New Zealand is an island nation in the South Pacific that is divided into two main islands: the North Island and the South Island. The landscape ranges from majestic snow-capped peaks to safe swimming beaches and everything in between. Renting a car in New Zealand is a great way to see the beautiful scenery of this friendly country. If you arrive at Christchurch International Airport, you can pick up your rental car and then see some of the city’s sights near the airport, including the International Antarctic Center and Orana Wildlife Park.
From Christchurch, which is about halfway up the east coast of the South Island, you have a number of options for renting a car in New Zealand. If you’ve already visited the scenic West Coast on a previous visit, you may want to travel north along the eastern side of the South Island, stopping in Kaikoura for a bit of whale watching. Alternatively, you can travel south from Christchurch, visiting Timaru and Dunedin. Some people continue south to visit the southern tip of New Zealand at Invercargill and further on to Stewart Island. You can travel southwest across the island from Christchurch to the exquisite tourist havens of Tekapo and Queenstown. If you love the splendor of nature, you’ll probably want to spend more time traveling around the area to see Te Anau and Milford Sound.
If you haven’t seen the west coast of the South Island, it’s truly a must see. Traveling up the West Coast, you’ll marvel at the Franz Josef Glacier before traveling to historic Greymouth and onward to picturesque Nelson and Picton. In Picton, you can take your rental car to the North Island of New Zealand and to the country’s capital, Wellington. There’s plenty to occupy your time in Wellington before heading up the beautiful west coast of Kapiti and inland to Palmerston North. Many people then travel up the East Coast to visit New Zealand’s art deco capital, the seaside city of Napier. This area of New Zealand, like many others, has wineries and lots of wonderful fresh produce.
From Napier, you can travel in your rental car across the north of New Zealand to the adventures that await you in Taupo and the cultural hub of Rotorua. Continue through Hamilton to New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, where you can climb the Sky Tower, bungy jump from the Harbor Bridge or take part in many other exciting activities. If you have time to travel further north, you won’t regret visiting the sunny and historic Bay of Islands for some of the best fishing you’ve ever had. Any road trip through New Zealand means you’re likely to miss out on some wonderful stops in out-of-the-way places. But do not worry. You can always come back for another road trip next time!