One-way car rentals are a great way to see the country. It means you can fly into one big city like Christchurch or Auckland and out of another. You can pick up the car in one place and drop it off in another.
In New Zealand, the popular way to do this is to fly into Auckland and out of Christchurch. This gives you a lot of stunning scenery and adventures on your travels. I’ve rounded up some of the best things I think you should see on your trip during your New Zealand rental car travels. This is just one of many trips you could take.
1. Fly to Auckland: visit the sky tower and do the famous bungee jump from the Harbor Bridge
2. Drive north to Paihia: Paihia is a wonderful seaside town where you can relax and enjoy the shops and the beach. There is wonderful snorkeling and also the famous Te Paki sand dune boarding.
3. Drive south to Rotorua: Rotorua is a tourist city with plenty of adventure activities. You can try Zorbing (rolling down a hill in a big plastic ball), ride a mountain bike, swim in thermal pools, visit thermal mud geysers, or indulge in day spas.
4. Drive to Taupo – Visit Huka Falls and see the largest lake in New Zealand. Make a punt on the hole in one on the shore of the lake in the city of Taupo. This golf is a little different, you launch from the land with the hole on a pontoon on the lake.
5. Drive to Wellington – visit the National Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa and then continue your journey on the Interislander ferry to Picton. Enjoy the beauty of the Marlborough Sounds.
6. Drive to Nelson: As long as you’re in the north of the South Island, there’s plenty to do. You can walk the Able Tasman track, visit the beautiful Kaiteri Beach or Golden Bay.
7. Drive to Kaikoura: See New Zealand fur seals and take a real New Zealand whale watching tour off the coast of Kaikoura.
8. Drive to Christchurch: Drive an hour from Christchurch to Akaroa, a small town that has a French feel to it. Here you can go to one of the best attractions in Christchurch: swim with the dolphins in the harbor, enjoy a delicious meal and relax.
That will be the end of your wonderful New Zealand trip! I hope you enjoy it as there are many other places to see. Next time you will be able to see wonderful Central Otago including Queenstown and Wanaka and the west coast with the glaciers.