettable road trip from Wellington to Nelson. With postcard-perfect views from snow-capped mountains to charming small towns, every stop along the way offers something unique.
You can also use our trip planner for some extra help with planning your trip.
Start your adventure in Wellington, the vibrant capital of New Zealand. Explore the Wellington Cable Car for panoramic views of the city and harbour, or wander through the Te Papa Museum for a look into New Zealand’s culture and history.
Wellington is a great place to start off any New Zealand trip. Stock up on road trip essentials and get excited before heading out on your journey.
Before leaving the North Island, stop in at Lower Hutt. This beautiful town offers a range of stunning attractions like the Te Whiti Riser Entrance and Pencarrow Upper Lighthouse.
It’s the perfect place to soak up some North Island beauty before hitting the road to the South Island.
The Cook Strait ferry will pick you up in Wellington and then drop you off in Picton. After a short ride, you’ll be able to discover all the wonders of the South Island on your self-driving getaway.
Some of the top things to check out while in Picton are the Edwin Fox Museum, Tirohinga Track and the Kaipapu Whaling Sanctuary.
Perhaps the most famous attraction in the whole Marlborough Region is the Queen Charlotte Sound. The sound can be easily accessed on the stunning Queen Charlotte Track on foot or by bike. A walk on this track can last for days, but even on a shorter road trip, it’s well worth taking some time to explore.
Take a quick detour south to the town of Blenheim. It’s at the centre of some of the most beautiful wine country in all of New Zealand. It’s the perfect place for wine tastings or exploring locations like the Wairau Valley.
Other highlights include the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and the Omaka Observatory.
Havelock has earned its reputation as the mussel capital of New Zealand. Stop in at venues like the Mussel Pot and Mills Bay Mussels to sample these delicious items.
The route from Havelock involves the stunning Queen Charlotte Drive, where you’ll get to enjoy an incredible view of the Marlborough Sounds.
This final stop on the way to Nelson is one of the most picturesque in all of New Zealand. It’s a gorgeous scenic reserve including waterfalls, rock pools, and a 417-metre ridge peak.
This location is so stunning that it even appeared in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. It’s your chance to soak up some Middle-earth majesty.
Finally, arrive in Nelson, a charming town surrounded by nature and the arts. This is the perfect destination to wrap up a trip, relax, and debrief on all the fun you’ve had.
Alternatively, you can keep the fun going by splashing through the waves at Tahunanui Beach or exploring the local art galleries and shops. No matter your choice of activities, you'll find plenty to explore.
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:
The photo was taken at Island Bay Beach to recreate/revamp a picture that was taken when we were little in the same spot. We're originally from Wellington but have lived overseas now since '96. From start to finish booking the car with GO Rentals has been super easy! Renting a car can be scary with hidden fees etc. But everything was clear, upfront, and seamless. I spent no more than 5 mins at pick up/return. I've been a returning customer for over 15 years because of this service! Thank you again. Always an absolute pleasure with high-quality cars and service.
This former quarry site is now part of the Te Kopahou Nature Reserve. There is an interesting Visitors Centre and an appealing beach walk. This is one of the many locations we could not have visited without our trusty Mitsubishi ASX from GO Rentals.
A picture of the beautiful place we stayed in. Plus, a side view of the great Toyota rental we had. Very good value for money, very economical, and a good run about for the week. Took us to Blenheim and back and didn't even use 1 full tank of fuel.
Great car to take us safely to our favourite part of the world... Kaiteriteri 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.
When it comes to traffic and parking, Wellington can be busy, especially during peak hours. Congestion tends to be particularly notorious around the city centre. Keep this in mind if you are driving on a time limit or have somewhere to be on time.
Parking in the central areas is generally paid, but there are free parking options available in the outer districts or residential areas. It may require some walking to get to and from, but these parking spots can save you money in the long run.
Nelson tends to have lighter traffic in comparison and offers a much easier parking experience. There are several free car park options around the city, especially around the waterfront and in quieter districts, making it a more relaxed experience compared to larger cities.
There are three toll roads in New Zealand, but you won’t encounter any on this journey. They are all found in the Auckland-Tauranga area.
If you do find yourself travelling through that area, you can rest assured that all your toll road travel is covered in our Total Road Care package, along with all government road taxes as well as 24-hour roadside assistance.
New Zealand has well-maintained highways and scenic routes, making it generally pleasurable to drive throughout. In Wellington, you’ll mostly encounter urban roads with traffic, while the journey to Nelson offers beautiful rural drives with stunning views of the mountains and coastline.
Be sure to follow the speed limits and road signs, as these can vary depending on the area, particularly when you’re in more remote locations.
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.
This means you can save money and still enjoy all the perks of a GO Rentals trip.
