If your trip to Waihi Beach is all booked but your travel itinerary is a bit on the empty side, let us give you a few hints and tips.Plan a stop at Waihi Waterlily Gardens. It’s one sight you’ll usually find on travelers’ must-do lists. Athenree Hot Springs and Orokawa Bay are also not far away and worth taking the time to see.

With some great day trip options available in the surrounding area, having your own car makes good sense. Without one, it’d be much more difficult to soak up all that Tauranga, 25 miles away, has to offer. ASB Baypark, Mount Maunganui Beach and Tauranga Domain alone make the drive out worthwhile. Locals will also likely point you toward Thames, 30 miles away. If you only see one thing here, let it be The Treasury. (But we’d also highly recommend Goldmine Experience and Goldfields Shopping Centre.)

Remember to pack a good book and perhaps even a Frisbee. Waihi Beach has some stunning beaches you can cruise to, including:

• Whangamata Beach (15 miles away).
• Omokoroa Beach (16 miles away).

No other mode of transportation can give you convenience and freedom like your own car. Whatever the reason for your stay in Waihi Beach, CarRentals.com has an excellent selection of vehicles to drive away in. Heading to the city with your other half? Make things even cozier by opting for a convertible. A delight to drive and a cinch to park, you’ll adore sitting next to each other in one of these zippy rides. A full-size SUV is a great match for big families. There’s room enough for everyone and you can go where you want, when you want. If your trip is all about business, a premium car will get you from conference to meeting in style and comfort.

There’s plenty of choice when it comes to renting a car in Waihi Beach. From luxury models to economy rides that are a snap to park, you’ll find it all here. Deciding on your perfect match depends on your budget and what you intend to do. Some road trips are just begging you to splurge on your dream ride, whereas others don’t need much more than enough space for your luggage and buddies.

Stay on the left side of the road in Waihi Beach. If you’re planning to rent a car here, be aware that the driver’s seat will be on the right. It could take a little getting used to!

Finding somewhere to leave the car in Waihi Beach is easy. You don’t need to drive around the block in dense traffic here — and that’s what the locals love about it. There’s plenty of off and on-street parking on offer.

As with many destinations, roads get busier in the rush hours before and after work. However, due to its smaller population of roughly 2,000, traffic congestion isn’t a major problem in Waihi Beach.

Speed limits vary throughout Waihi Beach, but typically range from 50km/h to 100km/h. Most residential roads have a top speed of 40km/h unless stated otherwise.

One of two things will happen. Your car rental company may bill the amount of the fine to your credit card. This is the most common practice. Alternatively, it may forward your contact details to local authorities so the fine is sent straight to you.

Provided you have hands-free functions like Bluetooth enabled, you are allowed to use your cell phone while driving a car in Waihi Beach. But ensure you keep concentrating on the road.

The legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limit while driving in Waihi Beach is 0.05%. If a big night is on the cards, leave your rental car behind and organize a different way of getting home instead.

Turning on a red light isn’t allowed in Waihi Beach. Always be on the alert for traffic signs and lights to ensure you don’t break any traffic laws.

Seat belts should always be worn in Bay of Plenty Region. Having said that, this rule may differ for some vehicles, like those operated by public transportation systems.