Car Rental in Palmerston North

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Palmerston North Car Rental & Nearby Locations

Palmerston North Car Rental & Nearby Locations
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Palmerston North Car Rental & Nearby Locations

Palmerston North Car Rental & Nearby Locations
NO Car Rental Locations Found
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Car Hire Palmerston North - Avis New Zealand

Palmerston North is a small inland city in New Zealand’s North island, located approximately 140km northeast of Wellington and 160km southeast of Hastings. While Palmerston North is often overlooked as a tourist destination, it makes an excellent base for exploring the great outdoors, and the city itself is picturesque, culturally diverse, and welcoming to visitors.

If you’re visiting Palmerston North on a business trip or using it as a base from which to explore the North Island’s mountains, beaches, and wineries, hiring a car is the most convenient way to get around.

The Avis car rental location at Palmerston North is conveniently located at the airport, and offers a fleet of high-quality vehicles so you can travel in comfort and style.

Luxury Accommodation in Palmerston North

Whether you’re visiting Palmerston North for business or pleasure, the city offers plenty of accommodation options to meet your needs. Most of the accommodation within the city consists of small B&Bs and family-run motels rather than big chain hotels, but this only adds to the city’s charm, and means you’ll enjoy excellent, personalised service.

The Distinction Palmerston North Hotel & Conference Centre is popular with business travellers, as it’s right in the CBD and offers modern and comfortable rooms with buffet breakfast. You can also book a couple’s suite with a luxurious spa bath.

The Fitzherbert Castle Motel is located in the heart of the city and offers apartment-style accommodation that’s within easy walking distance of shops and restaurant. The friendly owners have thought of lots of extra touches, like Fairtrade coffee and chocolates in every room, and the superior options feature bathrooms with a spa bath.

Hiwinui Country Estate offers luxury boutique accommodation with views of the countryside, outdoor spa pool, and open log fireplace. The estate is located off Ashhurst Road, a 14-minute drive out of town.

Things to Do in Palmerston North

Palmerston North may be small, but it offers cafes and restaurants to rival some of New Zealand’s busiest cities. Coffee culture is thriving here, and there’s a great mixture of restaurants offering everything from casual to fine dining, with cuisine from around the world. Art and culture also thrive in the city, and a visit to Te Manawa Museum and Art Gallery is a must.

Cross Hills Garden was established by the Wilson family of Kimbolton in 1970, and contains over 7,000 varieties of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, spread over 7 hectares of land. It’s pleasant to explore in the spring and summer months, and there’s a small café here too. Dugald MacKenzie Rose Gardens is another popular attraction in the city, and is a peaceful place in which to enjoy a gentle walk.

Palmerston North is a popular location with golfers due to its scenic views and excellent courses. Palmerston North Golf Course, Feilding Golf Course, and Manawatu Golf Course are all within a 15-minute drive of the city centre.

If you’re into motor sports, a visit to Manfeild Autocourse is a must. Home of the New Zealand Grand Prix, this location also hosts advanced driver training and car club events, and is a popular spot for conferences and other functions. Stockcar racing is also a popular activity in Palmerston North, with Speedway events held every Saturday night at Robertson Holden International Speedway.

Palmerston North is surrounded by mountains, and offers many scenic hiking trails and outdoor activities to explore. The Manawatu Gorge Walk is one of the most popular in the area and takes around three to four hours to complete. If you’re looking for a slightly less strenuous way to connect with nature, the ancient Totara Reserve Forest offers both long and short walks for all ability levels.

The city is also famous for its rugby heritage, and is home to the Institute of Rugby at Massey University. You can arrange a tour of the facility, and see rugby mementos dating back to the 1870s at the National Rugby Museum.

If you want to see the stunning beauty of the Palmerston North area from the air, a scenic helicopter flight is an exciting and memorable experience. You’ll fly down the Manawatu Gorge, and have the opportunity to take photos of the iconic Tararua and Ruahine mountain ranges. If you’re really into flying, you can take a trial flight at the Manawatu Aviation Club.

Palmerston North Weather

Palmerston North enjoys a temperate and sunny climate, with temperatures ranging from a daily average of around 5°C in the winter months to as high as 24°C in the hottest months of January and February.

Rainfall in the area is low throughout the year and there are approximately 200 rain-free days each year. However, the city can also be quite windy due to the mountain ranges to the east, and this can result in driving rain in the winter months.

Fuelling locations in Palmerston North

There are several service stations located throughout the city, so you’ll have no trouble filling up before you return your rental vehicle to Avis.

Z Palmerston North on Railway Road is the closest to the airport, and there’s also a Gull Tremaine gas station on the approach road of Vogel Street.

Distances to Palmerston North Attractions

See below for distances to some of Palmerston North’s most popular attractions from our Avis car rental location at Palmerston North Airport.

  • Te Manawa 6km
  • New Zealand Rugby Museum 6km
  • Victoria Esplanade 8km
  • Te Arapiki aka The Steps of Lindos 9km
  • Anzac Park 9km
  • Manawatu Gorge Track 17km
  • Te Apiti Wind Farm 25km

FAQs

What is Palmerston North known for?

Palmerston North is famous for its gardens, and is sometimes known as “Rose City”.

What is there to do in Palmerston North?

Palmerston North is a pleasant city to explore on foot, particularly its many parks and gardens. Victoria Esplanade Park is popular with locals and tourists alike. If you like museums, be sure to stop by the New Zealand Rugby museum, and Te Manawa.