New Zealand Self Drive Tour Reviews

Working with First Light was wonderful. They custom built our trip to New Zealand and Australia and followed through with all of our requests. Their correspondence once prompt and working with Michelle was a joy. We chose to visit New Zealand for 2 weeks and Australia for one week. We let Michelle know our thoughts of what to visit and she put together an itinerary for us. We were able to blend our own planning with some of her professional thoughts. FirstLight set up our car rental and our hotels and some of our tour packages. All of these plans went smoothly once on our trip. I highly recommend using this company for your New Zealand and Australia adventures.”

Denise and Dennis Riley (USA)

Hi Jaimee, 

Our last day travelling back to Perth today , I want to thank you and your team for a great holiday. Also for sorting out the issues of transport between the islands. We have had an amazing time experiencing the wonderful golf courses, accommodation and activities that you’ve planned for us.

We will certainly recommend and already have anyone that wants to visit NZ. More than happy for you to put this email on your website 

Thanks again 

David and Margaret Beer, Australia

Hi Michelle, Doug & I had the most amazing trip!!! Thank you for working with us to create an itinerary took us to so many wonderful places and experiences. This trip would not have happened without you. When we began planning the trip you talked to us on the phone. You listened well and were able to adjust your generic itinerary to fit us. We enjoyed all the excursions. I can't pick out which one I liked best. The accommodations (except the one in Methven) were great! In addition, you were available to help us when adjustments had to be made due to cyclone Gabrielle. We've got some great memories and pictures. Thank you so much!!!

Dianna & Doug, USA

Hi Michelle,

We made it home with only minor delays in Vancouver.

Thank you so much for making our trip so memorable. We had a great time. You and your team did a fantastic job especially when our ferry to South Island was cancelled. This could have ruined our vacation if not for your prompt adjustments to our schedule. The changes caused very minor disruption and in fact enhanced our trip. Lorraine very much enjoyed the Coastal Pacific rail journey.

All arrangements went without a hitch and accommodation was surprisingly good. All our excursions with your partners were excellent and the weather was very cooperative.

We are so glad we went with First Light Travel. Such a professional company with great staff. You made our trip.

Many thanks,

Chris and Lorraine, Canada

We had a fantastic honeymoon thanks to Michelle! She worked with us to personalize it to our wants within budget. Michelle, was also great about making sure all vendors knew we were on our honeymoon. Most of our hotels had champagne waiting for us. We will definitely be turning to FirstLight again in the future!

Lani & Stone USA

We enjoyed our holiday very much overall and thank you very much for your efforts and making changes. It was very unfortunate that we couldn’t go to Napier but we had a great holiday nonetheless and it was great to meet you in Auckland.

We will have to plan a return visit to your beautiful country.

Annie and Neville Filar (UK)

Perfect itinerary. Easy to work with our agent. Very accommodating. Very fair pricing.

Scott Kalish & John Budin, USA

As for First Light Travel’s performance – absolutely top notch! I give you six out of five stars! The accommodations you chose were excellent, and the tours you arranged were wonderful. Everything worked perfectly. I would have to say that our favorite lodging for the entire trip was Kamahi Cottage Farmstay, in Otorohanga. The Lodge at Lake Tekapo was also incredible (what a view!).

Many people have asked me what my favorite part of the trip was, and I cannot answer. There were many highlights, but they are all so different that I can’t choose just one experience and say “this was the best”. Certainly the Evening Banquet at Hobbiton was one of the top, as was the fly fishing from Queenstown. The Glow Worm caves were amazing, and apparently the tour you chose for us was much better than most of the tours. We heard people saying that the tour they took didn’t allow photography, so the tour company could sell you photographs. Our tour with Spellbound was very personal, friendly, informative and fascinating. The tour of the volcanic valley at Rotorua was interesting. The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre was a bit different than I had expected, but was interesting nonetheless.

In short, you did an AMAZING JOB! Thank you so much for putting together the Trip of a Lifetime.

Jack & Karen, USA

The primary reasons we used First Light Travel were our consultant and the ease of planning/booking. We all totally loved this trip and memories will remain a long long time! We enjoyed all the South Island adventures plus Rotorua fun..we got a tip to drive to and hike Mt. Manganui / bay of plenty on our drive from Rotorua to Auck - the amazingly beautiful big white sand beach and views from the top of the mtn (hike not for the unfit!) we’re truly amazing- .lavender and animal farm in Wanaka was a gem as were the pancake rocks. Nice hike along river in Paparoa park until we saw a 5 foot long black eel! travel distances are quite long driving so be prepared food and gas wise- very few services on south island..

Kim Gaumer - USA

We booked a two week trip using First Light Travel with Michelle as our travel specialist. The experience exceeded our expectations.
The hotels and activities she booked for us were just perfect. We did a self drive from Queenstown to Marahau with a weekend on Waiheke Island. The sites were breathtaking and the excursions Michelle planned were just what we were looking for.

Michelle listened to what we wanted and planned an itinerary to a T. This was the second time we had First Light plan out travel and we will definitely have them book all our trips to New Zealand. Thanks so much Michelle for being so responsive to our questions and to your great suggestions.

Barbara & Tim O'Rourke, USA