New Zealand Self Drive Tour Reviews

We took a two-week journey thru both islands by car. Yep, we drove 1500 miles in two weeks, stayed in 9 cities, and had an experience of a lifetime. We stayed in Auckland, Taupo, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Punakaiki, Fox Glacier, Queenstown, and Te Anau, and went jetboating, helihiking, bungy jumping, museum visiting, fiord cruising, bike riding, fine dining, meat pie dining, and glowworm caving.

The logistics and booking of this rather complex trip were handled by our travel consultant extraordinaire, Amelia Riwai. After exchanging emails about what it was I wanted to do and some preferences about lodging, she was able to put together our rather ambitious itinerary. The materials provided regarding the itinerary, driving times, and scheduling made this a really easy trip to navigate. Basically, I just followed her instructions, set the GPS, and off we went.

The properties that we stayed in were perfect for us, and some of them were so fabulous that we will stay in them again if/when we come back to this wonderful country.
Seriously, if you're on the fence about coming to NZ, don't be; this place is the most beautiful country we've ever seen, the people are so incredibly kind and friendly, and any time spent here is time well spent. And let First Light handle the arrangements; they know this country incredibly well and will build a custom itinerary to suit you.

Albert Camacho JR & Dolores Camacho - USA

Kia Ora! It was such a lovely honeymoon trip to NZ for both of us. We depart from Indonesia to Auckland on the first day and spent 1/2 days in Auckland to explore the city before started the journey to the south in the next day. We rented a car in Auckland and drove south to Waitomo to watch spectacular scenes during glow worm cave tour and had a warm dinner nearby the place. The next day it was time to drive to Rotorua for another adventure. And the next day, and the next until the 8th days full of exciting tour and activity until we flew back home from Wellington. We had a great time in New Zealand thanks to the fabulous activity and accommodation recommendation from First light travel. The travel agent was very kind (thank you, Michelle!) and super helpful. I would like to recommend anyone going to New Zealand to use First Light travel service if you want to have a pleasant and smooth vacation without any fuss along the way.

Ivan Vincent & Lisa Sutikno - South Korea

Kasey & Christine,

 We just wanted to thank you both so much for everything you did for us in planning and coordinating our honeymoon trip.  The responsiveness and communication of working with you made our experience so nice and easy.  Everything was perfect, and the fact that every detail was accounted for and coordinated made our experience perfect.

 Our trip was amazing as we absolutely loved both Fiji and New Zealand.  Going into the trip we said it was a once in a lifetime trip for us, but after traveling we will definitely plan to be back to both in the future.  Our itinerary was the perfect mix of relaxation in Fiji, and activities in New Zealand.  We loved everything we did and would recommend the same itinerary to other couples looking to do a trip.  We highly recommend Tokoriki and Hulbert House for accommodations for people in the future.  Both places were amazing, and the hospitality of the people made us feel at home and very comfortable.

 Thank you very much, and we hope to work with you again in the future! 

 Paul Shamoian & Elizabeth Sulser - USA

First Light Travel and particularly Michelle put together a really terrific vacation for us. Overnight stops of more than one day allowed for exploration and also afforded the ability to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

We would highly recommend that anyone with only a 2 week holiday limit and a healthy travel budget use First Light Travel to create an itinerary. Great scenery, people, food and experiences.

Howard and Constance Simmons – Philadelphia USA

As first time travelers to New Zealand our trip was planned to perfection. Dawn seemed to know exactly what we wanted to see and do. Her planning never let us down and the smiles never left our faces. I cannot give a higher recommendation than the one I am giving Dawn and First Light Travel.

Jackie Gray and Janice Blizzard - USA

We used Shelly at First Light Travel for our special honeymoon to New Zealand. It was my first time working with an agency for a trip and now I'm hooked! I'm a very good planner myself but having somebody take care of the details was a dream. In particular, there was a cyclone while we were in New Zealand and First Light immediately arranged a Plan B for those days and made sure we knew which roads were closed when. The flexibility of the self-drive itineraries really was ideal – we had enough planned ahead but didn't feel like we were constantly “on the clock” and could adjust our driving schedule to how we felt or stay slightly longer in a place if we liked it. I chose First Light because they demonstrated that they care about unique, non-cookie-cutter experiences, eco-consciousness, and contributing back to the local economy.

Megan Jones & Amir Asiaee - USA

We are so overjoyed that the stars aligned and that Amelia was on holiday in the Bay of Coves, a place I was calling long distance just because I fell in love with the pictures while reading about it. So I called and spoke with Grahame who runs the Bay of Many Coves with his wife Kim and daughter Maddie. Grahame put Amelia in touch with me and that was it. Amelia chatted with me about the things we wanted to do on the14 nights we had set aside. She met and exceeded each expectation. Each place we stayed from The Light House Lodge in Tutukaka - still one of my top 5 favourite places so far!! The owners make you feel at home with a overly warm pool and the best breakfast ever!! We love this special place... We snorkelled at poor Knights Island with an amazing GROUP OF STAFF. The captain took the sailboat into a cave a giant one and stopped the boat. he took out a wooden flute type of thing and began to play. I cried it was so beautiful. The trip was amazing we snorkelled two spots sand saw loads of creatures we do no see in Hawaii it was magical. then on to the Duke of Marlborough in Russell a short ferry ride so charming. Rich with history and old but refurbished rooms that kept the old charm on the waterfront. Wonderful restaurant for breakfast lunch or dinner. Then the next day on to the Bay of Islands on a 42 fool Yacht Vigilannt The beautiful sailboat was just amazing. There were only 10 guests on the boat and it was just amazing. From here were drove to Auckland and took a flight to Wellington for one night and I must say Wellington is an amazing city! The next morning we caught a Ferry To Picton in the South island where we were met by a small water taxi to my 2 of my favourite 5 spots... these are not in order of favourite its too hard to choose as they all so unique and have their own charm. But the Bay of Cove is well there are not words. It private peaceful and GOD is good to have saved this special place in the world. The Restaurant and staff are amazing!!!!!! We kayaked and saw so may birds fish and a playful seal. We love The inn Keepers and well be back!! Next stop back to the ferry for our rental car for the Journey we are so glad that we took in the end.. Kaikoura! There was a devastating earthquake the year before so the rod was closed. Amelia warned me the road it closed what is typically a 2 hour drive will be much longer.. It was all said and done about 8 but work every turn and bump.... When we got the the Tree Houses in Kaikoura I cried. It was beyond words. There was the best dinner writing for us but the room was so amazing there was a small wood burring stove and Christmas music playing it was our 25th Wedding anniversary and it was pouring rain the next day so we stayed in bed and enjoyed the farm of animals on the property from Sheep to Deer to Chicken and Pigs and Rabbits. The next day we drove to the city Kaikora that had the devastating earthquake last year the seabed rose 8 feet. They were happy and grateful for the tourism. The got us next to two spam whale on Whale Watch Kaikoura what beautiful boats and seeing those whale so close another cry.... THE Staff and food at THIS RESORT IS NOTHING SHORT OF AMAING!! We all be back. Next stop Christchurch to the most amazing first-class hotel The Geroge... They knew we missed out animals and they left me a stuffed bear named George. The room was just beautiful overlooking the park and the weeping willows and river another of my five favourites.. From here we hopped on the Tranz Apine Train ride for a 4.5 hour amazing adventure through Arthurs pass, rivers waterfalls animals snow capped mountains and so much more. The train was so clean and smooth and the scenery was beyond belief. This is a must do!. Our next stop WAS Greysmouth for a rental car to drive to Franz Josef Glacier! The Te wane Forest retreat. I had said I would never go on a helicopter but once there we decided to take a helicopter to the glacier and they let you get out and take pics. It was amazing.. Our last drive was to Queenstown. It felt like Switzerland meets the sea. We stayed the St Moritz another one my favourites. We were supposed to go to Milford Sound but the trip was cancelled so we spent the day in the magically city. They had music in the park and loads of cool booths. It was stunning. we had a long lunch on the bay and just enjoyed the beauty of all that we had seen. Two weeks is not long enough I am not sure there is never enough time to really see this amazing country filled with warm happy people, one more beautiful sight then thee next. We laughed so hard each time we heard round about coming and finally figured out the secrets. Driving on the left side of the road is scary and fun. We will miss New Zealand and can't wait for the next trip. I would use Amelia with First light Travel without a doubt. Amelia you are great at what you do you made our 25th Anniversary the best and more then we ever dreamed of...

Love Jamie and Eileen Falahee – Hawaii

We are so happy we went with First Light Travel for our honeymoon! It would've been daunting to plan ourselves, so First Light took a lot of pressure off the planning and helped to make it a relaxing experience. Sofie was very responsive and edited our itinerary many times to make sure we were completely happy. Everything ran so smoothly, and every accommodation was so hospitable and perfect for a romantic getaway – we wouldn't have been able to find these on our own. These small B&B's that Sofie booked for us were all so unique, warm and friendly – far superior to any hotel chain. The activities were amazing and most were in small groups and so it didn't ever feel crowded or touristy. The guides for all of our trips were so fun to be around and in addition to providing thrilling activities, were amazing storytellers of the history and ecology of New Zealand. A trip to New Zealand was always a bucket list item for my husband and I, and so I was nervous about having high expectations going into this trip, but First Light Travel blew us away. We will certainly use them for future travels!

Galina & Matthew Pate - USA

Because of at First Light Travel, our 2-week honeymoon to New Zealand was seamless. We didn't have an issue with any booking and it was like she read our minds when booking all accommodations and activities for us. The mix of high adrenaline activities like bungy jumping, mixed with a fun afternoon of sipping wine while biking through Marlborough was the perfect mix for us. We never would have been able to see and do as much as we did in 15 days if it weren't for her.

I would highly recommend First Light Travel if traveling to NZ, you will not be disappointed!

Courtney Ruscin & Matthew Hengemuhle - USA