Hire car Dunedin

[madazrx7]

Hi NZ PH crew, we're booked on a cruise Jan 2018, we'll be in Port Chalmers for a day on Tues 9th and I'd like to hire a car for just a few hours to explore (don't do the group bus tour thing)
Been googling but the local companies seem way expensive (like 6 times the price per day here) and mostly booked out.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[mark387mw]

We don’t usually do the bus tours, so one time we were in Port Chalmers there was a chap in his cowboy hat with a Cadillac Seville waiting for cruise ship passengers offering his services.
For about $200, which was probably one cruise ship excursion, we thought why not and he took us wherever we wanted to go. To the lookout, the Dunedin city shops and museum (and he waits for you). A run up Baldwin Street and he’ll take you to Larnach Castle as well.
Not much at all in Port Chalmers.
I’m sure there are better tour guides but he was relaxed and flexible. I found a Facebook page for him. https://www.facebook.com/pg/Southern-Horizon-Coach...

What cruise itinerary and ship are you doing?

[madazrx7]

Sea Princess (my third Princess cruise) round trip Brisbane- Milford Sound- Dunedin- Akaroa- Wellington- Napier- Tauranga- Auckland- Brisbane.
I did the same cruise in 2010 but from Melbourne. Sailing into Milford around 7AM was unforgettable. Did a 3 night sampler last year to see if my partner would like cruising, luckily she loved it and we're both looking forward to this one.
Was thinking of a hire car in Port Chalmers as there appears to be some nice roads around there and I want to go to Lanarch. I wonder if anyone hires sports cars (or motorbikes...)

[GravelBen]

There are some very nice roads around Dunedin, just have to stay alert for wayward cyclists and tourists!

[mark387mw]

We’ve also done many Princess cruises around NZ and Australia and I think it’s a good way to see a lot of New Zealand that most kiwis haven’t seen.

One option is an older Merc, or BMW, for the day that cater for the cruise ships.
check also their other options of Mercedes and a BMW

[madazrx7]

mark387mw said:

We’ve also done many Princess cruises around NZ and Australia and I think it’s a good way to see a lot of New Zealand that most kiwis haven’t seen.

One option is an older Merc, or BMW, for the day that cater for the cruise ships.
check also their other options of Mercedes and a BMW

Looks interesting and the BMW is cheaper than the standard hire cars I've seen there... have you used this company? Just wondering if it's legit?

ETA, I've registered on the site now, appears to be OK, I've sent an enquiry about the availability of the BMW and will book today. Cheers!

Edited by madazrx7 on Thursday 9th November 02:37

[CR6ZZ]

There are a few options. Try Pegasus and Rent a Dent. Both should have cheap cars for daily hire.

I'm in Dunedin and could show you around, but you'll likely want to do your own thing.

[madazrx7]

CR6ZZ said:

There are a few options. Try Pegasus and Rent a Dent. Both should have cheap cars for daily hire.

I'm in Dunedin and could show you around, but you'll likely want to do your own thing.

Cheers. My partner has friends in Dunedin who we will try to meet up with, and I'd like to allow 5 or 6 hours for visiting Lanarch and driving around a bit so I think we'll be a bit pushed but I'll let you know.

My last visit on the 2010 cruise all we saw was Dunedin hospital, as my then partner's father (who took us all on the cruise) had become very ill on the crossing (he had terminal asbestos mesothelioma) and had to disembark with half of our group, who then flew home a week later. Only 4 of us continued the cruise and it certainly put a bit of a damper on it.

[mark387mw]

madazrx7 said:

Looks interesting and the BMW is cheaper than the standard hire cars I've seen there... have you used this company? Just wondering if it's legit?

ETA, I've registered on the site now, appears to be OK, I've sent an enquiry about the availability of the BMW and will book today. Cheers!

Edited by madazrx7 on Thursday 9th November 02:37

I’ve not used them. I’m just aware of “parallel” tour providers providing the same cruise ship excursions at a fraction of the cost. Usually they’re the same companies rather than independents and they all know the rules about getting back on time. Our first trip we used the Cadillac man in a hat and the last time we went, we did a local bus tour to Larnach castle.

I’m sure with your friends, and drive yourself you’ll cover the highlights.

For a regular car, try here

[madazrx7]

mark387mw said:

I’ve not used them. I’m just aware of “parallel” tour providers providing the same cruise ship excursions at a fraction of the cost. Usually they’re the same companies rather than independents and they all know the rules about getting back on time. Our first trip we used the Cadillac man in a hat and the last time we went, we did a local bus tour to Larnach castle.

I’m sure with your friends, and drive yourself you’ll cover the highlights.

For a regular car, try here

Thanks again for your advice. I've now booked and paid for the BMW, looking forward to exploring... just hope for better weather than Jan 2010!

[madazrx7]

madazrx7 said:

mark387mw said:

I’ve not used them. I’m just aware of “parallel” tour providers providing the same cruise ship excursions at a fraction of the cost. Usually they’re the same companies rather than independents and they all know the rules about getting back on time. Our first trip we used the Cadillac man in a hat and the last time we went, we did a local bus tour to Larnach castle.

I’m sure with your friends, and drive yourself you’ll cover the highlights.

For a regular car, try here

Thanks again for your advice. I've now booked and paid for the BMW, looking forward to exploring... just hope for better weather than Jan 2010!

Haven't logged in for a while, just an update on this... The hire car man was very helpful, met us at the dock to tell us the BMW had been crashed the week before, so gave us the E class instead.
Visited the "castle" and spent a few hours exploring the great local roads. Would love to spend more time there, perhaps you could tell me which day will be "summer" haha

[mark387mw]

I’m glad it worked out for you.

I think it was our turn in Palmerston North for summer this year.

[GravelBen]

January was hot and dry in Southland, 19mm rain here for the whole month. February's rain made up for it though...