Tesla Model 3 Performance
Quiet miles, zero fuel spend.
From NZ$230/day
Concierge delivery and collection — NZ$150
Christchurch · Self-drive
Car hire in Christchurch for the South Island
Dream Drives is a small Christchurch team with a hand-selected set of cars for Aotearoa New Zealand’s best roads. Concierge handover, transparent daily rates, and no theatre — just the right car for Tekapo, Queenstown, or a week on the coast.
- Built for multi-day South Island road trips
- Christchurch handover (Marshlands — ~15 min from CHC)
- 5.0 on Google
- Concierge delivery and collection — NZ$150
Why Dream Drives
Not a big rental counter. A Christchurch garage door and a short conversation about your route.
Hand-selected cars
Tesla, Range Rover, Mercedes-AMG, and a few others — each chosen for how it behaves on South Island roads, not to fill a spreadsheet row.
Christchurch team
We live here. Routes, weather, roadworks, and a calm handover when your flight is late or plans move.
Built for distance
Multi-day touring is what these cars are for: Arthur’s Pass, Tekapo, the West Coast, or a slow run down to Queenstown.
Marshlands handover (~15 min from CHC)
Flying into Christchurch? Our Marshlands base is about 15 minutes by Uber from the airport. We confirm the exact spot and time after you book.
The drive matters
We care about the road, the light, and the hour — not just getting you from A to B.
Our cars
A short list, on purpose
Each car has a page with photography, specs, and the exact daily rate. Start here, then dig into the one that fits your trip.
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S
Biturbo V8 for Canterbury and the passes.
From NZ$350/day
Concierge delivery and collection — NZ$150
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35
Seven seats, AMG footprint.
From NZ$250/day
Concierge delivery and collection — NZ$150
Range Rover Sport (V8 Supercharged)
Supercharged V8, Queenstown-bound.
From NZ$380/day
Concierge delivery and collection — NZ$150
Range Rover Sport (Diesel)
Torque in reserve. Touring range.
From NZ$280/day
Concierge delivery and collection — NZ$150
Mercedes-Benz V-Class
Seven seats, diesel range, real luggage room.
From NZ$300/day
Concierge delivery and collection — NZ$150
Handover
Flying into Christchurch Airport
We are not at the terminal. Handover is at our Marshlands base (612 Marshlands Road, Christchurch) — about 15 minutes by Uber from Christchurch Airport — and we lock the exact location and time in after you book.
How pickup runs
- Book online and tell us your flight or arrival time.
- We confirm handover details (place and time).
- Walk-around, keys, and you are on the road.
Rated 5.0 — travellers who wanted more than a generic row of keys
★★★★★
“Family of five, two weeks around the South Island! We rented the Mercedes V Shuttle and it was honestly the perfect choice. It was super comfy for the long drives, real...”
★★★★★
“Had the most awesome experience in the Tesla. Hit the nail on the head so to speak and Its a winner for me. Adam & Grace were absolutely Top Notch communication and hel...”
★★★★★
“Absolutely amazing people to deal with they made everything so easy for us from transfers from thr airport to the car. Especially with 2 little kids. From pick up to dr...”
The South Island
Christchurch is the natural start
From here you are within reach of Queenstown, Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook, Kaikōura, Akaroa, and the West Coast passes — in a car that matches the scale of the landscape.
Who this suits
When the car should match the trip
Couples
A proper South Island journey with room to breathe. The car is part of the trip, not an afterthought.
Families
Space and quiet for long days: SUVs and the V-Class when you need seven seats and real luggage room.
Visitors who want the good car
When the default airport row will not do — you want the right tool for Lindis, Haast, or the coast road.
Business travel
Christchurch handover, presentable cars, and a direct line when schedules compress.
Rates
Transparent daily rates
Pricing moves with season, vehicle, and trip length. Multi-day hires often improve the day rate. Each hire includes 250km per day for typical South Island use; extra kilometres are covered in your agreement.
Questions
Before you book
Where do I pick up the car?
We arrange handover at our Marshlands base (612 Marshlands Road, Christchurch). For airport arrivals, it is about a 15-minute Uber from Christchurch Airport — not at the terminal. We confirm exact details after you book.
Do you offer airport pickup?
Yes. Flying into Christchurch? Pickup is at our Marshlands base, about 15 minutes by Uber from the airport. After you book, we confirm the exact address and handover details.
What do I need to hire with Dream Drives?
You need a valid full driver’s licence (held for at least two years for most vehicles), a credit card for the flat NZ$1,000 bond hold, and to meet our minimum age requirement. International visitors need a valid licence in English or an approved translation.
Do you take a bond or credit card hold?
Yes. We place a flat NZ$1,000 pre-authorisation on your credit card for the security bond on every hire. It is released at the end of the hire provided the vehicle is returned in the same condition (subject to outstanding charges, fines, etc.).
Can we take the car to Queenstown or Tekapo?
Yes. Our cars are suited to South Island road trips including Queenstown, Lake Tekapo, and beyond. One-way hires can be discussed; standard hires are return to Christchurch.
Is it self-drive?
Yes. All our hires are self-drive. You drive the vehicle yourself. Chauffeur or transfer services can be arranged separately on request.
What’s included in the daily rate?
The daily rate includes the vehicle, standard insurance (subject to excess), and 250 km per day for typical South Island touring. Additional kilometres are charged per your agreement. Optional extras include excess reduction, additional drivers, and child seats. We confirm inclusions when you book.
How far in advance should we book?
We recommend booking as soon as your dates are set, especially for peak season (December–April) and popular vehicles. Last-minute bookings are often possible — check availability or message us.
Looking for something beyond a hire? Dream Drives Owners Club →