Getting To & From Rarakau Lodge
Book a seat on Mel’s Shuttle for a door-to-door run, or drive yourself and turn the last leg of your South Island road trip into one of the cheapest rentals you’ll find.
Getting Here
Tuatapere Shuttle & Invercargill Rental Cars
Rarakau Lodge sits at the end of the road, right at the start of the Hump Ridge Track — getting here usually means either booking a Tuatapere shuttle or driving yourself. Mel’s Shuttle runs a door-to-door service connecting Invercargill, Te Anau and Queenstown to the lodge, or drive yourself — Invercargill rental cars are some of the cheapest one-way hires in the country, with relocation deals from as little as $1/day.
- Door-to-door Tuatapere shuttle
- Invercargill rental cars from $1/day
- Invercargill, Te Anau & Queenstown pickups
$1 Rental Cars
Cheap one-way rental car relocation deals from Invercargill — sometimes as low as $1/day.
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Tuatapere Shuttle
Flexible door-to-door van transport connecting Invercargill, Te Anau and Queenstown to Rarakau Lodge, via Tuatapere.
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Rental Car Discount
No relocation deal for your dates? A standard rental at Invercargill or Queenstown airport is the fallback.
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Is there a Tuatapere shuttle service?
Yes — Mel's Shuttle runs a regular door-to-door Tuatapere shuttle, connecting Invercargill, Te Anau and Queenstown to Rarakau Lodge and the Hump Ridge Track.
Where can I find cheap Invercargill rental cars?
Invercargill rental cars are often available as $1/day one-way relocation deals from companies like Transfercar, Imoova and GO Rentals, since Invercargill is the far end of most South Island road trips. If no relocation deal suits your dates, a standard discount rental from Invercargill or Queenstown airport is the fallback.
Do I need a car to get to Rarakau Lodge?
No — you can book a seat on the Tuatapere shuttle instead of driving yourself. Mel's Shuttle picks up from Invercargill, Te Anau and Queenstown and drops you right at the lodge, at the start of the Hump Ridge Track.
Can I leave my rental car at Rarakau Lodge while I do the Hump Ridge Track?
Yes — Rarakau Lodge guests park for free for the full length of their walk, whether that's an afternoon or a month. The car park is monitored with 24-hour cameras and onsite security, so driving yourself and leaving the car is a straightforward option.