New Zealand Self Drive Tour Reviews

We are very pleased to that we can report a most successful and enjoyable trip to New Zealand, due to the fantastic self-drive/flight/train itinerary that Nicole put together for the 4 of us. Her thoughtfulness and quick work in developing an outstanding itinerary for us was the best. Everywhere we went, everything worked like clockwork, and she put together an itinerary where we experienced many wonderful areas of New Zealand. The accommodations were excellent, and the limo service was above reproach. We had the trip of a lifetime and I thank Nicole and First Light Travel for that.

Andy, Peggy, Jim and Terri, USA

Excellent experience designing our journey from tip to tip of New Zealand. We stayed in amazing hotels and enjoyed all the attractions along the way. FirstLight was incredibly helpful!

Thanks for creating the perfect experience for us. The help in getting a spot on the back up cruise for Doubtful Sound is a perfect example of why working with a pro is so critical!  It was unfortunate the weather kept us off the Franz Josef glacier, but overall it was amazing how much we did in 30 days. So many great pictures it is hard to pick 1, but this is from hike in Milford Sound. 

Karen and I loved our trip to New Zealand. The country is exceptionally beautiful and unspoiled. The New Zealanders are the best; extremely nice and always helpful. Anna Caudle and the team at First Light Travel did a wonderful job helping us plan the perfect itinerary and arranging all the details. We did the self-driving tour with lots of hiking, and appreciated the chance to go at our own pace and explore on our own. Te Anau, Kinlock, and Wanaka were our favorite stops on the South Island. Mount Cook was spectacular and we wish we had more time and better weather while there. All-in-all, it was a wonder time and we're looking forward to visiting New Zealand again. Karen and I give Anna and First Light Travel our highest recommendation for their expertise and superb level of service and support.

Micala designed a very varied itinerary, involving a wide range of activities. Covered a brad range of activities and experiences that we would not normally have done. The visit to Hobbiton was fantastic, Whale watching, the Anzac exhibition at Te Papa, cable car and Luge a wide range of different activities.

Accommodation was mostly clean and comfortable and close to the CBD. enjoyed various activities such as the wine tour, to whale watching, The itinerary was evenly paced to to allow us to have an activity with time to do our own thing.

Thanks Michelle! We had a great time on our trip. We will definitely recommend First Light Travel to any of our friends who are looking to head out to that part of the world.

We made a last minute decision to travel to NZ north Island for Christmas 2023. Fight Light Travel were amazing in tailoring an itinerary to suit our timetable and specific interests and recommended places to visit based on our specific interests at such short notice. Fight Light Travel were a pleasure to deal with, they were very professional, great communicators and listened to our ideas as well. We packed a lot into our 12 days on the road with a self drive tour. We had a hassle free holiday. Thanks you Tatyana and your team. We will be using FLT again. cheers Gregg and Jenny

My husband and I recently embarked on our dream honeymoon to New Zealand and Fiji, and we cannot express enough gratitude to Gina for curating an experience that surpassed all our expectations.

From the moment we began planning, Gina demonstrated an incredible understanding of our desires and crafted an itinerary that blended adventure, romance, and relaxation seamlessly. Our journey started in New Zealand, where we were treated to heart-pounding adventures like white water rafting, zip-lining, and even bungee jumping, balanced perfectly with moments of awe and wonder in a glow worm cave and an unforgettable helicopter glacier hike.

The attention to detail was evident in every choice of accommodation, each providing a unique and luxurious experience. The handpicked activities were not only thrilling but also allowed us to immerse ourselves in the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand.

Upon our arrival in Fiji, the pace shifted to relaxation, and we were enchanted by the pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. Snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs and kayaking through serene lagoons provided the perfect contrast to the adrenaline-filled adventures in New Zealand.

What truly sets First Light Travel apart is their commitment to personalization. Every recommendation for dining and local experiences felt tailor-made for us, enhancing the cultural richness of each destination.

Throughout the journey, Gina ensured our safety, comfort, and satisfaction were top priorities. The seamless coordination of transfers and activities allowed us to focus on creating memories and enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Our honeymoon was a testament to First Light Travel's expertise, passion, and dedication to delivering exceptional travel experiences. We wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking a bespoke and unforgettable adventure.

Gina was great to work with! She was very patient with all the changes I had putting the 4 1/2-week trip together. It was a fantastic trip, and we loved every minute of it! It was so nice to have everything taken care of in advance and not have to worry about reservations. Every hotel was booked, every flight was booked, every SUV reserved, and every excursion was booked, as requested. There were no hiccups at all, and everything was taken care of. For a trip that was 4 1/2 weeks long, it was hard to believe that there were snags! I really appreciate all her and her team's hard work...and being available to us when we had some last-minute changes along the way!

We were able to upgrade some hotel rooms (when available) for a better view, especially in Kaikoura where we upgraded to an end room on the top floor and a beautiful view of the sunrise!

We loved the TransAlpine train ride and, in hindsight, would love to have done the train on the east coast as well. All and all I would strongly recommend First Light Travel and hopefully use them again!

When we started to look for a company to plan our travel to NZ, we were concerned that we would inadvertently find a fly by night company and commit hard earned dollars that would disappear. First Light had great reviews but we also knew that you can pay for people to write false reviews online. It also seemed like all 5-star reviews were a bit suspect. We took a chance and reached out and talked with Anna.

Anna was quick to respond and listened to what we were looking for and sent us a few agendas for us to review. We worked together over time to make it just right. Once we got to town, we had a few self-created glitches and Anna was quick to reply and help out.

We had a great time and First Light Travel was completely legit. We would recommend highly.