Christchurch Airport is your gateway to New Zealand’s iconic South Island scenery. Magnificent mountains, stunning glaciers, idyllic lakes and relaxing hot springs are all within reach upon arrival.

Hiring a car is a fantastic way to experience the sights, sounds and adventures of one of the South Island’s metropolitan hubs. With a comprehensive highway system linking Christchurch to most other hotspots in the region, it’s an ideal jumping-off point to make the most of your New Zealand trip. 

With Hertz pickup locations available just a short walk from the arrivals gate at Christchurch Airport, as well as in downtown Christchurch itself, it couldn’t be easier to get started. Whether your trip is business or pleasure, family or friends, you’ll find car hire to suit your needs and price-range. 

So you’ve hired your car from Christchurch Airpor, now where to begin?

In Christchurch you don’t have to venture far from the airport to start your adventure. One destination you may consider before you even pick up your car is the award-winning International Antarctic Centre, located just a short walk from the terminal. The Centre provides a fun, interactive experience with a unique insight into life in the Antarctic.

Of course, once you have your rental car you’ll want to venture further afield. Some other ‘must dos’ in Christchurch are the Bridge of Remembrance, Goodley Heads, the Botanical Gardens and Port Hills. Port Hills guarantees an epic view of the vast city and the stunning Banks Peninsula. The Christchurch Botanical Garden provides beautiful flora all year round – don’t forget to take a peek inside the glasshouse.

Be sure to set some time aside to relax in the Christchurch natural hot springs. Soak up the tranquillity in Hanmer Springs, a naturally-heated thermal reserve located in the foothills of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo also offers a range of hot springs and provides a full range of body treatments – a great place to take a deep breath and decompress. Take a 2-hour drive outside the city to Canterbury to discover some of New Zealand’s hidden gems. Check out three scenic waterfall destinations:

• Washpen Falls – just a one-hour drive from Christchurch, the Washpen Falls offer breathtaking views of the Canterbury Plains.

• Devils Punchbowl – the 112-meter waterfall is something else. The walk roughly takes one hour to complete.

• Avalanche Creek Falls – take a short 5-minute walk through Arthur’s Pass National Park. You’ll find not one but three spectacular waterfalls.

Just a 90-minute drive from Christchurch lies Mt Hutt, voted New Zealand’s “Best Ski Resort” for the third year in a row. Offering a range of trails for all proficiency levels, Mt Hutt provides an exceptional skiing experience for locals and travellers alike.

One great tip to keep in mind when you’re driving in the region is that the speed limit on major highways between Christchurch and nearby destinations is generally 100km/h, unless signs state otherwise. 

Explore unique Christchurch foodie experiences in your hire car

After all that driving, sight-seeing and adventuring you’ll be doing, it won’t be long before you find yourself in need of a bite to eat and sit-down over a drink or two. Fortunately, Christchurch is the perfect place to be for culinary delights and award-winning dining experiences – not to mention a café culture with expert baristas to rival any city in the world! 

If you consider yourself a bit of a foodie, prepare for the abundance of choice in Christchurch. Cuisine in the city draws influence from the melting-pot cultural influences of the people, from European fine-dining, to south-east Asian delicacies, to decadent American-style fast food; you’ll find it all in Christchurch’s renowned restaurants and eateries.

While there are far too many options for us to list them all here, try a few of these epic venues while visiting the city to start your trip off right:

• Pescatore – fine dining with an impressive setup. If seafood is your thing, we recommend giving them a go.

• Orleans – inspired by New Orleans, Louisiana, bask in the live music, hearty food, and delicious cocktails.

• Mexicanos – tasty Mexican with an array of different tequilas, margaritas and sangrias – as you can imagine, it’s a hot spot in Christchurch.

• Fedfire BBQ – meat lovers rejoice. Brazilian inspired meals perfect for the whole family to enjoy. They also offer an all you can eat BBQ for $49.95.

From natural wonders to award-winning wine and awe-inspiring adventure sports, Christchurch has something for everyone to enjoy. Hire a car at the airport and explore the wealth of wonders the South Island has to offer.