Car hire in
Queenstown
Our top branches in Queenstown
Our services at Queenstown
Car hire in Queenstown
Queenstown is one of New Zealand's most popular destinations for Australian travellers, and with a SIXT car hire, you can explore it entirely at your own pace. Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the Southern Alps, this compact city packs in everything from lakeside dining to world-class adventure sports.
Choose from a wide range of vehicles - from nimble compacts to spacious SUVs - depending on whether you're wine tasting in the Gibbston Valley, hiking in the mountains, or taking a scenic drive along the lake. For a smooth start to your South Island road trip, pick up your car directly at our Queenstown Airport (ZQN) branch and head off without delay.
Driving tips for Queenstown
Road rules to know before you go
Australian travellers will feel right at home on New Zealand's roads, as New Zealand drives on the left, and speed limits are broadly similar. That said, a few local rules are worth knowing before you set off:
- Allow extra time on rural roads: Roads outside Queenstown are often narrow, hilly, and winding. Journey times can be significantly longer than map estimates suggest, so plan accordingly.
- Centre line colours: A white centre line means overtaking is permitted when safe. A yellow centre line means overtaking is prohibited - conditions on that stretch have been deemed too hazardous.
- Speed limits: The urban speed limit throughout New Zealand is 50 km/h. On open roads, the limit increases to 100 km/h - the same as in most Australian states.
Best places to visit in and around Queenstown
With your SIXT car hire in Queenstown, you set the itinerary. Here are a few standout stops worth the drive:
- Skyline Queenstown: Ride the gondola up to Bob's Peak for panoramic views, mountain biking, and dining, then take the luge back down. Parking is available behind the gondola station at the base.
- Lakes District Museum & Gallery: Explore the art and gold-mining history of the region at this museum. Street parking is readily available nearby.
- Kawarau Falls Scenic Reserve: Hike, picnic, or simply take in the scenery along the Kawarau River. The car park is located at 9 Robertson Street.
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