All the things you love
and none of the things you don't
Our local knowledge makes the difference for your bespoke holiday through New Zealand or Australia. Your journey Down Under starts here.
New Zealand is a country made to travel by car. It's full of the best scenic drives in the world. We can arrange rental cars to comfortably fit your family.
Our rental cars are well equipped and are well suited to New Zealand’s roads. We offer full insurance with no gravel road restrictions. And, we know all about the best scenic routes, driving times and distances.
What size car would you like to travel with?
A medium SUV offers you extra space for your whole family. Travelling by car in New Zealand gives you complete freedom to see and do things when it suits you best. If you are travelling with younger children, you can travel to your next accommodation while they nap in the back seat.
We have many years of experience designing family holidays that take in the unique contrasts of New Zealand. Take your time, stop for lunch at a local cafe, run along a beach or visit a picturesque town. New Zealand isn’t a big country, so you won’t need to be driving for long periods at a time.
Our hire cars include insurance with $0 excess as standard. Please note: there are other insurance limitations to consider.
Tourism can be great for the environment, and, with us, you make a positive difference
Let's accentuate the positive, reduce the negative and offset what's left
Sustainability in action
New Zealand’s 10 best scenic drives
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"A great scenic drive can be found down in the deep south, a place called the Catlins. Make sure you don't miss Nugget Point and Curio Bay!"
Ben, Travel specialist
Good to know
We plan to encourage electric driving by placing a charging station at all of our local accommodations. Since our routes between the accommodations are never too far, we can ask rental companies to offer electric cars.
Did you know?
Since 2008, we were the first to compensate for the impact of our travels with our replanting project in the Te Urewera rainforest. This is now also offered by other organisations. In this case, we warmly welcome that.
Useful facts
Driving DownUnder
If you hold a valid driver's license in English, you can drive in New Zealand and Australia for up to 12 months while travelling as a tourist. In both countries, you drive on the left side of the road, just like the United Kingdom!
The speed limit in both countries is generally 50 km/hr in residential areas and 100 km/hr on motorways and open roads. Be aware, during school hours there are strict speed limits. We advise paying close attention to all road signs.
Petrol stations in New Zealand
Petrol stations can be found nationwide and fuel prices do differ at different stations. The average petrol cost per litre is around NZD$2.30. If you are filling up at a BP, why not try a delicious pie. Local favourites are the mince and cheese or butter chicken pie.
How do I pay for toll roads in New Zealand?
There are three toll roads: north of Auckland on State Highway 1, the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road and the Takitimu Drive Toll Road also near Tauranga. You can pay the toll charge at the beginning of the toll road or online, within five days of driving on the toll road. You will need the car registration number to do this.
Renting a car DownUnder
What do I need to rent a car?
- A MasterCard, Visa card or American Express in the driver's name.
- An international drivers licence.
- A national drivers licence.
What do I need to take into account when renting a car?
- A deposit will be held on your credit card for each rental car.
- You will sign a rental agreement when you collect the car. By doing so, you agree to the terms and conditions of the car company. Please read these in advance. You will find the terms and conditions in your travel documents.
Ferry Crossing
Do you need to cross over to the other side? Travel on a ferry across the waters between the North and South Island. A journey that is renowned for being one of the best ferry rides in the world. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, it is truly one of New Zealand’s most iconic experiences.
The Interislander is the ferry service between Picton and Wellington. It is a 92-kilometre crossing and takes approximately three hours. The Interislander sails through the Marlborough Sounds and crosses the Cook Strait. There is a restaurant onboard and you can make use of WiFi.
New Zealand’s road rules
It is recommended to follow all speed limits and road rules whilst driving through New Zealand. Here are a few simple rules. And remember all signage/ distances is based on kilometres.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime in New Zealand.
- The driver and all passengers must wear a seatbelt.
- It is not allowed to hold your mobile phone whilst driving.
- It is illegal to pass other cars where there is a yellow line. The yellow line indicates that it's too dangerous to overtake. You will see this instead of the white line that usually marks the middle of the road.
Discover more about travelling with your family
All the things you love
and none of the things you don't
Our local knowledge makes the difference for your bespoke holiday through New Zealand or Australia. Your journey Down Under starts here.
Contact us
We would love to discuss your dream journey