Emergency services from Wanaka and Luggate were called to the crash, which happened near the intersection of Kane Rd and the Luggate-Tarras road about 4pm. A woman passenger in the rental car was treated for shock and minor injuries by paramedics at the scene. Constable Greg Nolet said the rental car, which was travelling towards Luggate, crossed the centreline and hit the corner of the caravan, which was being towed by a Range Rover. It appeared the driver of the rental car had underestimated the length and tightness of the corner and hit the brakes, Const Nolet said.
The car was about 30cm over the centreline when it hit the back corner of the caravan.
The man driving the Range Rover was uninjured as was his wife, who was driving a vehicle behind him when the crash occurred. Const Nolet would not say if the driver of the rental car was a tourist.
Police inquiries are continuing.