Suzuki Jimny on a South Island road, New Zealand

Australia · Year round

Fly in. Pick up a Jimny.
Explore the South Island.

The easiest way to road trip New Zealand — collect your Jimny at Queenstown Airport or arrange a shuttle from Christchurch Airport, no waiting around.

Pickup

Christchurch or Queenstown

Ideal stay

7–14 days

Drive type

Full 4WD

Pickup: Christchurch or Queenstown
Ideal stay: 7–14 days
Drive type: Full 4WD
Direct flights from all major Australian cities
Suzuki Jimny in alpine landscape, South Island New Zealand South Island · New Zealand

Better than renting an SUV

Small enough for
every road.
More fun than anything else on it.

The Jimny is a legitimate 4WD — not a soft-roader wearing a costume. Narrow enough for mountain passes and village streets. High enough for gravel roads and river crossings. And iconic enough that people stop to take photos of it.

Reserve yours

The route

Christchurch to Queenstown
and back

A suggested 10–14 day loop. Take it at your own pace.

South Island road trip in a Suzuki Jimny
Jimny on a winding South Island road

Day 1

Christchurch

Collect from our Christchurch location — shuttle available from the airport. Head south within the hour.

✈ Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth

Day 4–5

Lake Tekapo

Turquoise glacial water against the Southern Alps. A dark sky reserve — the stars at night are extraordinary.

↔ 3.5 hrs from Christchurch

Day 8–10

Queenstown & Wānaka

The adventure capital, the Crown Range, and Wānaka's lake and mountains. Drop off in Queenstown or loop back.

↔ 3 hrs from Mt Cook

Day 2–3

Akaroa & Banks Peninsula

Dramatic volcanic harbour, French-colonial village, and winding clifftop roads the Jimny was made for. Only 90 minutes from Christchurch.

↔ 1.5 hrs · SH75

Day 6–7

Aoraki / Mt Cook

New Zealand's highest peak, reached by a road you can drive to the end of. Two nights minimum.

↔ 1.5 hrs from Tekapo
Jimny on the road toward Aoraki / Mt Cook

Day 11–14

Return via the West Coast (optional)

Haast Pass, Franz Josef, the Pancake Rocks — a completely different New Zealand. Only possible if you have the time and a capable car.

Jimny on the South Island at dusk
"Renting a Jimny for our first trip through the South Island in NZ was the best decision we've ever made. The experience was amazing. The Jimny had everything we needed and it was so easy to open up and pack up."

Simona J., Australia ★★★★★

Jimny on open road toward Mt Cook
Mackenzie Basin · South Island
Jimny with mountain backdrop
Alpine roads · New Zealand
Jimny on scenic road
High country
Traveller with Jimny by a lake
Lakes & mountains

Made for Australians doing NZ properly

This trip was made for
your New Zealand holiday

Left-hand drive, English signage, easy roads — with mountains, glaciers, and landscapes nothing like home.

01

Direct flights, no transit

Fly direct from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth to Christchurch or Queenstown. Collect the Jimny the same day.

02

Go where buses can't

Gravel roads, alpine passes, freedom camping spots — the Jimny opens up a South Island most tourists never see.

03

No crowds on the best roads

The iconic spots are busy. The roads between them are empty. That's where the Jimny belongs.

04

Familiar enough, different enough

Left-hand drive, English signage, easy roads. But mountains, glaciers, and landscapes nothing like home.

Jimny driving toward Mt Cook Traveller outside Jimny by a lake

From our guests

What they said

★★★★★

"Renting a Jimny for our first trip through the South Island in NZ was the best decision we've ever made! The experience was amazing. The Jimny had everything we needed and it was so easy to open up and pack up. Grace and Adam were super easy and professional to communicate with. 10/10 would recommend! We are coming back and doing a Jimny hire again for sure! Thanks heaps guys!!"

SJ

Simona J.

Australia

★★★★★

"All I can say is we had a great experience with Jimny NZ. Collection and returning of the car was straight forward and super easy. Adam and Grace were prompt in their replies and helpful! The condition of the car was excellent and we had no problems driving all around south island. Funny enough we got attached to the car after spending 12 days with it and got sad when it was time to return it. A jimny in Singapore costs 150k!! So getting a taste of it in NZ has been a dream come true!"

MI

Mohd I.

Singapore

★★★★★

"Can't recommend highly enough! Picked us up from the airport and dropped us off. They made everything easy. The Jimny is such a capable little car and I really appreciated the self-sufficient nature of the setup."

NC

Nic C.

New Zealand

★★★★★

"We had the most fantastic experience with Jimny Rentals. Grace and Adam contacted us before picking up our Jimny with all relevant information. It was the best car for getting around — we loved every minute."

GC

Georgia C.

Not sure which Jimny suits your trip?

Adam knows the South Island roads — Christchurch loops, Queenstown pickups, one-way options. Message him on WhatsApp and he'll help you plan something that fits.

Message on WhatsApp

Pricing

Choose your South Island trip

All prices NZD. Australian licence accepted.

Weekend

3–4 days

$360

NZD total

  • Christchurch or Queenstown pickup
  • Full 4WD · Standard tyres
  • Insurance options available
  • Snow chains $50/booking (add when booking)
Book weekend

Extended

14+ days

$90/day

Best daily rate

  • All of the above
  • Milford Sound, West Coast, Kaikōura optional
Book extended
Jimny on the South Island

Ready to drive
the South Island?

Pick up in Christchurch or Queenstown. Book online in minutes — no payment now, instant confirmation.

Check availability

Instant confirmation · Cancel 5+ days before pickup for a refund · Australian licence accepted