Auckland → Queenstown • 1600 km
20+ hours driving • recommended 7–10 days
The Auckland to Queenstown drive is one of New Zealand's ultimate road trips — the length of both islands, an inter-island ferry and every kind of scenery in between. It's not a one-day drive: plan 7–10 days minimum to actually enjoy it. Here's the honest guide, plus how to rent a car one-way with Nomado.
Auckland → Taupō → Wellington (11 hrs) → Interislander ferry to Picton (3.5 hrs sailing) → Picton → Kaikōura → Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Wanaka → Queenstown (10 hrs). Total driving: roughly 21 hours, plus the ferry.
Day 1: Auckland → Rotorua. Day 2: Rotorua → Taupō → Wellington. Day 3: Ferry to Picton → Kaikōura. Day 4: Kaikōura → Christchurch. Day 5: Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Mt Cook. Day 6: Mt Cook → Wanaka. Day 7: Wanaka → Queenstown. Day 8: Queenstown activities, then continue your itinerary for an agreed return at our Christchurch depot.
The Interislander and Bluebridge run Wellington ↔ Picton several times a day. In summer (Dec–Feb) and holiday periods, book 4–6 weeks ahead — especially with a rental car. A car + 2 passengers costs roughly $250–$350 one way.
Auckland-to-Christchurch one-way rentals may be available by prior agreement for a $250 charge. Nomado has no Wellington, Picton or Queenstown depot, so the car must be returned to the depot recorded in the Rental Agreement.
October–April is the safest window. In winter (June–August) the Desert Road (SH1) and alpine passes like the Lindis Pass and Crown Range can close briefly during snow — carry chains, allow buffer time, and consider an SUV.
Our Fleet
Live pricing and availability — only a 20% deposit to book.
No — it's around 21 hours of driving plus a 3.5-hour ferry. The minimum realistic split is 3 days (Auckland → Wellington → Picton → Queenstown) but you'll be exhausted. 7–10 days is the sweet spot.
No. Nomado currently has depots only in Auckland and Christchurch. An Auckland-to-Christchurch one-way may be available by prior agreement for a $250 charge.
Yes. You book the ferry yourself and add your rental car's registration when you check in. Nomado allows all our cars on the Interislander and Bluebridge — just tell us at pickup so we can confirm.
Take the same vehicle on the Cook Strait ferry and return it to the Nomado depot stated in your Rental Agreement. You book and pay for the ferry separately.