Car Rental Queenstown Airport

Queenstown is the main town at the bottom end of the South Island, with Christchurch further up to the north, around a 6-hour drive. This location leads many to start their New Zealand road trip journey in Queenstown to drive north to Christchurch and then to the Picton Ferry Terminal for the ferry ride to the North Island. While Queenstown makes a great launching platform for a New Zealand journey, the city and the immediate surroundings also offer many options for a Queenstown holiday, just on its own. 

Get your heart pumping with one of Queenstown's many adrenaline-inducing activities, from bungy jumping over rivers to white water rafting through the rivers. See Queenstown from 10,000 feet in the air or while travelling at 120mph towards its rocky mountains and flowing rivers. 

Queenstown is known as the 'Valley of the Vines' due to its many wineries and vineyards. If you're fond of a drop or two, you must explore the best wineries in the Queenstown and Gibbston area. It is an excellent area for Pinot Noir lovers, with the red being the favourite wine of producers in the area. Some of the best wineries that offer cellar door tastings and beautiful views are Amisfield Winery & Bistro, where you can also grab a bite to eat and the internationally regarded Gibbston Valley Winery. Gibbston Valley Winery is just a 25-minute drive in your rental car from Queenstown Airport and central Queenstown. Having a glass of the world's most delicate Pinot Noir while relaxing by views of vineyards and mountains goes down well with just about everyone.

Take a Break on a Lake in Your Car Hire

Queenstown is the gateway to Lake Wakatipu, the third largest lake in New Zealand and one of the world's most spectacular looking bodies of water. The lake offers great views from many vantage points along the coastline. The lake is surrounded by mountains and settlements, the largest being Queenstown. Cruise along the lake in several boats and ferries that offer touring services. For fishing enthusiasts, due to the conditions in the lake, year-round fishing is available. You have the chance to catch fish such as Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon and the New Zealand Longfin Eel.

View the lake and the rest of Queenstown from the Skyline Gondola. Rising 450 metres into the air, this is the steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s a fantastic and modern way to catch views of the mountains and lake without having to climb one of them.

Queenstown is an Area Made for Driving in Your Rental Car

A 20-minute drive from Queenstown can find you in Arrowtown. A historical gold-mining town that offers fantastic hiking, and golfing, with the Arrowtown Golf Course and The Hills Course. Arrowtown is popular for its old architecture that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time to the days of the gold rush. Once you've driven up there, a great way to stretch your legs outside of town is the Big Hill Hike. Just follow the trail at the end of Buckingham Street for mountain views and grassy hills. The best time to visit Arrowtown is autumn - the trees and forest become washed with red, yellow, orange, purple and every colour in between. It is best to balance activities when you are travelling, so, balancing the fun, adrenaline-fueled activities of Queenstown with the quaint, relaxed feel of Arrowtown is an excellent way to get the most out of the area.

Wine, water, walking, and more. It doesn't matter what you're after from your trip to Queenstown; you're sure to find it with a Thrifty car hire. Happy driving.