New Zealand Self Drive Tour Reviews

First Light Travel helped me plan my sabbatical vacation to New Zealand. I didn't have time to research and plan my trip. I was on the internet trying figure out what I was going to do in New Zealand and happened upon their website by chance. We chatted and then we spoke on the phone. I told them what my husband and I like to do and they planned an itinerary for us and we made some tweaks to it. They were very responsive to all my questions and I'm glad I used them. We had an amazing vacation filled with great memories!

Victoria & Charly Baclig - 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

My sister and I had the trip of a lifetime organised by First Light Travel which involves us driving around the South Island of New Zealand for a two week holiday. From the initial phone call and emails, the service I received was to the highest standard. We were in contact with Kasey Yee who couldn’t have been more helpful in planning the trip which was catered to our specific criteria. Within a few days of giving Kasey an idea of the type of trip we wanted (adventure holiday with sightseeing and not too many long hikes), she had organised the perfect itinerary for us. There was always the option to change anything that we weren’t happy with but we didn’t feel the need to change anything at all. Kasey made the whole process extremely easy for us and I couldn’t recommend this option enough if you are like us and didn’t want to spend months planning every fine detail of the holiday. Really had the best holiday and it couldn’t have been less hassle for us.

Lauren & Hannah Deevy (UK)

First Light Travel was excellent to work with. We travelled during the Christmas to New Year's holiday time period where 3 night minimums were common but they found nice, clean lodging for us that met our itinerary that was less than the 3 nights. They made a lot of thoughtful recommendations for our trip regarding things we might be interested in, once we had discussed things we thought we might like to do.

Susan & Martin Hammock (USA)

Jo was a pleasure to work with! She got in touch with me promptly and was very accommodating with our itinerary. It was very nice to have our trip custom for us and not have to be part of a tour. I would highly recommend First Light Travel!

Katherine, Abigaile, Eric, Brian & Abbey Killebrew - USA

Chrissy took the time to learn a bit about us and what we were looking for in our vacation, and then helped tailor our experience. We really enjoyed our NZ vacation. Chrissy was exceptional in helping us plan our adventures and lodging! Very good value.

Dixie, Ronald J, Alex, Katie & Pat Lopes - USA

We used First Light Travel because we didn't know much about New Zealand and wanted to make this vacation memorable without the frustrations of booking places, cars and excursions on our own. We had an amazing time and truly feel as though we have a true flavor of what New Zealand has to offer. From Waiheke to the North Island and then the South Island, we made our way to many interesting and breathtaking places.The experiences were incredible and the guides were extremely informative. I would head back in a heartbeat! This was one fo the best vacations my family has ever had.

Greg, Kelly, Wyatt & Calista Poulos - 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