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Explore the south with an Invercargill Airport car rental

Right down in the very south of New Zealand’s South Island is the stately city of Invercargill. With a range of museums (primarily vehicle-related), great outdoor spaces, heritage buildings, and some amazing seafood available, this is a fantastic base from which to explore a stunning and remote part of the country.

All you need to know for your Invercargill Airport car hire

A car hire from Invercargill Airport makes it easy to get around the city centre and the region of Southland, neither of which are known for their public transport options. All of the main highways at the bottom lead to—and from—Invercargill, so there are plenty of options for anyone heading out on a road trip to see some amazing NZ sights.

Airport guide

Invercargill Airport (IATA: IVC) has a main terminal, backup terminal and one runway which is the third-longest civilian runway in the country. It is located less than two kilometres from central Invercargill, a drive of less than five minutes.

Inside the terminal travellers will find a cafe, tourist information centre, meeting rooms, an ATM, and toilets with baby changing facilities. There is also a Koru lounge for frequent flyers. The airport has one rental car park for both short and long-term parking—the first 20 minutes are free.

Hire car counters are located inside the Arrivals hall.

Driving tips for Invercargill car rental

A safe trip is the best kind of trip. To ensure that yours falls into that category, you’ll need to hit the roads equipped with a bit of local knowledge. We want you to have a great experience in your rental vehicle from Invercargill Airport—so here are a few top tips to help you stay sharp and out of trouble with the law.

• In New Zealand, all traffic drives on the left. If you are visiting from a country with the opposite arrangement, you may wish to take an hour or two to practice on quiet roads near the airport before driving on the main highways.

• The driver and all passengers must wear a seatbelt. Using a cellphone while driving is prohibited.

• Invercargill and Southland can experience ice and snow in the winter. Always slow down in inclement conditions. You can view weather warnings and road closures on the New Zealand Transport Agency website.

• Many roads in New Zealand are steep and winding. Take care and brake to slow speeds before tight corners. Always pull over to enjoy views—don’t take your eyes off the road while using your car hire Invercargill!

• All distances are posted in kilometres and speed limits are in kilometres per hour.

• The blood alcohol limit for drivers in New Zealand is 0.05%.

Where to go with a car hire in Invercargill

Having the freedom of your own set of wheels is invaluable in Invercargill. While the city itself is quite small and walkable, many of the attractions that visitors want to see are a little further out. There are many, many fantastic options for places to go and things to see in the region. So many that it can be difficult to decide which ones to include in your itinerary! To help, we’ve put together a few ideas—these are some top destinations within two hours of Invercargill.

Bluff

This windswept port town has desolate beauty and recognition for several important positions it holds: the South Island’s southernmost port, the start of State Highway one which runs the full length of the nation, and home of the famous Bluff Oysters. It also has a favourite photo opportunity for travellers: the iconic signpost at Stirling Point which points out the distances to cities and places around the world. Try some oysters, visit the Bluff Maritime Museum to check out fascinating ship wrecks, then head to Bill Richardson Transport World to see the famous Classic Motorcycle Mecca, and take in the views from Motupohue. If you stil have more time, you can also visit Stewart Island on a ferry and have a relaxing day tour.

Curio Bay

An hour away on the Catlins Coast is this lovely small locale which is a base for bird and wildlife watching. Some visitors even get a glimpse of Hector’s dolphins playing in the surf or yellow-eyed penguins nesting. The Petrified Forest, best viewed at low tide, dates back to the Jurassic period—a fascinating relic of the past. Nearby Porpoise Bay is ideal for swimming in the summer.

Te Anau

Gorgeous lakeside town Te Anau is just under two hours drive from Invercargill, and is the home base for those visiting the magnificent Fiordland region. Many will book accommodation in Te Anau and make a day trip to iconic Milford Sound. The town itself is also a lovely place to explore, with opportunities to get out on the lake, head your rental cars Invercargill to a native bird sanctuary, and enjoy the local glowworm caves.

Tuatapere and Te Waewae Bay

This beautifully remote area is ideal for adventure seekers. From Tuatapere, visitors can access hunting, fishing, whitebaiting, and jet boating in the Waiau River. The sweeping Te Waewae Bay has majestic vistas. At the western end you’ll find Blue Cliffs Beach, a gorgeous underdeveloped section of sand. The area is a designated mammal sanctuary, and whale or dolphin sightings are not uncommon.