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Adventure begins with a car rental in Queenstown

When you rent a car in Queenstown, all of the splendours of the city and the Otago region are yours to experience. This gorgeous part of New Zealand has something exhilarating to do and something spectacular to see around every curve in the road. With a car rental from Airport Rentals and time to spend in this stunning city, you are guaranteed to find out why Queenstown is called the "Adventure Capital of the World".

All you need to know about hiring a car in Queenstown

A guide to driving in Queenstown

Picking up a Queenstown rental car is the start of a memory-making road trip. The routes you will drive range from scenic lakeside lanes to winding mountain passes, and there’s a breathtaking vista or adventure activity around every corner. To get you off to a great start, check out our tips and stay safe on those New Zealand roads:

• Stay left! For some international visitors, getting behind the wheel of a rental car in Queenstown might be their first experience with driving on the left. If that’s you, make sure you keep your mind on the task at hand. Practice on quiet streets while you acclimatise.

• The roads in and around Queenstown can be steep and windy—this is especially true of the nearby Crown Range Road which many visitors drive over to visit Cardrona and Wanaka. Drive slowly and carefully.

• In winter, some roads may close due to adverse conditions. Details can be found on the New Zealand Transport Authority website—if the weather’s iffy, it may pay to check before you head out.

• Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour, and distances in kilometres.

What to see and do with your car hire from Queenstown

A rental car offers you the freedom to see anything your heart desires during your stay in Queenstown. If your heart needs a little guidance, take a look at these suggestions to plan your dream itinerary.

Action and adventure

You can’t miss the adventure tourism operators in Queenstown! There are plenty of options for thrill-seekers: bungy jumping, jet boating, helicopter flights, parasailing, a gondola and luge track, kayaking, white water rafting, a canyon swing, and more. Many of these activities and excursions can be booked in the city center, so visit some tourism information centres or booking agents and create your own adventure.

Wineries

Want something a little more on the low-key side? Head out to the beautiful wineries of the Otago region. Amisfield is close to Queenstown and known for its high-end restaurant and tasting experiences. Gibbston Valley offers immersive wine experiences. There are plenty of vineyards large and small to explore, and chauffeured tours available so you can relax and enjoy. If spirits are more your style, visit Cardrona Distillery just over the Crown Range.

Walks

Exploring on foot is a great way to see and experience the beauty of the place. You can start with a lakeside stroll in the city, and move on to something with a little more altitude like Queenstown Hill, Lake Alta, or the Tiki Trail. For high effort but spectacular scenic rewards, head over to Wanaka to climb Roy’s Peak. With a car hire from Queenstown, there are so many incredible walking tracks available to you. Lace-up your boots and explore.

Lake Wakatipu

There are many ways to enjoy this gorgeous body of water. In the summer, jump in for a swim or try a short-term rental of a small pedal craft. You can also book scenic cruises on a variety of boats including the gorgeous old twin-screw steamer the TSS Earnslaw. Most cruises and many of the river jet boats begin their voyages from docks in the city centre.

Want to explore more of New Zealand with your rental car? You could get a car hire from Auckland or grab a car rental from Wellington Airport to start your North Island adventure. You can also rent a car in Christchurch and start your road trip from there. Other popular car hire locations for your South Island NZ trip include getting a car hire in Nelson or in Dunedin.