New Zealand Self Drive Tour Reviews

I was exceptionally happy with the service that I received from Christine at First Light Travel. From the start the service was personalized and extremely helpful. Our trip exceeded our expectations, the hotels chosen were superb and the whole itinerary showed a thoughtfulness to our needs and interests that really made it a perfect trip.

Lara Iglitzin & Vladimir Raskin  - USA

We were super pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Narissa and the staff at First Light Travel. Narissa had responded for my request for help in planning a 13-day first-time trip to New Zealand to include highlights in both the North and South Islands during high season when booking could be tight. In a matter of hours she came up with an excellent plan that managed to fit in all of our hopes. My husband and I were most impressed by the selection of providers of the special activities that they recommended. I think it would have been difficult to determine the best providers and tour guides for us on our own. The documents provided to us in advance and at our first hotel were stellar. We never had any questions or doubts about what we should be doing to take full advantage of what was arranged in advance and what we could do with our free time.

If we had been unsure that we had the full support of First Light Travel while in New Zealand, we soon learned that they had us fully covered. On the third day of the trip I left my phone, wallet, and travel vouchers at a small roadside rest area. Shortly after I called First Light and they had already communicated with a police office who took my now found items to our next travel stop on our itinerary. I am so glad that we made it in time to join the Spellbound Glowworm Cave Experience, which was a treasure in itself. We had no other difficulties or confusions on the rest of our well organized trip.

Pamela & Michael Najdowski   USA

Chrissy, our consultant really listened, offered lots of helpful information suggestions and advice. We were impressed from the get go when she called us to chat about what we were interested in and how she could help. After several itineraries and conversations, the perfect plan was in place. Chrissy was never far away and we felt totally supported before we headed to the airport and flying back home to the Yukon. The system of a detailed daily itinerary and vouchers was easy to use and worked perfectly. Accommodations were top-notch and suited us well. We would certainly have no hesitation in recommending First Light Travel and when we return to explore the North Island..we know who to call!

Cathi and Grant Dunham - Whitehorse Yukon

First Light Travel did a great job planning our 5 week honeymoon to New Zealand! Our advisor, Michelle was very knowledgeable and helpful in creating a tailored itinerary for us. We had a wonderful time and when the unexpected happened - we were booked for the White Island Volcano tour 1 week after the tragic eruption happened – First Light refunded any cancelled activities and had an alternative itinerary ready.

Thank you for making our honeymoon exceptional! Would highly recommend to anyone looking to tour NZ!

Martin Kocian and Sharon Boon – Czech Republic

Shelley was fantastic and accommodated all our requests quickly and easily. Our vacation was smooth and had everything we wanted!

Anne and Elliott Fabrizio – USA

Shelley did a great job for us especially when the weather impacted our plans in Franz Joseph and also Queenstown. She changed our Heli Glacier Hike at short notice and also managed to get us a flight over Milford Sound when all the road access was flooded

Laurie and Sally Berryman - Great Britain

We wanted to visit New Zealand, but didn’t know enough to plan our own holiday. We also decided that driving would be very stressful (we are used to the right side of the road). Our agent asked what we wanted to do and what kind of budget. She then developed a wonderful itinerary. This itinerary included a couple of absolutely amazing lodges. And best of all, we had a private driver!

James & Paula Hansen - Ecuador

Hi Melissa,

We are now at Auckland Airport. We came to New Zealand to celebrate our 50th anniversary, and we had a trip of a lifetime. We met such wonderful people from around the world, had memorable experiences at every site, loved our campervan, and not only had experiences that we’ve never had before,but we had them in perfect weather. The guides at Mt Cook on the glacier said they only get 2 cloudless days a year, and they were as excited as we were.

Thank you for arranging this trip for our celebration. You picked the perfect sites in the perfect sequence with all of the activities that we love. It was comforting to know that we could contact you if we needed a change, and the changes worked out smoothly. When we return, I will write a review on Trip Adviser. I will also tell all my jealous friends to book on First light Travel with you.

With Much Appreciation.

Joy & Tom McCabe - USA

Hello Shelley,

I hope all is well.  I just wanted to take this time to say "THANK YOU!".  I appreciate the time and effort you put into setting up a fabulous trip.  It was the trip of a lifetime.  I appreciated every aspect of my travel and the places that I visited.  Accommodations were wonderful and each place I stayed was very comfortable.  It seems you put the package together in just the right way.  When I needed some time to rest, I had that in my schedule with having either the morning off before a tour or the afternoon/evening after a tour.  You made this vacation a breeze.  All I had to do is be where the itinerary said to be and the time indicated. 

Australia was wonderful, but New Zealand was spectacular.  New Zealand has to be one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited.  I have memories that will be with me forever.  So thank you for all that you did to allow me to be able to have a beautiful experience.  It really pays to have someone who is familiar with the countries you are touring to put something together based on your interests.  You listened to what I wanted and delivered.  I have already recommended you to a colleague who is interested in traveling to Australia and New Zealand.  I will continue to recommend you to anyone I know that ask about Australia and/or New Zealand.  You definitely have one completely satisfied customer in me.  Thank you again.   With great regard. 

Raemona Willis-Middlebrooks - USA

I chose first light travel as they provided a unique itinerary which evolved in the course of a lot of discussion with me. Chrissy my consultant really listened, offered lots of helpful information suggestions and advice, and the result was an amazing experience of 6 weeks exploring north and south island safely and supported as a solo traveller relying on public transport. I would never have achieved this on my own. This trip was planned and booked solo however much nearer the time one of my friends asked if she could join me for part of the trip. Chrissy helped to organise a seamless merge in for her too booking identical trips and travel and sharing accommodation. Wonderful service. The system of a detailed daily itinerary and vouchers was easy to use and worked perfectly.

Heather Wisley - UK