- 0800 233 662
- [email protected]
- "Proudly Kiwi owned and operated"
- Wellington, Dunedin, Invercargill
Group travel in Invercargill comes down to a pretty straightforward decision: do you want to drive, or would you rather have someone else do it?
We offer both options because different situations call for different solutions.
We’ve been running these services around Invercargill and the wider Southland region for years. Twenty years of learning what works and what doesn’t. Our customers tend to come back year after year, which tells us we’re getting the important things right. The 5-star Google reviews don’t hurt either.
Good news – Event Bus have joined forces with Rambler Coachlines, but don’t worry, nothing’s changing for you. Same friendly drivers, same reliable Invercargill minibuses, same local knowledge you’ve come to trust. The only difference? We now have the backing and resources of one of New Zealand’s most respected transport companies; Rambler Coachlines.
Modern, reliable fleet.
We help your rent or charter experience go perfectly smoothly.
Rent from only $300/day!
No hidden costs or nasty surprises.
Some groups prefer having their own wheels. Makes sense in a lot of situations – you can leave when you want, take detours if something looks interesting, stop for photos without checking with anyone.
Our rental service is designed to be uncomplicated. You book a minibus, come pick it up when you need it, drive wherever your plans take you, bring it back when you’re done. We keep the paperwork minimal and the process simple.
Who typically rents from us:
Sports teams driving to games in other towns. Families doing the big Catlins road trip. Wedding groups who need to get everyone from the accommodation to the venue and back. Friends heading down to Queenstown for the weekend. Business teams going to training sessions or conferences.
Basically, anyone who’s got 8-15 people to move around and wants to do it on their own terms.
From only three hundred dollars per day. Then 25 cents for every kilometer you drive.
That price covers the minibus itself, insurance (comprehensive, with the standard excess that comes with it), and roadside help if something goes wrong. Which it shouldn’t, but better to have it.
We don’t play games with the pricing. What we quote you is what you pay. There’s no point in advertising cheap rates then tacking on fees for this and that during the checkout process – nobody likes that, and it’s a fast way to lose trust with customers.
Every minibus gets checked over after it comes back from a rental. Not just a quick once-over – proper servicing. Brakes, tires, all the mechanical bits. They meet NZTA standards, which is the legal requirement, but we go through our own checklist as well because the minimum standard isn’t always enough.
When you pick up your rental, it’s been cleaned properly. The fuel tank is full. The air conditioning works (which matters more than you’d think on a long drive in summer). Seats are comfortable enough that you won’t arrive at your destination feeling beaten up.
These details probably sound basic, but you’d be surprised how many rental companies don’t get them right consistently. We do, because we’ve been doing this long enough to know what matters.
Three hundred a day sounds like a chunk of money until you compare it to the alternatives.
Let’s say you’ve got twelve people. You could rent three or four cars, which means coordinating multiple vehicles, dealing with navigation in different cars, trying to arrive at the same time. Or you could put everyone in one minibus, split the cost twelve ways, and travel together. One vehicle is cheaper, easier, and honestly more fun.
The math gets better as your group gets bigger and as you drive further.
Your quote includes what we said it includes. The vehicle and the insurance. That’s it.
We’re not going to hit you with cleaning fees unless you return it genuinely trashed (which basically never happens). No admin fees, no processing fees, no “fuel service charges” or other creative names for extra money.
The driver age requirement – minimum 25 years old, full license for at least two years – comes from our insurance company. It’s not us being picky. Insurance companies base these requirements on accident statistics, and that’s just how it is. We verify everything properly because that’s what keeps everyone covered.
We’ve got five-star reviews on Google. That’s nice to have, obviously. But here’s what matters more to us: customers who rent once, then come back the next year. And the year after that. People who recommend us to their friends and colleagues.
That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you do the basics right, consistently, without cutting corners when you think nobody’s watching.
The reviews mention things like “the minibus was exactly as described” and “staff were really helpful” and “would definitely use again.” Not exciting language, maybe, but those are the things that actually matter when you’re trying to organize transport for a group of people.
Our company has and is fully compliant with the Transport service licences (TSL).
The big rental chains are efficient at processing bookings. You book online, pick up keys, drop off keys, done. Very streamlined.
We operate a bit differently. When you collect your minibus, we walk you through everything. How to adjust the seats and mirrors properly. Where the spare tire is (hopefully you won’t need it). How to work the climate control. What to do if you have problems. Takes maybe fifteen minutes, but it means you’re not trying to figure out basic stuff while you’re loading everyone up in a car park.
Questions about driving around Southland? Road conditions? Where to stop on the way to Queenstown? Just ask. We’re local, we know the area, we’re happy to share what we know.
Quick phone call and we’ll sort it out. Won’t leave you stuck on the side of the road trying to figure it out yourselves.
The minibus (modern, well-maintained). Insurance (comprehensive with standard excess). Roadside assistance (available any time). A proper walk-through before you leave. Option for unlimited kilometers if your trip needs it.
All the vehicles are serviced regularly and cleaned between rentals.
Twenty-five or older. Full NZ driver’s license that you’ve had for at least two years. Photo ID required when you pick it up. Everyone who’s going to drive needs to be listed on the rental agreement – insurance requirement.
International licenses usually work but check with us first so we can confirm with the insurance company. Different countries have different rules.
Earlier is better for vehicle choice, especially weekends and holidays. We’re very popular, so around one or two months is ideal. But contact us anyway regardless of timing. We’ll help however we can.
Twenty-five or older. Full NZ license held minimum two years. Everyone driving must be named on agreement with photo ID. International licenses usually okay but confirm first.
Vehicle, insurance with standard excess, roadside assistance. Fuel not included – return with same level. Can add drivers for small fee.
Insurance doesn’t cover ferry travel to Stewart Island. But we can arrange Bluff transport and coordinate with operators there.
Usually possible if vehicle’s not booked next. Contact us soon as you know. Extension rate applies, payment needed before original period ends.
All of Southland – Bluff, Catlins, Gore, Winton, Riverton. Regular trips to Dunedin, Queenstown, Te Anau, other South Island destinations. Specific destination in mind? Just ask.
Rare, because of our maintenance program. If it happens, 24/7 support means roadside assistance is available. Quick phone call and we’ll sort it out.
International licenses usually work but check with us first so we can confirm with the insurance company. Different countries have different rules.
Standard rate starts from $300/day plus 25c per kilometer.
Return it with the same fuel level you received it with. General tidiness is expected – we’re not charging cleaning fees unless it genuinely needs professional cleaning (which basically never happens).
Contact us if you have any questions or book your rental now.
Modern, reliable fleet.
We help your rent or charter experience go perfectly smoothly.
Rent from only $300/day!
No hidden costs or nasty surprises.
There are plenty of good reasons to hire a driver along with the coach.
Maybe you’re organizing a work event and you want to use the travel time for final preparations instead of worrying about navigation. Maybe it’s a school trip and you need someone with the proper license and experience. Maybe you’re planning a wedding and you want your guests to actually relax and enjoy themselves instead of stressing about parking and timing.
Maybe you just want to look out the window and enjoy the scenery instead of watching the road.
Our charter service handles all of that. You get a comfortable coach, an experienced driver who knows what they’re doing, and you can focus on everything else.
This works well for:
Corporate events where everyone needs to arrive on time and unstressed. School trips where safety is obviously the top priority. Airport transfers when timing is critical and you can’t mess around. Wedding transport when you want everything running smoothly. Multi-day tours around the South Island. Sports events. Conferences. Family reunions.
Anywhere from 8 people up to a full coach load.
The cost depends on where you’re going, how long you’ll need us, what kind of coach you need, and whether it’s an overnight trip (driver needs accommodation too, obviously).
We work out a quote based on your specific situation, break down all the costs so you can see what you’re paying for, and that’s your price. Generic pricing doesn’t help you because your trip isn’t generic – it’s specific to what your group actually needs.
Our charter coaches aren’t just functional transportation. They’re designed for people to sit in for hours at a time without arriving miserable.
The seats have proper cushioning and they recline. Climate control keeps everyone comfortable regardless of what the weather’s doing outside. There’s enough luggage space that people aren’t sitting with bags on their laps. Everything works the way it should.
We maintain these coaches above the industry standard because meeting the legal minimum isn’t good enough. If we’re putting our name on the service, it needs to be done properly.
Going to a conference in Queenstown? Sporting event in Dunedin? Multi-day tour? You’ll arrive comfortable, not cramped up and cranky.
The driver makes or breaks a charter experience. You can have the nicest coach in the world, but if the driver is sketchy, the whole thing falls apart.
All our drivers hold full passenger service licenses. Clean driving records. Years of experience on Southland roads in all kinds of weather. They’re not people who just passed their test last month – these are professionals who’ve been doing this for years.
But the qualifications are just the baseline. What actually matters is that they’re good at the job and decent people to spend time with. They know the scenic routes. They understand when to stick strictly to schedule and when there’s room for flexibility. They handle unexpected situations – traffic delays, weather changes, events running late – without making it everyone else’s problem.
A lot of our customers request specific drivers when they book again. That tells you something about the quality of the people we’ve got driving these coaches.
You get a written quote that spells out exactly what you’re paying for. The coach rental, the driver’s time, fuel, all the standard costs that go into a charter.
We don’t wait until after the trip to mention toll roads or parking fees or driver accommodation that somehow didn’t make it into the original quote. Everything gets discussed up front, before you commit to anything.
If you’re going to trust a company with your group’s transportation, you should be able to trust that they mean what they say and charge what they quoted. That’s how we operate.
Schools book us for the same trips year after year. Businesses use us for their regular corporate events. Community groups know we’ll turn up when we say we will.
Look at the testimonials and you’ll see the same things coming up repeatedly. On time. Professional drivers. Good communication. And most importantly – people booking again because the first experience was good.
Repeat business matters more to us than any review score because it means we’re doing the fundamentals right consistently, trip after trip.
Our company has and is fully compliant with the Transport service licences (TSL).
We’ve have many years of learning what works, what doesn’t, and how to handle every situation that comes up.
Bad weather? We know which routes to adjust. Event running late? We’ve got contingency plans. Last-minute changes? We can adapt.
You can’t learn that stuff from a manual or a training course. It comes from years of actually doing the work, making mistakes, fixing them, and getting better. We’re still learning, honestly, but twenty years gives you a pretty solid foundation.
A modern coach built for comfortable long-distance travel. An experienced driver with all the necessary licenses and local knowledge. All fuel costs included in your quote. Help with route planning and timing. Clean, well-maintained vehicle that’s fully insured.
The transport side is handled. You can focus on whatever your event or trip is actually about.
Easy. You simply complete the Free Quote form below, supplying us with your dates, where you need to go, how many people. We put together a detailed quote. If it works for you, you confirm with a deposit. Your driver shows up exactly when scheduled. Everyone has their trip while we take care of the driving.
Questions along the way? Just ask. We prefer clear communication over making things complicated.
One or two months ahead is ideal, especially for busy times like weekends and school holidays. Better vehicle availability, more flexibility with timing. But call anyway even if it’s short notice. We can often make last-minute bookings work.
Distance, duration, vehicle requirements, overnight driver accommodation if needed. We quote your actual situation, itemize costs, that’s your price.
Usually five hours. We can discuss your specific situation if that doesn’t fit.
Sure. Just avoid really messy stuff and use the rubbish bags we provide. Alcohol’s fine for adult groups – no glass bottles though. If there’s a big spill that needs professional cleaning, there might be an extra charge.
Happens all the time. Your driver logs the extra hours, overtime rate kicks in, but we’re not leaving your group stranded. Your driver will wait.
All locally based. Extensive Southland and South Island knowledge. They’ve been driving these routes for years. They know the traffic patterns, the best routes depending on conditions, all the local information that makes a difference.
All of Southland – Bluff, Catlins, Gore, Winton, Riverton. Regular charters to Dunedin, Queenstown, Te Anau, other South Island destinations. Multi-day tours are available too.
Extremely rare due to our maintenance program. If it happens, we have 24/7 support and can arrange a replacement coach quickly. Your driver handles all coordination.
Yes, if you’ve had a great experience with one of our drivers before, let us know when booking and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Many customers do this.
For overnight charters, driver accommodation is included in your quote. Usually the driver stays at the same hotel as your group, which makes morning pickups easier. Let the hotel know you’re traveling on a charter – they sometimes offer group discounts or complimentary driver rooms.
Minor adjustments are usually fine – your driver can be flexible. Major route changes might affect pricing and timing, so best to discuss significant changes when booking or as early as possible.
Contact us if you have any questions or complete the form below an we’ll get back to you ASAP
Modern, reliable fleet.
We help your rent or charter experience go perfectly smoothly.
Rent from only $300/day!
No hidden costs or nasty surprises.
Invercargill isn’t just New Zealand’s southernmost city – it’s a place with genuine character and plenty to offer visiting groups. Known affectionately as the “City of Water and Light” thanks to spectacular summer daylight hours and frequent appearances of the Aurora Australis, Invercargill combines heritage charm with modern amenities.
The city’s wide, easy-to-navigate streets make group transport straightforward, which is great news when you’re coordinating multiple stops. And with so many attractions within easy reach, you can pack a lot into a single day without spending hours on the road.
Right in the heart of the city, Queens Park sprawls across 80 magnificent hectares of gardens, wildlife habitats, and recreational areas. It’s not just beautiful – it’s the kind of place where groups can actually spread out and enjoy themselves. The park’s design makes it perfect for team building activities, family gatherings, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk between scheduled events. Best of all, there’s plenty of parking for both minibuses and full-sized coaches.
This place is something special. Housing the Southern Hemisphere’s largest private collection of vehicles and transport memorabilia, it draws visitors from across the globe for good reason. Groups regularly spend two or three hours exploring the massive 15,000 square meter venue, which works perfectly for itineraries that need a substantial indoor attraction. From vintage trucks to classic cars to fascinating historical displays, there’s genuinely something for everyone here.
New Zealand’s largest motorcycle collection celebrates Invercargill’s proud motorcycling heritage, including exhibits on the legendary Burt Munro and his famous Indian Scout. The venue comfortably accommodates groups, and the on-site café means you can schedule convenient refreshment breaks without leaving the attraction. It’s the kind of place where enthusiasts could spend all day, but even casual visitors find plenty to appreciate.
This working hardware store has become an attraction in its own right, housing Burt Munro’s iconic Indian Scout motorcycle that set land speed records still standing today. The combination of functioning retail space and museum creates a unique experience, and free admission makes it accessible for any group budget. It’s one of those quintessentially Kiwi experiences that visitors genuinely remember.
Standing 42.5 meters tall since 1889, this iconic landmark represents Invercargill’s heritage and makes for excellent photo opportunities. Located centrally on Doon Street, it’s easily accessible and often gets included as a quick stop on broader city tours. While you can’t go inside, its impressive architecture and historical significance make it worth the visit.
Just 30 minutes south by coach, Bluff offers stunning coastal scenery, the famous Bluff Hill Lookout with its breathtaking 360-degree views, and the departure point for Stewart Island ferries. Groups can explore the Bluff Maritime Museum to learn about the region’s maritime heritage and, during the right season, sample world-renowned Bluff oysters. The drive itself showcases Southland’s coastal beauty, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.
This spectacular stretch of coastline is honestly one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets. Pristine beaches meet native forests, punctuated by scenic waterfalls and abundant wildlife including yellow-eyed penguins, New Zealand fur seals, and Hooker’s sea lions. The Southern Scenic Route through the Catlins represents some of the most breathtaking coastal driving in the country, perfect for full-day coach tours where the journey itself becomes part of the experience.
While it’s definitely a longer journey, many groups based in Invercargill choose to explore Te Anau and Milford Sound on multi-day tours. Our charter coaches make these extended trips genuinely comfortable, and our experienced drivers know the route intimately – including all the best photo stops and points of interest along the way. It’s a bucket-list New Zealand experience that’s absolutely worth the travel time.
Located just 10 kilometers from downtown Invercargill, Oreti Beach stretches for 26 kilometers of firm sand that’s actually drivable. This creates unique opportunities for groups to experience New Zealand’s coastal environment in ways most beaches don’t allow. It’s become a popular stop for team outings and family adventures, offering that combination of accessibility and natural beauty that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Contact us if you have any questions or click the buttons below to rent your minibus or get your free coach charter quote.
