New Zealand Self Drive Tour Reviews

Sofie Liu was AMAZINGLY organized and prompt with answer every single questions we had. BEYOND wonderfull! We LOVED all the activities Sofie suggested to us. We ended up doing MOST of everything on the initial recommendation. We loved our first scuba diving experience (although I was scared), white water rafting!

It was our first time in New Zealand and Sofie, our travel agent, made it soooooo smooth and easy! We appreciated all the details and thoughts put into the booking of activities and planning our short trip to NZ. We loved all the activities we did. It was an experience of a lifetime! Sofie was amazing at answering all the questions that we had.

I really really recommend Sofie. She's the bestest!

Kim & Eric Nguyen – Vietnam

First Light Travel did an amazing job planning our incredible honeymoon! Sofie was outstanding to work with and made an unbelievable itinerary that was customized just for us. Everything went seamless on our travels and all of the activities/excursions were exactly what we were looking for. This trip was a once in a lifetime experience and First Light Travel made it one that we will never forget. I would highly recommend Sofie and First Light Travel for preparing for your trip to New Zealand. It is truly an beautiful and remarkable country to experience.

Aubrey Stevenson & Daniel Myer - 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

Jo was very skilled in the way she helped our family choose our itinerary — her suggestions were spot on, and she was immediately responsive to any changes or questions we had. Our trip to New Zealand was in celebration of the 20th anniversary of our wedding in Queenstown and we had a fabulous time experiencing this beautiful country with our teenaged daughters! The assistance we got from First Light Travel made our trip smooth, easy and enjoyable – we can't wait to return!

Amy Montemarano & Richard Coughlin - USA

Thank you First Light Travel for a wonderful journey and experience. Thank you for the wonderful memories I brought back to the United States to share with my family and friends. You made my trip so much pleasure and full of great memories I will remember forever.

Booking was extremely easy even though it was made last minute. Christine “my agent” went out of her way to accommodate my interests, she also came up with the best price to fit my budget - without compromising my interests. I had the most wonderful time in New Zealand.

I absolutely recommend First Light Travel, they are very friendly and accommodating both budget and interests.

Mehdi Ali - USA

SUPER!! The team at First Light created the perfect combo of activities for our family of 5 adults on North and South Islands. They asked all the right questions to tailor activities and accommodations along our 2.5 weeks of travels. I am an avid traveler, very capable in travel planning myself, but started too late in planning our Christmas/New Year trip (6 months in advance - take note!) First Light managed to pull together excellent lodging for us, and took all pressure off - it was wonderful! I highly recommend First Light, our bookings were well organized, with much local knowledge added to the itinerary.

Robin Bradley & Nick Sitar (California)

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

Chrissy Sun was amazing. She was flexible and accommodated my last minute trip! Literally we were still planning as I was flying towards New Zealand. This was the best trip of my life thanks to Chrissy! She created an adventurous and action packed trip, exactly what I was looking for. Everything was organized and easy to follow. She created the perfect itinerary for me!

I loved Hobbiton, Glow worm caves, Second half of the Lord of the Rings Tour in Wellington, Bay of Isles I loved the dolphins, White Water Rafting first time ever and it was a blast Taupo Kayaking Company was a blast but quite hard work, I loved the beauty I found in the hike in Rotorua as well as the Maori dinner, WETA Workshop. The trip was a dream come true.

THANK YOU

Theresa “Teah” Quinn - USA