New Zealand Self Drive Tours & Holidays

My family and I had the privilege of partaking in the most amazing trip to New Zealand through New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We would like to...
Read moreMy family and I had the privilege of partaking in the most amazing trip to New Zealand through New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We would like to particularly thank Harriet McGregor for organising our trip and making the experience so wonderful. Harriet is so friendly and helpful in making sure we communicated well and ensured all of our requirements were met. Thankyou so much for your support in ensuring our trip would be the best we have ever had. The South Island is unbeatable. The most gorgeous place to visit, my family’s favourite spots being Queenstown, Franz Joseph and Aoraki Mount Cook. Unforgettable memories on the Tasman Lake to the glacier, walking towards the Franz Joseph glacier through a guided tour and the delicious BBQ buffet through the TSS Earnslaw Cruise. Our most favourite activities however collectively, were both Milford Sound and the TranzAlpine train, which presented us with the most marvellous experience of Scenic Plus which we had no previous knowledge of. It made the journey so special and memorable. Milford Sound is unbelievably beautiful and the journey with Altitude was simply the best with the tour guides commentary. I remember almost everything they talked about. The North was wonderful too with incredible drives through endless green hills and gorgeous cityscapes within Auckland and Wellington, even if our time there was short. The drive past the volcanos was daunting yet mesmerising as they shot out from the dry landscape. Rotorua was a completely new experience full of beauty and renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture - a must-visit place with a unique odour from the hot pools. Thank you again to New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We hope in the future to return and will undoubtedly continue with your service ❤️ From Alisha and the Bennett family!

Thank you very much for your help in arranging our New Zealand self-drive itinerary, something which started two years ago in pre-Covid days. The...
Read moreThank you very much for your help in arranging our New Zealand self-drive itinerary, something which started two years ago in pre-Covid days. The tour from start to finish was excellent and all your arrangements were perfect. The last time Robyne and I used a similar self-drive itinerary was in Scotland in 2017, and that, like our New Zealand trip, was very easy and very convenient. We were stunned by the amount of work still needed to restore Christchurch to its pre-earthquake condition, but we enjoyed the city very much. Mount Cook was stunning and the Hermitage Hotel was superb. All in all, your arrangements for accommodation and activities were excellent. It was unfortunate that our Franz Joesph Glacier activity was made impossible by the weather, but that is something that no one can predict. I appreciated NZSD’s prompt attention to the credit for this activity. We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending NZSD to our friends. Once again, thank you so much for the attention and efficiency that you showed to us.

Thank you for all the work you put in re our trip through NZ. We both totally enjoyed our tour and everything you had organised was first class. We...
Read moreThank you for all the work you put in re our trip through NZ. We both totally enjoyed our tour and everything you had organised was first class. We didn't have any problems and all the accommodation was great.We will recommend you to our friends and maybe next year we might do the northern part of the South Island so we know who to go to. Thanks again. I have placed a Google review as well.

Our trip went very well due to Nichole’s excellent organisation and communication and on the whole the weather was kind to us! Wouldn’t hesitate...
Read moreOur trip went very well due to Nichole’s excellent organisation and communication and on the whole the weather was kind to us! Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend your company.

Thanks to Shelley, Victoria and all the others who made our NZ vacation so wonderful! Thanks for the suggestions and timely updates along the way. ...
Read moreThanks to Shelley, Victoria and all the others who made our NZ vacation so wonderful! Thanks for the suggestions and timely updates along the way. We particularly enjoyed the personal tour of the TePapa museum in Auckland. That and all of the beautiful scenery and people we met left us with wonderful memories of NZ.

It was a great tour. Thank You, Christina, for your excellent communication and organizational skills for making it happen. The accommodations were...
Read moreIt was a great tour. Thank You, Christina, for your excellent communication and organizational skills for making it happen. The accommodations were all very good, except the Bella Vista in Rotorua, which has seen better days. We especially liked Rotorua, Queenstown, the glaciers and the Southern Alps. Kaikoura whale watching was disappointing since we saw only one sperm whale on the surface for 3 or 4 minutes during our 2.5-hour boat ride. It was probably not the right time of the year for this activity. Overall it was a fantastic trip which we can highly recommend for all nature lovers.

We recently completed a 21 day self-drive holiday of the North Island of NZ. We found the general organisation was excellent and the choice of...
Read moreWe recently completed a 21 day self-drive holiday of the North Island of NZ. We found the general organisation was excellent and the choice of accommodation each night was first class. We had a few unavoidable hiccups, mainly related to flights and weather, but these were all overcome without too many dramas. We would recommend this tour to anyone.

Our New Zealand Self Drive tour of the South Island of New Zealand combined spectacular and varied scenery with easy driving and excellent...
Read moreOur New Zealand Self Drive tour of the South Island of New Zealand combined spectacular and varied scenery with easy driving and excellent accommodation. We crossed green farmland, paddocks of sheep, and climbed brown grassy hills overlooked by snow-capped mountains. The landscape was marked by beautiful lakes and glacial streams. The itinerary planned for us worked very well, with not too much driving and one or two night stays in each place. The tour app was a great help for quick reference. We enjoyed all the activities booked: highlights were the cruise and walk to the glow worm caves near Te Anau, the Milford Sound cruise and the TranzAlpine train trip from Greymouth back to Christchurch. History is an interest of ours and we found time to explore this, particularly at Arrowtown near Queenstown. So thank you to New Zealand Self Drive Tours for an unforgettable holiday.

Just completed our 2 week holiday of the South Island and had a great time. We were very happy with all of the accommodation and our transfer drivers...
Read moreJust completed our 2 week holiday of the South Island and had a great time. We were very happy with all of the accommodation and our transfer drivers from airport to hotel and train station, etc were all on time. We asked for a Mitsubishi Outlander hire car and it was a great vehicle during our self drive tour. Sabina was very helpful with organising our trip and got back to us promptly with any questions or changes that we requested. We had a great time and would highly recommend Sabina and New Zealand Fine Touring.

We loved our holiday organised by Laurel. All accomodation was self contained apartments in great locations. The hire car was perfect and was easy to...
Read moreWe loved our holiday organised by Laurel. All accomodation was self contained apartments in great locations. The hire car was perfect and was easy to pick up and drop off. All the activities we included were very good, well organised and the staff were excellent. Especially the Earnslaw Burn that was truly one of the best we have done! The ferry we were a bit wary of but it was very easy to take the car on and off and much better to keep the same car with us. The app made the trip so easy to find the accomodation and activities. All staff at everywhere we went were very good and ensured we had a great time. This 3 week trip was an amazing holiday. I would recommend Laurel and New Zealand self drive tours for any one wanting to really experience New Zealand and all it has to offer.

Our tour went to plan and we enjoyed it immensely. Weather was good apart from a day of rain in Auckland. Transfers went as arranged with pleasant...
Read moreOur tour went to plan and we enjoyed it immensely. Weather was good apart from a day of rain in Auckland. Transfers went as arranged with pleasant drivers. Activities were up to expectations. Car was good but more details of the drop-off location would have been helpful. Accommodation was excellent apart from Napier where the standard was poor. If the room we were given was a superior room I would hate to see their standard accommodation. Overall we were happy with the trip and would recommend it to others. Regards Jim Lavel

Hi Kayla, We had a wonderful trip, enjoying all areas visited. We also managed to get to do mt cook glacier trip, which was originally booked out...
Read moreHi Kayla, We had a wonderful trip, enjoying all areas visited. We also managed to get to do mt cook glacier trip, which was originally booked out with just the 2 of us in the afternoon, Thanks for your all your help, Thanks Noel

Our trip was well organised and communication with Vickie was fantastic thank you. She was very helpful and always replied promptly. It was so good...
Read moreOur trip was well organised and communication with Vickie was fantastic thank you. She was very helpful and always replied promptly. It was so good to have someone meet us after our flight into Christchurch to take us to our hotel and then deliver us the next morning to the train. The only negatives were that our hotel in Christchurch was too far out of the city to walk comfortably into the township in the rain. Also, we didn’t like the tram dinner trip it was a bit too touristy for us and I had found out later that we could have done a shorter tramride at 5 pm not 7.30 pm. That timing would have suited us better as it would have coincided with the end of the city tour thereby saving us $50 in taxi fares as well.

Huge thank you to Chelsea for all your help booking our trip. We appreciated all your advice and help and quick replies to my emails. Nothing was too...
Read moreHuge thank you to Chelsea for all your help booking our trip. We appreciated all your advice and help and quick replies to my emails. Nothing was too much trouble. Kind regards, Lisa

Carly booked the most fantastic holiday I could have imagined. Weta Workshop, Hobbiton, Glow worm caves, Kiwi House, Lake Tekapo - all amazing. Got...
Read moreCarly booked the most fantastic holiday I could have imagined. Weta Workshop, Hobbiton, Glow worm caves, Kiwi House, Lake Tekapo - all amazing. Got to go to: Auckland, Matamata, Rotorua, Christchurch, Tekapo, Queenstown. An unforgettable experience that I would never have been able to replicate on my own. Their customer service is available 24/7, I had an issue where the hotel has incorrectly booked the wrong date (Hotel's fault) - and while the hotel remedied it, I was able to contact NZSDT by phone in the evening and they contacted the hotel to make sure all was fine as well to help out. I hope to return one day and will use NZSDT again as the process was so easy and relaxing.

Thank you so much for your time and patience assisting us with our self drive tour of the south of NZ. To start our trip with such a late arrival,...
Read moreThank you so much for your time and patience assisting us with our self drive tour of the south of NZ. To start our trip with such a late arrival, the Sudima hotel was a perfect choice. Close to the airport and with a 24hr concierge and a restaurant for breakfast. A special shout out to Breakers Boutique, the BnB that we stayed at in Greymouth. The host was amazing and very helpful and the accommodation was beautiful. We would also like to sing praises for the Rainforest Retreat in Franz Joseph. The West Meadows Inn in Wanaka was great, the gentleman at the counter was also very helpful with places to eat. The West Meadows would have been a good base for a longer stay, although a little too far away from the town centre to just walk in. The Dairy Private Motel in Queenstown with its quirky decor was centrally located and had a happy hour for the guests to meet and mingle. The Ori Ori BnB on Gloucester St in Christchurch was also beautiful and perfectly located for the end of our trip, they also have a meet and mingle hour for the guests. The Lakefront Lodge in Te Anau was perfectly located for our tour and for a stroll into town. The trip itself was well planned, thank you. For the most part, there wasn't much more than 3.5 hrs of driving each trip. We, unfortunately, tried to cram too much in and would have been better staying in most places for at least two nights to really explore. It was a great opportunity to note places we would like to spend more time at and need to go back for another trip that we can do properly, with at least a couple of days spent in each location and longer in others. I did make the most of exploring local breweries as we went and you could almost put together a brewery, wine and food tour, which we would be up for. The Milford sound cruise, although iconic and very beautiful, I think next time we would take the less publicised Doubtful Sounds tour. I'm of two minds with accommodation though. I'm not one for bus rides along winding roads, but there were plenty of stops along the way for photo opportunities and our driver clearly has a passion for the place and sharing that in his job. I think the ideal way to do this to take in all the sights, would be the bus trip in, stopping at all the stops, and a seaplane trip home. I think if you stayed in Queenstown, a seaplane to Te Anau and back. It would add to the expense considerably but would provide some breathtaking scenery and give you back a few hrs to spend exploring on foot. The bus doesn't stop for pics on the way home. Mt Cook, I think Mt Cook is a special place for those who have made time for the many trail hikes of 4 +hrs. We simply didn't have that time, you would need a couple of days dedicated to the hikes to make the most of your stay here. There was an hr round trip to see one of the glaciers we were able to take, but there were some much longer ones that would be great if you had more time and nicer weather, poor timing for us. All in all Petra, you did a fantastic job of planning our tour and I'd personally, definitely engage your services again to plan another tour. Your communication was great, your ideas were helpful and all the suggested stops and sights on the itinerary were also wonderful additions for us to pick and choose from. Thank you Petra.

Thank you Lydia for organising this wonderful tour. The standard of accommodation was excellent and had us looking forward, each night, to seeing...
Read moreThank you Lydia for organising this wonderful tour. The standard of accommodation was excellent and had us looking forward, each night, to seeing where we were staying. We had many wonderful experiences, saw many beautiful sights and made lasting memories. Lydia was open to personalising and ‘tweaking’ arrangements to suit our family. We appreciated her prompt communications and willingness to assist. Thanks again. ❤️

This was the most amazing holiday for us so far. From the day we arrived at New Zealand until we departed, everything was well arranged. The driver...
Read moreThis was the most amazing holiday for us so far. From the day we arrived at New Zealand until we departed, everything was well arranged. The driver that picked us up at the airport was good, the vehicle and accommodation were great. Although there were some minor issues, all these were wiped out by the beautiful scenery. Thanks Shelley and New Zealand Self Drive Tours to arrange such a memorable trip for us. I will recommend to anyone who want to go on holiday in New Zealand.

Hi Christine, some feedback on our recent tour for the Barker's and Ahearne's. Firstly we had a wonderful time and a superbly organised itinerary...
Read moreHi Christine, some feedback on our recent tour for the Barker's and Ahearne's. Firstly we had a wonderful time and a superbly organised itinerary and would recommend your organisation to anyone. A few minor points though are: (1) Please ensure that major hotels are are aware of family groups needing to be together on the same floors of hotels, this was a particular problem in Rotorua where the hotel management system does not permit room to room phone calls or allow guest access to other hotel floors creating significant difficulties when accommodated on different floors. (2) The XXX in Dunedin is not really suitable for travellers that older or less frail/disabled as the lifts do not align with the accommodation floors consequently requiring the constant use of stairs for movement and carriage of luggage; and the breakfast arrangements a strange at the least as the included breakfast only included 1 item choice from the menu i.e coffee OR juice and things like toast or both drinks were an additional cost; and (3) whilst the XXX and hosts in Russell were very special, it should be made very clear that the upstairs accommodation is unsuitable for the elderly/frail because of the steepness of the stairs. My wife was seriously injured coming down the steps resulting in a half day visit to Kawakawa hospital for treatment and impaired for mobility for the rest of the trip (fortunately only a few days from the end, but had the cruise not been cancelled due weather, it would still have been missed due the hospital visit.) These minor issues aside, again our thanks for your organisation including the quick resolution of the car hire serviceability issue at the start of the trip. Many Thanks Terry Ahearne

We were absolutely delighted with our trip! Shelley had all the arrangements extremely well organized. Everything was easy to follow using the app....
Read moreWe were absolutely delighted with our trip! Shelley had all the arrangements extremely well organized. Everything was easy to follow using the app. We appreciated how she tailored the trip to our needs & interests. Many of the activities were not something we would have found if we had been booking on our own, but they added so much to our experience. When we did have a couple of tours cancel due to weather, Shelley called us immediately to let us know about the change, and we promptly received a refund for those at the end of our trip. I would highly recommend both Shelley and New Zealand Self Drive Tours for anyone traveling in New Zealand!

We had a great holiday on the south island coast to coast self-drive tour. The tour was well organised, with great accommodation. The drivers who...
Read moreWe had a great holiday on the south island coast to coast self-drive tour. The tour was well organised, with great accommodation. The drivers who collected and delivered us to and from the airport were also very good. We must give special thanks to Shelley for her organisation skills. She was also especially helpful when we had to change our plans because of illness. Thank you again Shelley.

This was the most organized tour Ali have ever been on and want to thank you for a flawless itinerary with no issues whatsoever. Hotels and...
Read moreThis was the most organized tour Ali have ever been on and want to thank you for a flawless itinerary with no issues whatsoever. Hotels and breakfasts were great, excursions and tours were wonderful. We even had our own private guide in Wanaka for the Eco Island tour. Andrew and I highly recommend you and the Self Guided Tour group. Thanks for a wonderful stress free experience.

We had a great time on our self drive tour. It was so nice to have everything booked for us, it really took a lot of stress out of the planning. We...
Read moreWe had a great time on our self drive tour. It was so nice to have everything booked for us, it really took a lot of stress out of the planning. We had booked our holiday back in 2020, of course with COVID we had to cancel; we were able to put our trip on hold. When we were ready to book again Shelley was so helpful in organising everything and helped us pick dates that would suit the tours that we wanted to do. The APP was also really helpful, Very handy to have all the cooking details in one place. I would definitely recommend NZ Self Drive Tours to any friends or family travelling to NZ.

Briefly we had a wonderful holiday thanks to your excellent organisation of our itinerary and all on the ground arrangements, incorporating...
Read moreBriefly we had a wonderful holiday thanks to your excellent organisation of our itinerary and all on the ground arrangements, incorporating suggestions from us on aspects of particular interest. The standard and selection of accommodation was very good and conveniently located. We had only one difficult booking being at Queenstown, where parking arrangements were badly laid out and partly inaccessible for some of the allocated places including our own. This was of concern to us with a hire car we needed to take care of, so we parked in the street and used other allocated spaces as it was clear the motel was not full. Facilities in all accommodation were very good. Notably the Hermitage at Mt. Cook was very special and we gazed out of our picture window as the light and colours over the mountains changed at sundown. Check in for all accommodation and activities went perfectly, so all the arrangements you put in place enabled us to do everything without a hitch. The New Zealand Travel App provided was excellent and the tracking of our car to the motel addresses was very helpful, given Europcar did not supply a GPS vehicle or stand alone unit for our South Island travels as requested months ahead and organised by you. When a boat trip had to be changed, we were notified both by phone and an update to the App for that activity. We were very impressed by this. The highlights of the trip, apart from New Zealand’s stunning scenery, were many of the activities we chose to do, which were exciting and very memorable, notably the glacier helicopter excursion to Franz Josef, and the over night cruise on Doubtful Sound. The Shotover jet boat ride was equally thrilling. Our visit to Tongariro National Park was surprisingly outstanding with a little overnight snow adding to our enjoyment of the scenery. In retrospect we did not allow sufficient time in the Coromandel, however we were in awe of the shear beauty of the peninsular and enjoyed the coastal and mountain scenery. We would have no hesitation in recommending New Zealand Self Drive Tours. Your company organised an amazing trip for us and the organisation of everything was faultless. Thank you Chelsea. We appreciated your every effort to provide us with an excellent trip.

We travelled New Zealand in February through April 2023. I originally contacted New Zealand self drive tours the previous summer, the response was...
Read moreWe travelled New Zealand in February through April 2023. I originally contacted New Zealand self drive tours the previous summer, the response was almost immediate. Over the next several months their agent Christina and I hammered out our 6 week itinerary. She was always helpful and provide invaluable insight and information, she also responded to our desires. At no time did I feel we were being talked into booking events or locations we weren’t interested in. The provided App was invaluable and provided all the key information and reservations that we needed. When events like the Cyclone hitting and ferry breakdowns occurred they were always there to help us re route and change plans as needed, at no extra cost. I would say that anyone planning a trip like this without pre booking accommodations and vehicles could be disappointed most every town we visited was fully booked. The accommodations that were provided were always clean comfortable and welcoming. Without reservation I would recommend New Zealand self drive tours, the service they provided made what was a long dreamed of trip very successful. I would also thank Christina for her exceptional help and professionalism.

This trip was an absolutely holiday that had been delayed for three years but definitely worth it. The country is phenomenal, all people we met were...
Read moreThis trip was an absolutely holiday that had been delayed for three years but definitely worth it. The country is phenomenal, all people we met were special but most of all, our travel agent, Chelsea was beyond everything she did to make our dream come true. She is very thorough, extremely efficient and above and beyond, she showed that she loves her job. Any changes required were done immediately and we knew right away. I would highly recommend this company and Chelsea to others who need a life come true.

Thanks to Janette and team this was one of the BEST HOLIDAY experiences ever had .. everything was arranged and specifically detailed for our south...
Read moreThanks to Janette and team this was one of the BEST HOLIDAY experiences ever had .. everything was arranged and specifically detailed for our south island adventure - the itinerary app is fantastic and very helpful. EVERYTHING was perfect - WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND and so glad we choose New Zealand Self Drive Tours - NEW ZEALAND IS BEAUTIFUL - we look forward to a north island adventure next trip!

Just a short note about our most recent Holiday. My wife is paddling for a Canadian Team, at the International Dragon Boat Festival, in Cambridge NZ,...
Read moreJust a short note about our most recent Holiday. My wife is paddling for a Canadian Team, at the International Dragon Boat Festival, in Cambridge NZ, this weekend. Starting months ago, Janette Bagley helped us arrange a lovely trip, south to north, here in NZ. She was so helpful, we added a few weeks in Australia and the Cook Islands “rest” she recommended, for the last few days of our journey. Her planning was flawless and the in country support even better. She is a credit to your industry and represents you very well. A real pleasure to deal with, kudos to her. Thanks to you, and all your Team for a great experience!

Angela booked this whole trip for us. We had never travelled to NZ before and had no idea where to start. Having a self drive itinerary specially...
Read moreAngela booked this whole trip for us. We had never travelled to NZ before and had no idea where to start. Having a self drive itinerary specially designed for us was the best. Everything was organised and fitted in with the places we wanted to go to. It all went so smoothly and we still had plenty of time to do other things along the way. Absolutely awesome time and would thoroughly recommend using self drive tours every time. Angela informed us of any changes and provided excellent suggestions for activities and sights to see along the way. Thank you so much.

We thoroughly enjoyed our three week tour, the accommodations, the itinerary were wonderful. When we made a couple minor changes the company was very...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our three week tour, the accommodations, the itinerary were wonderful. When we made a couple minor changes the company was very prompt and pleasant. We have done a number of similar trips in Europe and the New Zealand trip rates highly.

Thanks for your email. We were intending to drop into your office in Wanaka when we were there but completely forgot! We would have walked right past...
Read moreThanks for your email. We were intending to drop into your office in Wanaka when we were there but completely forgot! We would have walked right past it! Anyway, our holiday was fantastic. Everything went well except for some flight issues at the start and end, which we had arranged ourselves, and we dealt with them. The weather was very good except for a few rainy days which didn’t impact too much except our planned scenic flight in Mt Cook. We managed to finally do one on our last morning in Franz Josef! New Zealand is a spectacularly beautiful country, all of it. Every day is another wow day. We had heard a lot about it but you have to experience it yourself to truly appreciate it. One comment we would make is about the single night stays, in particular the Mt Cook stay. It was a 5 hour drive to get there from Akaroa and a 4 hour drive the next day to get to Dunedin. This is simply not enough time there even though we packed a fair bit into our 24 hours there. I know there are a lot to places to visit, even over 6 weeks, but we think all stays should be 2 nights, or more depending on accommodation availability in surrounding areas. We have told many of our friends about our trip and we will definitely recommend you and NZFT if any of them decide they would like to visit NZ. Thanks for arranging our trip and the subsequent changes. We appreciate it. Attached are a few of our 1600 photos!

Thank you very much for your follow up interest in our Self Drive Tour recently. First we want to thank you very much for the thorough and...
Read moreThank you very much for your follow up interest in our Self Drive Tour recently. First we want to thank you very much for the thorough and professional way you guided us through the planning process of the tour. You were very approachable in answering our initial queries. Thank you for your extra effort during our trip especially the TSS Earnslaw cruise. The selection of accommodations were good choices. Although an extra night in Franz Josef and Queenstown would have been great; as we missed out on the Helicopter and Shotover Jet, due to unpredictable bad weather . We would gladly recommend your Self Drive Tour Coy’ to anyone who is interested in visiting your beautiful country.

New Zealand Holiday was excellent. All accommodation was spacious, luxurious, and at times chocolates on the pillow. We were given VIP treatment...
Read moreNew Zealand Holiday was excellent. All accommodation was spacious, luxurious, and at times chocolates on the pillow. We were given VIP treatment when picked up from airport, train station but the best was when we were leaving - picked up from hotel driven to airport driver carried our bags into airport and also went to kiosk printed our boarding passes and luggage tags - how good is this at 4.30am. Vicki your organisation was wonderful.

We just concluded a custom 28 day self driving tour of both North and South Island, organized and managed by Chelsea Lodge of New Zealand Fine...
Read moreWe just concluded a custom 28 day self driving tour of both North and South Island, organized and managed by Chelsea Lodge of New Zealand Fine Touring. I cannot over state how well Chelsea and New Zealand Fine Touring took care of us. The schedule and activities met our interests and budget to a 'T'. They kept us on their radar during the entire 28 days and kept us up to date on any issues or unexpected changes to our itinerary. I can't overstate how well this all was managed and scheduled. Our 28 day itinerary took us from Auckland up north to Hokianga, across to Bay of Islands, down to Rotorua, over to New Plymouth, down to Wellington, across the Cook Straight to Picton, down to Christchurch, over and up to Mt. Cook, then to Dunedin, then further south to Stewart Island, back up to Te Anau and Milford Sound, then thru Wanaka to Franz Joseph, over the Alps on the Train from Greymouth to Christchurch, and then back to Auckland and home. All of this went off without a hitch. All of the arrangements and accommodations were perfectly suited to our interests. I stand in awe of Chelsea's skill set and the work of the entire team at New Zealand Fine Touring. She managed to get us lodging in the most remarkable locations, with the most exceptional accomodations. I still don't know what she had to do to get us the room we had in Mt. Cook, undoubtedly one of the finest rooms in the lodge. Paired with perfect weather, you could not have asked for anything more perfect. Our entire trip was punctuated with remarkable moments of great surprise, joy and beauty. Our trip was an astounding success and we could not have been happier with the outcome. We are so appreciative and grateful for Chelsea and New Zealand Fine Touring's work on our behalf. New Zealand Fine Touring will always have our greatest admiration and respect, and deserves the absolute highest recommendation. If you are reading this, you are looking at the correct team to help you organize the absolute best trip to New Zealand tailored to your interests and budget. Best of Luck to you. You will be in the best of hands. Jay and Jeanie Vanos, Topanga Canyon, California, USA.

We are very satisfied with our tour. The accommodations were very good with nice people taking care of us. All tours were very proffesional, on the...
Read moreWe are very satisfied with our tour. The accommodations were very good with nice people taking care of us. All tours were very proffesional, on the agreed time and with

We got back safe and sound. We had such a great time. Everything worked out well. We had no problems with any bookings, all accommodation was great....
Read moreWe got back safe and sound. We had such a great time. Everything worked out well. We had no problems with any bookings, all accommodation was great. We had some great views from them as well. We enjoyed the little surprises we didn’t know about, premium seats at the penguins, a picnic box at Milford Sound. The little things like that where great. Things we wouldn’t of thought of or maybe done. Everything you did and recommended was good, even the time change of our Ferry from Wellington to Picton (which wasn’t your fault but you were all over it) was good. Early but the morning was beautiful, amazing crossing. A big thank you again for all your work.

We had a fantastic time on our holiday, the arrangements made by Chelsea at New Zealand Self Drive Tours were spot on and everything ran like...
Read moreWe had a fantastic time on our holiday, the arrangements made by Chelsea at New Zealand Self Drive Tours were spot on and everything ran like clockwork. The standard of motels was just right, our favourite was the White Morph in Kaikoura with a fantastic view over the bay. The general timing and flow of the holiday suited us perfectly, and all the excursions and tours were well run and terrific fun, our highlight was the flight to Milford Sound. When Interislander changed our ferry, Chelsea kept us informed and made the necessary adjustments to the arrangements and kept us on schedule. We have no hesitation in recommending New Zealand Self Drive Tours and Chelsea Lodge.

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience working with Tia Chesser who provided us with professional, courteous and reliable assistance and advice on...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our experience working with Tia Chesser who provided us with professional, courteous and reliable assistance and advice on local matters. Our itinerary was developed according to our expressed interests and personal needs. We found the itinerary offered a good introduction to the South Island and its many places of interest. The only day that we found a little long was the 9 March which involved a scenic bus tour to Milford Sound, cruise on the Sound, return bus trip and then we needed to drive from Te Anau to Arrrowtown. Tia assisted us by confirming our bookings with the touring companies and Arrowtown accommodation. Overall, the standard of the accommodation was good, but the night in Christchurch was unfortunately noisy due to tour buses arriving in the early hours of the morning (1 – 2 am). We also found the location was isolated in terms of accessibility to local eateries. In hindsight, our preference would have been to stay somewhere closer to the city centre. The most outstanding accommodation was Aurora Dunedin. The close proximity of Buddha Styx was a bonus. The highlights of the tour were the varied and beautiful scenery – rainforest walks, The Blue Pools, knowledgeable and accommodating bus driver/guide (Stephen) on the Milford Sound day, Kaka Point, Arrowtown, Queenstown. Our very special thanks to Tia for making this a special holiday for us.

Thank you for arranging an excellent trip. I wasn't sure how it would pan out when the car was delivered without installed Sat nav that I had...
Read moreThank you for arranging an excellent trip. I wasn't sure how it would pan out when the car was delivered without installed Sat nav that I had requested but it forced me to work out how to use google maps on my phone connected to the car!!. Accommodation was excellent. The first week's driving was a bit exhausting especially the day from Christchurch to Mt Cook and back to Lake Tekapo but it was good that we had a free day in Oban to have a break. The early morning trips that you arranged were excellent as we got clear skies for the helicopter ride and very few tourists at Milford sound on our arrival. When we returned from the trip the car parks were full. Essentially, everything on the trip went according to the plan and every day offered something exciting or adventurous. Thank you

Our holiday arranged by Chelsea was fantastic, the arrangements were spot on and everything worked like a dream (apart from the Interislander which...
Read moreOur holiday arranged by Chelsea was fantastic, the arrangements were spot on and everything worked like a dream (apart from the Interislander which is outside your control!). The accommodation was excellent throughout and the pace of the holiday was just right too. We have so many great memories of our holiday and have no hesitation in recommending New Zealand Self Drive.

We really loved our time in New Zealand. We were very lucky with the weather during our trip, with the only hiccup being the Sky Tower in...
Read moreWe really loved our time in New Zealand. We were very lucky with the weather during our trip, with the only hiccup being the Sky Tower in Auckland. The places we visited from your suggestions were fabulous and most of the places we stayed in we would definitely go back to. Your knowledge of the country and planning skills took the stress and worry out so we could just kick back and enjoy. The App was another great feature that we really benefited from. The only negative we have was that 3 days in Te Anau was a bit too much. There was really not much more than the Milford Sound and Glow Worm cave. But considering the itinerary was for 3 weeks, that was the only thing I would do different. Our top 3 places: Christchurch: Amazing town and people. Loved the Sudima and it's location. The staff were always so pleasant and helpful. Queenstown: If I ever relocate to NZ, this will be my town. The atmosphere and vibe were just in the zone. Again our hotel location was great, being only a 5 minute walk into town. Wellington: The hotel was more than we expected and great location. We will definitely be coming back to see more. Our top experiences: Hot Air Ballooning in Christchurch. Michael (our pilot) was very experienced and put my nerves at ease. Glacier Hike: Very professionally run and a once in a lifetime experience for us. Segway's: Very personalised as there were only Darryl and myself on the tour. The guide was informative and showed us parts of Queenstown that we most likely wouldn't have made it too. All in all, we had an amazing time. I just wanted to follow up though on the 3 breakfasts we should have a credit for. Our first 2 days in Auckland saw our breakfast service cancelled due to staffing issues re Cyclone Gabrielle. When we asked about this, the Hotel Manager said the credit would be sent back to the Travel Agent and we were to follow up with you. And the last morning in Christchurch, our breakfast had been cancelled. Thank you again so so much for putting together an unforgettable holiday that show cased your fabulous country in all the right ways. We will definitely be back and I would most definitely recommend you to anyone I know looking to do the same sort of trip.

A well organised tour. Even though there were some issues with the weather that were out of anyone's control, you made sure our tour continued with...
Read moreA well organised tour. Even though there were some issues with the weather that were out of anyone's control, you made sure our tour continued with as little disruption as possible. I would definitely recommend your company to anyone thinking of going to New Zealand for a holiday.

We really enjoyed the Southern Circuit tour. Everything worked perfectly, and the detail in the App was very helpful in planning driving times and...
Read moreWe really enjoyed the Southern Circuit tour. Everything worked perfectly, and the detail in the App was very helpful in planning driving times and activities. The scenery was stunning, the Motel accommodation was good, and all the hard work of the itinerary was done by Louise. We would recommend a New Zealand Self Drive Tour, especially to anyone visiting the country for the first time.

Tour was very well organised and went like clockwork. Motel accommodation was all good quality and well located. TranzAlpine train trip excellent,...
Read moreTour was very well organised and went like clockwork. Motel accommodation was all good quality and well located. TranzAlpine train trip excellent, and a highlight. The South Island is magnificent. Very scenic. The Europcar Kia Seltos was a particularly good vehicle for the journey. Some comments below: 1. Could not get In App directions to work successfully. Relied on Google Maps. Needed to use way points to navigate some scenic routes as opposed to direct routes. Particularly the southern scenic route between Dunedin and Te Anau via Invercargill and between Blenheim and Able Tasman Park via the Queen Charlotte Drive/Havelock/Richmond. Without Google Maps and a vehicle with Android Auto/Apple Play it would have been very difficult to navigate the tour. 2. Mount Cook accommodation instructions should include the need to check in to the motel at the Hermitage Hotel. Wasted a couple of hours working this one out. 3. Punakaikai accommodation instructions should include the need to check in to the motel at the Punakaikai Rocks Hotel. 4. Maybe the itinerary could be modified so that there was not a doubling back from Punakaikai to Arthur’s Pass. Punakaikai Rocks is a definite must see but Westport could be bypassed. Shanty Town could be visited on the morning before the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch.

It’s been a week or so since we got home from New Zealand. The four of us wanted to thank you for arranging a wonderful trip for us and give you...
Read moreIt’s been a week or so since we got home from New Zealand. The four of us wanted to thank you for arranging a wonderful trip for us and give you some feedback on our trip. Given the parameters of the 21 days we gave you, it was a very thorough itinerary that covered a great deal (though not all, of course) of what NZ has to offer, without it all being the same or repetitive. The variety was terrific. We hope this summary of what worked best/what issues/suggestions we’d make will be of use to you in planning future trips: Using drivers instead of self-driving: best decision we made. You did a terrific job – we were picked up/met for every tour, driving day without fail. We never had to call looking for a pick-up. Wonderful drivers who gave us time to relax, ask questions, provide guidance on scenery stops, hikes, shopping and food. As we already suggested, if the drivers can have a microphone, we’d love to catch everything they say. Drivers who used a microphone (only 2) couldn't understand why drivers wouldn't use a microphone when the driver is facing forward in a van. Particularly excellent drivers were Chris (Queenstown to Te Anau); the tour operator/driver for Wanaka Bike Tours – met us halfway at Patisserie café to make sure we/bikes were OK which we needed; Neil (Wanaka to Franz Josef) made lots of stops (including Blue Pools and Thunder Creek Falls; and Zane (Punakaiki to Motueka – The Waters) probably the best as he had a microphone and was very knowledgeable and shared lots of stories with us. For hotels, it would be helpful to let people making bookings in summer know about air conditioning, and also about whether there are laundry facilities and a restaurant for meals other than breakfast on site. We only had 21 days to work with, and we were glad to see a lot, but we wanted to let you know where we would have wanted more time or places to skip. Queenstown – a few issues at the accommodation – none of us got garden views; R&D’s first room was noisy, second was smelly, but the third (like Goldilocks) was just fine. You noted we didn’t get the garden view, so appreciate your giving us a credit for the four of us. We could handle the walk up and down the steep slope of the hotel to get to town but need to know about this. Queenstown – TSS Earnslaw – there was no fish for David although they did know about his food restrictions; in general, we did not think the food was very good – more group buffet, than a real BBQ since food was clearly made long ahead of time and not particularly great; there was no tour of the farm, just a demo of sheep shearing/dog control which could have been enhanced by a tour, better understanding of the operation. In general, this was too touristy, disappointing. If we were to do this again, we would leave it out. Queenstown – Dart River Safaris Funyaks – unfortunately, we couldn’t do this tour because of water levels but we appreciate your quick credit to us for this. We did take a jet ride and white-water rafting tour which was a lot of fun – would recommend that for fitter travelers that don’t mind getting wet. Queenstown – Ride and Wine bike tour – well-organized pickup from the hotel; got our bikes from Arrowtown Bike Hire – operator was a little abrupt and we felt a little rushed on our way. However, it’s a wonderful 2–3-hour Level 2-3 ride along a stony, mountain bike trail – we did need to ask for directions to Gibbstown winery a couple times; windy at times meant we needed to get off the bikes for safety (David was pushed off by the wind). Enjoyed the finish at the Gibbstown winery. 1/2 day in Arrowtown was the right amount of time – the gold shop was a highlight as the woman salesperson explained about Arrowtown’s history and gold nuggets. Drive from Queenstown to Te Anau – already mentioned Chris was terrific. He dropped us off at Rainbow Reach Kepler Track and we walked 9.5 km to control gates at Te Anau. The Kepler Track walk was another highlight day – the lush rainforest, river beside, on a clearly marked path. It was exceptional. Chris took us to our hotel, waited for us to check in and get settled for a half hour, and then drove us to the Glowworm Caves. We felt very well taken care of without feeling rushed. Te Anau Lodge was also very nice (loved the library, all the different religious art/references, and the cookies) and the owner/manager lady was helpful and even tried to pick us up in her car after dinner as it started to rain. It would be good to know that there’s no air conditioning. We were OK because it was a cool, rainy night. The accommodation was okay but not extremely comfortable. Te Anau – Glowworm Caves – One of our least liked tours - too touristy. We felt like we were on a conveyer with a hundred other people being streamed onto the boat, into the room for the talk, and then in small groups into the cave; not enough time in the cave or ability to experience it on foot – just in a boat that jerked forward and back. The water rushing through the cave is more interesting than the glowworms – is there any opportunity for small groups to go on foot through the cave? Saw more glowworms at Zealandia, which was a much better experience. Doubtful Sound Cruise – everything worked well; stored our luggage at the Real Journeys visitor centre and they let me store my medicine in their fridge overnight; lovely cruise with terrific food for everyone – compliments to the chef who was able to serve quality buffet meal and take care of food restrictions; and we enjoyed the kayaking. There was a medical emergency (lady fell down the stairs) but staff handled it well. Wanaka – Edgewater hotel – lovely rooms but not a “short stroll” to town. We took taxis as it would have taken us about 45 – 60 minutes to walk there. Also, no air conditioning – we needed extra fans. Wanaka – Lake Wanaka cruise and Island Nature Walk – another highlight tour! The owner/operator took us on his small boat (only 8 tourists on board) and explained about the island sanctuary, eco tourism, history of introduced predators and was an excellent guide up the island to the Arethusa Pool, seeing the Weka birds and the Weka bughouse. Just a wonderful day. Probably need to tell people that you’ll be walking uphill for about an hour and a half. This tour was one of the best amalgamations of site, transport, guide and activity all in one. Wanaka – Bike Tour from Lake Hawea to Wanaka – excellent Level 2 bike ride (Robin booked this directly). Tour operator was great – checked on us and let us ride our bikes right back to the Edgewater hotel. Wanaka to Franz Josef – as I said above, Neil was a great guide who made lots of stops along the way; enjoyed the Blue Pools – we could have swum although it was very cold water. Scenic hotel was fine but again, no air conditioning. Frank Josef – glacier Heli walk – R&D did this tour – more of a bucket list thing as it takes hours to put on the equipment; only about an hour on the glacier itself and again, you felt like you were on a conveyor belt. Also, too much time just waiting for your turn to go down on the helicopter or to get you off the glacier. It would be good to get l0 minutes on the flat part of the glacier or a little longer climbing, maybe stopping halfway up for 10-20 minutes more. The helicopter ride was the best part although it only lasts 5 minutes. Is there anything else to see/do in Franz Josef – if not, maybe skip these 2 days? Franz Josef to Punakaiki – Rachel, the driver had some trouble getting to our hotel rooms and at first, she didn’t want to talk as she didn’t have a microphone and she probably thought we were rude because we asked the guides to use a microphone - because of the low volume and the accent, we were struggling to decipher everything. She warmed up to us and we had a nice day. She took us to Hotitika to shop and to see the Pancake Rocks, which was great to see, before dropping us at the hotel. Lovely rooms facing the sea but again no air conditioning. We would have stayed an extra day here to do some hiking – I guess it’s just a halfway stopover to Abel Tasman. Punakaiki to Motueka/Abel Tasman – Zane, excellent driver with microphone – terrific day, stopping at scenic lookouts along the way, and stopped to let us buy dinner. The Waters is lovely. Breakfast was OK although need microwaves in the rooms. Coffee/eggs are cold by the time you go from the microwave back to your room. Suggest breakfast in the Beach house for people as an option to breakfast alone in your rooms. Dinner the third night was delicious – the manager was very helpful and a great cook. Motueka/Abel Tasman – Beaches, Bay and Seals Guided Sea Kayaking – terrific tour; loved the kayaking even though we didn’t see seals. Great highlight day. Motueka to Nelson to fly to Wellington – thanks for the quick action when the ferry ride wasn’t available to switch us to flying. Everything worked well. Let us know how cancelling the ferry and then adding the airfare affects our credit. Wellington Ohtel – fun, nice hotel with air conditioning! Liked it here a lot and enjoyed the breakfasts. Also, the hotel had real soap (not just liquid soap) which was appreciated. We enjoyed the Te Papa Museum tour and went back again the next day – very interesting and well done. We went to the Weta Workshop – nice for people that know about the Hobbits/Lord of the Rings and the Thunderbirds. Wellington to Rotorua – no issues with flight. Rotorua Pullman very nice hotel and well situated. Rotorua– Eco Thermal Park – enjoyed this tour – lots of good information and seeing the sulphur pools in the morning. We went to the Polynesian spa to soak in the pools in the afternoon which was fun. It would be good to let people know about this opportunity, even though you might not book it. If you do so, it would be good to let people know that they need to book massages well in advance. We could have used an extra day in Rotorua – beautiful area. Had we had more time, this is an area where we would have liked to have spent more time, perhaps to see the Redwoods, etc. Rotorua – Tamaki Maori Village – loved the cultural side of this tour/evening – wonderful music and dance; however, none of us enjoyed the food. They didn’t prepare anything for David – he had 1 falafel ball and rice and lots of vegetables (that he doesn’t eat); for the rest of us, the appetizer was delicious but in general we really did not enjoy the food. If there is a way to visit during the day without the meal, we would have appreciated that. Rotorua to Auckland – Tania was very nice; she stopped at a small town, Tirau?, so we could shop a little. She showed us around Auckland and took us to the M Social. Had we had more time, would have been nice to have an extra day or two in Auckland or to head north. Tired but ready to head home. No issues flying home. Just want to know what the final cost was, and what credit we’ll receive back. Please let us know when you can. In summary, you and the Fine Touring New Zealand company were helpful and responsive when needed, e.g. when we contacted you about St. Moritz, we got a quick, positive response, and you took immediate action to contact us and resolve the broken ferry issue.

Fantastic tour. Very relaxing. High standard of accommodation. The app was very helpful, especially for finding local eateries. We both loved the...
Read moreFantastic tour. Very relaxing. High standard of accommodation. The app was very helpful, especially for finding local eateries. We both loved the whole experience. Thank you

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to NZ arranged with NZ Self-drive tours. In particular, Nichole’s attention to detail and the fact that she spoke...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our trip to NZ arranged with NZ Self-drive tours. In particular, Nichole’s attention to detail and the fact that she spoke directly to us in the phone. She replied to every query promptly and efficiently. We will definitely recommend this company. We experienced far more activities that we would have had if we were arranging trip ourselves. Also, very good value for money. Thank you, Colette and Pat, Ireland

We had a wonderful trip. The app was very useful and we made use of many of the suggestions in the itinerary for stops. The driving time estimates...
Read moreWe had a wonderful trip. The app was very useful and we made use of many of the suggestions in the itinerary for stops. The driving time estimates were spot on. Thank you for helping make this such a great trip.

As we finish up our self drive New Zealand adventure both Tim and I want yo say a massive “thank you” for the fabulous itinerary and destinations...
Read moreAs we finish up our self drive New Zealand adventure both Tim and I want yo say a massive “thank you” for the fabulous itinerary and destinations - we’ve really enjoyed our time in your beautiful country We also wanted to especially thank Vicki, in your Wanaka office, for rerouting us from Napier to Lake Taupō last week - in what was a busy and challenging time she arranged everything for us, we are super grateful On that subject could you please provide us (via return email) a letter regarding our change of plans/accommodation due to cyclone Gabrielle that we can submit for our travel insurance claim Once again, thank you - we had a fabulous time!!

My husband and I got the opportunity to work with Shelley Ryder on our recent trip to New Zealand, and we couldn't have asked for a better travel...
Read moreMy husband and I got the opportunity to work with Shelley Ryder on our recent trip to New Zealand, and we couldn't have asked for a better travel specialist! We had originally planned on taking this trip in 2019, but after the pandemic hit, it kept getting pushed back with all of the different restrictions. Shelley was working with us the entire time to fine tune our trip and keeping us updated on a potential timeline of when we might be able to visit New Zealand. In our planning stage as we got closer to our trip dates, we came across a scheduling conflict with some of the things we wanted to do/see and our transport but Shelley recommended an alternative that allowed us to see a bit more of the area, and looking back we were so glad we got to experience the things we did with that change. Overall, we enjoyed literally everything about this trip. All of the places that we stayed offered their own unique setting, and all of the activities we were able to do were simply outstanding. Our favorite places to stay were the Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge, Ocean View Chalets, Garden Court Suites/Apartments, and Punga Grove Motel/Suites. All of these places had amazingly friendly staff, were in great locations to explore the area, and made our stay super memorable. Our favorite experiences from this trip include our visit to Hobbiton, the cave rafting experience in Waitomo and the Maori Village experience, trekking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and around Mt Cook National Park, visiting Milford Sound, taking the Lord of the Rings Half Day Tour/ visiting Weta Workshop, cruising with Whale Watch Kaikoura, and kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park. Although I didn't list all of the things we were able to do, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this trip, and we would highly recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours to anyone looking to travel to New Zealand. In fact, we are already building up a wish list to hopefully be able to travel there again soon!

A big thank you for everything! The trip was perfectly organized and I had a really great time. A good mixture of landscape, including sea, forest...
Read moreA big thank you for everything! The trip was perfectly organized and I had a really great time. A good mixture of landscape, including sea, forest and mountains. The app was very helpful in navigating to my accommodation and to get a daily overview of what to do. Will be happy to book with you again some time!

We had a lovely time in NZ and the self drive tour was perfect! Loved the Bay of Islands and the trip north along with the cruise out to the bay. We...
Read moreWe had a lovely time in NZ and the self drive tour was perfect! Loved the Bay of Islands and the trip north along with the cruise out to the bay. We successfully booked into the glowworms trip as well. The driving around such a beautiful country was really amazing. Even visiting windy Wellington, which lived up to its name, was great. We were astounded at the houses that were so cute but rose from the roadside. The app was excellent and allowed us to look out for attractions on the way. Good balance of accommodation with the view on New Years eve from the spa was very special for welcoming the New Year. Thanks for phoning me originally and making contact to enable us to have our holiday.

Our self-drive tour of the North and South Islands was an incredible experience. Based on a 21 day Auckland to Christchurch packaged tour, New...
Read moreOur self-drive tour of the North and South Islands was an incredible experience. Based on a 21 day Auckland to Christchurch packaged tour, New Zealand Self Drive Tours came up with a customized 29 day tour for us that accommodated our desire to take a bit more time for taking in as much as possible of the scenery, the wildlife, and various excursions on offer. Experiences around the country are so varied that it is hard to say what stands out the most. Top of the list has to be the overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound were we saw two different species of dolphins, seals and even a couple of penguins, all within the beautiful setting of fiords, mountains and waterfalls. Dining at the Mt. Cook Lodge in full view of a sunny snow covered Mt. Cook, experiencing Maori culture, at Te Puia and the Tamaki Maori Village, taking the ferry from Auckland to Devonport for quiet walks and great views of Auckland harbour are just the start of so many memorable experiences. I believe there is no better way to experience New Zealand than by driving it, and New Zealand Self Drive Tours delivered a tour that went beyond expectations in ensuring everything went perfectly, from airport transfers and car arrangements to all the motel and event bookings.

We had a wonderful tour of New Zealand! Thank you to Chelsea for all her help with bookings, particularly since we had to re-schedule twice due to...
Read moreWe had a wonderful tour of New Zealand! Thank you to Chelsea for all her help with bookings, particularly since we had to re-schedule twice due to Covid! We were very happy with our itinerary and all accommodations. We thought that all of our activities were good choices with excellent companies. Chelsea was easy to communicate with and attentive to our needs. One area where we were somewhat disappointed involves the driving directions between stops. We found the app descriptions to be vague and we found that we wished we had done more independent trip planning to be sure we didn't miss important landmarks. For example, when driving into Tepako, Peter saw a sign out of the corner of his eye about the Church of the Good Shepherd and impulsively made a quick right turn which led us to what turned out to be the famous church. There was nothing in our itinerary/app about this church and it turns out to be one of the most photographed churches on the entire island! After this, we worried about what else we were missing along the way. Another example is the famous tree in Wanaka. We learned about it on our trip from others and planned to stop. But when we put Franz Josef in our GPS, Google routed us around Wanaka and we missed it! Although I realize this is user error - we should have put Wanaka in the GPS instead of Franz Josef! - it would have been nice to have more detailed instruction on stops along our driving route. Another example is the town of Cromwell. The app describes the town as well worth the visit. We pulled in at the location with the large fruit statue and walked around the "mall" area near it. Everything was closed for NY day so we didn't stay long, weren't that impressed. On our way out, we then saw signs for historic district and turned around trying to follow the signs. Luckily we pursued and ended up finding the cute historic district on the water. We could so easily have completely missed it! I would recommend giving your clients addresses to put in their GPS so they can find things more easily. In this case, we were fine but it made us wonder what other things we were missing. The app mentions Haast but doesn't say that you have to take a left turn and drive a significant way in the opposite direction to find the beach. There is a photo of the Cardrona Hotel in the app but it is not included in the description and if you didn't know better, you could easily drive right on by it without stopping. Again, for a self driving tour, I would recommend a more detailed itinerary with stop locations and addresses to find them along the way. In retrospect, I wished I had researched stuff more because often as we were driving and I was reading the app, I just didn't know quite how to find stuff or what was worth the stop. Another example is where the app says en route from Picton to Abel Tasman "from here there are a number of forest walks to stretch your legs...totara forest." I never found those and would have like to stop. Our vehicles were not big enough, particularly considering how much time we spent in the car! I realize there is less you can control about this but I would recommend discussing it with clients in the future to review options. The vehicles we had were not big enough for 5 people when 4 of them are adult size. Poor Pierce was stuck in the 3rd row amongst the luggage and could really not see out of the window at all. The Kia we had on the North island was small but the Mitsubishi we got in Picton was even worse. And the Mitsubishi did not have any GPS. We had to use our phones with data. You know about the problem with the kayak tour and I understand how that mistake happened. We also had an error on our Canopy Tour in Rotorua. My app said tour was at 10 am but Canopy Tours had us listed at 9:30am. Obviously, we arrived too late and missed our tour and they were completely booked. The owner, Paul, was amazing and sent us to buy some time at Kuirau Park and recommended a lunch spot and called us back later with a plan to have two guides use his car to take us on a private tour! So obviously we were thrilled but I wanted to report it for you to see what went wrong and also to tell you that Original Canopy Tours really went out of their way to take responsibility and you should absolutely keep sending people to them! I would also recommend that you add Zorbing to your recommended activities in Rotorua. We did that on our own and it was one of the kids very favorite activities and perfect on a rainy day! Overall, we were very happy without tour and virtually everything else worked out great so we are very pleased and would recommend your company to others, right now with the caviat to be sure to do some more of their own trip planning to supplement. n retrospect, I would have skipped the drive to the West Coast and the Alpine train and gone from Queenstown directly back to Christchurch. The reason for this is because the West Coast was too hurried and we had already seen so much amazing scenery that by that point in the trip it wasn't as impressive. We didn't have more than 5 minutes to spend on the beach and the weather wasn't great. That may have been why the train wasn't particularly impressive. However, Peter would disagree because he really enjoyed not having to drive! But for the rest of us, and very likely due to the weather which was cloudy, it was so so and mostly just transportation. This may or may not be helpful but I mentioned it because it retrospect, this is the one thing I would have changed about the itinerary. Thank you again and I hope this information is helpful!

Thank you Janette, we throughly enjoyed our amazing New Zealand holiday. Each day was as spectacular as we could only imagine. The glacier tour was...
Read moreThank you Janette, we throughly enjoyed our amazing New Zealand holiday. Each day was as spectacular as we could only imagine. The glacier tour was amazing and the colours of the water stunning. Each place we visited was wonderful and it was easy to follow our itinerary on the app

We are very happy with the turnout of our NZ road trip. First I have to mention all of the things we saw and experienced. Just fantastic in so many...
Read moreWe are very happy with the turnout of our NZ road trip. First I have to mention all of the things we saw and experienced. Just fantastic in so many ways. Natural experiences, views, fun things, nice places etc. Secondly I must say we were very impressed how every was planned and how smoothly everything turned out. The app with the daily literary was very helpful with all necessary information for each day. A nine day road trip with not one single misunderstanding or mistake in a planning, booking of hotels and all activities. A warm thank you to Chelsea Lodge

SPECTACULAR! We booked our New Zealand self drive holiday for March 2020, obviously this was the worst possible time and we had to cancel. Nichole...
Read moreSPECTACULAR! We booked our New Zealand self drive holiday for March 2020, obviously this was the worst possible time and we had to cancel. Nichole was fabulous and managed to change all our bookings to a later date at no extra cost. Sadly this situation occurred several times during the COVID pandemic. In this time Nichole left the company and our account was taken over by Louise. She was also wonderful and was always available to answer any queries and keep us updated on the unfolding situation. Finally in Dec 2022/Jan 2023 we were able to set off on our NZ adventure. Our trip was for a total of 23 days and included accommodation, car hire, 2 train trips, 2 ferries, 4 day cruises a helicopter flight and some entries to local attractions. We were collected by private transfer when required from trains and ships to our hotels. Everything went exactly as planned, our bookings were always correct, the drivers were always early and there were no issues at all with the preparation and service from New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We stayed in a total of 13 different hotels and all were different, some were bigger than others, some had amazing views but all of them were comfortable and clean. We would highly recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours and in fact have already recommended them to a couple of friends. Thank you Louise and Nichole for your expert guidance and all the help with rescheduling so many times. We were glad we were able to pop in and meet you both while we were in Wanaka.

I just wanted to send you a letter saying that we are most satisfied with our NZ trip. The schedule worked out fine and there was never any problems...
Read moreI just wanted to send you a letter saying that we are most satisfied with our NZ trip. The schedule worked out fine and there was never any problems with our booked activities and hotels. Thank you for perfect a planning and the suggested activities and hotels.

We would highly recommend New Zealand Fine Touring for anyone wanting an exceptional experience in New Zealand. We travel extensively and we can...
Read moreWe would highly recommend New Zealand Fine Touring for anyone wanting an exceptional experience in New Zealand. We travel extensively and we can honestly say this company delivered quality service well above our expectations. Our coordinator, Louise, worked tirelessly to customize our trip. She listened to what we were looking for, responded to last minute changes and created an incredible itinerary. Every aspect of our journey went off seamlessly without complications. We truly have fantastic memories of our 40 day trip to New Zealand thanks to Louise and New Zealand Fine Touring.

Our trip was wonderful and 21 days gave us enough time to see most of the South Island's gems. Shelley was very helpful in making arrangements and...
Read moreOur trip was wonderful and 21 days gave us enough time to see most of the South Island's gems. Shelley was very helpful in making arrangements and being available to help when a change in itinerary was needed. The arranged accommodations were exactly what we wanted and more and the suggested and booked excursions were excellent.

New Zealand trip was amazing. Thanks to New Zealand self drive tour. You planned well and customised my itinerary as per family. Each moment in New...
Read moreNew Zealand trip was amazing. Thanks to New Zealand self drive tour. You planned well and customised my itinerary as per family. Each moment in New Zealand we enjoyed. This trip is the best trip of my life. Very touchy and full of adventurous activities. New Zealand is beautiful itself each and every place has a scenic beauty. It's a real wonderland of this planet.

Hi Chelsea, just wanted to give some feedback after our holiday to NZ. We had an awesome time! The organisation of our tour was fantastic. All our...
Read moreHi Chelsea, just wanted to give some feedback after our holiday to NZ. We had an awesome time! The organisation of our tour was fantastic. All our hotel and tour operators were expecting us on arrival and the timing of the drives, although sometimes a bit pushed, all worked out without a hitch. I would definitely recommend your organisation to friends and family. Thanks again, Caroline and Graham

We returned from an amazing 2 weeks touring the South Island before Christmas. I cannot fault the care and attention Nichole gave to planning our...
Read moreWe returned from an amazing 2 weeks touring the South Island before Christmas. I cannot fault the care and attention Nichole gave to planning our trip. Nichole spoke to me on the telephone a number of occasions to ensure she fully understood what we were looking for. We had a great balance of trips/ experiences and relaxation. The hotels booked were generally of a high standard. One not to our individual taste and another suffering from only recently opening after effects of being shut due to COVID restrictions. But this did not impact on our experience. There were so many highlights to list them! Nichole gave us the opportunity to enjoy many different tours and trips. From Cruises in large boats to a nature cruise with a small group, to a walking experience and riding the TranzAlpine Railway. (be warned there is a luggage weight limit with this trip). Nichole’s attention to detail even included arranging a pack lunch for our Milford Sound Cruise. The App for the trip was simple to install, helpful and included all the information we needed for each leg of our tour. The scenery was stunning as we drove around. We were disappointed the weather stopped us from having a helicopter ride over the Frans Josef Glacier. But the cost was refunded promptly. We were met by a private driver at the airport, train station and for our return to the airport. The drivers were very personable, helpful with luggage and the cars immaculate. The hospitality industry in NZ is struggling to recruit staff and this did impact on restaurant availability. We quickly realised you must book in advance, especially in areas where there are limited restaurants. We also found staff shortages meant some restaurants closed on days without notice. However, the meals and service we experienced was generally of a good standard. The 4 wheel drive car provided was comfortable and ideal for the terrain. Despite being a new vehicle it did not have a Stat Nav, but fortunately we could use Google maps on our phone. This could be costly if you have not arranged a deal with your provider. Collection and drop was very easy. We will definitely return to the South Island again and would happily use and recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours.

We were very happy with the whole tour and would highly recommend travelling through your company to others. Shelley did a wonderful job of booking...
Read moreWe were very happy with the whole tour and would highly recommend travelling through your company to others. Shelley did a wonderful job of booking all accommodation and extras and the only thing that let down the entire experience was the hire car through XXX which I wouldn't recommend to anyone. In fact I think it is letting your company down and would make the suggestion that you use other hire car companies for your clients. They are unreliable and difficult to deal with and its only thanks to Shelley that we have any satisfaction in getting our money back from them. We were very happy with the quality of our accommodation and each place we arrived at were organised and welcoming. The distances as suggested through your self drive itineraries and the places we went to on our trip were fantastic and we felt that the cost of the trip was very reasonable for the distance we travelled and the activities we did. When we have told others about the trip and the cost they have been very surprised as although we had lots of extra experiences and added activities the cost remained very reasonable. We also liked the app on our phones which we found very useful. We used it all the time to get information about our destinations and to know what to look out for en route and how far away each place was and our expected driving time etc. The only suggestion we would make is that because we were 2 separate couples travelling together we would have liked to be able to place our own photos and travel comments on our own app. An app which could be accessed by several people rather than only 1 person would have been a great option when there were 2 couples. The other couple were able to download the app but were not able to add their individual items to it as items from both couples ended up mixed in together. The app was also useful when we had a problem with XXX as we were able to contact your company and Shelley easily through the app at the time the problem arose .She was able to very quickly address our concerns as a result. We were also impressed by the willingness of Shelley to accommodate our requests when planning our itinerary. Throughout the planning process we felt we had lots of choice and guidance and were able to add or take off destinations very easily. There was no pressure on us to make choices we didn't want to make or add extra cost . In summary we had a wonderful holiday and loved New Zealand. The weather wasn't that kind to us but we didn't miss out anything except our helicopter flight over Franz Joseph Glacier. Everyone we came into contact with was friendly and helpful which added to our experience. We feel Shelley is a great asset to your company and should be highly commended for her great customer service and her attention to detail which certainly made our holiday a great experience.. Thank you Shelley Heather, Mario, Roland and Jacqueline DeVincenzo

Chelsea did a fantastic job with my Grand New Zealand tour. The hotels were of higher quality than I expected, and the suggested activities were...
Read moreChelsea did a fantastic job with my Grand New Zealand tour. The hotels were of higher quality than I expected, and the suggested activities were awesome. The app was terrific too, and very helpful. I may have mis-loaded it, because it gave duplicate information for each day. Not a problem, just unnecessary. I'm especially happy with individual attention and the knowledge that the staff was always available if I had problems. I could travel worry-free. Thanks! I'll definitely recommend NZ Self-Drive Tours to anyone who asks.

We had an incredible first time visit to New Zealand. Our travel advisor worked closely with us over a month to plan our itinerary. We got to see and...
Read moreWe had an incredible first time visit to New Zealand. Our travel advisor worked closely with us over a month to plan our itinerary. We got to see and do so many things because of their suggestions and guidance. While en route they were incredibly responsive and helpful when we needed to make some changes. We really fell in love with the country and have already decided to make another trip. Thank you again for helping us realize the trip of a life time. One of the best ever

We really enjoyed our New Zealand self drive holiday. We booked the Christchurch to Auckland Must Do Tour plus Bay of Islands with Nichole, who was...
Read moreWe really enjoyed our New Zealand self drive holiday. We booked the Christchurch to Auckland Must Do Tour plus Bay of Islands with Nichole, who was very helpful and communicated promptly with any of our enquiries. There were many highlights including staying so close to Mount Cook, flying over Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glacier, Trans Alpine scenic train, the ferry trip from Picton to Wellington and the Bay of Islands. We enjoyed the included activities. Unfortunately the weather did not permit us to land at Milford airport so we could not do the cruise on the sound, but the flight over the alps and sound were fantastic. We also enjoyed the cruise on TSS Earnslaw and bbq dinner at Walter peak sheep farm. On the North Island we enjoyed the Te Puia with Māori cultural experience and Pohutu geyser that put on a great display. The Rotorua canopy tour was exciting and Hobbiton was interesting. The Hole in the Rock cruise was a highlight in the Bay of Islands. The accommodation throughout was well located, clean and provided kitchen and laundry facilities. We were given an upgrade to an SUV car that made travelling comfortable. I would recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours to plan your New Zealand holiday.

We are now home from our New Zealand holiday, catching up on housework, gardening and family. I just wanted to give you a quick review of the trip...
Read moreWe are now home from our New Zealand holiday, catching up on housework, gardening and family. I just wanted to give you a quick review of the trip and our impressions. The trip itself was brilliant!!!! Everything you suggested was spot on. The accommodation was really good wherever we went. We kept thinking that things couldn't get better, but they did, one place after another!! We took well over 1000 photographs which shows how much we enjoyed what we saw. The Doubtful Sound experience was amazing. It rained all night which disappointed us until the captain pointed out how lucky we were as the rain had caused dozens of new waterfalls to be created overnight. How right he was!! That whole boat experience was great. Our last day in Christchurch was a highlight. The weather was beautiful and there were events on in several of the parks which really brought the city to life. Their new convention centre was open to the public so we took the opportunity to take a look. As I write this email, different aspects of the trip keep coming to mind. What was the best thing? Impossible to say because, we enjoyed everything. The Aviation Museum in Westport, Tasman National Park, Train ride through Arthurs Pass, Whale and Dolphin watch, the list goes on. Above all, we found the people wherever we went to be so calm and friendly. The slower pace in the south island is a big contrast to that of Melbourne. The car we were given was brand new, so no complaints there! Just pointing out that although on our itinerary it indicated that Shantytown Heritage Park in Greymouth was an included activity, they couldn't find any record of that so we paid to go in. We can't thank you enough for putting together such an amazing itinerary for us and in patiently working your way through all our cancelations and re-organising of our plans over the past two and a half years. Again, thank you for organising a memorable holiday for us, one we will remember for as long as memory allows us to remember anything!!

What a Great Tour! Janette did an outstanding job for us. All hotels were expecting us and all extra excursions were excellent. Our only regret is...
Read moreWhat a Great Tour! Janette did an outstanding job for us. All hotels were expecting us and all extra excursions were excellent. Our only regret is that we needed more time in the beautiful country of New Zealand. Thank you, Janette for a well planned self driving tour!

My first impression of NZSDT was how complete their website was, great detail on all their options. I could tell they were passionate about their...
Read moreMy first impression of NZSDT was how complete their website was, great detail on all their options. I could tell they were passionate about their country. NZSDT responded quickly to my inquiries and worked with me to build our custom itinerary. Louise and her teammates are very professional and easy to work with. NZSDT’s App was great. We used it everyday, all day, it keep us on track was full of good information about each local site. NZSDT’s reservations were complete and accurate. Every check in went smoothly and as expected; accommodations, rentals and special excursions. With NZSDT’s assistance we experienced three wonderful weeks in one of the world’s most magical places. We felt very welcomed by all the New Zealander’s we met throughout our adventure, they know that their islands are special and are doing a magnificent job working to protect and preserve all its wonders. I’m not going to tell you our trip details because if you’re on this site you are already getting hooked, but I will say, don’t miss an over-night cruise on Doubtful Sound if you’re on the south island.

The holiday we booked with NZ Self Drive Holidays was a magical experience to us, especially for the kids. They loved all the beaches and the...
Read moreThe holiday we booked with NZ Self Drive Holidays was a magical experience to us, especially for the kids. They loved all the beaches and the surprise snow at the end of our trip. We had to make quite dramatic changes at the time of booking as our trip was planes pre-COVID and our needs had changed with older children. Shelley was patient to listen and made required changes to suit our budget and the extended car rental. We enjoyed the good quality accommodations they found for us. We will definitely talk to them again if we want to do another driving holiday in NZ.

We were absolutely delighted with every aspect of our tour. The accommodation was to the standard we expected. Distinction Dunedin and Hermitage Mt...
Read moreWe were absolutely delighted with every aspect of our tour. The accommodation was to the standard we expected. Distinction Dunedin and Hermitage Mt Cook were highlights. On the other end of the scale Fable Auckland and Terra Vive Christchurch could be improved upon - However, our host at Christchurch could not do enough to assist us. Collection and delivery of the cars was effortless and I was pleased that full insurance was included (not that it was needed!). The tours were excellent - in particular the Tasman Glacier lake tour and Milford Sound. Unfortunately the Kaikoura whale tour was cancelled due to bad weather. At times we thought the day’s itinerary was ambitious in distance and time- but the reward was seeing so much. Ideally 2 nights in Wellington, Mt Cook and Christchurch would have been better to allow a full day in each. We cannot speak highly enough of your service.

Thank you so much for reaching out to us and for all you have done to make our vacation absolutely perfect! First of all, you were so helpful in...
Read moreThank you so much for reaching out to us and for all you have done to make our vacation absolutely perfect! First of all, you were so helpful in explaining to us what we could do and see on the budget we had available. We were so impressed with how smoothly things went. Everything was so well organized ie: motels, car rentals, train ride, cruise ships, scenic flight and etc. We never had any delays or problems with the reservations that you set up for us. Even our private driver who picked us up at the airport and took us to the train station the next day was so friendly and helpful although he had to wait for our delayed arrival. We were skeptical about doing the "Self Drive Tour" at first but now we are so glad we did. You arranged some fantastic adventures for us that we would never have been able to do without your help. We really liked the pace at which we were able to travel since it allowed us several hours of hiking and exploring things when we were traveling. We really enjoyed the motel accommodations. They were just what we hoped for including the small kitchens, clean rooms, and in great areas. The adventures chosen gave us a great variety of things to see and do. The scenery was absolutely breath taking. We think our favorite adventure was the plane ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound. We also really enjoyed the steamship cruise and the BBQ that evening. The food was fantastic. We would love to come back some time and would have no hesitations in recommending this same tour to others. We have loved sharing this experience with our family and friends. You did a fantastic job in making this the perfect 40th anniversary holiday for us. It was our favorite vacation yet!

Christina organised a 3 week trip for us. Itinerary, car hire, accomodation and activities. The whole trip was excellent. 1 week in the north island...
Read moreChristina organised a 3 week trip for us. Itinerary, car hire, accomodation and activities. The whole trip was excellent. 1 week in the north island and 2 weeks in the south. The itinerary worked very well and gave us a good look at beautiful NZ within the time constraints. The accommodation organised was excellent and varied but always well located and of a very good standard. The itinerary was not too rushed and all the added activities were excellent. Two I particularly enjoyed were the Te Pa Tu Māori cultural night and the Eco boat tour in the Abel Tasman National park. I found each of the activities organised by Christina really enhanced our experience. Christina was very easy to communicate with, and any issues were quickly resolved. I highly recommend this travel group.

Wanted to thank out fabulous consultant, Lydia Ford, for putting together a fantastic road trip for me and 3 friends. Lydia was wonderful to work...
Read moreWanted to thank out fabulous consultant, Lydia Ford, for putting together a fantastic road trip for me and 3 friends. Lydia was wonderful to work with, answering all our questions promptly (and with 4 older women, believe me there were a lot of questions), responding promptly to our requests, making great suggestions and dealing with changes. We had a wonderful time and will recommend the business to everyone travelling to New Zealand. We had a great time, stunningly beautiful country, great people, great service.

We're back from our holiday and had a wonderful time. I just wanted to thank you for your assistance. It was a long time in preparation due to...
Read moreWe're back from our holiday and had a wonderful time. I just wanted to thank you for your assistance. It was a long time in preparation due to borders opening and closing. Being able to deal with someone like yourself made it all so much easier. You're a wonderful asset to your company. Grateful if you could forward this e-mail to your manager as we feel you greatly deserve recognition. Thanks so much - we will be recommending you to our friends.

Lydia put together a fantastic trip plan. I had a wonderful time touring NZ and everything worked smoothly. She provided great advice during the...
Read moreLydia put together a fantastic trip plan. I had a wonderful time touring NZ and everything worked smoothly. She provided great advice during the planning stage and customized a trip plan that suited me perfectly. I would highly recommend Self Drive Tours.

I wanted to thank you for organising a wonderful trip. Everything you organised was done extremely well. The choices you made regarding motels and...
Read moreI wanted to thank you for organising a wonderful trip. Everything you organised was done extremely well. The choices you made regarding motels and hotels were excellent. All of them were located within minutes of the town centre and had great access to all the places of interest we needed to access. The rooms of the motels in Queenstown, Kaikoura and Paihia were really roomy and well serviced. The others, while a little compact, were all very good. No complaints except for one (see below). The motor vehicle was also excellent and there was no trouble in collecting it or returning it. Everything worked like clockwork. The overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound was without any hesitation the highlight of our trip, and the walks in Franz Josef glacier and around Lake Matheson were also exceptional. One little problem we had, which had nothing to do with you, was that I caught Covid – probably in Wellington. Despite the 2 vaccinations and 2 boosters, I still caught it. I had to isolate at our friends’ home in Tauranga, which meant that we were restricted from doing anything much in Rotorua and Paihia. But regardless, the trip will always remain in our memories as one of the outstanding holidays that we have undertaken. If I’m to give you any feedback at all, it would be the Hotel XXX in Auckland. Again the location is outstanding, but the hotel itself is a little tired and the service was not what one would expect in a major hotel. I would not recommend it as a place to stay. I hope you had a good holiday yourself visiting family in England. It’s a pity we were not able to meet and have a coffee together.

The trip was fantastic, accommodations very unique and nice. Jean and I enjoyed every bit of it except that Fiji airlines lost our luggage on the...
Read moreThe trip was fantastic, accommodations very unique and nice. Jean and I enjoyed every bit of it except that Fiji airlines lost our luggage on the way in to Auckland and we did not get it until we were on our way back out of New Zealand. This ruined a few days at the beginning until we decided to forget about it and just go around and vacation! of course we needed to buy a lot of clothes but we made it. On the way OUT of New Zealand, back at the Auckland airport, my wife Jean decided to check with lost and found and sure enough, they had our two bag sitting right there! should have taken Air New Zealand instead! I hope the Fiji Airways pays for all the clothes we had to buy! I tried looking up your agency when we went through Wanaka but could not find it, beautiful town though, I could have spend a couple of days right in your town. Also please thank Shelley for her help during our trip.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip which was so well organised and ran so smoothly. The South Island scenery was amazing and all the accommodation was...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our trip which was so well organised and ran so smoothly. The South Island scenery was amazing and all the accommodation was great with plenty of food and activity options nearby. Highly recommended 😊

Thank you so much for organising our great itinerary! We enjoyed every place we stayed and every activity that was organised. We loved the fabulous...
Read moreThank you so much for organising our great itinerary! We enjoyed every place we stayed and every activity that was organised. We loved the fabulous and awesome scenery, the lovely towns we drove through, the people we met along the way. We caught a bus to the Christchurch gondola, had great food at The Riverside Markets and thought that Christchurch would be a great place to live! Te Anau was lovely and the boat trip on Doubtful Sound was a highlight. However, just the smell of the ocean and a little bit of swell makes me seasick so I was glad to turn back for the rest of the trip. There were seals on the rocks and dolphins swimming along with the boat. We thought that The Dairy in Queenstown had such amazing décor, a very pleasant host and was so close to the Gondola and restaurants on the pier where we had some terrific meals. We also went to the Kiwi Sanctuary which was so close to where we stayed. We really enjoyed the Jet boat as well. Thank you very much for the wine - it was delicious. On our way to Queenstown, we stopped for lunch at the Bannockburn Hotel in Cromwell. Amazing food, wine, and great service. The drive through Arthur's Pass was incredible - I don't think the train would have been better! Franz Josef was very quiet with us being the only two guests at the motel. The manager was sick so we had breakfast in town at Full of Beans but Alice May was a standout at dinner the previous night - warm atmosphere, delicious meals, and lovely service. The trip to the glacier was special with terrific weather, perfect views and a very experienced helicopter pilot! The downside? Flying to and from New Zealand and jet lag! We vow to wait another couple of years but we would love to go to the top of the North Island in summer! Until next time!

Our first trip to NZ and arranged the North Island 10 day Highlights with Northern Explorer train trip. Absolutely fabulous. Our consultant Shelley...
Read moreOur first trip to NZ and arranged the North Island 10 day Highlights with Northern Explorer train trip. Absolutely fabulous. Our consultant Shelley Ryder was brilliant throughout the whole experience. She was always available and helped with the itinerary, checking all was well with flights and booking excursions whilst we were on the road. The train trip from Auckland to Wellington was awesome with its scenery and comfortable with good food and drinks. The accommodation was very good especially the Beachside resort in Whitianga. Accommodation in Auckland on the last night before departure was a small cramped room and bathroom, okay for one night and on way to the airport but wouldn't recommend if staying for several days. We were expecting the hire car to be a Toyota Corolla or similar but Europecar in Wellington provided a new MG HS car. Lovely and fresh and new but only 1.5L engine which found the mountainous sections of our road trip difficult. Lots of pulling over to let other cars pass. Also had a small boot which could only fit one suitcase so the second suitcase sat in the car with us. But overall we loved the trip and have recommended your company to my son now living in Auckland as he is keen to do a similar self-drive trip. We plan to return to NZ in 6 months to see family again and our plan is to use your company to arrange a South Island self-drive. Thanks again Shelley, well done.

Just wanted to send a quick thank you to you and the team. You were such a big help and made our first family trip as seamless as we could’ve...
Read moreJust wanted to send a quick thank you to you and the team. You were such a big help and made our first family trip as seamless as we could’ve hoped. I really appreciate the extra effort you all put in and holding our hands when the travel bubble burst we had no clue what that meant for us. I’ll happily be singing your praises and recommending you to any and all our friends who are thinking of heading to NZ.

Wow what a trip I have travelled the world and this New Zealand trip is right at the top. People so friendly, country is sensational. Do TSS Earnshaw...
Read moreWow what a trip I have travelled the world and this New Zealand trip is right at the top. People so friendly, country is sensational. Do TSS Earnshaw at Queenstown. Thank you Victoria excellent work.

Just recently my goddaughter and I did the 8-day Boutique Tour of Northland NZ. I can’t praise Shelley enough for the work she has done for us....
Read moreJust recently my goddaughter and I did the 8-day Boutique Tour of Northland NZ. I can’t praise Shelley enough for the work she has done for us. Before our trip, we had to change the itinerary a few times and it never was a problem. As this trip was for a special birthday I even received flowers and a Happy Birthday balloon and wishes on the day to our accommodation. That was a fantastic surprise. All accommodation we stayed in were exceptional and the activities booked filled in our days nicely. I definitely will look into more trips with Shelley and NZ Self Drive Tours.

Our holiday in New Zealand was a 40th Wedding Anniversary present to ourselves. We sent Louise Barrett a list of our interests and she developed the...
Read moreOur holiday in New Zealand was a 40th Wedding Anniversary present to ourselves. We sent Louise Barrett a list of our interests and she developed the perfect itinerary for us. The accommodations were exceptional. Each stop was planned to give us adequate time to drive there, get settled in, and attend our event. Unfortunately, the COVID 19 virus interrupted our plans and caused us to miss the last 2 days of our itinerary. Louise secured accommodations in Auckland for us so we could return home. Louise's efforts were above and beyond while we scrambled to change flights for return. NZ self-drive tours are an exceptional company and Louise is an exceptional agent. Her attention to details, and her caring for us and our holiday made this the best holiday either of us could remember. Since our holiday was cut short (through no fault of the company), we will be coming back to NZ, and you can rest assured we WILL be using NZ self-drive tours again. Thank you for an absolutely wonderful holiday and the individual attention you provided us.

A fabulous tour package. We thought that the eclectic mixture of motel, homestay, cabin and studio unit accommodation was just awesome. Most were...
Read moreA fabulous tour package. We thought that the eclectic mixture of motel, homestay, cabin and studio unit accommodation was just awesome. Most were convenient located for shopping, restaurants and sightseeing. All were extremely clean and well maintained and the hosts were courteous & helpful. Although we did not get to do the tour of Abel Tasman National Park, it was a blessing in disguise. We did not realise when booking the tour that it came directly after a long day of driving and required and early start to drive the one hour & fifteen minutes from Nelson back to Kaiteriteri. The tour was nearly a full day (good) but there would have been a long drive back to Nelson through peak hour traffic in Richmond. Not being able to do the Tour allowed us a full day of walking & sightseeing in Nelson (also good). Thank you for your professional organisation and service.

Many thanks for organising an excellent itinerary for us & taking care of everything we wanted/needed. The trip was fantastic & we can’t...
Read moreMany thanks for organising an excellent itinerary for us & taking care of everything we wanted/needed. The trip was fantastic & we can’t recommend yourself & the company highly enough.

What can we say, from the moment we made contact with you through New Zealand Self Drive website, we knew we were in extremely good hands, from the...
Read moreWhat can we say, from the moment we made contact with you through New Zealand Self Drive website, we knew we were in extremely good hands, from the first email you were so professional, putting ideas together for us coming up with a brilliant itinerary, allowing us to change and add where we thought we should, taking into all our considerations on cost activities, and the time we had planned to be in New Zealand. The itinerary we agreed upon was so professional, then being able to have it downloaded on my phone was such a bonus. Everything you had planned for us worked liked clockwork, from our meet and greet, at the airport, the pack that we were given was comprehensive, we could not believe how much information was included, the street directory, your written directions, the accommodation, the extra things to do along the way, the manual was a god sent, it never left my side. Even when we decided to go home early because of the virus, and borders closing etc, you were always there for us, nothing seemed to be a problem, even though I’m sure you were very stressed you always seemed to put us first. We can’t thank you enough, for everything that you did for us from the beginning right to the end of our holiday which unfortunately was cut short. We have recommended your company to quite a few people and hopefully one day we will be back in touch with you to finish off what we started. I would like to thank you once again for all the organising you did for the trip and hopefully, your company knows that you a real asset.

We had a wonderful trip! Many adventures and fun times during our travel from Auckland to Queenstown. We had not been to NZ before and not even...
Read moreWe had a wonderful trip! Many adventures and fun times during our travel from Auckland to Queenstown. We had not been to NZ before and not even sure about all the many areas and attractions available so we could not have made the itinerary and arrangements on our own. We're very appreciative to NZSDT for a memorable visit!

Thank you for a great trip to the South Island of New Zealand. We had a great time and even the weather was good! What would we change - spend 2...
Read moreThank you for a great trip to the South Island of New Zealand. We had a great time and even the weather was good! What would we change - spend 2 nights at Akaroa - was a lovely place, it would have been nice to have time to explore the area more. Some days the length of journey ( when over say 2.5 hours) gave little time to sight see. We went to Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and thought it was wonderful - something you may want to highlight to others. It is very well done.

In 2019 my wife and I picked a big one out of our bucket list. A trip to New Zealand. After talking to friends who had previously experienced the...
Read moreIn 2019 my wife and I picked a big one out of our bucket list. A trip to New Zealand. After talking to friends who had previously experienced the trip and searching the web and social media, we selected New Zealand Self Drive Tours as the best option for our 2020 vacation. No regrets and nothing but praise for a job well done. Chelsea Lodge was our tour coordinator and she did an outstanding job. After picking our brains and determining what we wanted to accomplish, she arranged a 17 day, self-drive itinerary that included both islands. Her selection of accommodations (we chose Level 4) and tours was spot-on and we were thoroughly satisfied we had a complete and fulfilling holiday. Navigating the roads on the opposite side of the road was greatly simplified by GPS. Our rental car on the North Island had built in GPS which we preferred over the hand held unit we had on the South Island. We also suggest extending the trip a few days to allow 2 nights at each stop as arriving in the afternoon and checking out the next morning did not provide enough time to explore a couple of the destinations. We feel that our trip was greatly enhanced by the guidance of an experienced, local professional who was familiar with all the options. The maps and extra literature regarding points of interest and suggestions were invaluable. We found having contact with Chelsea while we were there was very comforting especially when our return flight was cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus turmoil. Chelsea made last minute accommodation and itinerary changes that facilitated our timely return home. Our overall impression of New Zealand is that it is a beautiful country and the Kiwi folks are among the most friendly and welcoming we have ever met. We highly recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours and if you can work with Chelsea Lodge you won’t be disappointed.

A great holiday, car nice and comfy drove well. Accommodation very good. Motels were ok but bit cramped. Great scenery but long drives to get...
Read moreA great holiday, car nice and comfy drove well. Accommodation very good. Motels were ok but bit cramped. Great scenery but long drives to get anywhere and after 10 days got very weary. The train from Greymouth was the highlight brilliant views. Weather was great which helped with the long drives. 16 days was too long for us 10 would have been perfect.

Chelsea and NZ are the perfect match - brilliant in all aspects of their offerings. My test with travel agents is simply - would you engage them...
Read moreChelsea and NZ are the perfect match - brilliant in all aspects of their offerings. My test with travel agents is simply - would you engage them again for your NZ holiday and would you recommend them to your friends. The answer is with out hesitation YES. The company offers what is missing so much in today's services - good old fashion caring. The new app that caries your itinerary and suggested trips are nothing short of brilliant. Go, Chelsea - you made our trip so memorable.

What a beautiful country! And seeing it by car / train / boat was a terrific way to appreciate it. As I noted in an email, we wished we had more...
Read moreWhat a beautiful country! And seeing it by car / train / boat was a terrific way to appreciate it. As I noted in an email, we wished we had more days in many of the places we visited, but we would not have skipped any of them to have more days in the others. Like the fabulous buffet we had at the sheep station on Lake Wakatipu, we could have made a full meal on any number of the options, but elected to sample them all, and we still believe that was the right decision. Our tour included a lot of driving, and much of it on roads requiring two hands on the steering wheel around blind mountain turns. But the landscapes that unfolded in front of us were varied in color and topography, but uniform in pristine natural beauty. If I had taken a multi-day video of the entire trip from the car, I believe I'd watch the whole thing from time to time. Coupled with the self-guided week we spent on the North Island, the eight days we spent pursuing the planned itinerary NZSDT organized made one of the best trips we've ever taken.

Our overall experience was good and your input was very helpful and professional. With hindsight, we would probably have booked more time in some...
Read moreOur overall experience was good and your input was very helpful and professional. With hindsight, we would probably have booked more time in some locations as it felt a bit rushed after travelling from location to location. We had issues at two of the accommodations. In Queenstown, we had to ask to move rooms for our second night. The first night our room was on the main road and there was terrible traffic noise throughout the night. We barely slept, but our second night we had a lake view, which was an added bonus, and accommodation was much quieter. The staff were reluctant to move us at first but we were very appreciative when they did. In Franz Josef, we were given a warm welcome by the staff. However, the room was not up to the standard of the other accommodation you organised. It smelt damp and musty and looked tired and in need of an update. The spare pillows in the wardrobe had pillowcases that were not fresh and were stained. It was also away from the main township which seemed to have superior motels and walking distance of restaurants etc. Our stand out accommodation was in Christchurch where we were fortunate to start and end our tour. Wonderful hosts and their accommodation was of exemplary standard. We would definitely use your company again and recommend you to others. We absolutely loved your beautiful country and hope to visit again with other members of our family.

From the first enquiry Nichole and Jo were so helpful, nothing too much trouble, the organisation has been spot on, everything went according to the...
Read moreFrom the first enquiry Nichole and Jo were so helpful, nothing too much trouble, the organisation has been spot on, everything went according to the planned itinerary, My sister and I had a fantastic trip of a lifetime and would recommend this company to anyone wanting a hassle free holiday in New Zealand. Marlene & Christine

We were very happy with the itinerary Shelley Ryder prepared for us. Weather couldn't have been better. Some exceptions that may be helpful to...
Read moreWe were very happy with the itinerary Shelley Ryder prepared for us. Weather couldn't have been better. Some exceptions that may be helpful to future travellers: 1). Estimated driving times should be bumped up. Given season road construction delays and foreigners' unfamiliarity with travel conditions, it would be more realistic for times to be more than quoted. 2). Hotels booked outside of city centre (Wellington & Martinborough) were unfortunate as they required transportation. After a day of driving, it was a relief to leave the car parked in the lot. Public transportation was available in Wellington. It was ideal to be able to check in to the hotel and walk to available services. 3). Wellington was booked for 1 day and Martinborough was also booked for 1 day. If this similar itinerary was recommended, I would suggest skipping Martinborough and booking 2 days in Wellington. 4). It was a bumpy start when we arrived in Auckland as our arrival was early morning but we were unable to check into our room until after noon. The staff was as accommodating as they could be given the circumstances allowing us access to the pool area so we could shower and change clothes. But honestly, we desperately wanted to check in and catch some quality sleep. I would suggest reviewing this scenario with travellers so they clearly understand the situation and can make an educated decision. Minor tweaks. Otherwise, we enjoyed our time in New Zealand immensely. Awesome job Shelley.

Our Self Drive Tour of New Zealand was absolutely awesome! We logged close to 4,000 kilometres and pretty much saw everything that great country has...
Read moreOur Self Drive Tour of New Zealand was absolutely awesome! We logged close to 4,000 kilometres and pretty much saw everything that great country has to offer. Probably most impressive was the organization that Shelley from Self Drive Tours put into our trip! Everything was absolutely seamless with great hotels to stay in, wonderful side trips and everything organized so we never had to worry about our hotels or our rental car or our tours! We’ve already recommended them to two other couples who plan to go to New Zealand once all this COVID-19 thing finally passes! Thanks for all the help, Shelley!

Kia Ora Shelley! Many thanks for your patience and service in understanding our needs for the 8 days' tour package. Your prompt reply and follow up...
Read moreKia Ora Shelley! Many thanks for your patience and service in understanding our needs for the 8 days' tour package. Your prompt reply and follow up is excellent! I find this App very interactive and useful, however, I did not use much other than just a quick view when we were on the road, probably we aren't IT savy seniors :-) We definitely agreed that South Island is awesome, something unlike what we had seen in any parts of the world so far, miles and miles of scenic views. The whole landscape reminds me of the movie "Jurassic Park", huge mountains and wide flat landscape. The lakes are marvellous and tranquil. Your itinerary and routing were just fine, except we forgot that we had booked for the Glacier Explorers' Mt Cook. Well it's ok, just another reason to come back again. It was raining on Day 6 & 7 when we were driving to Franz Josef, hence we missed any activity. On the whole, it's a good trip and the App is a great help. Once again, Shelley, thanks for helping to put a memorable itinerary for the 3 of us. Cheers and have a great day!

Carefully designed tour to suit our requirements. Best selection of hotels with nearby shopping & restaurants spiced up our stay. This is our second...
Read moreCarefully designed tour to suit our requirements. Best selection of hotels with nearby shopping & restaurants spiced up our stay. This is our second tour & we really enjoyed. For us, a stay at Mt Tongariro can be avoided. Great tour with a great local company.

The whole trip was well planned, the accommodation met our expectations with the exception of the accommodation in Queenstown which you are aware of...
Read moreThe whole trip was well planned, the accommodation met our expectations with the exception of the accommodation in Queenstown which you are aware of all in all we had a great time.We are still waiting for our refund for the cancelled Milford Sound trip.

We completed our 23 day "trip of a lifetime" on March 7, 2020. We were extremely pleased and fortunate to be able to work with Nichole, and New...
Read moreWe completed our 23 day "trip of a lifetime" on March 7, 2020. We were extremely pleased and fortunate to be able to work with Nichole, and New Zealand Self Drive Tours, to design a perfect trip itinerary just for us. The self-driving aspect appealed to us, as we always like to be able to adjust even our daily plans for something that pops up and appeals to us. The ability to add and modify our trip was very important to us - no canned itinerary could ever suit us. Nichole incorporated our desire to make this just as much a hiking experience as a driving experience, as she included many suggested hikes along the way. In addition to the hikes, Nichole suggested many other attractions for us to consider. We especially enjoyed the whale watching out of Kaikoura, Maori performance and hangi dinner in Rotorua, Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary night hike in Wellington, and the spectacular Milford Sound cruise! We added a morning fixed-wing flight over the Southern Alps out of Franz Josef - the most exhilarating excursion of the trip! Perfect weather - only one day of rain! Clear blue sky on Milford cruise and Mt. Cook hike! On the only day of rain, our first day at Mt. Cook, we were able to tour the Hillary Museum and take in several movies about his explorations. One of the unexpected bonuses of working with NZSDT was the app they developed for us to use on the trip - all of our itinerary, maps, lodgings, attractions, and tickets were included. All information was downloaded to our phones/tablets before we left, so wifi or cell signal was not needed to view it on the trip. In addition, we found the daily journal very useful and easy to use to document our daily experiences and photos ( we could easily share the journal with our friends and family back home). In so many other ways, NZSDT enhanced our experience. We were met by very friendly drivers at all airports. Pre-arranged car rental pickup and drop off was very smooth. We were provided a Toyota Corolla on North Island, and a Mazda on South Island. Both very fun to drive over the curvy, hilly roads in the countryside - I have never had more fun driving in my life! In summary, if you want to design your trip of a lifetime, we highly recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours.

Louise was of great help every step of the way as we planned our trip. The trip itself was fantastic! Everything was well laid out and easy to...
Read moreLouise was of great help every step of the way as we planned our trip. The trip itself was fantastic! Everything was well laid out and easy to use. My only complaint (and it is a minor one) is with the rental car. We thought we were going to get an SUV and we didn't. Also, we we're not prepared for the extra $50 fee when we turned it in because we were returning it to a different site than we picked it up from. All of your pricing was so inclusive, and your information so explicit, that you might want to include a mention of that return fee in the future. Thanks again for arranging a fabulous trip for us!

We had a delightful road trip (2 weeks) in February 2020 thanks to Nisse Perry and NZ Self-Drive Tours. Their reservations, maps, drivers who met us...
Read moreWe had a delightful road trip (2 weeks) in February 2020 thanks to Nisse Perry and NZ Self-Drive Tours. Their reservations, maps, drivers who met us and the recommended activities were perfect for our wants and needs. Nisse kept in close contact with us throughout our planning process with both emails and phone calls. We couldn't have been more pleased with the service and attention she gave us. We would highly recommend this company for your visit to New Zealand!

We would like to thank you for the tour that you planned for us. Not only did it make our tour of the South Island fabulous but it also pointed us...
Read moreWe would like to thank you for the tour that you planned for us. Not only did it make our tour of the South Island fabulous but it also pointed us in the right direction to planning our tour of the North Island ourselves! One of our very few issues was that it was hard to stay on schedule because we were stopped so often by stunning vistas. We learned after a few days to use some restraint because your recommended stops were even better. All of the transfers, car rental services and places to stay worked out in a fabulous way! One unexpected and interesting occurrence was that we were sometimes upgraded from the reservation that you had made; an example is Havenz Punakaiki where we were upgraded to a beautiful 2 story house with the second-floor bedroom overlooking the ocean. Every single suggested activity was enjoyed immensely. One great example is The Glacier Explorers Mt. Cook adventure from the specially designed boat. Stunning memory!!! The zigzagging across the South Island worked out great and we now understand it (with the mountains and other geographic features). I must mention how well you helped us through the closure of Milford Sound due to flooding by changing us to Doubtful Sound which will remain one of the highlights of the trip! We feel very lucky to have stumbled upon your company and want to recommend it as being a fabulous company to work with. This trip will forever be one of the fondest memories of our lifetime!

As you know, we just returned from our trip to NZ. It was absolutely fantastic and we were very thankful for the help and support of Jane and her...
Read moreAs you know, we just returned from our trip to NZ. It was absolutely fantastic and we were very thankful for the help and support of Jane and her group. New Zealanders are the most helpful, friendly and delightful people on the planet I think. I am looking at your itinerary and will add some thoughts/suggestions based on our experiences which I think might be helpful. Before I start that, let me say, we had no trouble navigating. The roads are well marked with reminders of which side of the road to drive on. Only tricky ones are the round-about which are traffic circles. I do recommend you watch the other drivers very carefully as I believe that will help. As I mentioned to Jeannie, a rain jacket is a must as well as layering. We were extremely lucky the rains hit on travel times but it can be cold, windy and rainy all at once. Now, let's talk sandflies (biting midges) They are serious irritants which have a tendency to attack between your fingers and toes (who thinks to put stuff there?) That are quite manageable. The non-DEET recommendation was Goodbye Sandfly. It works relatively well but is less than perfect. It uses Tea tree oil which has sort of a camphor smell and must be sprayed in your hand and rubbed on. There was a DEET roll on which was good and there is is a gel that takes away the itch if you need it. All the local drug stores are well equipped. Just ask. Queenstown is wonderful. We were recommended the Botswana Butchery for dinner and it did not disappoint. Reservations are a must and easy to arrange. There is a delightful park at the end of the harbour. Beautiful flowers and friendly ducks to feed and watch. I am not familiar with your hotel, but you will have a blast, I know. All the ATM's seemed to like our cards and you will need some cash. Flyfishing (or fish stalking as it was laughably called) is challenging. Al has written a blog on it. Al’s guide always provided lunch so not sure about your guides. Check before you go as most fishing days are long. Also, although tipping is routinely not expected unless there is an exceptional experience, fishing guides are different and do expect a tip. It ranges, but usually $40-70 NZ dollars per person per day. Al’s blog is on line at SimpsonFlyfishing.com I strongly recommend Steve and Travis read it. The wine tour was fun, our guide was delightful. But after the third winery, we were so over wined that I might just skip that if you have not already booked. We did order a case of wine to be shipped back to the states. Kinda pricey, but was truly wonderful wines. Splitting the cost between 3 couples made it doable. Just enjoy Queenstown! We did not stay at Lake Wanaka, but the road is so fabulous. Particularly on the way to Lake Moeraki. Many hikes along the way. Stop when road signs talk of Blue pools and waterfalls. Soo gorgeous! The Wilderness Lodge was probably one of our most favourite places on the whole trip. The owners, Jerry and his wife are incredible. Jerry is a former naturalist with the government and take advantage of every free walk and hike he gives. The glow worm and stargazing are unbelievable! He and his son offer free lectures at night regarding greenstone (Jade) and other topics. We did not go on their charged tours (one is kayaking) as they were a bit pricey. Food was unexpectedly delicious. AND they offer free laundry facilities! We took several of their hikes, including one down to the ocean. So beautiful! Franz Josef was one of our biggest disappointments. The weather has not been their friend this summer and only about 20% of the helicopter events have been completed. We were not lucky enough to have that event. Pancake rocks is just plain awesome! Pictures galore! There were gale force winds the day we were there. Literally blew me out of my flip flops. We loved every minute of it! Mount Cook is such an awesome place. I was prepared to be jaded having seen so many beautiful mountains along the way, but it is wonderful. The glacier boat ride is so awesome, Steve and Travis will be so jealous! You go out on this glacier made lake and boat among the icebergs. Can you say Titanic?!!!! Just wow! Needless to say….this is the trip of a lifetime. We loved it the first time and this time reminded us again of the simple beauty and lifestyle that is such a part of NZ. The culture is incredibly friendly, unspoiled and reminicient of a simpler life in the US.

Overall we really enjoyed our trip. Probably would have liked a full day in Christchurch instead of 2 part days. The day we arrived in Christchurch...
Read moreOverall we really enjoyed our trip. Probably would have liked a full day in Christchurch instead of 2 part days. The day we arrived in Christchurch it was hot and the motel had no fans or air conditioning - a very uncomfortable night! The quality of the rental vehicles and the service was excellent overall but the pick up at Wellington was very L-O-N-G. It took quite a while to retrieve our luggage, which I guess is understandable, but when we went to pick up our vehicle there was a lengthy delay as there were 3 rental companies in one little shipping container!! The wait would have been 30 to 45 minutes. Generally, the accommodation was of a high standard and the staff looked after us very well. Many thanks Christine for assisting us with our travel plans and we will have no hesitation in recommending you to friends and family. On a side note, we stopped in Wanaka to catch up with my brother and sister-in-law who were staying there for a wedding. (We liked Wanaka very much and noticed that your office is there).

Absolutely fantastic. The trip was extremely well organised and Vicky was most helpful, friendly and professional. The properties exceeded our...
Read moreAbsolutely fantastic. The trip was extremely well organised and Vicky was most helpful, friendly and professional. The properties exceeded our expectations, all of them being comfortable with charming hosts. A wonderful experience Thank you very much!

Had a wonderful time. Most all the accommodations were excellent and well-positioned. Feedback and updates from you and the group were quick and on...
Read moreHad a wonderful time. Most all the accommodations were excellent and well-positioned. Feedback and updates from you and the group were quick and on the mark. The suggested routes and itinerary were outstanding. Thanks for the experience.

Thank you for all the help you gave me in organising my North Island tour. I had a wonderful time and am completely happy with all the arrangements....
Read moreThank you for all the help you gave me in organising my North Island tour. I had a wonderful time and am completely happy with all the arrangements. The lovely summer weather also helped of course. The motel accommodation all worked well and the car was the right size for one person travelling alone. I have lovely memories of your beautiful country.

As we begin our long travel home, we would like to thank you for the wonderful time we had in New Zealand. All of your arrangements worked nicely and...
Read moreAs we begin our long travel home, we would like to thank you for the wonderful time we had in New Zealand. All of your arrangements worked nicely and timely. As I wrote before, the itinerary was very good and well balanced, the accommodation was as expected with some of them really WOW (the Warwick for one) and the car was very good and convenient (one comment though to Budget: from which museum did they take the GPS with the outdated, old, unfriendly user interface? In the age of GoogleMaps, Waze and Here on every smartphone, it was totally useless). So, thank you for the assistance and support and hopefully we’ll come again as we leave with a taste of “more”!

I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for helping arrange a holiday of a lifetime in NZ. We have just returned having done your tour of the...
Read moreI just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for helping arrange a holiday of a lifetime in NZ. We have just returned having done your tour of the South Island, then some hot spots in the North Island including Waiheke Island and a superb Wine Tour. Followed by a cruise around Both NZ Islands ending up in Sydney. Your hotel choice was superb - some of the views from our hotel room were stunning, many times we said “Well done Abby” as we admired the coast or the mountains straight outside our room. The recommendations for walks top-notch, particularly enjoyed the Hooker Trail at Mt Cook. The organisation of the hire car was brilliant - all arrived on time. The drop-offs and transfers all worked well with the drivers being very punctual and friendly. I think it was the variety that surprised us the most, it was definitely a holiday that kept on giving, every day a new destination, new views and surprises. What a fantastic country, so unspoilt and thinly populated. The roads and the lack of traffic were a real shock to us, as we are used to manic UK roads. It was all exceptional, the clean air, the lovely clear water, just the whole experience was great and I can’t thank you enough for doing such a superb efficient job sorting it all out. The info pack was very comprehensive with good directions. It was a shame to leave.

Good Afternoon/morning Louise, Well, what a wonderful holiday it was. It is hard to think of a single moment that we did not enjoy so a very big...
Read moreGood Afternoon/morning Louise, Well, what a wonderful holiday it was. It is hard to think of a single moment that we did not enjoy so a very big thank you to you for your assistance on arranging this 'ultimate tour'. From the moment we arrived and the driver was waiting at Auckland Airport for us until another driver returned us to Christchurch Airport all that could be controlled and organised went smoothly and well. From our telephone conversation and emails while we were in New Zealand you already know that the weather caused a few hiccups with the need to have certain trips cancelled, of these our greatest disappointment, was not to be able to undertake the Helihike as that would have been a fairly dramatic finale. Prior to coming to New Zealand, we had certain expectations as to what we could expect and I can confidently say that they were exceeded. Leaving British winter and arriving in the warmth and sunshine was wonderful. We had slight reservations about staying in motels as opposed to hotels, but overall the quality was very good and the greatest benefit was the proximity to the rooms that it was possible to park and hence reduce luggage carrying distance. We were pleased to be provided with fresh milk in every motel. We both know that we ate our way around New Zealand (!) but tried to balance this with considerable amounts of walking. We had some wonderful meals, thoroughly enjoying fresh seafood on many occasions. I carried a copy of Lonely Planet with me and almost without fail we found excellent cafes and restaurants, often in out of the way places. For 'livability' we thought that the Northland and Coromandel peninsula was glorious, however, the South Island scenery was stunning. While staying in Paihia we caught the ferry to Russel which was absolutely delightful and very much liked the area around Whitianga/Cooks Beach. Of special mention are a few things, firstly the plane flight/walk/sand surfing on the Cape Reinga trip which was a real highlight; despite much reservation, Laura thoroughly enjoyed the Canopy Tours trip while staying at Rotorua; while at Whitianga the boat trip was cancelled but then Ken the owner of the boat contacted us and said he could do an extra trip for the two of us at 7.30 am the next day and that was tremendous; the Hawkes Bay winery visit was once again effectively a private trip as it was only Jon the driver/guide and the two of us.....managed to sample 27 wines!! Green-shelled mussels at Havelock; seeing 3 different types of Albatross and Giant Petrels on the boat trip while staying in Dunedin; the skilful way in which Christchurch is being re-built. There is so much more I could say, but I am sure that you have heard this many times from Brits who have visited your lovely country and been so impressed with everything. Many thanks once again.

We were thrilled with our New Zealand adventure. This was our first visit, and we were delighted with how easy it was to drive in both islands (great...
Read moreWe were thrilled with our New Zealand adventure. This was our first visit, and we were delighted with how easy it was to drive in both islands (great roads and easy to read signs/directions). The country's natural landscape is absolutely spectacular. The people were very kind and friendly. The country is a gem!

Presumably you're reading this because you are considering a self driving vacation in NZ. That's what my wife & I, along with her sister & husband...
Read morePresumably you're reading this because you are considering a self driving vacation in NZ. That's what my wife & I, along with her sister & husband decided to do in January this year. The question was how best to maximise the time available? Armed with some knowledge of NZ & following some study of the latest Lonely Planet Guide, we decided on a 12 day tour of the Island, followed by a further week for just my wife & I in the Marlborough region. I was aware of companies that helped with this sort of thing & following the usual Google search & a few enquires, settled on New Zealand Self Drive Tours. Kasmira (Kaz) Banks took my call. I explained that I'd been through their website, looked at all the tours & while none of them quite suited, by editing a couple I thought we could get what we wanted....that was no problem. Next: not too much driving; 2-3 day stopovers (this is really important unless you're have to spend a lot of time on the road); a mix of accommodation...some upmarket, remainder boutique, even B&B, preferably not motels or chains; some organised activities but plenty of time to do our own thing & finally comprehensive notes. In just 10 days Kaz had all this sorted out & an excellent proposal in front of us - it took us just 24 hours to decide on going ahead. From then on the organisation was excellent, great support from the company & Kaz had really understood our requirements very well....so a BIG thank you to Kaz & her support team. We will use them again!

Overall, the trip and arrangements were fantastic. We had to think hard on things to suggest for improvement, we only came up with a few: - XX was...
Read moreOverall, the trip and arrangements were fantastic. We had to think hard on things to suggest for improvement, we only came up with a few: - XX was the "worst" place we stayed at. Very dated, poor breakfast. Host was lovely, but not up to par with the rest of the trip. - The details on our Milford Sound flight were incorrect. Luckily we phoned to confirm and had our pick up arrangements changed. - We were not aware a private room was an option on the Interislander, that would have been of interest to us. Thanks for everything, we will highly recommend NZ Self-driving tours!!!

This was one of those "trips of a lifetime" for us so it was important that everything went smoothly. I must, therefore, congratulate New Zealand...
Read moreThis was one of those "trips of a lifetime" for us so it was important that everything went smoothly. I must, therefore, congratulate New Zealand Self Drive Tours and Jane on the excellent organisation of our Grand New Zealand Tour. We may never be able to repeat this, but if we did I would be sure to use them again.

Our vacation in New Zealand was wonderful! We enjoyed driving from one place to another and stopping many times on the way for various activities....
Read moreOur vacation in New Zealand was wonderful! We enjoyed driving from one place to another and stopping many times on the way for various activities. (mainly taking pictures…) We also met a friend in Auckland that we did not see 40 years! and it was like a dream, a once in a lifetime experience. If I will report on everything I will never finish so I will give marks about accommodation and activities. If you will have questions don't hesitate to ask (as you used to say). We stayed 4 days more in Christchurch, we enjoyed our time. We went to a Classical music concert at City hall, to the Botanic gardens, Punting, Antarctica, the train, Regent-street, River side, etc. etc. We took a day tour to Akaroa. We think it is a MUST and you can take the boat and see Seals, Dolphins and Penguins swimming. If in Christchurch you should add it to your plan.

The whole trip was fantastic from start to finish. Everything was planned to perfection, with great timings, clear instructions and perfect...
Read moreThe whole trip was fantastic from start to finish. Everything was planned to perfection, with great timings, clear instructions and perfect activities for what we requested. Having all this organised for us really made the trip so easy and enjoyable!

We booked a last minute self driving tour with Nichole. She was very helpful, efficient and available for all our queries. The itinerary was...
Read moreWe booked a last minute self driving tour with Nichole. She was very helpful, efficient and available for all our queries. The itinerary was well-planned, with many major tourist hotspots included. In addition, we loved the drivers who picked us up and and dropped us off at the airport. Sam from Odyssey Wine Tours in Queenstown was also very accommodating and very knowledgeable. The trip went without a snag, and we will definitely use this tour service again for NZ. We appreciate Nichole's help very much!

OUR TRIP WAS AMAZING! There really was not a thing that we would have changed, except to stay longer. Our trip was 3 weeks, it was a lot of...
Read moreOUR TRIP WAS AMAZING! There really was not a thing that we would have changed, except to stay longer. Our trip was 3 weeks, it was a lot of driving, but we loved every minute. We saw so much of your beautiful country. We loved the people, the farm land, the food and the diversity. Your choice for accommodations was perfect, always with a view. We would recommend your company to anyone going to New Zealand. It was seamless, from the pick-up at the airport to the rental cars (GREAT cars!!!), to the ferry ride, excursions, train ride and then our final delivery to the airport. We couldn’t have asked for more. We also really like the app and found it very helpful. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. Thank you for all your input and coordination of details. We could never have done it without you!

We travelled through North and South Island in January 2020 for two weeks. We both wish we had gone for longer !! The standard of the hotels booked...
Read moreWe travelled through North and South Island in January 2020 for two weeks. We both wish we had gone for longer !! The standard of the hotels booked for us were excellent and the travel instructions clear. We found the booking process very easy and a good choice of activities were selected on our behalf. Our itinerary was adjusted to allow for a detour to visit a relative. Basically nothing was too much trouble for Rommy to ensure we had a perfect holiday. She even managed to book perfect sunshine for us !!

Our trip was wonderful. We loved the South Island, the locals we met, the places we went to. Every place we stayed overnight had its own charm,...
Read moreOur trip was wonderful. We loved the South Island, the locals we met, the places we went to. Every place we stayed overnight had its own charm, they were always all ready and waiting for us, never any complications with the reservations. Same for the pickup and drop-offs, the booked elements (trains, tours etc). Everything always went perfectly according to the schedule you provided (we only almost missed the train from Greymouth because we liked the Monteiths brewery lunch so much that we made it back to the train with 30 seconds to spare....). Of course, we were also lucky mostly with the weather, fantastic sunshine and not a cloud in the sky at Aoraki Mt Cook, the only one day where we stayed inside...the Doubtful Sound Cruise, but we met nice people so it didn't matter. And a downpour on our hike in Franz Josef that was so strong that the rain gear could not keep up. For us the nicest places we stayed were in Te Anau, we would have loved to stay an extra day in the bed and breakfast, and also the hotel in Kaikoura where Kelly the owner, her staff and the ambience of the place had us falling in love the moment we walked in. Your reactivity to the changes in the itinerary was perfect, and for us, the fact that we managed to see the Pancake Rocks twice (once at high tide) was very special. So there is nothing at all to criticize, everything was super. If there is one thing that can be improved (and I am not sure that is the right word) it was the fact that we got picked up at Christchurch airport, to be brought into town, to then have to take a taxi out the next morning to pick up the car. We could have picked up the car on arrival day instead of a pick up by a driver, or alternatively you could have organised a driver to take us there. But as I said, the trip was perfect so no worries. Thank you for your support and all the best.

We loved our North Island holiday, we crammed a lot into one week but also had time to relax. So many highlights and the people were wonderful. We...
Read moreWe loved our North Island holiday, we crammed a lot into one week but also had time to relax. So many highlights and the people were wonderful. We will be back in NZ in the future.

Thank you so much to the team from New Zealand self-drive tours for the organisation of our recent tour of the North Island. Rommy did a great job of...
Read moreThank you so much to the team from New Zealand self-drive tours for the organisation of our recent tour of the North Island. Rommy did a great job of listening to our interests and designing an itinerary to suit. Everything booked on our behalf was exactly what we would have chosen for ourselves. Hotels were perfect, recommended tours were spot on and pick up/drop off of hire car and to and from airports was seamless. Would recommend this service to anyone and will definitely use them again when we choose to tour the South Island.

It was a fabulous trip, thanks to Shelley's hard work in helping us plan and organise everything. She really listened to and took account of, what I...
Read moreIt was a fabulous trip, thanks to Shelley's hard work in helping us plan and organise everything. She really listened to and took account of, what I told her at the start about the types of places we did/didn't like to stay, restrictions on the types of activities we could do, locations we wanted to go to etc. Shelley went above and beyond to make sure the trip was exactly what we wanted and more.

Fantastic family holiday organised in a short amount of time! Every detail attended to. Spot on with hotel bookings, itineraries etc.The app is...
Read moreFantastic family holiday organised in a short amount of time! Every detail attended to. Spot on with hotel bookings, itineraries etc.The app is fantastic to use & includes maps, dining suggestions etc. Highly recommend the team at NZ self drive tours. Total professionals!! Thank you.

Feedback on our Ultimate Explorer Tour of New Zealand, organized by New Zealand Self Drive Tours Wanaka/NZ • If you can spend a full month for...
Read moreFeedback on our Ultimate Explorer Tour of New Zealand, organized by New Zealand Self Drive Tours Wanaka/NZ • If you can spend a full month for vacation, the « Ultimate Explorer Tour » gives you a good opportunity to visit the best spots of New Zealand! • New Zealand Self Drive Tours offers also a lot of other good New Zealand tours, depending on the number of days you want to spend. • We had excellent support by New Zealand travel specialist Shelley Ryder regarding some tour changes we were asking during the booking phase. She always provided immediate feedbacks and proposals on our special requests. 😊😊 Also, during the journey, Shelley was always very helpful for any kind of question or issue! We always felt to be in good hands! 😊 • We really enjoyed all the included excursions, organized at each tour stop. It was a good combination of learning about the beautiful nature or the fascinating wildlife of this country! Our trip included about 24 different events, all perfectly organized and booked by NZ Self Drive Tours and there was only one day trip cancelled, the “Heli-Hike” in Franz Josef, due to bad weather conditions. NZ Self Drive Tours provided a full refund for this trip, just a few days later! • We were also delighted with the excellent choice of accommodations during the journey (we booked the option “Premium Motels”)! They all were very clean, provided comfy box spring beds, offered well-equipped kitchenettete to prepare breakfast and were always located to reach restaurants and shops at short walking distance. In all the motels the people in charge at the front desk provided helpful information regarding local restaurants and sightseeing. 😊 • We were surprised by the big culinary variety in New Zealand! In most of the places we stayed, we had the chance to eat at restaurants providing food from all over the world, served with a good glass of local wine, beer or cider! 😊 • NZ Self Drive Tours provided a comprehensive tour information package, consisting of a paper book with all the important details for each tour day, a detailed map book to find your way on the road and just recently they published an App for Apple and Android devices, in which you have your tour itinerary with all details available as well – even offline. 😊 • If you are looking for a well-organized trip or you don’t want to spend hours on searching for the best hotel, excursions or rental car deals yourself, we can highly recommend one of the organized tours, provided by New Zealand Self Drive Tours! You won’t be disappointed!

We had a wonderful and unforgettable tour on the South Island! The scenery is truly breathtaking. Everything was well organized and we feel that we...
Read moreWe had a wonderful and unforgettable tour on the South Island! The scenery is truly breathtaking. Everything was well organized and we feel that we were able to see a lot! We only wish we could spend a little more time at each stopover, but we know that we had a lot to fit in in just a few days. It was a pity that we missed out on the train ride and Glacier hot pools, but we understand that it was difficult circumstances and we were, in fact, lucky to get away before the really heavy rain got people stranded in Franz Josef! Thank you for organizing the car rental extension and refund for the stuff we missed. We will never forget this tour. It was really great! Thanks again

Sorry for this delayed response. We just wanted to thank you so much for all the help you gave us both when we were putting our itinerary together...
Read moreSorry for this delayed response. We just wanted to thank you so much for all the help you gave us both when we were putting our itinerary together and while we were travelling throughout New Zealand. Apart from some changed plans towards the end of our trip, due to the effects of unforeseen weather events, everything went extremely smoothly. The standard of accommodation was generally very good, though less than perfect in a couple of places and far too luxurious in one or two other places. In fairness though, that was probably an availability issue because we did book the holiday only a few weeks before our departure.

Thank you for planning an exquisite tour for us. You modified our itinerary and accommodations as we wished. The places we stayed were outstanding:...
Read moreThank you for planning an exquisite tour for us. You modified our itinerary and accommodations as we wished. The places we stayed were outstanding: comfortable, clean, picturesque. Our hosts were helpful and friendly. Our excursions and activities all surpassed expectations, especially the extra night we stayed on Milford Sound because of an avalanche. We appreciate your processing refunds for the few events that didn't materialize, as well as the prompt service and creative problem solving you employed when we needed it because of weather changes. We will highly recommend NZ Self-Driving Tours. Our trip to your lovely islands ever will be one of the highlights of all our travels.

Thanks for organising such a great trip for us!! It was truly memorable and the hotels and excursions you arranged for us were perfect!! A few...
Read moreThanks for organising such a great trip for us!! It was truly memorable and the hotels and excursions you arranged for us were perfect!! A few things for future trips that we discovered: In Kaikoura, we did the 3-hour peninsula walk which was amazing and free to see seals up close and great views. Not that we were going to do them but the swim with dolphins books up 6 weeks in advance so good to notify anyone interested in that. The seal swim might be the same. The hotels are probably best being in town here too as there are no taxis easily accessed in the town. We did enjoy the longish walks though 😊 In Bay of Islands, the HMAS scuba dive is meant to be amazing too with the ability to swim through the shipwreck so I’d add that as an option. In Auckland, Wynyard is a great place to grab a meal and drink. For the clothing needed for activities, what’s listed is meant to be for winter so we probably overpacked but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. In Franz Josef, there is a really nice 90min hike to see the glacier up fairly close. Just a heads up that we needed to ask for the GPS for the south island car and it didn’t work. The company apologised when we returned the car and the petrol gauge was broken as it was completely full but said it wasn’t but they said they won’t charge us for those. That’s about it! Thanks again for all your help. You’ve made this one unforgettable trip for both me and mum.

The trip was FABULOUS!!! Thank you for setting this up and getting the extra things that we wanted added in. I am definitely recommending your...
Read moreThe trip was FABULOUS!!! Thank you for setting this up and getting the extra things that we wanted added in. I am definitely recommending your business to others.

We came to NZ for the 1st time in the winter of 2003 when we had our honeymoon with a guided bus tour. We told ourselves we will want to come back...
Read moreWe came to NZ for the 1st time in the winter of 2003 when we had our honeymoon with a guided bus tour. We told ourselves we will want to come back again one day but with a driving tour to see this beautiful country and its wonderful people. Finally, after 17 years we came back to NZ but this time with our 16-year-old son. I am glad we've chosen New Zealand Self Drive Tours to plan & arranged our 15-day stay. From the day we landed till we flew back home, everything went on very smoothly i.e the car rental, accommodations, attractions & information. We will definitely come back to NZ again and definitely with NZ Self Drive Tours.

We had a GREAT trip. Every reservation was in order, and the app provided on my phone was excellent. We followed it every day and had no problems...
Read moreWe had a GREAT trip. Every reservation was in order, and the app provided on my phone was excellent. We followed it every day and had no problems with timing, directions or events. We loved our tour and quite a few of my Facebook friends now want to visit New Zealand as we did.

We recently booked a 2 week holiday to NZ and had the most fantastic experience with New Zealand Self Drive Tours and the wonderful Skye Follas who...
Read moreWe recently booked a 2 week holiday to NZ and had the most fantastic experience with New Zealand Self Drive Tours and the wonderful Skye Follas who went above and beyond to ensure our trip was absolutely perfect. Every step from rental cars at airports and ferries with baby seats fitted in advance to excellent accommodation (again with cots ready on arrival) was planned to perfection for us which ensured any misgivings we had about taking a 2-week driving tour with a 10 mth old were swiftly and comprehensively dispelled. We have already recommended these guys to multiple friends and have only been back for 2 weeks. I cannot speak highly enough of Skye and the team. Thank you for making our trip and Bonnie's first Christmas a really special one :)

The family enjoyed the whole journey and activities very much. The lodging arrangement was great and locations were excellent. Everyone fell into...
Read moreThe family enjoyed the whole journey and activities very much. The lodging arrangement was great and locations were excellent. Everyone fell into love with New Zealand and we will certainly come back for more vacations. Thank you again for all the effort making our holiday a truly memorable experience.

Travelled to South Island for the first time with the whole family. The itinerary planning done and accomodation provided were all up to the mark....
Read moreTravelled to South Island for the first time with the whole family. The itinerary planning done and accomodation provided were all up to the mark. Our customised itinerary was done by Chelsea and it was a memorable experience. The mountains of Mt Cook to the various activities in Queenstown, NZ is definitely a place to visit. Thank you Chelsea for taking all the efforts in making our holidays truly memorable.

My apologies for the delayed feedback regarding our NZ tour. I found our tour was wonderful...each city was thoughtfully picked and the route was...
Read moreMy apologies for the delayed feedback regarding our NZ tour. I found our tour was wonderful...each city was thoughtfully picked and the route was well thought out and planned. We enjoyed every city on our tour. My feedback relates more to the hotel accommodations and breakfast. Most of the hotel rooms and breakfast were very lovely and we really enjoyed them except for the following: 1) The worst hotel was in Kaikoura. While we loved Kaikoura, the hotel was old, no AC, intermittent internet and the breakfast was at the cafe next door was the worst (toast or cold cereal). Also, the male owner was a jerk...we were told our room wasn’t ready for check-in so we decided to head into downtown since it was a 10 mins walk but before we headed out, we asked to use the restroom. We were told yes but after we used the restroom...the male owner tells us rudely that strangers aren’t allowed to use their restroom. Um...we just tried to check-in and you told us to use it. 2) the hotel in Queenstown needs to stop using the dry chemical shampoo to clean their carpets. The chemical smell is overpowering and does not leave the room. Our initial room was so bad, it triggered a migraine attack and I had to ask them to change our room. Their lobby was stunning and breakfast was one of the best but their rooms were small and very dated. It did not match the initial appearance or the feel of the hotel. 3) the hotel at Mt. cook needs to do a better job with training their front desk clerks. The initial clerk had no idea what she was doing. She was so inept that someone else had to step in and we were given a room that was assigned to someone else as when we used the key to open the door...there was already suitcases in the room. Other than those 3...all of the other hotels were great and the breakfast at these hotels were very lovely. Thanks for your help with our NZ tour. Jesse and I had a wonderful time.

Almost a year has passed since we visited New Zealand, and I'm only now getting around to writing a review and working on my scrapbook. New Zealand...
Read moreAlmost a year has passed since we visited New Zealand, and I'm only now getting around to writing a review and working on my scrapbook. New Zealand Self Drive Tours was absolutely amazing! With only weeks to go before our month in NZ over the busiest Christmas holiday, Nicole took us under her wing and got to work! We made many alterations to one of their offered tours, and before we knew it, we had our dream South Island trip. We were pleased to arrive in Christchurch to a great package of atlases, picture books, tickets and a grand itinerary that was perfectly organized. With Nicole's help, our trip was perfect from one end to the other. Thank you for making our trip of a lifetime a breeze! Ka Pai!!

We had the pleasure of booking our custom itinerary through Christina Brockie who was most helpful during the planning process, allowing us to...
Read moreWe had the pleasure of booking our custom itinerary through Christina Brockie who was most helpful during the planning process, allowing us to customise the holiday exactly as we wanted it. As with all holidays, there were occasions we required clarification from the main office (due to unexpected events) who were always readily available and provided us with good and reliable advice. They even managed to accommodate our request to change one of the pick-up timings from our hotel. All in all, a hassle-free holiday so we could focus on the more important tasks of enjoying the scenery, local food and culture!

We had a fantastic trip. New Zealand Self Drive Tours arranged all hotels, cars, ferry and many entrance fees. They also booked tours such as...
Read moreWe had a fantastic trip. New Zealand Self Drive Tours arranged all hotels, cars, ferry and many entrance fees. They also booked tours such as Glacier at Mt Cook and at Museums like Te Papa. Everything was wonderful. They were available to help with itinerary changes when landslide prevented our journey to the west coast of the South Island. I would highly recommend them.

This is our second trip with NZ Self Drive Tours. And we still think it is the best way to explore and enjoy NZ. Louise had helped us to make our...
Read moreThis is our second trip with NZ Self Drive Tours. And we still think it is the best way to explore and enjoy NZ. Louise had helped us to make our journey easy and enjoyable. Accommodation arranged for us were wonderful and some were beyond expectation. We would recommend NZ self drive tours to anyone planning a road trip to NZ. Thank you, Louise!

Just wanted to say we had an absolutely awesome time over in NZ and thank you so much for booking and organizing everything for us! The preparation...
Read moreJust wanted to say we had an absolutely awesome time over in NZ and thank you so much for booking and organizing everything for us! The preparation and choice and timing of the whole tour was amazing and extremely easy. All the instructions were easy to follow and clear and we had no trouble reaching each of the destinations and planned outings. The only minor thing that we noted that might benefit future travellers, and I'm not sure if you are able to...but perhaps either a way to include the overnight parking for Auckland/Wellington into the package fee or advise that travellers would need to find their own parking? Wasn't a big issue, but we didn't realise this until we got to the places itself.

We had a good trip! Couple things I would note, would not recommend staying in a location one night. I felt we move too much thus not getting to...
Read moreWe had a good trip! Couple things I would note, would not recommend staying in a location one night. I felt we move too much thus not getting to know the areas we stayed. I would recommend that your company try to limit the number of times a trip stays only 1 night. Drive times were a little longer than expected due to roads so would suggest that the drive times were a little longer than listed. Liked accommodations other than our first night in Christchurch but we changed our return to Christchurch to stay an extra night in Akaroa which was the right decision. Nicole was great to work with!

The trip was excellent. This time round we managed to get to the top of the Franz Josef Glacier, which was a wonderful experience. The flight in the...
Read moreThe trip was excellent. This time round we managed to get to the top of the Franz Josef Glacier, which was a wonderful experience. The flight in the helicopter allowed excellent views of the glacier and its surrounds. Even though it rained during our cruise on Milford Sound, the rain and the wind made for some spectacular views of waterfalls being blown sideways. Accommodation along the way was superb, no faults there. The trip was well organized and assistance was available at the end of a phone line. Many thanks to the team.

We had a good trip! Couple things I would note, would not recommend staying in a location one night. I felt we move too much thus not getting to...
Read moreWe had a good trip! Couple things I would note, would not recommend staying in a location one night. I felt we move too much thus not getting to know the areas we stayed. I would recommend that your company try to limit the number of times a trip stays only 1 night. Drive times were a little longer than expected due to roads, so would suggest that the drive times were a little longer than listed. Liked accommodations other than our first night in Christchurch but we changed our return to Christchurch to stay an extra night in Akaroa which was the right decision. Nicole was great to work with!

We are now back in Cape Town following our month-long visit to Australia and New Zealand. Everything went according to plan and we were mostly...
Read moreWe are now back in Cape Town following our month-long visit to Australia and New Zealand. Everything went according to plan and we were mostly able to do the things that we hoped to do, including the helicopter flight over the glaciers and snow landing thanks to a break in the weather in Franz Josef. The train journeys were excellent as was the ferry crossing on the Interislander. Your app is user-friendly and has loads of useful info. Overall the hotels were fine, other than the Scenic in Dunedin where we requested to change rooms which was dealt with immediately by the duty manager. The Scenic hotel in Franz Josef however was very nice. On reflection, the only thought we have is that our time in NZ was too short as there are places where I would have liked to add an extra day and parts where the driving distance was too long with so much to see on the way, e.g. Dunedin to Te Anau and Queenstown to Franz Josef. In all it would only have meant adding on an extra week. Our son and his girlfriend are on their way back from Queenstown today, after spending a week exploring the North Island, followed by a second week on the South Island where they concentrated their travel on the West Coast. They have shared some stunning photographs of the places they visited. Thank you for guiding us on our visit to New Zealand; we thoroughly enjoyed our adventure and greatly appreciate the effort you put into making it the success that it was. We would highly recommend your company's services.

We are back from our wonderful NZ trip. It was spectacular. You did a great job planning it. Everything ran smoothly and the accommodations were...
Read moreWe are back from our wonderful NZ trip. It was spectacular. You did a great job planning it. Everything ran smoothly and the accommodations were terrific, including Penguin Place! Please enjoy the video of the trip and have a wonderful Christmas.

Thank you Kasmira for your good work. Steve Simpson and yourself put it together nicely to make our holiday an enjoyable and memorable one. Our only...
Read moreThank you Kasmira for your good work. Steve Simpson and yourself put it together nicely to make our holiday an enjoyable and memorable one. Our only regret was not experiencing Milford Sound because of the weather. Our group of 10 loved the South Island of New Zealand. Your program was well thought out and we grouped together and made the most of what was offered. Keep up the good work for we will return to enjoy more of your beautiful country.

We had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Excellent itinerary, beautiful scenery, the central location of hotels/motels, comfortable accommodation,...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Excellent itinerary, beautiful scenery, the central location of hotels/motels, comfortable accommodation, attractive add-ons. Lakes and waterfalls everywhere; sheep grazing green fields; oceans and boulders; snow-capped mountains; dolphins and seals. Top of the list -- Milford Sound overnighter, Franz Josef Helihike, Glow Worm Cave, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Redwood Treewalk, Catlins Beach Resort, Punakaiki Beach Resort. Favourite City - Queenstown (with zipline activity) Others - Huka Falls River Cruise, Doubtful Sound, Penguin Conservation, Te Puia.

Great trip all around, all planned well. Additional night trip on Stewart Island to see kiwis was rained out, while glacier trip was cancelled due...
Read moreGreat trip all around, all planned well. Additional night trip on Stewart Island to see kiwis was rained out, while glacier trip was cancelled due to bad weather. Enjoyed Queenstown and area which in hindsight could have been extended to see more. The accommodation was great although I had expected hotels with rooms with lake views in Te Anau and Queenstown.

Jo, Cary and I just returned to Denver after a great trip around New Zealand. I wanted to thank you for encouraging us to stick with the Milford...
Read moreJo, Cary and I just returned to Denver after a great trip around New Zealand. I wanted to thank you for encouraging us to stick with the Milford Sound tour. It was fantastic, even in the rain, and perhaps because of the rain- the waterfalls on the sound were just amazing. Trips and Tramps did a wonderful job as well. Our trip was amazing, and we had a great time. Thanks for being so responsive to all of our questions, and helping to reroute mid-way through. We were really glad to do the drive from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo instead of flying to Christchurch - it was a beautiful drive up there. Everything went well, and the days flew by!

Shelley did a great job organizing our trip for us. The Te Papa museum has great exhibits and is a comfortable venue to explore. Although it was...
Read moreShelley did a great job organizing our trip for us. The Te Papa museum has great exhibits and is a comfortable venue to explore. Although it was pouring rain for our first Tour to Matiu Somes Island we had a wonderful tour. Our guides were knowledgeable and we were able to spot a number of birds as we learned about the preservation efforts on the island. The ferry to Picton was a rough ride & quite foggy for most of it. We could tell it would be beautiful in better weather, but enjoyed the trip anyway.The drive to Abel Tasman was exciting but again very windy & wet. The Abel Tasman Marahau Lodge was beautiful - very private and well appointed. We were able to enjoy the sun on our private patio before walking a trail through the Park & enjoying good food at the Pizza Place. The cruise to Tonga Island Reserve was great - lots of dolphins & seals & finally warm sunshine. The hike back was vigorous but interesting. The west coast was stunning although the rain moved in again. Pancake rocks are extraordinary & we were able to get in a quick trip upon arrival & the next morning between the rain drops. The tree house was great, although we were loading & unloading in the pouring rain! The drive to Arthur's Pass was quite scenic. Our accommodation was on the outskirts of town so other than walking to & fro in wet cold weather, we didn't explore the trails. The drive to Kaikoura was stunning and our accommodation the best. We had an amazing view of the snow caps, rolling foreground & the sea from our window. It was a pleasant walk to the bustling town. Our whale watch was successful. We spotted our whale, watched him spout & dive and saw several albatross, dolphins & sea birds. Knowledgeable guides rounded out the trip. The drive to Christchurch was comfortable and we were able to return the car easily & sign in at the airport. All In all a great adventure hindered only by the rain, but we just carried on & enjoyed it regardless.

Nichole designed a fabulous trip for us and included so many nice details we wouldn't have thought of. We had such a fabulous time and would love to...
Read moreNichole designed a fabulous trip for us and included so many nice details we wouldn't have thought of. We had such a fabulous time and would love to return someday. We highly recommended your company to friends. Thank you for the wonderful experience in New Zealand!

Thank you, Chelsea, for helping us organise an amazing tour. All the arrangements were perfect given that we had some very specific requirement. You...
Read moreThank you, Chelsea, for helping us organise an amazing tour. All the arrangements were perfect given that we had some very specific requirement. You were also able to accommodate our dates, especially during the busy period. Thanks once again for being prompt in your responses and clear in your comms. What made it even easier was your ability to understand our needs and dealt with them in a friendly manner.

Hi Nichole. I want to let you know how delighted we are with the arrangements you made for us. Everything went without a glitch We so enjoyed all the...
Read moreHi Nichole. I want to let you know how delighted we are with the arrangements you made for us. Everything went without a glitch We so enjoyed all the accommodations that you booked for us- they were perfect amounts of space and privacy. Of exceptional notation are the managers, Kerry, at Vinters Retreat, and Matt at Merivale Manor. They went beyond for us- our daughter left her wallet in the Wellington hotel, only realizing she forgot it once we had boarded the ferry to cross to the South Island. The front desk at Wellington arranged for the courier pick up- we naively suggested it be delivered to Vinters Retreat- as we were there for two nights- not appreciating the travel/courier implications. Kerry kindly assured us that she "would handle it for us" and she arranged to have it redirected to Christchurch When we arrived at Merivale Manor, we learned that Matt had travelled to the airport to pick up the couriered wallet so as to ensure that our daughter had it. Their service was exceptional. Also, Kerry upgraded our room arrangements to a three-bedroom unit, figuring that by Day 5 they might like their own bed and their own room. Our girls were thrilled and so appreciated her thoughtfulness. Our wine tour was by van, as weather was rainy- our guide, Kaya, was so knowledgeable, and so lovely to spend a day in her company We so appreciated the Milford Sound bus excursion- a great break from driving in our car. The car was very roomy, and lots of room for our luggage. Car rental was hassle-free picking up and returning I can't say enough about how pleased we are with all the arrangements you so thoughtfully made. We so enjoyed all our excursions Our trip is one of our lifetime highlights, thanks to your commitment to quality service, and upheld by the accommodations you selected for us. The scenery of New Zealand is exceptional- unsurpassed by the warmth and hospitality we experienced from your services. We have wonderful memories to cherish.

Thank you so much for a wonderful experience in New Zealand and with your service. Everything was perfect so well organised and exactly what we...
Read moreThank you so much for a wonderful experience in New Zealand and with your service. Everything was perfect so well organised and exactly what we wanted. The only downfall was our stay at wellington the room was not 100% clean, also no parking there. It was a great position, but Abel Tasman round the corner would have been a better choice. Thank you again for a job well done, I have told everyone of your wonderful service and would not hesitate to call you again on my next trip.

Thanks, Kasmira for all your arrangements for our trip! We were pleasantly surprised by the standard of the hotels that you had booked, we didn't...
Read moreThanks, Kasmira for all your arrangements for our trip! We were pleasantly surprised by the standard of the hotels that you had booked, we didn't expect 4-star treatment and even had an upgrade to the penthouse for our second stay in Auckland! Unfortunately, the app would not work on my phone so we missed some of the detailed info there and, in retrospect, we should have opted for longer stays in fewer places as the amount of driving became too much. Maybe that is something you could mention to older clients like ourselves. Highlights were: the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Lake Taupo and environs, Hamner Springs, Lake Tekapo and having a lovely clear day as we approached Mt Cook. Special thanks to Louise who helped Colin arrange a motel close to the Timaru Hospital following my accident at Mt Cook, to the Heritage Hotels guides and staff and to the NZ Health Services for such good care!! Will send you some of my stand-out pics, we certainly enjoyed the wide variety of beautiful scenery and interesting experiences.

Abby, our trip through your country will be on our minds for the rest of our lives. Around every corner was something new for us to marvel. This was...
Read moreAbby, our trip through your country will be on our minds for the rest of our lives. Around every corner was something new for us to marvel. This was our 35 anniversary of marriage. On our 25th we went to Hawaii, but we both have agreed that New Zealand is Hawaii on steroids. The addition that we made to Invercargill was great, my motorcycle friends back home are already jealous that I have photos of the Worlds Fastest Indian. Transition from North to South Island went smoothly (except for a windy and rough crossing). Cars were great, great fuel mileage. Most hotels we stayed in were outstanding, especially the Chateau Marlborough Now for a couple of negatives, for your guests I think reserved parking at hotels should be included. A hotel change in Queenstown I think is in order. There was no lift to our floor, so baggage had to be carried to our room. Abby I hope my short story helps you and your company to continue to provide great memories for your clients. Again thank you.👍👍👍👍👍👍

Our trip was expertly arranged and I will have no hesitation in recommending it in the future. Communication was excellent and delivered in a timely...
Read moreOur trip was expertly arranged and I will have no hesitation in recommending it in the future. Communication was excellent and delivered in a timely manner every time. Thank you for organising this trip and allowing us to share your beautiful south island with magnificent vistas everywhere. A trip to remember.

We had a great time with New Zealand Self Drive (NZFT) assistance, however, we had a few incidents that were, in the end, handled very professionally...
Read moreWe had a great time with New Zealand Self Drive (NZFT) assistance, however, we had a few incidents that were, in the end, handled very professionally and to our total satisfaction. Ms Amy Ellis, General Manager, listened to our concerns and rectified each very smoothly and quickly. We have nothing but the highest regard for her intervention in the incidents which could have marred the trip we have planned and looked forward to for several years. Also, the ladies we dealt with on the phones and chat with were helpful. NZFT is fortunate to have Amy Ellis.

Memories of our amazing trip to New Zealand will be forever in our hearts, and part of that great experience included your care and your...
Read moreMemories of our amazing trip to New Zealand will be forever in our hearts, and part of that great experience included your care and your professionalism. Jack and I sincerely thank you for being available to us in every detail. The trip was so easy, in great part, because of you, allowing us to enjoy every moment. We thank you. Please know we shall smile whenever we think of you.

Nicole, thank you for your recent email regarding our trip. Roz and I had a great time touring the South Island of NZ, particularly because of the...
Read moreNicole, thank you for your recent email regarding our trip. Roz and I had a great time touring the South Island of NZ, particularly because of the attention to detail with the itinerary you prepared for us. As it was a special occasion for us, being our golden wedding anniversary, we were absolutely thrilled with the surprise extras you had arranged at nearly every nights stay. From a lovely room upgrade at the Distinction Hotel in Christchurch on our first night, next a magnificent anniversary meal at the Hermitage at Mount Cook which was a wonderful and very meaningful surprise; so thank you so much for this Nicole. We then found an anniversary treat arranged by the management of the Millennium Hotel in Queenstown waiting for us on our arrival there - this consisted of a special dessert tray which we enjoyed. Another highlight was the dinner cruise to Walter Peak Station on the SS Earnslaw. We were greeted by staff there who had been informed of our 50th anniversary and so, they looked after us incredibly well. We met with a lovely greeting of, 'so here you are at last - we have been waiting for you both'; as we had had to reschedule from the previous evening due to the avalanche at Milford Sound. We were shown to a table for two and provided with a couple of glasses of champagne. Then our two hostesses kept coming back and making us feel very special on the night. It was a lovely dinner and the entertainment provided by the sheep shearing and the exhibition put on by the sheep dogs was fabulous. On our last night, Nadine at the Distinction Hotel in Christchurch (again) arranged a surprise anniversary dessert treat for us in the restaurant. So, wonderful memories of our special anniversary - and that is not forgetting all of the marvellous scenery which New Zealand can boast about. The car selected by you was perfect for our tour and it behaved very well in some rough weather which we encountered, but then again it is the rugged west coast of the South Island and we know it can have inclement weather; it didn't spoil anything for us though. The two times our itinerary had to be changed or, rescheduled was not too great a hardship. The road was cleared in time for us to embark upon our cruise at Milford Sound and we had a great time there. Overall Nicole we really cannot thank you enough for the care and attention you and your other colleagues have shown to us before and during our time in New Zealand. It is a great credit to you all that even through adversity (such as the two avalanches) a wonderful holiday can be secured. Thank you all again - we will certainly be recommending you and your service to anyone we speak to into the future.

Nichole White, with New Zealand Self-drive Tours, did an amazing job preparing an 18 day trip of a lifetime that took my wife & me from Auckland to...
Read moreNichole White, with New Zealand Self-drive Tours, did an amazing job preparing an 18 day trip of a lifetime that took my wife & me from Auckland to Queenstown, with many stops in between. I highly recommend the self driving tour that was smartly planned and flexible so we could deviate from the schedule when we wanted. The entire country is beautiful and the New Zealand people are wonderful - very nice and go out of their way to help. The New Zealand Self-Drive Tour App was very helpful, particularly for our schedule that kept us on the go. The App is easy to access with your daily planner clearly laid out, including maps and quick links to many special things of interest along the way. This vacation exceeded all expectations, due largely to Nichole White, who did not miss a detail.

An excellent trip and again very much enjoyed our stay in New Zealand. Looking forward to returning to your country as it is a favorite place of mine...
Read moreAn excellent trip and again very much enjoyed our stay in New Zealand. Looking forward to returning to your country as it is a favorite place of mine to return too.

Great job on picking chauffeurs, places to stay and allowing plenty of time to drive and site see. We really enjoyed all the unique places we...
Read moreGreat job on picking chauffeurs, places to stay and allowing plenty of time to drive and site see. We really enjoyed all the unique places we stayed in. Our favourite was especially the Havenz Punakaiki on a cliff and the Church Hahei Cabins in the gardens. As a suggestion, we would have enjoyed cooking at the Havenz Punakaiki so perhaps you can suggest picking up food along the way. There aren’t very good restaurants available. It was also nice to have lodged with Nathan and Sarah in a shared living space for each of the holidays. Appreciated your suggestions for other activities and sites to see. The wine tour was excellent and a lot of fun. The doubtful sound tour was terrific and we had good weather. So glad we did Doubtful sound rather than Milford Sound. Lots of buses full of tourists went to Milford. Overall great experience. First time I used a travel service. Usually, I arrange all of the trips so I was septic and you did a great job. Thank you!

I wanted to let you know we had a fabulous trip! New Zealand is so beautiful and the people are so wonderful and helpful as well! When we arrived,...
Read moreI wanted to let you know we had a fabulous trip! New Zealand is so beautiful and the people are so wonderful and helpful as well! When we arrived, our driver was waiting for us just as planned, and when we got the hotel they had a room available for us and it was an executive upgrade! At the end of our trip with NZ touring we then ended up staying at CityLife for the remainder of our stay as well- It is a wonderful hotel with great service and such a handy location! ( Luckily we missed the downtown fire issue) . Everything else with the driving tour went just as planned, all our activities in the itinerary were amazing and our motel stays/ breakfasts were great too! We loved that most of them were “suite” style with separate bedroom, living and dining areas! Some of our favourite things were the first-night harbour dinner cruise – we actually went sailing on a sailboat for this – totally unexpected and amazing! Bay of Islands is a wonderful place to be, I actually could have used another day there – beautiful! ( As FYI, we never did get to the Waitangi Treaty grounds, our own choice, as we needed some rest!) The Redwoods Night Lights Treewalk is actually above ground up in the trees – everyone needs to do this! And the Waiheke wine tour and dinner was my personal favourite. All in all, Cal and I would like to personally thank you for the time you took to set up all of this for us and making changes to suit our needs. And you really came through for us on our trip when we had to switch our reservation nights for Redwood/Maori events – that really saved us and we were so glad not to miss either of them! Along our travels, whenever we talked to people we let them know about New Zealand Self Drive Tours, New Zealand Fine Touring, and how helpful you were in setting up our trip! Fun fact – we really loved that at every hotel there was a carton of milk waiting for us to have with our tea – it is a nice touch! And I also wanted to ask if New Zealanders drink milk?… whenever we asked for cold milk as a beverage this seemed to be an odd request – lol!

We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday in NZ. The only slight criticism was the helicopter ride.. for the price was not worth it. The day was very...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our holiday in NZ. The only slight criticism was the helicopter ride.. for the price was not worth it. The day was very inclement (not unusual) however, disappointed we didn't fly over the mountains with snow-capped summits, instead landed for 10 minutes on a hill close by, spent 10 minutes there, and straight back to the airport... I guess if we had cancelled they would miss out on their $'s. Our accommodation was fantastic... thankyou. Overall, a great job...thank you all.

Our trip was excellent, with the meticulous organisation by Louise. Enquiries were responded to very promptly.  Accommodation included some...
Read moreOur trip was excellent, with the meticulous organisation by Louise. Enquiries were responded to very promptly.  Accommodation included some interesting and historical sites, with uniformly helpful hosts. We will be signing up for a similar driving tour of the North Island later next year. Many thanks for a great driving holiday.

Just wanted to thank you for your assistance during our Self Drive tour of New Zealand. The itinerary and paperwork provided were absolutely...
Read moreJust wanted to thank you for your assistance during our Self Drive tour of New Zealand. The itinerary and paperwork provided were absolutely fantastic and everything worked so well. Thank you for contacting us about the change to the train trip from Greymouth to Christchurch. If you are still in touch with Abby, it would be great if you could thank her for preparing such a fantastic itinerary for us. We feel we saw so much of the south island in our 23 days. We look forward to returning to New Zealand in the future.

We had an amazing holiday due to Jane’s great work with our bookings, from our pick up at Auckland airport to our drop off at Christchurch...
Read moreWe had an amazing holiday due to Jane’s great work with our bookings, from our pick up at Auckland airport to our drop off at Christchurch airport. The accommodation, hire cars & transfers ran like clockwork. Spectacular scenery & friendly locals made the trip memorable. A highlight was the Mitai Maori experience at Rotorua. It was unfortunate that the fishing trip at Queenstown was cancelled at last minute due to lack of participants as this was something Peter was really looking forward to. We loved New Zealand and would thoroughly recommend booking through Jane and the wonderful staff at New Zealand Self Drive Tours. They look at your interests & what sort of holiday you are looking for and make an itinerary with suggested activities. A phone call to them anywhere along the way with any questions were quickly responded to and nothing was too much trouble for them. We had a fantastic trip and look forward to returning and exploring some areas we missed.

Nicole, we very much enjoyed our New Zealand trip. We had a wonderful time, made lots of memories, and took over 1500 photos to remember our trip of...
Read moreNicole, we very much enjoyed our New Zealand trip. We had a wonderful time, made lots of memories, and took over 1500 photos to remember our trip of a lifetime. We did endure a bit of rain during our stay, but as we were mostly prepared for that, we still saw and did most of what we had planned, although we did get a bit wet a couple of times. Our only regret was not taking more time for this trip, like another month! While a great overview of the south island, it does require a bit of driving on some days. We especially enjoyed multiple days stays in one location where there was plenty of opportunities to explore. I've decided we will have to return and do more thorough research in several areas again someday. We have been asked by our family and friends "Which stop was you favourite". We have been unable to come up with one favourite, more like 10 or 15. A beautiful part of the world we felt very fortunate to visit. We thank you very much for the coordination of the entire trip, including transfer from the airport, rental car and of course, all the accommodations. We also appreciate your update and coordination of the change that was made to drop the train trip after the rail closure. All the accommodations except for one, we would highly recommend. We appreciated the personal touches and quality of the chosen accommodations. The only accommodation we did not feel was in the same category as all the others was the Charles Court Motel in Greymouth. While adequate, we, unfortunately, had been spoiled by all the other accommodations and just felt this one didn't meet the same standard. The appearance is a bit tired. Since we ended up driving back to Christchurch the last day, if I had planned ahead, I may have requested we stay again in Arthurs Pass. Thanks Nicole for coordinating a wonderful experience. One we will never forget.

Our greatest holiday so far. The well-prepared and tailor made trip was great and hassle-free. It was quite a relax journey although we drove almost...
Read moreOur greatest holiday so far. The well-prepared and tailor made trip was great and hassle-free. It was quite a relax journey although we drove almost 2,200 km which took us from Christchurch, Akaroa, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mt Cook, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef Glacier and Greymouth. The trip also took us on board the Tranzalpine train from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch. Our consultant, Nicole was ready at hand to accomodate any last minute changes to the plan such as the heavy rain at Te Anau glow worm cave and train derailment at Greymouth. We wished we spent more time at Aoraki Mt Cook and Wanaka. Nevertheless, it was smooth as all arrangements were well laid out and planned. Thank you very much from both of us for making this trip one of our best holidays so far.

We had a wonderful 26 day holiday which was organised by Nisse Perry. Our holiday which was our 4th amended plan after adding days/day trips and...
Read moreWe had a wonderful 26 day holiday which was organised by Nisse Perry. Our holiday which was our 4th amended plan after adding days/day trips and changing things to sort our travel plans around air flights. Nisse did a fantastic job planning our trip based on our requirements and was a pleasure to work with by phone or Emails, even with an overnight cruise change just before starting our trip. The handed over Travel Package had our day to day itinerary, additional suggestions for each day, travel map book, motel/car rental info with local contact info for all parts of our holiday. We have no hesitation recommending Self Drive Tours. We hope to return to New Zealand one day and will use NZ Self Drive Tours in the future. Thanks

Our 12 days North + South Island Tour was amazing, loaded with the activities and paced perfectly and we enjoyed every minute, experiencing the...
Read moreOur 12 days North + South Island Tour was amazing, loaded with the activities and paced perfectly and we enjoyed every minute, experiencing the phenomenal New Zealand scenery. Everything was laid out appropriately and the journeys were spot on. All the accommodation was centrally located making it easy for us to explore the place, and we really liked our stays at Rotorua, Mt. Cook, Franz-Josef and Kaikoura. There were absolutely no problems with our tour. Everything went as planned, except for the U-fly in Wanaka, which was unavoidable, given maintenance-related. Shelley was a great help answering all of our many questions during the planning stages and helped to facilitate a special trip for us. We recommend NZ Self Drive Tours. Thank you, Shelley, for providing very clear instructions and all the information we needed for a wonderful and perfectly organised holiday.

We had the holiday of a lifetime all made better by the fabulous job that Jane did organizing every detail from being collected from airports and...
Read moreWe had the holiday of a lifetime all made better by the fabulous job that Jane did organizing every detail from being collected from airports and train stations to booking every hotel, ship and train and giving us great directions of where we stayed and things to do at that location.  It took all the pressure away from us and we could enjoy every day of our holiday with no worries. Thanks again Jane for the fabulous job you did to make our holiday one to remember.

I would like to sincerely thank Chelsea for the amazing holiday that she organised for us. From the picking up of the car, accommodation check-in and...
Read moreI would like to sincerely thank Chelsea for the amazing holiday that she organised for us. From the picking up of the car, accommodation check-in and booked activities everything flowed smoothly. Everyone we dealt with was helpful, courteous and friendly. We appreciate all the detailed information, maps and local knowledge. We enjoyed this beautiful country so much and highly recommend NewZeland Self Drive Tours

Kasmira, Max and I would like to express our appreciation for the excellent service we received with regard to the organising of our recent...
Read moreKasmira, Max and I would like to express our appreciation for the excellent service we received with regard to the organising of our recent tour.  Every part of the tour was spot on including the accommodation.  We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and will definitely be returning to New Zealand in the future when we get the chance. Obviously we were disappointed at missing the Milford Sound and Mt Cook cruises but realise these things can't be helped. Once again thanks again for your professionalism.

Rommy was wonderful! Everything arranged as we wanted, flawless execution. Great travel company to deal with - prompt and efficient in all aspects....
Read moreRommy was wonderful! Everything arranged as we wanted, flawless execution. Great travel company to deal with - prompt and efficient in all aspects. Highly recommended.

Well, we are back home, working and into our daily routine. We want to thank you for the amazing amount of work you put into making our holiday one...
Read moreWell, we are back home, working and into our daily routine. We want to thank you for the amazing amount of work you put into making our holiday one to always remember. We were delighted to have a taxi waiting for us when we arrived in Auckland with the lovely bag full of all the details of our trip. You thought of everything. We loved all the hotels we stayed in and our extra night on the farm was perfect. I kept the book you made out for us on my lap every day and we did some of the things you suggested to do along the way. We were blessed with the weather which showed off your fabulous scenery at its best. The trip from the north to the south island was also beautiful. Everything was fabulous and so well organized. Thanks to you and your team for a once in a lifetime holiday. 

The trip was amazing! Everything was laid out really well and the tours were spot on! Working with Sissy was easy and she was very accommodating! The...
Read moreThe trip was amazing! Everything was laid out really well and the tours were spot on! Working with Sissy was easy and she was very accommodating! The guides were great! One recommendation would be on the driving directions to outline to estimated times to get from one point to the next. The distances were listed but not the amount of time it would take (estimate of course). While easy enough to find out after plugging it into an app, having it on the trip book would make the planning a bit quicker. Otherwise everything was amazing! North Island is truly a land of beauty and diversity!

It was our Honeymoon trip and we had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Right from the beginning of making am enquiry till I took my flight back, it...
Read moreIt was our Honeymoon trip and we had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Right from the beginning of making am enquiry till I took my flight back, it was very smooth and flawless. All the information I needed was provided to me way earlier (Digital and Printed copy) or upon landing which helped me plan accordingly. So happy that we chose NZ Self drive tours for our trip and there was never a single moment of regret. Nicole Andrews, who helped me in putting this together with NZ Self Drive Tours, is a very friendly person I have ever talked to. She did a fantastic job in getting to know what my needs are and build a trip based on my requirements. I highly recommend NZ Self Drive Tours if any one plans to have a self drive tour in NZ.

Overall we are very happy with the package we were provided with, I would no hesitation recommending you to my friends , all of the accomodation was...
Read moreOverall we are very happy with the package we were provided with, I would no hesitation recommending you to my friends , all of the accomodation was very good , the views at mt Cook from our balcony were exceptional, the standout motel was at Franz Joseph Glacier, very high quality and service, The vehicle supplied a Toyota Highlander was a solid performer, perhaps slightly bigger than expected but very comfortable , we enjoyed everyday with lots to see with the possible exception of day 3 from MT Cook, very limited things worth stopping for , But one average day out of 11 great days is exceptional...thanks

We took a 10 Day self-drive tour this August '2019, that started in Auckland and ended in ChristChurch . Christina Brockie was our travel advisor,...
Read moreWe took a 10 Day self-drive tour this August '2019, that started in Auckland and ended in ChristChurch . Christina Brockie was our travel advisor, working with her was a breeze and a pleasure. On our arrival at Auckland, we were met by their representative at the airport who then brought us to our hotel and handed over our travel package. The package contained our itinerary, hotel/car rental info and local contact info of the New Zealand Self Tours team. They also compiled everything into a booklet broken down by day plus some suggestion of side trips and activities for the place we were to visit. All the accommodation for the most part was to our expectation, a couple of the Hotels (Wellington and Marlborough) were really nice. All the hotels were very clean and centrally located making it easy for us to explore the place. Our room in Sudima Lake in Rotorua was dated and needed an update. The rental car provided was through EuropCar, the SUVs were new. On the way to the South Island, we dropped our SUV in Wellington to grab the ferry on arrival we went to EuropCar and the SUV was ready for pickup. Easy in and out. Even though it was winter season in NZ, it was mild for the most part. So, we were able to spend a lot of time outside. The good thing about traveling off season, is that we did not have to fight the crowds. If we had a couple more days to spare, we would have made our way to Queensland from ChristChurch. We have done several self-drive tours in the past in other countries and this is the format we enjoy. It allows get around on our own schedule, explore place that are off the beaten path (i.e. Waiheke, Tamaki Maori Village, Akaroa) and get some feeling of the local culture. Using New Zealand Self Drive Tours, certainly hit the mark.

Hi Nichole John and I had a wonderful holiday, just what we wanted and everything flowed seamlessly! All our hosts and their accommodation were spot...
Read moreHi Nichole John and I had a wonderful holiday, just what we wanted and everything flowed seamlessly! All our hosts and their accommodation were spot on and so friendly as well. The trip itself was perfect with heaps of great scenery, walks and drives; we came home so relaxed that all our friends remarked on it! Thank you very much.

Shelley has been great in planning for both our trip to NZ. She is especially helpful when we have a little accident with the car and love the quick...
Read moreShelley has been great in planning for both our trip to NZ. She is especially helpful when we have a little accident with the car and love the quick response from her and the office. My kids especially enjoy the Hobbit tour (the dinner was fantastic) and glow worms cave. All the accommodations are well planned too. View at the Castaways Resort is breathtaking but not impress with their only restaurant there. Foods are a little on the expensive side, service was great but we end up smelling like BBQ when we walk out. Especially love the little booklet prepared by Shelley. Very clear instructions and has all the information we need. Overall, we had a wonderful vacation. Thank you Shelley.

We were extremely pleased with the tour arranged for us by Nicole White. The cars, accommodations and excursions were terrific and we enjoyed them...
Read moreWe were extremely pleased with the tour arranged for us by Nicole White. The cars, accommodations and excursions were terrific and we enjoyed them all. From our first contact to the last, Nicole was the ultimate professional and engaging. Communications were timely and we were informed of any change to schedule with as much notice as possible, e.g. name change for a hotel, weather-related cancellation of a tour. We wholeheartedly recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and had an amazing time. We were lucky to have such good weather too. The itinerary was well organized. Everything...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our trip and had an amazing time. We were lucky to have such good weather too. The itinerary was well organized. Everything went very smoothly. The car (Toyota Corolla) we got in South Island was noticeably superior than the car (Holden) we got in North Island. The hotels were well chosen. The best ones were the Rees Hotel (clean, modern room with a great view and friendly service) and M Social (very slick and comfortable room). The Millennium Hotel in Rotorua was disappointing (the bathroom looked tired and the heating wasn't working properly). The highlights of the trip were the Mount Cook Observatory, Milford Sound cruise, the helicopter ride and the Hobbiton tour. Thank you for arranging such a wonderful trip!

We chose the fourteen day New Zealand grand tour and added an extra day in Rotorua. This trip was a fantastic way to see the sights of both of the...
Read moreWe chose the fourteen day New Zealand grand tour and added an extra day in Rotorua. This trip was a fantastic way to see the sights of both of the islands in an extremely fast-paced way, cover as much ground as possible and spend loads of time on the road experiencing the phenomenal New Zealand scenery. What I will say is if we were to do another NZ Self-Drive, we would spend closer to a month just to really get the most out of each unique place we were visiting. I think that the long drive times were perfectly fine for us as we’re both young and adventurous, but anybody older than us may struggle with doing the longer driving legs with only one registered driver (you can’t hire a car on a probationary license in NZ). The accommodation chosen (motel/hotel 3-4 stars) were above and beyond expectation. In several of the accommodations (notably in Te Anau and Dunedin) we were provided with upgraded rooms, and everybody we dealt with at each facility were extremely friendly and helpful. The exception to this was the accommodation at the Mercure Resort Queenstown, which I found to be subpar for a four star hotel with a world-renowned reputation. Accommodation highlights were definitely Punga Grove Motels and Suites (seriously - don’t sleep on Franz Josef. It was literally my trip highlight) and the Nautilus in Napier. As for hire cars, we were sorted out by Europcar and met with professionalism and efficiency in all three locations we dealt with - Auckland, Picton and Christchurch. Throughout the entire booking process; from choosing an itinerary, to finalising and booking, to arrival and departures procedures were handled by Chelsea at New Zealand Self-Drive Tours. I genuinely feel as though Chelsea went above and beyond to put my mind at ease and ensure that every step in our trip was planned meticulously - as I am a fastidious person, this suited me very well. The activities and recommendations provided by Chelsea were great suggestions. If we were to do this again, I would add in some of these activities as part of the booking process to ensure that we were doing things in the most cost effective way possible. We would 100% choose this company to travel with again. Everything was planned perfectly, and Chelsea was beyond fantastic. Thanks a million!

Hi Jane, What a wonderful trip. Everything went smoothly as promised. Our accommodation was top notch and we do not have anything negative to say. We...
Read moreHi Jane, What a wonderful trip. Everything went smoothly as promised. Our accommodation was top notch and we do not have anything negative to say. We appreciate all the time and effort that you put into making our holiday first rate and we would have no hesitation in recommending your company to all our family and friends. Thank you once again.

We had the most amazing self drive tour of New Zealand. Nisse helped us with the planning and we could not have been happier. We spent 15 days...
Read moreWe had the most amazing self drive tour of New Zealand. Nisse helped us with the planning and we could not have been happier. We spent 15 days driving through the North and South Islands and was not disappointed. We saw so much beautiful scenery and we were able to stop when wanted to, go off the beaten track and just experience New Zealand like a local. The people of New Zealand are so friendly that you never felt like a tourist. Our favorite scheduled activity through our self drive was the Whale watching tours and the Milford Sound Cruise. Our favorite stop that we found off the beaten path was the Glenorchy Animal Farm where we were able to feed the sheep and alpacas and many other domestic farm animals. My husband is sold on the self drive tours now. I highly recommend NZ Self Drive Tours and our tour specialist Nisse.

Hi Laura, We had a great trip. Thanks for everything. The customer service from your company was great! Regarding the the specifics of the trip, the...
Read moreHi Laura, We had a great trip. Thanks for everything. The customer service from your company was great! Regarding the the specifics of the trip, the hotels were generally very good. Locations of all were excellent, all attractions were very walkable from each hotel. The walls of the hotel in Wanaka were a little thin - we could hear our neighbors pretty well, but the view from the room was SPECTACULAR! Probably our favorite place to stay was at Mt. Cook. The hotel there was great. We loved the night sky there too! I don't know if this was planned, but the route was good, saving, in my opinion, the best for last which was the Milford Sound cruise. The weather didn't cooperate fully, we had to reschedule the heli-hike. But that may have been in our favor because I think the Mt Cook heli-hike was probably better than the Franz Joseph heli-hike. That was one of the highlights of the trip along with Milford Sound and hiking up Iron Mountain and Roy's Peak. It was a little disappointing to miss the train trip, but the weather was to blame for that. And we got to keep the car and make the trip over Arthur's pass at our own pass. Arthur's pass was spectacular too. Also, the jet boat tour up the lake was just ok. But it was a good way to start the trip because the trip was like a crescendo - generally it just got better and better until Milford sound. The snow on top of the mountain at Queenstown prevented us from getting to the summit, but we knew that there was a chance of a lot of snow. Generally, I think the timing wasn't bad for the trip - except for the rain! We could tell that it was a downtime for most of the hotels which left the towns uncrowded. To sum - it was a great trip, your service was great and we were very impressed that EVERYTHING in your control went according to plan. Thank you very much! If we return, and we certainly would like to, we will use your company. Thank you very much Laura for everything!

Shelley you did a wonderful on our second tour booked through NZ Self Drive Tours. You took us to places we would never have found on our own which...
Read moreShelley you did a wonderful on our second tour booked through NZ Self Drive Tours. You took us to places we would never have found on our own which were delightful with a sense of discovery. Loved Bay of Islands, Nelson and Clyde.

Overall, the trip was magnificent. Accommodation, car, itinerary were all great. However, a couple of comments that might make an improvement. 1....
Read moreOverall, the trip was magnificent. Accommodation, car, itinerary were all great. However, a couple of comments that might make an improvement. 1. Having our hire car dropped off at 9am in Christchurch and having to be at Aoraki Mt Cook by 1.30 pm was a very tight schedule, given road works and unfamiliarity with the car and the roads. It was a rush and there was no time to see some of the sights on the way. An earlier drop off would make it easier. (In the end, our planned activity was cancelled, so it was a rush for nothing.) 2. The day trip to Doubtful Sound was too long. Two hours in the bus, another hour across the lake, another hour in another bus, to get to the cruise for 3 hours, then the whole thing in reverse was trying. Twelve hours in total! Doubtful Sound is beautiful.... perhaps an overnight stay on the Sound would be more rewarding if it can be worked into the itinerary. We really enjoyed the scenery, the friendly people, boutique accommodation, fantastic wine and food and fresh air. The highlight was the helihiking on Franz Josef Glacier. Unforgettable! We were dodging bad weather a lot of the time, but the sun shined on us on that day. Brilliant! Thanks for organising our trip.

All arrangements worked perfectly. The Toyota fit all of us and baggage including wheelchair comfortably. The Kingsgate motel in Te Anau was a bit...
Read moreAll arrangements worked perfectly. The Toyota fit all of us and baggage including wheelchair comfortably. The Kingsgate motel in Te Anau was a bit worn. Doubtful Sound was a nice overnight. Needed more time in each place to really get to know it.

Our South Island driving tour was an excellent adventure! Every arrangement you made for us worked perfectly. I especially appreciated your ability...
Read moreOur South Island driving tour was an excellent adventure! Every arrangement you made for us worked perfectly. I especially appreciated your ability to “reverse” our tour plan -- and re-set every reservation — when we learned that the Trans-Alpine train would be cancelled at the start of our trip. All of the hotel and excursion reservations went off without a hitch. We enjoyed excellent weather throughout the trip, except for one rainy day in Franz Joseph, and were able to complete all of the scheduled events. As I am sure you’ve heard before, “we will be back” and plan to spend a good deal more time experiencing NZ. We made the most of our 10 days, but that is nowhere near enough time to see and do everything available on the South Island. Thanks for all of your help!

Thank you for an amazing trip! Your staff was so friendly and helpful! All of the hotels were really nice and had very friendly staff too. It was...
Read moreThank you for an amazing trip! Your staff was so friendly and helpful! All of the hotels were really nice and had very friendly staff too. It was really nice to only have to take care of my flights and have everything else taken care of. Thanks for making my first trip to New Zealand an amazing experience. I can't wait to come back. I will definitely recommend your company to my friends that want to go to New Zealand. Thanks again for ecerything.

A big thanks to Nichole for the fabulous itinerary and the precision booking of my activities, everything went like clockwork (weather allowing). The...
Read moreA big thanks to Nichole for the fabulous itinerary and the precision booking of my activities, everything went like clockwork (weather allowing). The trip was seamless and having the timings of activities and travel time was super helpful. Overall with the single lane (but good) roads and stopping for amazing photos I added 60-90 minutes onto every journey and it worked well. Also having the car allowed me include other notable places into the mix including Glenorchy (from Queenstown) and Akaroa (from Christchurch). Traveling solo means having a defined route (and reliable contact; Nichole) were important to me and ensured I had a fully loaded experience (with backup if ever needed). Accommodation was a good standard and in great locations (I had booked motels) with call outs to the Mount Cook and Hanmer Springs stays which were both pretty spectacular. There were too many highlights to mention however the inclusion of Kaikoura for whale watching definitely provided the final high on an amazing trip. Can’t wait to come back and do it again (yes it was that good!). Self drive was for me the best way to do it and Nichole with her obvious passion for this wonderful country ensured I had the best experience.....bravo!

Thank you very much for the arrangements and preparations. We had a fabulous time - all the arrangements made from the moment we were picked up at...
Read moreThank you very much for the arrangements and preparations. We had a fabulous time - all the arrangements made from the moment we were picked up at the airport on arrival to the final day of our vacation when we were dropped off at the airport - was just fantastic. We had no issues at all, the rental car, the accommodations, the drive instructions, tours... everything was great. We could not have asked for a better planned holiday. Huge thanks to Laura Davidson for patiently working the details with us, and coming up with a holiday that suited us perfectly. It was everything and more than we had expected or hoped for. New Zealand is truly a most beautiful country, some of the sights literally took my breath away. I will certainly plan to be back to see more of it. Thank you once again for all the preparation and arrangements.

The entire tour was great!! Most of your suggestions exceeded our expectations, and the weather certainly cooperated. Your prompt refund for the...
Read moreThe entire tour was great!! Most of your suggestions exceeded our expectations, and the weather certainly cooperated. Your prompt refund for the cancelled sailing cruise is greatly appreciated, and we would suggest you add "She's A Lady" to your list of sailing options in Paihia. Captain David did sail on our planned date. Kia Ora

Shelley Ryder of New Zealand Self Drive Tours organised the perfect vacation for us! She took time to understand our preferences (we were a family...
Read moreShelley Ryder of New Zealand Self Drive Tours organised the perfect vacation for us! She took time to understand our preferences (we were a family with a 10 year old daughter), which were quite varied - adventure and outdoorsy stuff for my daughter and me, and fine dining, nice hotels and great scenery for my wife. All the hotels we stayed in were top notch and the rooms thoughtfully selected for a family of 3. The sit down set menu dinner at Te Waonui was special. The activities that she recommended - jet boarding, Milford sound excursion, bungee jumping, helicopter landing on glaciers - were amazing. But above all, it was her commitment to her customers - us - that won us over. We requested for a last minute change, that too on Anzac day which is a public holiday, and she went out of her way to accommodate our request. That's amazing commitment. This company came to us as a recommendation and I'm so glad to say that it lived up to the recommendation and more. I'll be happy to pay it forward....

Thankyou so much for helping my family and I have a fantastic experience in New Zealand. Everything went perfectly and we had a wonderful time. Will...
Read moreThankyou so much for helping my family and I have a fantastic experience in New Zealand. Everything went perfectly and we had a wonderful time. Will definitely use you guys again and have already recommended you to three other families!

My husband and I were met at Auckland airport and without delay we were taken to the Sofitel Viaduct Harbour. We were very impressed with the high...
Read moreMy husband and I were met at Auckland airport and without delay we were taken to the Sofitel Viaduct Harbour. We were very impressed with the high quality of the accommodation and very relieved when we were shown to our room straight away at 6am! Later in the day we visited the harbour district and walked in to the city centre where we visited the Art Gallery and the Sky Tower. That night we went on the Harbour Dinner Cruise where we met great staff and a diverse group of people of different nationalities. Fortunately the weather was mild and the sea smooth so that we could enjoy the food and drink. The next day we were very happy to get an upgrade on our rental vehicle and then proceeded out of Auckland toward Rotorua. We enjoyed the trip very much - the countryside was beautiful and the driving conditions were excellent.

Thank you to Jane for preparing our holiday so well. It was our first time travelling in New Zealand, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. All our...
Read moreThank you to Jane for preparing our holiday so well. It was our first time travelling in New Zealand, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. All our reservations for accommodation, activities, car hire and ferry were correct and easy to obtain. All we needed to do was to show up at the right time and enjoy! In the planning process, Jane did a great job in arranging everything we asked, and if there was a variation, she contacted us promptly with alternatives that worked. All my email correspondence with her was handed in a very professional and timely manner and it took all the stress out of the bookings! We appreciated all the extra information on activities that we could do, various sights along the way to look at, and what each accommodation place provided in terms of parking, laundry facilities and kitchenettes. The best accommodation was at Hanmer Springs, but all places were adequate. When we next travel in New Zealand, we are sure to use this company again.

Dear Chelsea, Thank you very much for planning our holiday. We had a very wonderful time driving & enjoying the sights in NZ. Check in was a...
Read moreDear Chelsea, Thank you very much for planning our holiday. We had a very wonderful time driving & enjoying the sights in NZ. Check in was a breeze for all the accommodation you arranged & the staff were helpful & friendly too. Staff at Mt Cook & Kim at Lakefront lodge gave us a very warm welcome. The activities booked were spot on too. We even managed to change the date for the cruise at Queenstown. We really enjoyed some excellent food & services along the way. Rob who pick us at the airport welcome us like friends & provided with us with a brief about Christchurch & gave some suggestions as well. Steve who send us off on the last day was also very friendly & helpful and managed to pick us earlier when requested. Overall it was an excellent holiday & I would not hesitate to recommend your services to all. Once again, thank you very much.

Thank you for organising our Southern Highlights Tour. We both had a wonderful time and it was fantastic to have our accommodation booked and...
Read moreThank you for organising our Southern Highlights Tour. We both had a wonderful time and it was fantastic to have our accommodation booked and activities paid for before we departed. All the accommodation was excellent except for the motel in Invercargill, Tower Lodge Motel. The accommodation was suitable for our needs but we could hear everything in the next door room. That is the only complaint I have for the whole trip. The book that we were given at the beginning of our trip was extremely useful and detailed our itinerary, activities and reservation details. We knew that we had some tight time frames in our itinerary for the activities we wanted to do but you accommodated all our requests and with the flexibility to include other activities that we had not booked. Highlights of the trip was the Glacier Explorers boat trip at Mt Cook and the accommodation. The view of the mountains from our room at Aoraki Court Motel was spectacular. There is so much to see and do. There were many firsts for me as I had never been to the bottom of the south island or to the west coast; the glow worm caves at Te Anau; the helicopter ride over Franz Josef glacier; visiting Stewart Island; the skyline gondola ride and spectacular views over Queenstown and buffet dinner (which had just about everything you could wish for); the quaintness of Arrowtown. Thank you again for helping to make this such a memorable holiday for both of us.

We had an awesome trip, everything was arranged perfectly and the accommodation was great. Despite the disappointment of not being able to catch the...
Read moreWe had an awesome trip, everything was arranged perfectly and the accommodation was great. Despite the disappointment of not being able to catch the train from Greymouth back to Christchurch our diversion to Dunedin was most enjoyable Thanks again for arranging everything so well and we will certainly recommend visiting the lovely South Island of New Zealand.

Thank you soo much for coordinating our trip. Laura was so helpful - and I’m sure there were a lot of folks needing some adjustments to their...
Read moreThank you soo much for coordinating our trip. Laura was so helpful - and I’m sure there were a lot of folks needing some adjustments to their itineraries after the west coast bridge washed out - but she was right in it - helping rebook accommodations - providing suggestions. Super awesome to work with! The accommodations that we were connected up with were all very nice. And it was the perfect rental vehicle for the terrain we were on - I would have gotten a smaller car and we would have regretted it over and over. Laura’s advice for spending an extra day we had to fill in Wanaka added one of our favorite hikes of the whole trip. And she was so right about stayin in Punakaiki instead of Greymouth. It was our first time Not completely planning our own trip and we are both so glad we let you guys do it. Thank you so much and all the best!

My wife and I were planning a visit to New Zealand for the first time and felt the need for "on-site" planning help. Nicole proved to be a tremendous...
Read moreMy wife and I were planning a visit to New Zealand for the first time and felt the need for "on-site" planning help. Nicole proved to be a tremendous resource for planning the driving trip and acquiring the needed car, routes, event tickets, etc. (including air flight from north island to south island and alpine train trip to Christchurch). Having someone meet us at airports to drive to the hotel was a great comfort. There were no hiccups at all during the wonderful 12 days in NZ. Highly recommended!

In early April 2019 we had a delightful self-drive tour of the South Island, prepared for us by Christina Brockie of New Zealand Fine Touring. This...
Read moreIn early April 2019 we had a delightful self-drive tour of the South Island, prepared for us by Christina Brockie of New Zealand Fine Touring. This trip was the culmination of much planning over several months with Christina, involving many emails and phone calls. She was able to determine the type of trip we wanted and get a feel for how we like to travel, and patiently made suggestions accordingly. It was great to have someone with so much local knowledge who could make recommendations for/against any particular matter. As our trip got underway, we were faced with the aftereffects of an earlier storm on the West Coast, which had closed Hwy. 6 from a bridge washout at Franz Josef Village - the only highway on the coast (that route being a necessary part of our planned travels). Christina kept close contact with us about this after we arrived, as we all still hoped that the bridge would be reopened in time for that portion of the trip. However, when it became obvious that other plans had to be made, Christina quickly found substitute housing and activities for us so that our travels could continue without interruption. She also has assisted us in vouching for the matter with our trip insurance policy when a particular motel denied reimbursement due to our ‘late cancellation’ despite the bridge problem. On another unrelated matter, she guided us in dealing with a malfunctioning GPS unit in our rental car to get a replacement. Early on in our trip a dental issue arose for one of us late on a Friday at a place where no area dentist was available. A call to Christina resulted in a contact for emergency dental help in Dunedin (over 3 hours away), and we were able to complete that appointment and finish the trip without further incident. We would have been lost on this without her help. This trip was our combination anniversary/retirement/birthday celebration. It was also the “trip of a lifetime” for us. We owe so much of the success of our adventure to Christina and New Zealand Self Drive Tours. She was always cheerful, candid, professional, quick on correspondence, and easy to deal with (and also took our Texas accents in stride). We’d highly recommend her and the company to anyone seeking assistance to travel in New Zealand. New Zealand seemed to be the cleanest, most beautiful, and one of the friendliest places we have ever been. Seeing it by self-driving also allowed for occasional spontaneous detours to experience even more of this marvelous area at will. Other travelers would do themselves a favor by contacting New Zealand Self Drive Tours!

Wonderful holiday fantastic support from Chelsea lodge who efficiently organised everything we asked. The car hire was really good and accommodation...
Read moreWonderful holiday fantastic support from Chelsea lodge who efficiently organised everything we asked. The car hire was really good and accommodation was very good as it was always close to center of towns / cities and of a great standard. The travel pack with map and instructions was a real asset and top idea as were contact numbers if needed. Everything we saw and did was wonderful except Mt Cook where it rained nonstop and was clouded out plus we found the accommodation there was average but you expect that in alpine regions unless you want to spend the earth and we specifically asked for and changed the itinerary to go there. However Franz Joseph more than made up for it with sunny days up on the mountain....thank goodness the bridge was replaced just in time! Fantastic experience and would reccommend the package to anyone, many thanks.

Shelley, We can’t thank you enough for all your care and attention to our self drive trip to the South Island of NZ! Everything was perfect!...
Read moreShelley, We can’t thank you enough for all your care and attention to our self drive trip to the South Island of NZ! Everything was perfect! Thank you especially for handling the last minute changes due to the train not running on the day we had planned and the rerouting due to the bridge wash out on the Western shore. We were disappointed not to see the glacier side of the island, but enjoyed our travels on the East Coast and through the interior. You were most gracious and the accommodations you picked for us were lovely. We especially love the B & B near Twizel, the Manuka Luxury Lodge. Peter and Jo were amazing hosts and the site was just beautiful. We only had one night there but would stay again for sure if we are in NZ. We highly recommend NZ Self Drive Tours and especially Shelly Ryder as a Travel Agent. All the best. Your country is just beautiful!!!

We really enjoyed our holiday though it feels like an eternity ago and were very pleased with the help and advice you gave us, both in preparing for...
Read moreWe really enjoyed our holiday though it feels like an eternity ago and were very pleased with the help and advice you gave us, both in preparing for and during the trip (particularly that flooding event). We’ll be back, that’s for sure. Probably a similar sort of holiday but this time around the north island. If we choose a self-drive we’ll definitely be using you guys again.

It has been a week since we returned home from our 3 week self driving tour of New Zealand. What great memories we have! First of all I want to thank...
Read moreIt has been a week since we returned home from our 3 week self driving tour of New Zealand. What great memories we have! First of all I want to thank Brigett for helping me organize the trip. I honestly did not really know what to expect. However, I was pleasantly surprised by everything! There were absolutely no problems with our tour. Everything went as planned...I could not be more pleased. All reservations for places to stay and the various tours we had planned were confirmed and we were welcomed everywhere! We had a wonderful vacation. New Zealand is indeed a special place to visit. People could not have been more welcoming. I am so glad we decided on a self-driving tour. We were able to stop whenever we wanted and had plenty of time to see things at our leisure. Brigett was easy to work with and had great ideas about what we should see and do. If you are lucky enough to be able to plan a trip to New Zealand, I would not hesitate to use Brigett and the NZ Self Drive Tours people to assist you!

It was an Amazing trip of a lifetime! And it all started with the Excellent guidance of Laura Davidson and N.Z. Self Drive Tours! Every detail was...
Read moreIt was an Amazing trip of a lifetime! And it all started with the Excellent guidance of Laura Davidson and N.Z. Self Drive Tours! Every detail was well planned and set in motion from the very beginning, and we would recommend Laura to anyone considering seeing N.Z.

My friend and I worked with Christina Brockie to customised one of the Southern Self Drive Tours. Christina was so easy to work with and any...
Read moreMy friend and I worked with Christina Brockie to customised one of the Southern Self Drive Tours. Christina was so easy to work with and any variations requested were no problem for her to organise. We travelled in March 2019 and would do it all over again given the opportunity. Every where we stayed was excellent and exceeded our expectations. The staff were friendly and helpful. All the activities we chose were well organised and fun. We especially loved the overnight cruise to Doubtful Sound. With all activities we noticed Maori History was given as well as white settlement. As the Australian on this tour I was particularly impressed and hope we can take a lesson from NZs example. The driving distances and times were very doable without being tiring. (the driver was 75) At Mt Cook the weather was foul so the planned walk was cancelled but we went on a 4 wheel drive explore of the ice lake area. Most knowledgeable driver and guide so we still were able to something of the area. Te Anau was lovely and especially the glow worm caves. It was really quite a spiritual experience given we were asked to be silent. We strongly commend this experience. next was a Milford Sound Nature Cruise. Once again superb scenery and excellent commentary. Then came overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. If we HAD to choose a highlight this would be it. Fun, enlightening and again almost spiritual experience when we were asked for silence for 10 minutes. The engines were switched off and we simply stood on the decks and heard the sounds of silence and waterfalls in the distance. Cannot recommend this trip more highly. In Queenstown we met up with two young English friends who happened to be working there as part of their travelling visa. What a bonus. While there we also went on the Shotover Jet boat experience; experience being the operative word. This was also a highlight and urge anyone of any age to do it. I was 75 at the time and it was such FUN. The driver was so clearly competent and gave us clear, concise information to maintain our safety. Would do it again in a heartbeat. We also want on TSS Earnslaw Gourmet BBQ dinner and farm tour. Gourmet is the correct description. 5 star meal suitable for both meat eaters and vegetarians alike. Franz Joseph was lovely however the flight was cancelled given both weather and we discovered the immediate response to the Christchurch Massacre included grounding aircraft. We were delighted by the Grey Mouth to Christchurch train with its stunning views and excellent service. Arriving back in Christchurch we both felt very subdued and the shock of the massacre was palpable in the atmosphere. We abandoned walking around the town, believing people needed privacy and space so took a day tour and cruise to Akaroa. Again we recommend this tour to anyone. So interesting and informative as well as fun. Thank you Christine and NZ Self drive tours. We could not and did not have one minute of regret, irritation, stuff up or lack of service. For anyone looking at what they could do in 12 days we cannot recommend more highly following a similar route. Enjoy and THANK YOU .

Hi Abbey! Firstly let me say it has been a pleasure dealing with you throughout all the stages of our holiday. At all times I felt we were in good...
Read moreHi Abbey! Firstly let me say it has been a pleasure dealing with you throughout all the stages of our holiday. At all times I felt we were in good hands. Our trip began so well with being met at the airport and the scenic drive to our hotel. Our driver told us about the Street Food night in Cuba Street and we enjoyed time there later that evening. Hotel Ibis ( as we have found in other places around the world) was comfortable and a short taxi ride to pick up our nice, almost new Mazda. All was handled very professionally at the Budget office. We were on our way. We found the directions in our handbook very helpful and found our way mostly with ease throughout our journey. The notes re places along the way certainly made our travels more interesting. The weather was generally kind to us with the exception of the day we drove from Napier to Rotorua when much needed rain poured all the way. However this did not adversely affect our trip. Having two days in a number of places was much appreciated. We especially loved our trip to Waihiki Island in Auckland as well as our time in Pahia and exploring the Bay of islands. All in all we had a lovely holiday.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and were very impressed with all the arrangements made by New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We appreciated being met at...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our trip and were very impressed with all the arrangements made by New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We appreciated being met at Auckland Airport and driven to our accommodation. The information package was extremely comprehensive and covered all our destinations plus suggestions as to what other activities we could undertake. We did not experience any problems with any of the arrangements which you had made on our behalf.

Holiday arrangements were easy to follow. Map book & brochures were excellent. The Car GPS was hard to see & perhaps a little old. Had to...
Read moreHoliday arrangements were easy to follow. Map book & brochures were excellent. The Car GPS was hard to see & perhaps a little old. Had to press quite hard for it to accept our input. Annoying to have to sit it over the radio screen. Prefer more modem GPS within the car dash. Found it better to use our own phone. Accommodation was satisfactory, but some was a little under spec I think. Overall we were pleased with what you did & would recommend your service.

Hi Louise, We had an amazing time in New Zealand. Everything went according to plan and on time. All reservations were ideal and seamless. Your...
Read moreHi Louise, We had an amazing time in New Zealand. Everything went according to plan and on time. All reservations were ideal and seamless. Your services were very reliable and helped make our trip perfect. The only change we made was stopping in Queenstown. We would have liked more time there. We did push the Glow worm tour to a couple of hours later so we could spend some time in Queenstown. We would recommend your tour company to anyone that is planning a trip to New Zealand. Thank you again for everything.

Our trip to New Zealand was absolutely wonderful and we give both Brigett and NZ Self Drive Tours 5 stars! Brigett was wonderful in helping us...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand was absolutely wonderful and we give both Brigett and NZ Self Drive Tours 5 stars! Brigett was wonderful in helping us customize our trip to include special activities like kayaking. All of the arrangements were perfect, and everyone was expecting us when we arrived. Mother Nature caused a few glitches, but we were warned of the problems and other arrangements were quickly made for us. The company has done a great job in selecting excellent providers for accommodations and activities. We were booked for private tours and our guides made sure that we weren't held up or inconvenienced by large groups. I can't imagine a better way to see New Zealand!

We are in Christchurch departing to the USA in the morning. My wife and I want to thank you for the truly wonderful job you did with the schedule and...
Read moreWe are in Christchurch departing to the USA in the morning. My wife and I want to thank you for the truly wonderful job you did with the schedule and suggested activities. We very much enjoyed what was a somewhat hectic but very interesting schedule and really enjoyed visiting many of the less “touristy” small towns like your hometown of Wanaka. I could live comfortably there. The guides on all suggested activities were “tremendous” and really “into their jobs”. Thanks so much

Shelley from New Zealand Self Drive Tours worked with us to arrange a month long vacation to both islands. She was very accommodating from the start...
Read moreShelley from New Zealand Self Drive Tours worked with us to arrange a month long vacation to both islands. She was very accommodating from the start helping us devise the best route for all the places we wanted to see. She also made suggestions on tours, activities, where to spend more time and where to spend less. Once the decisions where made and we were happy with the itinerary Shelley arranged everything for us. From the initial greeting at the airport, all accommodations, all car rental pick up and drop offs, ferry tickets, train tickets, tours and activities. We had one small miscommunication regarding the car rental and Shelley took care of it promptly. Everything went off without a hitch. The accommodations were, on the whole, excellent as were the drivers, guides and activity companies. We are very satisfied with New Zealand Self Drive Tours and would recommend them.

WONDERFUL TRIP....EVERY detail was covered perfectly....the places we stayed where very hospitable and clean...the suggestions of where and how much...
Read moreWONDERFUL TRIP....EVERY detail was covered perfectly....the places we stayed where very hospitable and clean...the suggestions of where and how much time to spend at any one place were spot on! You did a top notch job....(not to mention rearranging everything when the trip up the western side had to be changed due to washed out bridge etc). Thank you!

Thanks so much for your wonderful organisation of our trip Chelsea. All went very smoothly from the beginning, with Adrian picking us up from the...
Read moreThanks so much for your wonderful organisation of our trip Chelsea. All went very smoothly from the beginning, with Adrian picking us up from the airport and Christchurch railway station to our leaving our car at Christchurch airport at the end of the holiday. All the accommodation was great and the excursions also well planned, especially the Milford Sound cruise as the morning trip was a more convenient time than later, as there were numerous tour Buses taking up lots of spaces in the car park. The Queenstown SS Earnslaw dinner cruise was amazing. This is a must and the Gondola ride was spectacular, thanks so much, Chelsea! I adored the whole adventure! The TranzAlpine trip was breathtaking! The Queenstown motel complimented NZ Fine Touring for their excellent organising. We were deeply saddened by the Christchurch mosques incident. We were also shocked by the Waiho Bridge destruction, near Franz Josef and it was a shame that the open bridge carriage on the train was shut, but it's understandable. We will definitely come back to our favourite places in the South Island and possibly include the North Island.

Everything was great, your choice of hotels was terrific, especially the Fletcher Lodge in Dunedin, which is a spectacular old house. I wish we could...
Read moreEverything was great, your choice of hotels was terrific, especially the Fletcher Lodge in Dunedin, which is a spectacular old house. I wish we could have spent more time in Christchurch as we found it to be a delightful city, fortunately we had left before the terrible shootings. The Merivale Manor was very comfortable and we enjoyed our short stay there. We enjoyed the Punt trip on the Avon as well as the Tram and Gondola rides. So once again we enjoyed visiting your beautiful country and will maybe return at some point in the future and thanks so much for all your guidance and attention.

We (19 of us) have a wonderful time doing a 10 days Self Drive Tours expertly and meticulously arranged by New Zealand Touring Company. At time when...
Read moreWe (19 of us) have a wonderful time doing a 10 days Self Drive Tours expertly and meticulously arranged by New Zealand Touring Company. At time when we needed assistance, they were prompt to attend to our needs. All arrangement, from pick-up transfer, accommodation, tours and optional activities including the Info Pack were very thoughtfully planned. We thank Jane for a memorable holiday in South Island.

Our time in New Zealand was excellent. Everything went as planned. The weather held and the crowds stayed home. All of our side excursions were very...
Read moreOur time in New Zealand was excellent. Everything went as planned. The weather held and the crowds stayed home. All of our side excursions were very enjoyable. Our favourites were: 1. Weta Cave 2. Hobbiton 3. Zealandia Our communication with you was excellent, the material provided was good, I suggest you add postal codes to the itinerary locations as they make use of the GPS in the car much easier. Thank you

Thank you Chelsea Lodge for an amazing trip! We were so happy with all the arrangements you made for us. It was such a pleasure to travel without...
Read moreThank you Chelsea Lodge for an amazing trip! We were so happy with all the arrangements you made for us. It was such a pleasure to travel without worries about where to stay and to have all our activities taken care of. New Zealand is such a beautiful place but it is the people we met that will stay with us. So warm and welcoming. We have already recommended your service to a number of friends who have been inspired by our experience. Thanks again for a great adventure!

We had a wonderful time in NZ. Overall the schedule worked quite well. Each day we experienced wonderful walks that on average exceeded 16 km. We...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time in NZ. Overall the schedule worked quite well. Each day we experienced wonderful walks that on average exceeded 16 km. We especially enjoyed the Wanaka area and the walk to Rob Roy glacier. The hooker trail was interesting but as expected many many people were on that track . We found numerous other walks that revealed the amazing beauty of NZ. Even the drives between locations were enjoyable. As for lodging, the only disappointment was the Millennium Hotel in Queenstown. Initially they booked us into a room that was below street grade and directly faced a very noisy intersection of two busy streets. They did find a way to move us later in our stay to an interior courtyard room but overall the room was significantly inferior to every other hotel that we visited. The one thing we learned is eating out every night (something we normally do not experience because of a tendency to rent condos or homes with cooking facilities) quickly gets old. We want to thank you for organizing this visit and I suspect we will plan to return to NZ for a longer period of time in the not too distant future. Best wishes.

We did a 10 day tour starting In Auckland on North Island and ending in Christchurch on South Island with Jane as our agent . It was great trip,...
Read moreWe did a 10 day tour starting In Auckland on North Island and ending in Christchurch on South Island with Jane as our agent . It was great trip, although we had a few days of rainy weather. Being from the US I was a little nervous about driving on left side of roadway, but I didn't have too many problems, I managed not to make very many other drivers angry ..lol The itinerary that Jane put together was very nice and we did a lot of the suggested activities plus more. The accommodations were nice except parking at Wellington NZ hostel was a little bit of hassle. Also the rental car shuffle from North Island to South Island was a little bit of hassle; if you can retain car on ferry that would be much better. If you are interested in some beautiful country and nice people New Zealand is the place to visit. After you been there a few days and get your bearings you can wander off and enjoy very many delightful things to do. Now that I have been there once the next trip you can customize things that you missed the first time. I will be returning for sure Thanks Jane and NZ Self Drive tours

With many thanks to NZ Self-Drive Tours and specifically to Brigett Turner, we enjoyed a wonderful and unforgettable 16 day trip through the North...
Read moreWith many thanks to NZ Self-Drive Tours and specifically to Brigett Turner, we enjoyed a wonderful and unforgettable 16 day trip through the North and South Island in early March. Special memories include our tour of Te Puia in Rotorua (with an extremely informative Maori guide), our heli-hike on the Hooker Glacier in Mt. Cook N.P., the beauty and hospitality we experienced at Hidden Lodge B&B in Queenstown, cruising Milford Sound, and hiking in the Franz Josef Glacier area. Everything was exceptionally well-organized and the lodgings Brigett chose were all quite memorable. We have already recommended NZ Self-Drive Tours to friends and will continue to do so. Thank you so much for helping us make memories!

Thank you for organising our holiday in NZ. Had a fantastic time. The itinerary and organised activities were well planned and most enjoyable. All...
Read moreThank you for organising our holiday in NZ. Had a fantastic time. The itinerary and organised activities were well planned and most enjoyable. All accommodation was spot on - very clean and centrally located in each town/city, all motel owners were very helpful. The only complaint would be is that some of the beds were a bit uncomfortable. All planned activities were great. Such a variety, I think we traveled on just about every type of transport you can do! It was great that while traveling in between destinations there was enough time to do our own thing as we researched each night and found other sights along the way. The locals were very friendly and guided us to the best spots to see. NZ is such a beautiful country and so scenic. We will definitely recommend our friends to go and see for themselves. Self driving was a great way to see everything as Traveling on a bus tour would not have been suitable for us. Thanks again it was fantastic. Ann Killian

We want to thank NZ Self Drive Tours for such a wonderful and exciting trip! Our trip was amazing, we just wish we could have spent more time in your...
Read moreWe want to thank NZ Self Drive Tours for such a wonderful and exciting trip! Our trip was amazing, we just wish we could have spent more time in your fabulous county. The activities and pace were perfect and we enjoyed every minute. Heather was easy to work with and really listened to what our desires were. She helped to facilitate a special trip for us. We had no glitches and everything flowed perfectly. All our reservations and activities were well planned and exactly what we asked for. We were able to spend time exploring on our own and meet some new friends and see some amazing places. We liked having the ability to do our own thing and not worry about where to stay or keep to a specific schedule. We want to return again and again to further explore and experience all New Zealand has to offer. The only thing that we think we would have changed was not staying in major cities, though we did enjoy seeing them, but to stay more rural and spend more time hiking and exploring small towns and villages. We loved Te Anau, Franz Joseph and Kaikoura and exploring the area around Queenstown (Arrowtown, Kinlock, Greenstone, etc.) The Rainforest Retreat was awesome and we loved it! We loved the county side of the Fiordlands and the Milford Sound and the beaches were incredible. Our Canopy Tour was both fun and very educational. We explored several museums in Auckland, Christchurch and Rotorua. The Tamaki Village was wonderful. Thank You again for such a wonderful experience and we can't say enough about what an exceptional trip. We will definitely recommend your company to our friends. Thanks Again!

We have been back home for almost two weeks and our savouring all are memories from New Zealand! We truly enjoyed our New Zealand self-driving tour...
Read moreWe have been back home for almost two weeks and our savouring all are memories from New Zealand! We truly enjoyed our New Zealand self-driving tour and your work in getting our itinerary right was a great part of our great trip! We particularly liked our visit to Bay of Islands and our stay at the Bellrock Lodge in Russell; our trip to Mount Cook and our stay at the Hermitage Hotel; our visit of Hobbiton, our stay at the Black Swan and our day at the Polynesian Spa (a gift from our daughters!); our visit of Christchurch and our stay at the Merivale; we could not have asked for better days doing the excellent Doubtfull Sounds excursion and the Trans-Alpine train trip! We soon realized that the suggested driving times are underestimated and everyone mentioned this Google issue! Of course there are a few things we would have done differently: the Hanmer Springs accommodations were not at part with our other lodging and we preferred the Rotorua Spa experience; our stay at the McHardy Lodge in Napier was very comfortable but we felt we were disturbing the host. While we enjoyed our stay at the McCormick House and at the Fyffe Country Lodge, we probably could have skipped the Hanmer Springs stay and rearranged our trip in terms of a better distribution of time driving per day.

Our trip to NZ was memorable. The itinerary was well planned and we were able to see most of the South and North Islands. The hotels were very good...
Read moreOur trip to NZ was memorable. The itinerary was well planned and we were able to see most of the South and North Islands. The hotels were very good except the one in Te Anau. Overall, I will give this trip five stars and to Brigett for planning this trip. We will come back again to visit areas that we missed. It is a beautiful country and the people are very friendly.

Our 21 day self driving tour of NZ was a once in a lifetime experience. The accommodation arrangements were superb. All of the extra activities we...
Read moreOur 21 day self driving tour of NZ was a once in a lifetime experience. The accommodation arrangements were superb. All of the extra activities we scheduled were great. The absolute best activities were the 1 day of flyfishing with Paul of Glendeer Guides, the gondola trip in Queenstown and the Waitomo glow worm caves. The weather for the most part was excellent and escaping the winter weather in the NW of the US was really great. A big thank you to your company for putting this all together.

Louise,  I want to thank you so much for your brilliant organisation of our NZ holiday. Most especially, for coming to our rescue and organising...
Read moreLouise,  I want to thank you so much for your brilliant organisation of our NZ holiday. Most especially, for coming to our rescue and organising wonderful alternatives for us when our West Coast plans got washed away with the bridge. It was incredibly comforting to know you had our back and would manage it all brilliantly. Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook were, in fact, the highlight of our trip – the views from The Hermitage, oh my! That stay was particularly joyful for me because I had foot surgery just before we left Adelaide so was quite limited in the range of walking I could do. But at Mt Cook, I could just sit and watch that mountain all day while Bryan had lots of fun with a glacier.  The booklet with all of our booking details and suggestions for activities became our bible and so so useful – it seemed you had thought of everything we could want or need, just so helpful. All of our bookings were smooth and hitch-free and the accommodation was really good (The Hermitage was amazing!). The one exception perhaps was the Quest in Christchurch which was a bit strange and claustrophobic and their customer service wasn’t great. Particularly when you tried to contact us about the train cancellation – they apparently kept ringing our room but I was sat next to the phone all afternoon and evening and the phone didn’t ring. I was surprised that they didn’t try our mobile numbers because they had those details. Which also made me realise that I didn’t let you know our NZ phone numbers which I should have done, my apologies. Anyway, I thought you might like that feedback about the Quest – it was fine, just not quite up to the standard you had set for us previously and after! Thanks again Louise, your support, good humour and amazing attention to detail was very much appreciated by both of us!

Our trip to New Zealand, organised by you was not just a story but was so wonderful. Simply a living dream. We have nothing whatsoever to complain...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand, organised by you was not just a story but was so wonderful. Simply a living dream. We have nothing whatsoever to complain about. Thank you so much for the lovely itinerary. There was pleasure joy and happiness. We were bit sorry that we could not thank you personally. Thank you again a million times. We wish you all the best for you and please continue with the good work.

Thank you very much Chelsea for your help in organising and tailoring my holiday. I had a wonderful time! The only feedback I would provide relates...
Read moreThank you very much Chelsea for your help in organising and tailoring my holiday. I had a wonderful time! The only feedback I would provide relates to the car hire and scheduling. I collected the car in Auckland at about 9:30 to drive to Matamata in time for 1:00pm. To drop the car off in Wellington by 10:00am leaving from Martinborough was not feasible so I was charged an extra day's car hire. I understand this was my agreement with Europcar but I would have preferred the option up front of 7 days rental rather than 6 which would have been much cheaper.

Gillian and I want to thank you Shelley for all the time an effort you obviously put in to creating our trip. Nothing seemed too much trouble for you...
Read moreGillian and I want to thank you Shelley for all the time an effort you obviously put in to creating our trip. Nothing seemed too much trouble for you as we chopped and changed before finally settling on what we wanted. Everything went almost exactly to plan and the only bit that didn't was due to the weather which, of course, is unpredictable and unavoidable. The accommodation you chose was excellent, as was the car from Budget. We did find the driving directions were sometimes a bit confusing, generally because they gave all the individual street or road names to turn into or out of, but often these were not shown or mentioned on the map, or in many cases un-signposted. However, despite this minor issue, the car had it's own built in navigator in addition to the Navman also supplied so we arrived at each destination without a drama. On one or two occasions we were diverted from the suggested route by one or other of the navigators but this lead to exploring back roads which were less well travelled and hence, even more enjoyable. We absolutely loved the South Island. The scenery was diverse and magnificent and the driving was easy.The suggested and included activities were all excellent (apart from Mt Cook which was cancelled due to weather). We think our favourite was the Queenstown TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak with the delicious BBQ dinner etc. This was a real show-stopper and should be undertaken by everyone visiting Queenstown. Overall, the various component of the itinerary came together seamlessly, making for an unforgettable adventure. A huge thank you from both Gillian and myself.

Thank you so very much for helping us to set up this wonderful experience. Little did we know that Peter would be in the hospital only one week...
Read moreThank you so very much for helping us to set up this wonderful experience. Little did we know that Peter would be in the hospital only one week before and we almost didn't make it. That experience gave our vacation all the more meaning when we realized what we could have missed. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries we have visited and the excursions you sent us on were fabulous. You really added value!!! All of your arrangements went off without a hitch. All of our accommodations were up to our standards or the best that I believe was available and we could see the wisdom of your choices. I believe the only suggestion we could come up with was that we started adding about an hour to all of our drive times each day to allow for traffic and our making wrong turns (tourists don't always know where they are going.) The very first day our GPS got us going in the opposite direction and so we stopped using it, feeling that I was a better navigator. We had a blast and a very memorable experience! Thank you so much, Marta PS I will send referrals if I have an opportunity!

Everything about this experience was great! After contacting the company about the package we wanted, they contacted us & serious negotiation...
Read moreEverything about this experience was great! After contacting the company about the package we wanted, they contacted us & serious negotiation began. They were very flexible. On arrival, our ride was waiting with a full information packet with step-by-step instructions, and literally everything for the next 24 days was like clockwork! Hotels, rental cars, event reservations and flights were all smooth! If you want autonomy in your trip, you can’t go wrong with New Zealand Self-Drive Tours!

We had a fantastic time in NZ and the itinerary showcased the magical scenery the country has to offer. Our accommodation was always of a high...
Read moreWe had a fantastic time in NZ and the itinerary showcased the magical scenery the country has to offer. Our accommodation was always of a high standard and the suggested activities we took up were all excellent value. Principal highlights were the Gap in the Rock cruise at the Bay of Islands, the thermal activity park at Rotorua, the Interislander cruise between north and south islands, the glacier cruise at Mt Cook, the Milford Sound cruise and the gondola ride and dinner at the Stratosphere Restaurant in Queenstown. But every day was priceless and we can unreservedly recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys beautiful scenery and getting close to nature.

My wife and I used NZ Self Drive Tours for a month long North and South island trip. We were completely satisfied with our trip including...
Read moreMy wife and I used NZ Self Drive Tours for a month long North and South island trip. We were completely satisfied with our trip including accommodations, rental car selection, suggested attractions, and route plans. We experienced a couple of minor reservation and car glitches which were immediately addressed. We were really impressed with the planning process, friendly help, attention to detail, and follow-up when needed. We were 100% satisfied!

The Fann’s and Pratt’s loved our New Zealand holiday which Jane designed for us went off without a hitch. From the pickup at the airport,...
Read moreThe Fann’s and Pratt’s loved our New Zealand holiday which Jane designed for us went off without a hitch. From the pickup at the airport, to all the hotel and BnB reservations, to the car rental and ferry reservations, and special activity reservations, all went perfect. It allowed the four of us to just concentrate on the beauty and uniqueness of NZ. We particularly enjoyed the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, the unique quaint town of Napier, the beautiful ferry ride from the north to the South Island, the Kaikoura whale watching boat outing, the whole Mt. Cook National Park area and especially the Mt. Cook Glacier Explorers outing, the Queenstown TSS Earnslaw cruise to and dinner at Walter’s Peak Station, the Milford Sound tour, the Twin Glaciers Scenic Helicopter flight, and the beautiful village of Franz Josef. The phone SIM cards came in very handy for checking the SUV GPS against Google Maps and also allowing connectivity away from WiFi. All-in-all this was a once-in-a-lifetime vacation! Thank you!

Abby, we had an amazing holiday on the North Island and we're so glad we used NZ Self Drive Tours. From the time we started organising our holiday...
Read moreAbby, we had an amazing holiday on the North Island and we're so glad we used NZ Self Drive Tours. From the time we started organising our holiday via emails with you, to the day we flew back to Perth from your beautiful country, we never had a problem. All the tours we took that you guys recommended (and a couple of other tours in Rotorua that we saw online that you booked for us) were fantastic. Accommodation was really good and the car and its GPS were great too. This was one of the most enjoyable trips we've done because we didn't have to worry about anything - you had done it all for us. All we had to do was decide where to eat each day, and boy did we have some great meals! We will definitely be using you guys when we do our self drive tour of the South Island in a couple of years - that's a promise!

Christina, Thank you for your help on our trip. Overall, we had a Fantastic time! The hotels were very nice, clean and comfortable. Our activities...
Read moreChristina, Thank you for your help on our trip. Overall, we had a Fantastic time! The hotels were very nice, clean and comfortable. Our activities were well organized, fun and entertaining. The drives were reasonable and beautiful. We loved the Country! There are a few things that we noted that I will provide as feedback. Again, we had a Wonderful time! Thank you for your help putting our trip together! I have already recommended NZ Self Drive Tours and will again.

Christina was extremely helpful in the planning and booking stages and made our tour really memorable for us. Without her help we would not have...
Read moreChristina was extremely helpful in the planning and booking stages and made our tour really memorable for us. Without her help we would not have managed such effective use of our time, nor would we have seen some of the very best roads in the country. Touring by motorbike is different than by car, and Christina understood that well. The places we stayed were almost all excellent - we didn't enjoy the Copthorne hotel in Paihia (which was only booked when the first choice had been filled before we finalised). We also found the hotel in Wellington unhelpful with regard to parking, and inconvenient with our room being upstairs (having to carry bike gear up and down). Finally the Picton Yacht Club was below standard - not clean, worn carpets. Otherwise all our stops were most enjoyable, especially the Waldorf studio apartments in Auckland, the Snells Beach motel, the Oceans Resort in Whitianga, the Lugano Motor Lodge in Blenheim, the Clearbrook Motel in Wanaka, and Woodland Park in Waitomo. All provided an extra something by way of customer service or facilities. The tours Christina suggested were also first class. We really enjoyed Waiheke Island, Hobbiton, boat trip at Mount Cook, Milford Sound, and the boat trip at Wanaka, not to forget the glow worms! All worked nicely into our schedule and preferences. So our heartfelt thanks to Christina, and New Zealand, for a trip we will never forget.

Wow. What a fabulous holiday. Christina had everything arranged and Nesse stepped in when there was a mishap and Christina was on holiday. The...
Read moreWow. What a fabulous holiday. Christina had everything arranged and Nesse stepped in when there was a mishap and Christina was on holiday. The transfers,locations, accommodation and the tours were just amazing. If I had to pick one place, it would be the overnight cruise on Doubtful sound... or was it the helicopter flight over Franz Josef glacier. Really can't choose, all awesome. Thank you, we will be recommending your company.

Sarah and Nisse put together a wonderful trip. Would definitely recommend thus to others. It both saved us a huge hassle of organizing this on our...
Read moreSarah and Nisse put together a wonderful trip. Would definitely recommend thus to others. It both saved us a huge hassle of organizing this on our own and putting us in hotels and tours we might not have known about or found on our own. Please thank them for us. The hospitality industry is really about the details. As they say, the devil is in the details. We were very impressed with the comprehensive packet you put together for us and gave us on our arrival and your attention to the details. The only suggestion we can offer at this point is that we ended up going into places (hotels, tours) without any paperwork and just giving them our name. This, we found out, does not always work. Suggest that you make it clear to your future guests that they always take their booking number with them at all stops. A possible option is for you guys to add one more page to their trip book .. a page of pre-printed, perforated vouchers, .. 16 per page, sort like a of business card size vouches that they would just tear out and bring with them. Jim

We had a wonderful time! The itinerary book and atlas were a great help. The accommodation varied but all were adequate. Mercure Wellington...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time! The itinerary book and atlas were a great help. The accommodation varied but all were adequate. Mercure Wellington Apartments was very hot with no air conditioning. It was very noisy and windy with windows open. The Staff was great though. Our room at Punakaiki Resort had ripped screens, but location was fabulous. It was the only restaurant which we were disappointed in the meal and service. Our very favorite was the Kimi Ora Eco Resort. We could could have easily spent another night. The Maple lodge was a wonderful place to celebrate my birthday and the golf course had stunning views. It is hard to pick our favorite place or activity, but I think Milford Sound was the most spectacular. We loved the Progressive Wine tour and the atmosphere in Napier as well. The jet boat was fun and we also did The Tss Earnslaw/ Walter Peak lunch cruise. Beautiful place on a beautiful day. Thank you for your efforts, it truly was the best trip ever!

We had a great time on the trip Self Drive Tours planned for us. Just about all the hotels met our expectations and we were guided to some of the...
Read moreWe had a great time on the trip Self Drive Tours planned for us. Just about all the hotels met our expectations and we were guided to some of the great highlights the North Island offers. When booking the trip, would suggest working closely with your consultant to make sure you have everything you are expecting. Check out all the hotels and work with the consultant to ensure they meet your expectations. We found working with Erynn to be a great experience and she really helped us map out a trip that was memorable.

Visiting a foreign country can be challenging. I reached out to New Zealand Self Drive Tours for helping. After a short interview, Christina put...
Read moreVisiting a foreign country can be challenging. I reached out to New Zealand Self Drive Tours for helping. After a short interview, Christina put together an itinerary for us that was perfect. It had excellent outings and plenty of free time to allow us to explore. Every planned outing had a reservation that helped us enjoy the activity without any drama. The lodgings and car where exactly what we wanted. I highly recommend this organization.

My wife (Christine) and I booked our trip to New Zealand from 6th Feb-2nd March 2019 with Jane Zwerrenz, who could not have been more helpful. We...
Read moreMy wife (Christine) and I booked our trip to New Zealand from 6th Feb-2nd March 2019 with Jane Zwerrenz, who could not have been more helpful. We started making arrangements with her in early 2018 and over the months before our trip we worked together on an itinerary that ended up suiting us perfectly. The choices that Jane helped us to make about what places to visit and what activities to take part in, gave us an excellent overview of both North and South Islands. The accommodation that Jane chose for us was first class and we could not fault any of it. When we did have a little hiccup with hiring our first car, Jane sorted this out in minutes! It was definitely worth upgrading our hire car to a small SUV, it made some of the journeys just that little bit more enjoyable. I love driving and I thoroughly enjoyed the 3,971 miles that we covered in 20 days. We have so many memories, but some the highlights would include seeing orcs and dolphins on our boat trip in the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, seeing kiwis in Zoolandia in Wellington, Aoraki/Mount Cook, seeing Albatross and penguins on the Ortago Peninsula, getting soaked in a waterfall in Milford Sound, Queenstown and the amazing accommodation (Rainforest Retreat) we had in Franz Josef. We even got to like Auckland... well Devonport in particular! The only thing we regret is not having more time in New Zealand. Although we saw and did a lot in our 25 days there is still so much more that we would like to see. Probably not going to happen, but if we could we would return in an instance and we would have no hesitation in asking Jane for he help again or recommending her to anyone we might know who is thinking of going to New Zealand. In addition to all that Jane did for us and the amazing people we met, we cannot fault Singapore Airlines and would highly recommend them to any traveler. The one thing that I would defiantly do next time is to take a spare phone and buy a NZ pay-as-you-go sim card - would have made phoning within NZ a lot cheaper! So a big thank you to everyone who helped to create a lifetime of memories for my wife and I.

Now our tour has finished I thought you might like to know what we thought.  In summary, we had a great time, almost everywhere we went we kept...
Read moreNow our tour has finished I thought you might like to know what we thought.  In summary, we had a great time, almost everywhere we went we kept saying that next time we’d need to spend a bit longer here.  It was one of the best holidays we have ever had, neither of us wanted to come home.  Thank you very much for arranging everything so well.

Kia Ora from Singapore. That is one word which we pick up at least. We would like express our appreciation to Nichole White for making our vacation a...
Read moreKia Ora from Singapore. That is one word which we pick up at least. We would like express our appreciation to Nichole White for making our vacation a memorable one! Throughout the entire trip, it was a smooth transition. All the arrangements (ie. car rental, hotel & motel accommodation) were excellent. Thank you so much once again, too bad didn’t get the chance to meet you in person. We would love to visit your beautiful & peaceful country again someday.

We had a wonderful trip! Everything went very smoothly, the accommodations were lovely, and the itinerary was perfect. We only wish we could have...
Read moreWe had a wonderful trip! Everything went very smoothly, the accommodations were lovely, and the itinerary was perfect. We only wish we could have stayed longer. D One question--Our train from Christchurch to Blenheim was cancelled. They transported us on coaches, which was fine, and sent a refund of half the cost of the train. Thanks for arranging an awesome trip!

Hi Christina! This has been the MOST fabulous trip!! You arranged everything so perfectly and every tour, hotel, and person we encountered were...
Read moreHi Christina! This has been the MOST fabulous trip!! You arranged everything so perfectly and every tour, hotel, and person we encountered were beyond wonderful. We have already one other couple ready to sign up with you. NZ is positively fabulous and we are so glad we had the opportunity to go. We would recommend you, your company and NZ to anyone and everyone!

These are my thoughts on our trip. Kelly did a great job of identifying our interests when she scheduled our activities. We loved the winery and...
Read moreThese are my thoughts on our trip. Kelly did a great job of identifying our interests when she scheduled our activities. We loved the winery and brewery tours. The activities on the water were excellent, the highlight was sailing in Auckland Harbour, especially because I was allowed to sail that magnificent vessel. We really enjoyed the Coves, Caves and Coastline Cruise In Whitianga, however, we nearly missed this tour because Captain Ken wasn’t aware that we were scheduled to go out with him that morning. He advised that he had received a last minute request from another couple that morning, and that was why he was at the wharf. He was an excellent tour guide and we thoroughly enjoyed our time on his boat. We really appreciated the recommendations in our tour book stops along our route. We did make a stop that wasn’t included in the book, and were very happy that we did. We drove out to Cape Palliser to see the lighthouse, and immerse ourselves in the fur seal colony. You might consider including a recommendation in future client’s travel books. The accommodations met our needs very nicely. We found every one to be clean and in very good repair. The beds were all comfortable and we found the staff to be very helpful and friendly. Our sincere appreciation to both you and Kelly for putting together this trip.

A great trip planned by Shelley, driving distances were just right allowing time to sightsee and enjoy coffee breaks. Hotels at the various locations...
Read moreA great trip planned by Shelley, driving distances were just right allowing time to sightsee and enjoy coffee breaks. Hotels at the various locations were well chosen most having excellent views, We also enjoyed the side trips as recommended giving us a chance to experience more of what New Zealand had to offer especially the tours of various vineyards

Brigett did an amazing job to get my trip organised with less than a weeks notice. The team were always available to assist me if i had any...
Read moreBrigett did an amazing job to get my trip organised with less than a weeks notice. The team were always available to assist me if i had any questions. We loved our trip and it was so easy with everything organised so well.

We had an absolutely awesome time in NZ. We were very lucky just about everywhere with our excursions except for the whale watching tour. Apparently...
Read moreWe had an absolutely awesome time in NZ. We were very lucky just about everywhere with our excursions except for the whale watching tour. Apparently you have become a refund of it. It would be kind of you to give us this money back. The first car we rented was ok, except from the GPS that wasn't up to date. We had an upgrade on the second car, that was quite luxurious. All accommodations were very nice except perhaps the Terra Vive Luxury Suites, though. We feel so sorry for what just happened yesterday in Christchurch. This is really horrifying. Hope you're not too much under shock. Looking forward to hear from you soon.

We very much enjoyed everything about the trip! The hotels were all comfortable, clean, and centrally located. All of the activities were great. We...
Read moreWe very much enjoyed everything about the trip! The hotels were all comfortable, clean, and centrally located. All of the activities were great. We especially enjoyed the volcano hike, the jet boat ride, and the ferry ride between the north and south islands. The driving was surprisingly easy and allowed us to view the wonderful landscape, and to visit two winery regions which were beautiful! Our one driver who took us to the wineries near Picton thought it was hilarious that we asked her to stop at KFC after sampling several wines. Her husband called while she was parked in the lot and asked "why are you parked at KFC?". All of the meals were amazing but hey at the time, we just needed some fried chicken :-). Thank you for an awesome experience! We will definitely recommend your company to friends and family!!

Thank you for such a great trip! We especially thank you for contacting us so quickly (at the B&B since we didn’t have cell service) about...
Read moreThank you for such a great trip! We especially thank you for contacting us so quickly (at the B&B since we didn’t have cell service) about the road closure and then for re-booking us so we could get around it. Everything went so smoothly. The excursions were wonderful, transport to/from hotels made things so easy, and the hotels were in excellent locations. Everything you did made it very easy for us to just go along and enjoy our time in New Zealand, which we definitely did! Because you booked things, we had the best seats on the trains, at the Skyline Restaurant, and on the ferry. Couldn’t have done that without you. Thanks again.

Many thanks for organizing our tour in New Zealand. We had a fantastic time throughout the trip. Everything went perfect. The accommodations were...
Read moreMany thanks for organizing our tour in New Zealand. We had a fantastic time throughout the trip. Everything went perfect. The accommodations were very good and the distances during driving days were short enough to leave us plenty of time for stops and discovery. The additional activities were also excellent. The only one we couldn't do was the whale watch in Kaikoura due to rough seas. We left with plenty of fond memories and will highly recommend the trip to our friends.

We were thrilled with our trip. Three weeks on the South Island with NZ Self-Drive Tours was a dream-come-true-vacation for us. We plan to return and...
Read moreWe were thrilled with our trip. Three weeks on the South Island with NZ Self-Drive Tours was a dream-come-true-vacation for us. We plan to return and we will use your company to visit the North Island. Your attention to detail served us well. Everything you arranged for us happened exactly the way you promised. What a joy it was to experience 100% satisfaction all along the way! It was the best vacation of our lives. Thank you for all your work on our behalf. We loved almost every place we stayed and every adventure we experienced. Our accommodations near the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes was the only place we can't rate super high. In our opinions it didn't match up to the other places we stayed. And yet, The Pancake Rocks and the Blowholes was one of our favorite sites to see. We had a lovely lunch in Wanaka, and had hoped to stop by and say hello to you folks. But we didn’t have quite enough time to do that. Maybe next time. Now, if you could just help us become New Zealand residents, we would be indebted to you forever. :-)

You booked a fabulous trip for us and the late inclusion to Hobbiton was well organised by you. Accommodation was all great (except for M Social in...
Read moreYou booked a fabulous trip for us and the late inclusion to Hobbiton was well organised by you. Accommodation was all great (except for M Social in Auckland. We complained and they redeemed themselves with an upgrade for the second night). In retrospect we should have spent a second night at Whakapapa and walked over the volcano and cut out the night at Taupo. But that was our error of choice. We would totally recommend you to anyone wanting to travel to NZ. Thank you!

From the first enquire to NZ Self Drive Tours to the last email from Shelley hoping we had arrived home safely, we couldn't have wished for better...
Read moreFrom the first enquire to NZ Self Drive Tours to the last email from Shelley hoping we had arrived home safely, we couldn't have wished for better care and attention to detail on our amazing holiday. We arrived late at night to be met by a lovely man who delivered us to our first 3 nights in Christchurch. Beautiful accommodation which was repeated at our every destination over the 23 days we spent in NZ. Because of an avalanche the train was cancelled, which was a small disappointment but I was impressed once again by Shelley who sent an email that evening apologising and to explain we would receive reimbursement. We would highly recommend Self Drive holidays and especially our wonderful Shelley Ryder who went above and beyond to prepare our fabulous holiday. New Zealand is beautiful with scenery to awe, friendly charming people. We will be returning for another holiday with a very hard decision to make, do we go to the North or South Island?

We thought the itinerary was well thought out, taking us to areas one wouldn't have thought to go. The selection accommodation we thought was good...
Read moreWe thought the itinerary was well thought out, taking us to areas one wouldn't have thought to go. The selection accommodation we thought was good & in ideal location to carry out our sight seeing within the areas. We must mention the Morepork Riverside Lodge, because the Brian & his wife just bent over backwards to make one feel you were part of the family. Thank you Shelley for putting this itinerary together for us.

Loved it all! What a beautiful country full of nature. You need to add 1 - 2 hours to your driving time because of road construction and stopping...
Read moreLoved it all! What a beautiful country full of nature. You need to add 1 - 2 hours to your driving time because of road construction and stopping along the way. The nicest, most scenic places would have been nicer to stay at least 2 nights instead of 1, but then you would need a longer trip or just visit the North or South Island in 16 days, and then return to do another 16 days on the other Island - lot's to see and enjoy!

We just wanted to say thank you so much for organizing an AWESOME trip for us!Everything fell seamlessly into place whether it was being picked up...
Read moreWe just wanted to say thank you so much for organizing an AWESOME trip for us!Everything fell seamlessly into place whether it was being picked up from the airport/hotel/train station to car hire. With one exception- all the hotels you chose were lovely! The one glitch we had was sympathetically resolved. The route was AWESOME given that we were trying to cram so much into two weeks. The hotels I would highlight as our favourite would be: The George in Christchurch, Browns in Queensland, The Bolton in Wellington and Te Waonui at Frans Josef. In a slightly different category, the Milford Mariner trip was fabulous and the whole package- including the weather- was just magical!! Thanks once again for creating a most memorable trip for us.

A brilliant holiday and well organised; Thank you Amanda! The train trip was awesome. Motels fantastic. Gosh we had a super time. Only wee criticism...
Read moreA brilliant holiday and well organised; Thank you Amanda! The train trip was awesome. Motels fantastic. Gosh we had a super time. Only wee criticism is Wellington parking: darn cheek of the hotel to charge us to park in their basement. We did an upgrade to Premium lounge on the ferry - very worth while and suggest you offer this to your clients (plus you attract a discount.)

We were extremely pleased with the service we received from Christina and New Zealand Self Drive Tours. Everything was perfectly arranged, the pace...
Read moreWe were extremely pleased with the service we received from Christina and New Zealand Self Drive Tours. Everything was perfectly arranged, the pace was exactly as we wanted and all our expectations were surpassed. On a scale of one to ten, they were a 12! The guest accommodations were very nice, the tours, with two exceptions that were cancelled due to weather, were very nice and we never had any issues with all the various bookings they did for us. We would highly recommend them and have already shared their contact information with some friends here in Virginia. This was a vacation of a lifetime, a country whose beauty and wonderful people have to be seen to believe and a trip planned by experts in every detail. THANK YOU!!!

Louise our trip was terrific. All the bookings you did for us, lodgings, tours, car rental, were perfect. We enjoyed seeing your wonderful country. I...
Read moreLouise our trip was terrific. All the bookings you did for us, lodgings, tours, car rental, were perfect. We enjoyed seeing your wonderful country. I will recommend your company to anyone who wishes to visit New Zealand. Already did with our friends the Sterlings who are working with another person with your touring company. Many thanks for all your help.

Very pleasant touring the South Island. It seemed by going clockwise we were in much less traffic. Everything from motels to activities went off as...
Read moreVery pleasant touring the South Island. It seemed by going clockwise we were in much less traffic. Everything from motels to activities went off as planned. Selection of motels was very good, especially on the first half of the trip, a couple on the second half were a bit worn. Hope to get back to tour the North Island in 2020.

We were very satisfied with the package provided to us. The standard of accommodation was great, the timings of the programme, excursions and...
Read moreWe were very satisfied with the package provided to us. The standard of accommodation was great, the timings of the programme, excursions and activities were very well organised and well planned. We enjoyed having the possibility of seeing a variety of things, places, landscapes etc around New Zealand. We are very happy with your service and we find no objection to recommend it.

I’m writing to you from the airport in Auckland on February 14. We’re heading back home to Denver this evening, after truly the best...
Read moreI’m writing to you from the airport in Auckland on February 14. We’re heading back home to Denver this evening, after truly the best vacation of our lives. Thank you for all your work on our behalf. We couldn’t be happier with New Zealand Self Drive Tours and your work in particular. 100% of the details you arranged for us worked out wonderfully.  We loved every place we stayed and every adventure we experienced. Each of your recommendations were fantastic for us.  We are thrilled with the 3 weeks we spent in NZ. And so grateful for your help. We will be back. We hope you can keep our records open and active. We anticipate reaching out to you for help again in the future. Now, if you could just help us become New Zealand residents, we would be indebted to you forever  :-). God bless you. And thank you very much. 

Fantastic vacation! Amanda D. did a phenomenal job of putting together a terrific itinerary. Details were well organized and easy to follow. We would...
Read moreFantastic vacation! Amanda D. did a phenomenal job of putting together a terrific itinerary. Details were well organized and easy to follow. We would definitely use NZ Self Driving Tours (and Amanda D.) again should we make another trek to New Zealand!

What a fantastic trip! So many great highlights! We were so lucky, if the trip had been a few days later the weather would have totally changed the...
Read moreWhat a fantastic trip! So many great highlights! We were so lucky, if the trip had been a few days later the weather would have totally changed the trip. We had beautiful sunny weather for both Doubtful Sound and the Franz Joseph heli-hike. Swimming with the dolphins was fantastic though a bit of confusion of whether lunch was included (it wasn’t). Thank you for your advice on planning this trip, you were a pleasure to work with! Now back reality, snow in Victoria, trees across the driveway and the furnace stopped working while we were away so the house is only 9 degrees! Oh well, we have some wonderful memories of New Zealand and hope to return soon!

Thank you for a wonderful itinerary Christina, you sure did assist us to have a lovely holiday that was stress-free. You planned everything...
Read moreThank you for a wonderful itinerary Christina, you sure did assist us to have a lovely holiday that was stress-free. You planned everything perfectly, from short distances to pick up our hire car to making sure our itinerary had rest times. We were more than happy with everything you planned for us. The accommodation was perfect and most importantly lovely and clean, (we are super fussy and we couldn't fault the cleanliness). We appreciate the time, effort and energy you took in making sure every detail was perfect. Thank you once again, your friendly, helpful professional manner was very much appreciated. I would encourage friends and family to book through New Zealand Self Drive Tours!

First off, we had a marvelous time in New Zealand and appreciated both your efforts and those of your entire team. We needed to contact your office...
Read moreFirst off, we had a marvelous time in New Zealand and appreciated both your efforts and those of your entire team. We needed to contact your office twice with questions. Both times we had our questions answered very quickly. We were glad the rental cars were automatics. It was awkward enough to drive on the wrong side of the street and have the driver on the wrong side of the car…if we had to learn to shift with our left hand on the narrow mountain roads we might have gotten into trouble. The way you put the book together was easy to follow. Having the Quick Reference of the Itinerary was extremely useful. We found the Driving Directions not to be very useful. It seemed to us that road signs were not very prevalent or obvious enough for us to read. The hotel rooms and breakfasts for the most part were great. The room in Dunedin was quite small and the snack for breakfast was very meager. Perhaps we were just spoiled with the wonderful breakfast buffets at the Scenic hotels. We also appreciated the in-room laundry facilities in both the Waldorf and the Garden Court Suites (the Garden Court Suites was especially convenient for our 3-night stay, since all the stores and sites to see were within walking distance). The Zealandia Twilight Walk was very interesting, but we think it would have been beneficial to visit it first during the day (to learn more about it and see more of what there was to see in the facility) and return for the night tour. The tour guide we had for our night tour was exceptional and very informative. We also highly recommend going to the International Antarctic Centre, especially if you like Blue Penguins. We got a private behind the scenes tour of the facility which was quite meaningful since we had gone to see the Albatross Center in Dunedin the previous day and stayed to watch the Blue Penguins come ashore at night. The ride in the Haagland Tracked vehicle was also fun to experience and learning about expeditions that take off from Christchurch to the Antarctic. We never ran out of things to do and see. As a matter of fact, we seemed to always run out of time. In retrospect we could easily have spent another week + traveling around. We did not have time to get to all the suggested stops, so we often had to prioritize what we went to see. Thanks again for making our New Zealand visit such a big success!

First of all we had a wonderful time in New Zealand and it met many of our expectations. We didn't start very well and I suggest that if someone is...
Read moreFirst of all we had a wonderful time in New Zealand and it met many of our expectations. We didn't start very well and I suggest that if someone is flying in then the first night should be at a reasonable hotel in Christchurch. We did not enjoy the Bella Vista! By the time we came back for the last night we knew what to expect. Didn't arrive until 7pm due to the late arrival of the Tranz Alpine express and we're leaving at 9:30am so it wasn't a problem. The first two days were especially as it was hot! We didn't really enjoy the other Bella Vista in Franz Josef either. Other than that the accommodation though mixed was quite acceptable. The one at Bealey Motel was very quirky but interesting! The last night before the train at Punakaiki was amazing and by far the best stay...we could have stayed a week. We enjoyed all the activities with the cruise on Milford Sound and the Tranx Alpine being highlights. We did a lot of walking and saw many fantastic sights. The other good one was an Albatross watching in Kaikoura. The car was very good although it only just fitted all our luggage in with the seats down. It would have been useless for four people but we got quite attached to it. We were very pleased with the paper work and all the bookings worked beautifully. There weren't any hiccups. All worked as it should and we were picked up and dropped off at the right time. Very dependable. We found the kiwis friendly and helpful throughout our stay and would happily come back again soon.

I just wanted to let you know that we all had a fantastic holiday in NZ! Narissa created a wonderful itinerary for us! We all loved every moment!...
Read moreI just wanted to let you know that we all had a fantastic holiday in NZ! Narissa created a wonderful itinerary for us! We all loved every moment! Loved the Hertz 4WD, and the hotels were very comfortable, too! We loved Mount Cook, and The Earnslaw cruise! In fact every place we visited, we went on gorgeous walks and hikes! We all definitely plan to come back, next time we may select 2 or 3 towns and spend more time in each of this towns, exploring. Thank-you for your help!

I was very pleased with the service I received in arranging my trip. Sarah Baumanis contacted me directly by phone to establish contact, and called...
Read moreI was very pleased with the service I received in arranging my trip. Sarah Baumanis contacted me directly by phone to establish contact, and called me several times as we fine tuned my itinerary. This personal touch is different from my typical experience with travel agents in other countries, who typically just email back and forth. I was happy with the quality of all of the hotels she picked out. There was a mix up on one hotel reservation, which turned out to be the fault of the reservation agent at the hotel. They did a great job of making a change on the fly for one activity. I requested a change in date for an activity based on the weather forecast, and they came thru in meeting my request. This allowed me to enjoy that activity without getting rained on. Also, one tour provider had to change the time of one activity, and they did a great job of interfacing with that provider and letting me know of the time change ASAP. Sarah has extensive knowledge of New Zealand, and it is apparent she has traveled to many of the places that typically are desired by clients, and has taken many of the tours and done many of the activities, giving her the ability to provide expert feedback to clients that help them decide if that activity is right for them. I highly recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours and New Zealand Fine Touring.

Overall the holiday ran smoothly, all reservations were correct, the itinerary worked well and we saw everything we had wanted to see. The motels...
Read moreOverall the holiday ran smoothly, all reservations were correct, the itinerary worked well and we saw everything we had wanted to see. The motels were very good, and even the most basic was totally satisfactory. Very nice to tea/coffee facilities usually with fresh milk provided. Those with full cooking/washing facilities were much appreciated. As far as the locations were concerned they were excellent, we would have preferred not to have been in city centres as parking was expensive and access often difficult, This does not apply to Christchurch were parking is currently plentiful. The information supplied was accurate but needed more detail in the directions with distances. Without a Sat Nav we would have struggled. Great holiday.

Overall it was a fantastic experience, and the arrangements made by yourselves were awesome. We did have reason during the trip to make contact with...
Read moreOverall it was a fantastic experience, and the arrangements made by yourselves were awesome. We did have reason during the trip to make contact with yourselves a couple of times, and the actions needed were addressed immediately. Thanks and we would be happy to recommend yourselves to friends - in fact we have already done that.

We have traveled around the world many times and experienced good and poor travel advice and service. Without doubt Nisse Perry at NZ Selfdrive Tours...
Read moreWe have traveled around the world many times and experienced good and poor travel advice and service. Without doubt Nisse Perry at NZ Selfdrive Tours provided an outstanding service which we could simply not fault. Nisse's ability to package our tour to match our requirements was exceptional. Equally her constant communication with email phone and in writing was like dealing with a close friend. We would not hesitate to recommend Nisse to all wanting to travel this beautiful country. One negative we must reveal was the amount of time we allocated to the trip, it should have been twice as long - it was that good. Nisse was there when we made some stupid mistakes like rocking up to the airport without our passports and having to reschedule our trip by a day. Nisse took charge and all went so smoothly. We met with Nisse on the NZ trip for a brief chat and now regard her as a friend and look forward to engaging her on future trips. Thanks Nisse for a wonderful holiday and your genuine interest in our travels.

I wanted to thank you and your tour company for booking such a memorable trip for us - the hotel rooms that was booked were excellent choices, the...
Read moreI wanted to thank you and your tour company for booking such a memorable trip for us - the hotel rooms that was booked were excellent choices, the maps and places that were recommended to see were awesome and the activities included were tremendous - we had no issues at all and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. This has to be the best holiday we ever had and South Island is out of this world in terms of its natural beauty. I highly recommend you guys!

Thank you for coordinating such a wonderful holiday. We crammed so much in and the weather was perfect. All accommodation and activities were great...
Read moreThank you for coordinating such a wonderful holiday. We crammed so much in and the weather was perfect. All accommodation and activities were great and we could not fault our stay anywhere. It was unfortunate that we missed the Shotover Jet activity but it ended up being a good lay day. Instead we did an extra Canyon swing for the kids which they loved. We have done nothing but rave about the holiday and have marketed New Zealand Self Drive as the place to go for coordinating a trip to New Zealand. Hassel free and easy it was a holiday to remember. Thank you so very much for nursing us through the itinerary and making the process easy. Your knowledge and recommendations were spot-on and met every expectation.

Our New Zealand customized tour was absolutely awesome. Everything that we wanted to do was included and went like clockwork. There was never a time...
Read moreOur New Zealand customized tour was absolutely awesome. Everything that we wanted to do was included and went like clockwork. There was never a time while on the journey that we were interrupted for anything, you took care of all arrangements for rooms,cars and all other excursions that we wanted to see. Everything went so smoothly just like you planned it out for us. We were more than happy and amazed at how smooth it all went. The booklet that was included was also so well prepared that we were never in doubt as to driving directions or time that we had to be anywhere. You were so well planned and organized that we just were able to relax and enjoy all the New Zealand had to offer. Thank you so much!!

It was a great experience for myself and my husband we will definitely be doing it again. Abby was absolutely amazing arranging our holiday always in...
Read moreIt was a great experience for myself and my husband we will definitely be doing it again. Abby was absolutely amazing arranging our holiday always in touch with us as we live in Australia thank you very much New Zealand self drive tours

We thought the balance of the self drive holiday you arranged for us was excellent. The accommodation was good, the tours you pre-booked were ones we...
Read moreWe thought the balance of the self drive holiday you arranged for us was excellent. The accommodation was good, the tours you pre-booked were ones we needed to go on, the distance we needed to drive each day was not excessive, and the car was ideal for our purpose.

Amazing trip! Couldn't of planned a better trip myself. NZ Self Drive Tours were absolutely amazing to deal with. Would recommend to everyone heading...
Read moreAmazing trip! Couldn't of planned a better trip myself. NZ Self Drive Tours were absolutely amazing to deal with. Would recommend to everyone heading to NZ! The locations, activities and itinerary were perfect for us. Can't wait to book my next adventure to NZ with them. Thanks guys!

Our trip to New Zealand was fantastic! It was truly the stuff of dreams. We were lucky enough to spend nearly a month there which didn't seem like...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand was fantastic! It was truly the stuff of dreams. We were lucky enough to spend nearly a month there which didn't seem like enough! It made us realize how much we still want to do there! Most of the hotels were perfect, only the Bella Vista in Rotorua was a bit cramped, comparatively. Everything else was smooth and wonderful! I look forward to booking an additional trip with you soon!

Hi! We had the best time on our trip. New Zealand is an amazing country and Heather and the team made is so easy for us. In addition, we enjoyed al...
Read moreHi! We had the best time on our trip. New Zealand is an amazing country and Heather and the team made is so easy for us. In addition, we enjoyed al the activities selected for us and wouldn't have changed anything. the only bad things was that our trip had to end...thank you for an experience of a lifetime!!!

I just wanted to take a few lines to express our sincere thanks to those at New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We chose to concentrate on the South Island...
Read moreI just wanted to take a few lines to express our sincere thanks to those at New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We chose to concentrate on the South Island as most of our interests were in mountains, lakes, and glaciers. Unfortunately my wife was not able to make the trip as she struggles with long flights, so this was my biggest disappointment. So my travel companion was my daughter. To say she and I were not disappointed would be a big understatement. It was perhaps one of the best vacations I can ever remember taking. This was due to a couple of factors. First, the stunning diverse natural beauty that New Zealand has to offer is like none I've ever seen. Second, the travel suggestions and travel arrangements made for us by Tare and follow up by Amanda were spot on with our interests. their communication was clear and always timely should we have any questions. Every schedule and booking that was set up went off like clockwork. I turned out to be the biggest problem in that I couldn't go more than five kilometers without having to stop and take more photos, which made the drives from place-to-place a bit of a challenge for me. If time and budget would allow, the only thing I would change is to double the time I'd spend in your beautiful country. As a testament to your company's reliability, I spoke with one of our hotel operators and mentioned we were doing a Self-Drive. She said she'd been dealing with your company for years and has always been impressed with the precision and dependability of your tour arrangements. Thank you for your attention to detail and if I ever have another opportunity to visit, I won't hesitate to call again.

We are back in Sydney after our 10 day holiday in New Zealand South Island. We had a very enjoyable holiday. New Zealand South Island has such...
Read moreWe are back in Sydney after our 10 day holiday in New Zealand South Island. We had a very enjoyable holiday. New Zealand South Island has such stunning scenery, and is so beautiful. Thank you very much for organising our itinerary for us and for booking our accommodation and vehicle. Everything worked well and all motels were comfortable. The only thing we couldn't do in what we planned to do was the helicopter ride in Franz Josef. All flights were cancelled that day due to bad weather. We enjoyed the two cruises in Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound. The weather could not have been better. We had perfect sunny days for these, and the scenery there was fantastic. From Queenstown we drove to Glenorchy and to Paradise, the drive was so scenic. On Christmas day we did the Key Summit Track in Te Anau, and there too you see stunning alpine scenery everywhere. We went to Invercargill and then to Dunedin and then to Mount Cook, as it was a nice sunny day we could see Mount Cook very clearly that day. We enjoyed New Zealand South Island very much and thank you very much for organisng the tour for us.

Each day we awoke was filled with wonder and fun. The beauty of NZ is astounding. So many scenic roads that take your breath away. NZFT was fantastic...
Read moreEach day we awoke was filled with wonder and fun. The beauty of NZ is astounding. So many scenic roads that take your breath away. NZFT was fantastic in guiding us and selecting most of our hotels. One bit of advice, don't wait til you're in your 80's to drive these roads; exciting as heck for us but can be a challenge with hairpin turns and narrow lanes. The time of year we picked (early December) turned out great and we missed the crowded tourist season. Seemed like great weather followed us everywhere - for example, when we arrived at Mt. Cook, the tourist office told us it had been locked in clouds for two weeks. The day we arrived it was blue sky and sunny!

We had an absolutely wonderful trip, and you found places that there is no way we would have found. The tours were exactly as expected, and we had a...
Read moreWe had an absolutely wonderful trip, and you found places that there is no way we would have found. The tours were exactly as expected, and we had a great trip. Congrats! We can’t wait to come back to NZ. Our trip was unbelievable. Thanks for everything.

I am writing to thank you for making a wonderful arrangement for our tour in the last two weeks of December 2018. Your country is beautiful and rich...
Read moreI am writing to thank you for making a wonderful arrangement for our tour in the last two weeks of December 2018. Your country is beautiful and rich in culture and natural diversity. The Milford Sound and Mt Cook visits were out of this world. The train ride to Moana and lunch in the small restaurant - station house cafe was awesome. The Museum Te Papa was a rich education for us on the history and culture of your country. The drive through your country is in itself the biggest attraction - each turn of the wheel we were spellbound by the beauty of your land. Stopping at small shops to savor the local produce was wonderful. I can go on and on. The trip was flawless except that one episode in Wellington Ferry terminal which was out of your control. In the end, I think you and your team did a great job. I would recommend to my friend's to visit your beautiful country and experience the natural wonders of the unspoiled world out there. Keep it pristine. Wishing you and your company great success.

Nisse did an excellent job of preparing a self drive holiday which catered to our specific requirements. She was available on call to sort out little...
Read moreNisse did an excellent job of preparing a self drive holiday which catered to our specific requirements. She was available on call to sort out little issues during our trip. The holiday was everything AND more than we had expected. Thanks

Thank you very much for organizing our tour of the Southern Island. All the arrangements and the choice of motels and tours were very good. We really...
Read moreThank you very much for organizing our tour of the Southern Island. All the arrangements and the choice of motels and tours were very good. We really enjoyed the trip. Also, your suggestions for short walks were very helpful. The only remark we have is that we almost missed the great site Nugget Point that wasn't mentioned in the program, which would have been a pity, as it was very close to Kaka point. Best wishes.

First of all we want to extend our love and support to you and the country regarding the recent outrageous act of violence that occurred. You have a...
Read moreFirst of all we want to extend our love and support to you and the country regarding the recent outrageous act of violence that occurred. You have a wonderful leader in PM Arden and the governing body. USA could really learn from her leadership. Overall we had a wonderful time in New Zealand! Beautiful country and one we will visit again. Accommodations were good as were the SUVs I drove. Very easy to drive in New Zealand despite the reality of using a "different" side of the road; well maintained roads with clear and instructive signage. I'd say if someone wants to travel the path we took they need to really consider the amount of daily driving involved. I'm very glad I had purchased a map of the country. Additionally I'd say the costs of fuel and food are expensive. I wish we had more real opportunities to kayak and hike. Loved all of the events we participated in. I'd recommend them all. The nature preserve in Wellington and the Rotorua canopy tours were favorites. I'd say Christchurch is not really a key stop (We would have rather spent two days in Wellington.) One bright spot was stumbling upon the Canterbury Museum. Loved it! Our only real complaints have nothing to do with your company's tour. We did not have a good experience leaving the country due to delay in flights and no real guidance on how to access the bus to the International terminal. Thankfully Air New Zealand waited for us and made efforts to get us to the plane; we were at least 30 minutes late getting the actual plane that had been boarded.

We had a wonderful time on our recent trip to New Zealand. We have been fortunate enough to travel to many destinations and my wife and I agreed that...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time on our recent trip to New Zealand. We have been fortunate enough to travel to many destinations and my wife and I agreed that New Zealand is possibly the best location we have visited. Additionally, we have used several travel agencies over the years and our experience with New Zealand Self Drive Tours was excellent. Christina was wonderful to work with and she did an fantastic job setting everything up for us. We had high expectations for this trip and our expectations were exceeded. New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful and clean country. We also met the nicest people. Everyone was friendly and helpful. We have only great things to say about New Zealand. We will recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours to anyone we know who will be planning a trip there. Thank you making our trip so enjoyable. We look forward to visiting again in the near future.

We booked a self-drive tour to the South Islands for 12 days with NZ Self Drive Tours. Amanda was extremely helpful and patient even with the...
Read moreWe booked a self-drive tour to the South Islands for 12 days with NZ Self Drive Tours. Amanda was extremely helpful and patient even with the numerous iterations of the itinerary. The accommodations provided were awesome and able to cater to our needs. Activities which were provided and those suggested by Amanda were awesome. As this was our first self-drive trip in NZ, Amanda was thoughtful enough to suggest that we took the TranzAlpine down to Greymouth on Day 2 and then pick up our vehicle from Greymouth where we started on our wonderfully scenic drives. Thank you for the awesome suggestions. The trip has left many beautiful memories!

I was VERY pleased with the service and support from Christina and the company. The only glitch we had was the rental car not being delivered .....
Read moreI was VERY pleased with the service and support from Christina and the company. The only glitch we had was the rental car not being delivered .. thankfully we weren't in a hurry to depart! The number provided in the booklet was not direct to the Christchurch depot so that was an issue as we went on hold for over 20 minutes ! While one of us was on hold we instead rang your company and it was quickly sorted out. Everything else was just perfect and we would highly recommend this service. It made for a very stress free holiday. Thanks so much.. especially to Christina.

Thank you Laura. It was a wonderful trip overall. The weather wasn't kind on the 1st 2 days, but subsequently it got better. I love the Hobbiton...
Read moreThank you Laura. It was a wonderful trip overall. The weather wasn't kind on the 1st 2 days, but subsequently it got better. I love the Hobbiton movie set visit, the Waitomo Caves Exploration, the Maori cultural exchange, the Huka Fall jet ride, and the rare encounter with a Kiwi bird. The pace of the entire tour and car travel from town to town was awesome, lots of exploration opportunities and photo taking. New Zealand is such a beautiful country, and I would love to head to the south one more time in the near future. Thank you.

Thank you so much for all the arrangements you made for our holiday in NZ. It made everything so easy to pick up the car and just check in to our...
Read moreThank you so much for all the arrangements you made for our holiday in NZ. It made everything so easy to pick up the car and just check in to our accommodation without any hitches. It was really very useful to have the NZ touring atlas and once we got the GPS talking to us (we took a while to figure the GPS out) we were reminded to 'obey all traffic regulations' i.e speed limits!! When we were in Dunedin we decided to take the train trip up the Taieri Gorge. We thoroughly enjoyed this and wondered whether you could include that in your suggested activities for visitors to that city. Needless to say we were thrilled to wake up to a blue sky on the morning of our heli-hike! That was an experience not to be missed! So really everything went swimmingly and we would recommend others take advantage of your services. We cannot thank you enough!!!

We had an awesome vacation thanks to New Zealand Self Drive Tours. They started by asking what were our interests and tailored a trip to take in the...
Read moreWe had an awesome vacation thanks to New Zealand Self Drive Tours. They started by asking what were our interests and tailored a trip to take in the locations we had suggested and some very good alternatives that we would not have known about. The itinerary was well laid out and simple to follow. Seamless check-ins at each hotel, car rental, boat crossings and all excursions that made our trip easy and very relaxing. Annelise Radford was a great help answering all of our many questions during the planning stages. When the weather caused a sudden change to our planned itinerary, NZSD were on it before we were aware there was an issue. They made suggestions and arranged alternate accommodation that made our transition stress free. They also assisted us with our travel claim after part of our vacation was disrupted. We cannot say enough good things about this company and it’s very helpful, professional staff. We would certainly recommend them to anyone considering visiting New Zealand, their inside knowledge of the various locations was invaluable. We plan to return to New Zealand at some point in the future and will definitely use them again.

Our trip was a phenomenal experience, a ‘trip of a lifetime’. Usually the weeks leading up to a big international trip like this, I am a...
Read moreOur trip was a phenomenal experience, a ‘trip of a lifetime’. Usually the weeks leading up to a big international trip like this, I am a little anxious, hoping we make all our flight connections and all of our bookings are really booked, when we arrive in another country. Everything went smoothly, did not miss any flights, and all of our lodging and excursions were booked when we arrived. I always take a printout of all reservations with me as a back-up. All of our pick-ups and drop-offs were on time, very friendly, and helpful with luggage.

My husband and I were visiting New Zealand for the first time. We had 7 days to tour New Zealand as we spent some time in Australia visiting family...
Read moreMy husband and I were visiting New Zealand for the first time. We had 7 days to tour New Zealand as we spent some time in Australia visiting family prior to NZ. Louise helped us prepare an itinerary for our visit to New Zealand and I'm so glad I decided to do it this way as she took a lot of time to listen to the things that were important to us. It was also a reality check that we shouldn't be doing the north and south island in a 7 day period as it would feel rushed and we would lose out on the beauty this country has to offer. We decided that for the time period we had in NZ, it'll be better to visit North Island because we will definitely be back for the South Island. Louise and I exchanged several emails on what we wanted, what were our priorities, highlights, ideal time to spend in each city, etc. She gave some great recommendations and even though the skeleton of the trip was made by her, we were able to do a lot of other items on her list and also relax during our time there instead of rushing through each city. Everything was well organized and our trip went without a glitch. All the details from rentals to hotels to tours were easy to understand and well organized. I will definitely be planning another trip.

We have just had our best ever NZ North Island experience. The best ever, most beautiful part of the world, very friendly kiwis people, & too much...
Read moreWe have just had our best ever NZ North Island experience. The best ever, most beautiful part of the world, very friendly kiwis people, & too much for us to see & do, still have not seen everything, just a small percentage of whats to offer on this great North Island experience. Had a nice beach swim at Goat Island, north of Auckland. Greatest holiday experience, great people, natural scenery.

Great experience! This was by far the best trip I have ever been on. Louise knocked it out of the park. She was super helpful and was always a phone...
Read moreGreat experience! This was by far the best trip I have ever been on. Louise knocked it out of the park. She was super helpful and was always a phone call away if anything came up. 5 star experience!

Our trip to New Zealand went like clockwork thanks to Jane who organised everything for us. We enjoyed this trip even more than our last visit to NZ....
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand went like clockwork thanks to Jane who organised everything for us. We enjoyed this trip even more than our last visit to NZ. We cannot fault the arrangements made and all the bookings made were just as we expected. Thanks again.

Spending 4 weeks in New Zealand has been fantastic. All arrangements that were made were exactly as expected. Accommodation often was far above...
Read moreSpending 4 weeks in New Zealand has been fantastic. All arrangements that were made were exactly as expected. Accommodation often was far above expectations. Every time we were to be met, there was the driver waiting for us even when the train from Greymouth was very late. I definitely recommend you asking for a quote and itinery for your next trip.

Trip was amazing. Beautiful New Zealand could not have been a better place to vacation & celebrate. Narissa was very attentive to our wishes. She...
Read moreTrip was amazing. Beautiful New Zealand could not have been a better place to vacation & celebrate. Narissa was very attentive to our wishes. She made good effort to communicate with me by email or phone. She gave good suggestions, ideas and advice. She was able to help us keep,within our budget too. It was nice to have a chaperone meet us at the airport to answer questions. The tour company was very responsive to our need and request while traveling.

We were very pleased that we could customize the form trip. We also enjoyed the optional activities that Kelly suggested. The accommodations were...
Read moreWe were very pleased that we could customize the form trip. We also enjoyed the optional activities that Kelly suggested. The accommodations were spot on. All booking were of record and hassle free. We were especially pleased that when train service back to Christchurch was interrupted by weather we were contacted to discuss the problem and possible alternatives. The only thing I would suggest is sending an email to travelers about half way through the trip just to see if everything is going as plans. In short we were VERY satisfied and have recommended your services to friends.

This was our first trip to New Zealand. We thoroughly enjoyed our customised South Island Spectacular, which was extremely well organised by Narissa....
Read moreThis was our first trip to New Zealand. We thoroughly enjoyed our customised South Island Spectacular, which was extremely well organised by Narissa. We felt that the planning process was good and we were fully involved in deciding which experiences appealed to us. We were also able to include a visit to our family in the itinerary, which made it even more special! All went very well, apart from a severe storm from the West Coast which caused the cancellation of our trip on the TranzScenic train to Christchurch, but we were able to retain our excellent Toyota Corolla thanks to good co-operation from Budget Car Hire and a quick phone call to the NZ Self Drive Tours office. We were pleased too, with the follow up by Narissa checking to ensure our safe travel. Now we have a good excuse (if we needed one!) to come back again! Thank you Narissa for all you did for us.

We booked a 10 days/ 9 nights self drive tour of South Island and we did it this past November. It was one of the greatest holidays we have ever had....
Read moreWe booked a 10 days/ 9 nights self drive tour of South Island and we did it this past November. It was one of the greatest holidays we have ever had. Driving was easy and fun and we didn’t find any difficulties with clear instructions right from the second you land. The only thing I felt we could have done better was getting a bigger car instead of the small Toyota Corolla. The booking process was easy and I spoke to Jane Zwerrenz over the phone before booking and she effectively tailored our itinerary according to our needs. You probably can save a little bit more if you book hotels directly, but all that hassle of searching for good priced hotels and locations were removed when we booked through these guys. We were happy with the accommodations provided everywhere especially in Queenstown and Mount Cook where we were given rooms with excellent views of the lakes and mountains. I definitely and strongly recommend New Zealand self drive tours for my friends and family .

This was the first time we travel to New Zealand and we were very exited about the trip. The itinerary was well planned by Jess Pearson, our tour...
Read moreThis was the first time we travel to New Zealand and we were very exited about the trip. The itinerary was well planned by Jess Pearson, our tour consultant. We were thinking of doing the North and South Island tour within 8 days but was not possible, so Jess suggested we skip the North Island and fly direct into Wellington from Auckland. We made some changes to the itinerary in between. Overall it was a wonderful trip and the best trip of my life. New Zealand is such a beautiful country and I am glad we made this trip there. This is the first time I see and touch snow in my life which was in Queenstown. If you are going to New Zealand for the first time and want to save all the hassle of planning, this is the place to go to book your holiday in New Zealand. Highly recommended.

Our contact with the agency was Louise Barrett. She was very helpful in helping us organising our trip to New Zealand. We worked closely together and...
Read moreOur contact with the agency was Louise Barrett. She was very helpful in helping us organising our trip to New Zealand. We worked closely together and we took into account her suggestions (especially those regarding driving travel distances and tours). Everything went according to plan. We have no complaints. Even when two of our planned activities were cancelled due to bad weather, they reimbursed us straight away. Overall great experience. Highly recommend the agency.

An almost perfect holiday. Our tour was very well organised and everything worked perfectly. All the accommodation was good. We lost a day of...
Read moreAn almost perfect holiday. Our tour was very well organised and everything worked perfectly. All the accommodation was good. We lost a day of sightseeing due to bad weather but Mount Cook more than made up for it. Thank you Louise.

Thank you so so much for our wonderful holiday in your beautiful country. Since getting back have hit the ground running. Everything about our trip...
Read moreThank you so so much for our wonderful holiday in your beautiful country. Since getting back have hit the ground running. Everything about our trip was great - the accommodation, car hire, activities booked and suggested all worked like clockwork. Our accommodation everywhere was fantastic and with breakfast included was much appreciated. Having the GPS made getting around so much easier. We affectionately called it 'Mary'. She did try to take us off track a couple of times but we would have been lost without her. All of the included activities we thoroughly enjoyed plus we did quite a few of the suggested activities as well. Thank you again for all you and your teams assistance when we looked like being stranded in Queenstown after all the rain. Things worked out perfectly for us with the road reopening between Queenstown and Greymouth and also the train back on the track on the Sunday. We truly had a memorable time and hope to return sooner rather than later.

The itinerary that was prepared for us far exceeded our expectations. So much to see and so much to do. I didn't think we would be able to do so much...
Read moreThe itinerary that was prepared for us far exceeded our expectations. So much to see and so much to do. I didn't think we would be able to do so much in that time we had. Everyday there was something new to experience or something exciting to do. The hiking trails showed us some awe inspiring scenery and the landscape was magnificent. Dealing with team at NZ Self Drive Tours was very easy and they were always very helpful whenever I spoke with them. Kelly helped us to get our itinerary within our budget which was a great help and the fact that everything was paid for before we left for the trip made our time and transition from town to town seamless. It was nice to go on a holiday and not have to worry about accommodations, transport, activities. All in all it was well worth what we paid and we will definitely use them again when we an another holiday to NZ. The only drawback is that we were only there for 10 days. Next time we'll plan for a longer trip.

New Zealand was my number one country that I wanted to visit. When I had the opportunity to go, I just had no idea where to start. I only know that...
Read moreNew Zealand was my number one country that I wanted to visit. When I had the opportunity to go, I just had no idea where to start. I only know that Me and My Husband was going to do a self-drive tour and I stumbled upon this website. To be Honest the pop-up icon of "Got a question for us" was the most brilliant thing that they put because it definitely worked for me. I send them a question and immediately I got a response. Nisse was appointed to help me, and she was just Amazing! Her professionalism, knowledge, and willingness to serve was one of the key factors that helped me plan what was become my "dream come true" holiday. I didn't know how many revised itineraries we did because I kept on changing my mind, but Nisse was always patient and accommodating. Our trip was super smooth, all the bookings (Hotels, car, activities) were perfectly done. I was so happy with what she suggested for us like to spend at least one night in Wanaka (which is her hometown) because it was one of the towns I loved the most and where we had the best of times (best hike, great foods, lovely strolls along the lake). I highly recommend everyone who wants to plan their itinerary of a self-drive tour in South Island to book their service. I am a satisfied customer!

Thanks for all your hard work in putting together our recent NZ trip. It was awesome. All the accommodation places were spot on, recommended tours...
Read moreThanks for all your hard work in putting together our recent NZ trip. It was awesome. All the accommodation places were spot on, recommended tours were wonderful, driving instructions and the information packages very informative, correct and up to date.

Narissa- I will give you rave reviews wherever you need them! It was a fantastic trip, thanks to you.At the get go- they up graded our car which as...
Read moreNarissa- I will give you rave reviews wherever you need them! It was a fantastic trip, thanks to you.At the get go- they up graded our car which as it turned out we really needed. We traveled with more than we expected- bar and food etc. The Itinerary and the road atlas were wonderful. We had such a fabulous time. We toasted you a million times I am sure. You were just so right on! First off - all of the accommodations were great! You put us in the perfect places! And we loved having the apartment like set up. The Rainforrest Deluxe was phenomenal!!! and such a surprise, We wished we had enough tome to stay there longer! As you know we loved Mt Cook- one of our favorite places. The glacial tour was just so great.

We're back in the real world now. The holiday was fantastic. Everything went smoothly. The itinerary we chose lived up to our expectations, with a...
Read moreWe're back in the real world now. The holiday was fantastic. Everything went smoothly. The itinerary we chose lived up to our expectations, with a taste all New Zealand had to offer. The highlights are too many to list. Many thanks Laura for all your hard work and creating a bucket list holiday.

Shelley arranged a fabulous 7 day tour of the North Island for us at very short notice. She listened to what we wanted to do and arranged a tour...
Read moreShelley arranged a fabulous 7 day tour of the North Island for us at very short notice. She listened to what we wanted to do and arranged a tour around our dates. The tour itself, trips, accommodation and car hire all worked perfectly and we enjoyed it very much. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you.

Hope you are well. First of all thank you for organising our ‘Must-do Tour’. We have had a fantastic time! All the arrangements for...
Read moreHope you are well. First of all thank you for organising our ‘Must-do Tour’. We have had a fantastic time! All the arrangements for collection at Christchurch, and all the pre-booked activities and tours were fantastic. The whole process was so simple - each one only required our surname to produce the tickets - all brilliantly efficient! We had a fantastic time and we were so lucky with the weather apart from the wind at Mount Cook and a wet Mitai Village evening, but it did nothing to spoil this fabulous trip. If I was repeating it, I would allow longer at some of the stops.  Thanks again for all your help in making this a fabulous holiday for us.

Overall we had a wonderful trip, the arrangements were well organized and ready for us upon arrival. Thanks again for your patience in working with...
Read moreOverall we had a wonderful trip, the arrangements were well organized and ready for us upon arrival. Thanks again for your patience in working with us. It was a very enjoyable trip.

We had the best time ever. Every corner is a WOW. New Zealand's roads are near perfect. The cars sat nav was very easy to use. The rental car was...
Read moreWe had the best time ever. Every corner is a WOW. New Zealand's roads are near perfect. The cars sat nav was very easy to use. The rental car was near new and very easy to drive. We need to return to NZ we have other places to explore. Thank you Jane for arranging our fly/drive holiday.

Thank you for a wonderful and perfectly organised holiday. From the moment we arrived in Christchurch and were met by private transfer driver Ross,...
Read moreThank you for a wonderful and perfectly organised holiday. From the moment we arrived in Christchurch and were met by private transfer driver Ross, to the very last day when taken back to the airport by Faith, everything was just perfect and fell into place. Your choices of accommodation were lovely in all areas, the locations just right and perfect for our needs. Everything was within easy reach. The car hire went without a hitch, with the Rav4 being just beautiful to drive. The pace organised by you suited us well especially with a few 2-3 day stopovers. The weather was favourable and I was lucky to get the chance to drive through falling snow. The whole trip was a wonderful experience travelling around your beautiful countryside, enjoying our organised tours amid such spectacular scenery. Many thanks again Laura for all your help.

From our very first email exchange with Christina we knew that the arrangements for our NZ holiday were in good hands. She looked after our special...
Read moreFrom our very first email exchange with Christina we knew that the arrangements for our NZ holiday were in good hands. She looked after our special needs and booked places and activities that were possible for us. We loved the booklet and maps we received which were easy to use and we didn't get lost. Thank you for taking such good care of us.

We were first thinking of booking through Airbnb for our holidays but now I believe it was a good decision to book through you as you took care of...
Read moreWe were first thinking of booking through Airbnb for our holidays but now I believe it was a good decision to book through you as you took care of everything e.g. accommodation, car hire, tickets etc. Our flight into Auckland, where we started our holidays, was at a godforsaken midnight hour and we were picked up from the airport straight to our hotel. This was really convenient as we didn't waste time in looking for a cab. The Itinerary was also well thought of. You asked us what we wanted to do (family with small kids) and you tailor made it to visit all the important places. I can't praise NZ enough as it is a gem of a place, beautiful and will stay fresh in our minds for the rest of our lives. I would definetely recommend it to anyone who is planning to visit NZ, these guys take the hassle out of the vacations. I also picked up a few local words, "Kia Ora Aotearoa" :)

We had been told that New Zealand was a beautiful country, but with no info other than a Guide book, we had no idea what to see and do.  Via...
Read moreWe had been told that New Zealand was a beautiful country, but with no info other than a Guide book, we had no idea what to see and do.  Via various Google searches, we found New Zealand Self Drive Tours, which seemed exactly what we wanted. We liked being on our own, having the freedom to stop when and as long as we wanted, and take side trips as desired. It's a long air flight, so we decided to do as much as possible, and picked their 21-day recommendation - North and South Island. 

Would just like to say that we had a wonderful 13 day driving tour of the South Island. All accommodation was of a high standard and day to day...
Read moreWould just like to say that we had a wonderful 13 day driving tour of the South Island. All accommodation was of a high standard and day to day process was uncomplicated and straightforward due to your planning. It allowed us to just arrive, collect our hire vehicle and enjoy our time in New Zealand. Thank you.

We are now back home after a wonderful 3 weeks in the South Island. Thank you for all your help, suggestions & recommendations – there was...
Read moreWe are now back home after a wonderful 3 weeks in the South Island. Thank you for all your help, suggestions & recommendations – there was not one disappointment or hitch. This holiday had been cancelled for 5 years due to work & family matters – so was very important to us.

We had the most beautiful, amazing trip on the South Island! Shelley organised everything perfectly, our accommodation locations were great and the...
Read moreWe had the most beautiful, amazing trip on the South Island! Shelley organised everything perfectly, our accommodation locations were great and the views from them were spectacular just like I asked for. Everything ran like clockwork! She was always quick to answer questions, even the sillier ones even though we were in Australia. Highly recommend Shelley as your trip organiser and New Zealand Self Drive Tours as the company to organise your ideal trip through!

Wow we had the most awesome 25 day New Zealand holiday. What an amazing and beautiful country. Thank you so much for organising everything. It most...
Read moreWow we had the most awesome 25 day New Zealand holiday. What an amazing and beautiful country. Thank you so much for organising everything. It most certainly took away the stress for us and we could just enjoy our holiday. All of our motels and apartments were very clean and comfortable and all with kitchenettes which were very handy. Thank you again. Regards Grant and Davina Holthouse.

Thank you for the wonderful itinerary that you put together for us. Every step of our journey we were met with friendly and helpful people. The...
Read moreThank you for the wonderful itinerary that you put together for us. Every step of our journey we were met with friendly and helpful people. The accommodation was fantastic and very central. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather on our trip which made our excursions enjoyable. Your booklet was very detailed and directions made it easy for us to find our way around. Will definitely contact you again should we come back to NZ.

We had a fantastic 3 weeks in New Zealand for our honeymoon organised by New Zealand Self Drive Tours. The process was quick and easy and a custom...
Read moreWe had a fantastic 3 weeks in New Zealand for our honeymoon organised by New Zealand Self Drive Tours. The process was quick and easy and a custom itinerary was set out for us. Everything from car hire, motels and half day and day tours were organised with no fuss so that it all went smoothly whilst we enjoyed our holiday. The itinerary was especially good as there was never too much driving to be done so we felt we saw and did a lot each day and really made the most of our time in the country. Overall really recommended. Thank you for an amazing 3 weeks

Our trip for 9 days through the South Island of New Zealand was one of the most amazing journeys and experiences of our lives. My whole family made...
Read moreOur trip for 9 days through the South Island of New Zealand was one of the most amazing journeys and experiences of our lives. My whole family made such wonderful memories thanks to NewZealand Self Drive Tours and we would especially like to thank Chelsea Lodge who helped us a lot in creating such an unforgetable trip. We cant be grateful enough as this was my parents first road trip and also their first time to New Zealand. This was also their wedding anniversary as well and everything was planned perfectly by Chelsea. We loved every single moment of this journey and we will try our best to visit New Zealand again! Thank you so much!

Just some feedback on my amazing 10day Fiords, Glaciers & Mountain holiday. The start of my adventure was set when I met my 'private transfer'...
Read moreJust some feedback on my amazing 10day Fiords, Glaciers & Mountain holiday. The start of my adventure was set when I met my 'private transfer' driver Faith. Friendly, personable and easy to talk to. My accommodation throughout was comfortable and idyllically located. The vistas around each and every turn were awe inspiring.  I was able to find my way around your beautiful South Island with the aid of my new friend GPS.  We may have had some differences, like when she wanted me to 'travel on' when I wanted to stop and look at towns or views, but overall we managed to stay friends. As for my bucket list experiences.  THEY WERE AWESOME!!!!

Fantastic New Zealand! We had used NZ Self Drive tours back in 2013 for a two week tour of the South Island. This was one of our most amazing...
Read moreFantastic New Zealand! We had used NZ Self Drive tours back in 2013 for a two week tour of the South Island. This was one of our most amazing experiences. So when considering a North Island tour, we went straight back to NZ Self Drive. We just completed the 21 day North Island Tour and although different to the South Island, the North Island has some amazing experiences. Bay of Islands (Hole in the Rock Cruise), Te Mata near Napier, Cape Palliser east of Wellington, Huka Falls, Piha Beach west of Auckland, Haruru Falls near Paihia, Hobbiton (amazing), Tane Mahuta (2000 year old Kauri tree), views of the Hokianga sand dunes, awesome fish and chips at the Mangonui Fish Shop, Wellington cable car, Shakespeare Cliff Lookout at Cooks Beach, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland at Rotorua, Te Papa museum in Wellington, and views of Mt Taranaki, just to name a few. A special mention to Christina, our travel consultant, who organised everything for us and was great when we wanted to alter some the itinerary. Would highly recommend NZ Self Drive and their amazing staff for anyone wishing to see the best that NZ has to offer.

Nisse Perry and the folks at New Zealand Self Drive Tours did a great job organizing our 10 day tour. All of the hotels and cars were first class and...
Read moreNisse Perry and the folks at New Zealand Self Drive Tours did a great job organizing our 10 day tour. All of the hotels and cars were first class and ready upon our arrival. We need to come back to take the volcanic flight that was grounded by the weather, though this also gave us the chance to make the inter-island crossing in a near gale. All in all, a very enjoyable time. We’d recommend Nisse and her company anytime and with confidence. Regards, Paul and Sharon.

We had a great time on our 9 day South Island Tour. The service was great, and it was very helpful to be picked-up and delivered to the airport and...
Read moreWe had a great time on our 9 day South Island Tour. The service was great, and it was very helpful to be picked-up and delivered to the airport and train station as required. The itinerary was well-planned and that helped us to enjoy the trip without fear of getting lost. Highlights were the Shotover Jet boat in Queenstown, the Helicopter flight at Franz Josef, and the stunning Milford Sound cruise. Besides those highlights, it was just amazing to drive all around the South Island and see such wonderful scenery wherever we went. We were very happy with the accommodation each night, and thankful for the heating when in some of the colder places like Mt Cook Village. It's a holiday we highly recommend and we're already thinking about a North Island tour!

While it may be my first trip to NZ, I had a pleasant and wonderful experiences. The itineraries you planned made it possible for me to photograph...
Read moreWhile it may be my first trip to NZ, I had a pleasant and wonderful experiences. The itineraries you planned made it possible for me to photograph most of NZ beautiful scenery. While it was raining at some of the attractions, I did managed to capture what I went for. There is a good chance I may want to make a second trip because some of the activities which I booked myself were cancelled at the last minutes because of weather. On the whole, it was a very good and exciting experience. Then again, without your detailed planning it would not have been possible.

To the fantastic team at NZ Self Drive Tours ( Especially Natalie), thank you so much for making our holiday the most amazing experience ever!...
Read moreTo the fantastic team at NZ Self Drive Tours ( Especially Natalie), thank you so much for making our holiday the most amazing experience ever! Literally the whole trip was an absolute dream. The accommodation suggestions were absolutely perfect for us (Wayne & Karen at Merivale Manor were awesome!). The car was excellent. And the tailored suggested places to visit in our package were spot on for us. We posted a lot of our experience on Instagram & we have been contacted by at least 20 of our friends & family who have been inspired to travel the South Island because of our photo's. We will be highly recommending you to everyone. Thanks again - we'll be in touch when we do the North Island (or maybe we'll just do a different trip to the South Island as we loved it so much!)

From the first point of contact, through the itinerary planning with Narissa, we experienced the most wonderful and hassle free trip ever (all...
Read moreFrom the first point of contact, through the itinerary planning with Narissa, we experienced the most wonderful and hassle free trip ever (all bookings were simple quick check ins, whether for cars, accommodation, tours or special interests). Combined with the wonders of NZ and the friendly locals, we had a holiday to remember. Would not hesitate to use NZ Self Drive Tours in the future or recommend them to friends and family.

Dear Joanna, we would like to thank you for arranging a very enjoyable tour of New Zealand's South Island. Everything went smoothly and according to...
Read moreDear Joanna, we would like to thank you for arranging a very enjoyable tour of New Zealand's South Island. Everything went smoothly and according to plan. The hotels we stayed in, especially The Heritage Christchurch, were very clean, spacious and very comfortable. We will definitely recommend you and New Zealand Self Drive Tours to our friends when they visit New Zealand.

Thanks to New Zealand Self Drive Tours, we very much enjoyed our 31 days in New Zealand. From the time we first made contact with New Zealand Self...
Read moreThanks to New Zealand Self Drive Tours, we very much enjoyed our 31 days in New Zealand. From the time we first made contact with New Zealand Self Drive Tours and in particular Natalie DeCaro, we were very impressed with the quick and efficient responses to all of our requests and correspondence. Natalie was able to successfully work our itinerary around our primary request which was to attend the Warbirds over Wanaka air show. We were able to accept the initial itinerary with minimal alteration. The itinerary and our time in New Zealand went off without a hitch. All transfers were on time and efficient. All accommodation and other bookings were accepted exactly as arranged and as per the itinerary. We found all of the personalised information in the “Customised Discover New Zealand” bound booklet which was presented to us on our arrival in Auckland very helpful indeed. We have already and will have no hesitation in recommending the services of New Zealand Self Drive Tours to any of our friends who are thinking of making a holiday on the other side of The Tasman.

I fussed for days and days trying to sort out a self-drive route for South Island. It finally occurred to me that getting a little help would be a...
Read moreI fussed for days and days trying to sort out a self-drive route for South Island. It finally occurred to me that getting a little help would be a smart idea. I started a chat on the Self Drive website and before I knew it, I was having a phone conversation. Within 24 hours I had in my hands a fabulous tour planned out that was much more logical and more adventure-laden than I could ever have planned myself. On the ground, the arrangements were excellent…not a single hitch. The hotels were chosen with care and I think we got the best rooms in each of the hotels booked for us. We were absolutely pleased with the service and the outcome provided by Self Drive Tours.

We just returned from our 3 week self driving tour of New Zealand. We had a fantastic trip! From beginning to end, New Zealand Self Driving Tours...
Read moreWe just returned from our 3 week self driving tour of New Zealand. We had a fantastic trip! From beginning to end, New Zealand Self Driving Tours was spot on. We determined where we wanted to go, how much we wanted to spend and how long we could travel. 

Hi Lauren, We very much enjoyed our visit to your country. The sights will live with us forever. Christchurch - A city still recovering from the...
Read moreHi Lauren, We very much enjoyed our visit to your country. The sights will live with us forever. Christchurch - A city still recovering from the earthquake. The botanical gardens, Canterbury museum and the Antarctica Center and taking the City Tram were highlights. 

Hi Erynn Mate how good was that trip. Many workmates, friends & family have asked me about this trip and I keep running out of superlatives. I...
Read moreHi Erynn Mate how good was that trip. Many workmates, friends & family have asked me about this trip and I keep running out of superlatives. I can’t thank you enough. From the get go where you had to work within my budget to put this trip together. As soon as we left Christchurch for the inland scenic route we knew we were in for a treat. 

Every part of the process went smoothly. Our agent was easy to work with and helped us customize our trip the way we wanted it. One of the easiest...
Read moreEvery part of the process went smoothly. Our agent was easy to work with and helped us customize our trip the way we wanted it. One of the easiest trips we’ve ever had, not a single snag.  

Our trip was great. Thank you for your ideas and your organization. The South Island was spectacular! Even more spectacular than the North Island! ...
Read moreOur trip was great. Thank you for your ideas and your organization. The South Island was spectacular! Even more spectacular than the North Island! So many wonderful new sites around every curve in the road. We had lots of fun on our Safari ride outside of Queenstown and I loved Wanaka. 

Our trip to NZ was absolutely fantastic. This was due to two major factors...NZ is an indescribably beautiful place with great people and the...
Read moreOur trip to NZ was absolutely fantastic. This was due to two major factors...NZ is an indescribably beautiful place with great people and the assistance and guidance from Erynn Bell.  

My wife and I just concluded our month long trip to New Zealand. Shelley Ryder discussed our needs months prior to our trip and put together the...
Read moreMy wife and I just concluded our month long trip to New Zealand. Shelley Ryder discussed our needs months prior to our trip and put together the perfect trip. She listened very well and accommodated our every need. 

Our trip was great. The evening cruise on the Earnslaw and the dinner buffet were wonderful as you described from your own experience. We wouldn't...
Read moreOur trip was great. The evening cruise on the Earnslaw and the dinner buffet were wonderful as you described from your own experience. We wouldn't have gone without your strong recommendation. 

My wife Sheila and I had been wanting to visit New Zealand for most of our 50 year marriage, and we finally accomplished that this past March, with...
Read moreMy wife Sheila and I had been wanting to visit New Zealand for most of our 50 year marriage, and we finally accomplished that this past March, with the able assistance of Laura Davidson and your company. We contacted Laura at the suggestion of a friend, and asked her to plan and make all the arrangements for a self-driving tour of both the North and South Islands.  

We thoroughly enjoyed our 3-week (2/28 - 3/20/2018) New Zealand adventure, expertly customized for us by Narissa. She really listened to what we...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our 3-week (2/28 - 3/20/2018) New Zealand adventure, expertly customized for us by Narissa. She really listened to what we told her as far as our budget, interests, and accommodation preferences. 

Narissa Phipps, thank you for arranging our self-drive holiday it was well planned, executed and enjoyable, all the accommodation arranged for us was...
Read moreNarissa Phipps, thank you for arranging our self-drive holiday it was well planned, executed and enjoyable, all the accommodation arranged for us was excellent and hosts were perfect. 

Hi Lauren, Well we are back home safe and sound. Just wanted to send you an email to say how much we appreciate everything you did for us with...
Read moreHi Lauren, Well we are back home safe and sound. Just wanted to send you an email to say how much we appreciate everything you did for us with regards to our New Zealand holiday. We had the best holiday ever and enjoyed every activity and every second of driving through the south part of the South Island. 

Our Self-Drive New Zealand Trip was PERFECT in every way! All the details for travel had been attended to by our agent, Louise. The accommodations...
Read moreOur Self-Drive New Zealand Trip was PERFECT in every way! All the details for travel had been attended to by our agent, Louise. The accommodations were great, the directions helpful, the extra tours we planned were wonderful.

We couldn't be more pleased with the personalized itinerary prepared by Christina Brockie for us. Materials were expertly prepared for us to collect...
Read moreWe couldn't be more pleased with the personalized itinerary prepared by Christina Brockie for us. Materials were expertly prepared for us to collect at our first hotel with phone numbers, confirmation numbers, addresses, and details about all lodging, car rentals, and excursions.

We would like to thank you for planning and organising such an excellent trip for us to New Zealand, and for responding so promptly to all our...
Read moreWe would like to thank you for planning and organising such an excellent trip for us to New Zealand, and for responding so promptly to all our queries and changes. 

Betty and I had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Time went by way too quickly. The trip was everything I had dreamed of about New Zealand and more. ...
Read moreBetty and I had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Time went by way too quickly. The trip was everything I had dreamed of about New Zealand and more. The country is fantastically beautiful. All of the accommodations were great. I think Betty's favorite was in Milford Sound with the river running by and sitting the deck enjoying a bottle of wine. 

This is my review of New Zealand Self Drive Tours as arranged by Lauren Neville for the summer (Feb/Mar) of 2018 in NZ. Some background of what we...
Read moreThis is my review of New Zealand Self Drive Tours as arranged by Lauren Neville for the summer (Feb/Mar) of 2018 in NZ. Some background of what we wanted. We asked for a self drive, 23-day tour of both North and South Island of NZ with four star hotel accommodations along the entire route. We asked for a small suv to drive the tour. After arriving in Auckland, our first accommodation was at Sky City Hotel with a great room. We were here for 3 nights and had a wonderful time. 

We would like to thank you for planning and organising such an excellent trip for us to New Zealand, and for responding so promptly to all our...
Read moreWe would like to thank you for planning and organising such an excellent trip for us to New Zealand, and for responding so promptly to all our queries and changes.

This was the trip I’ve been dreaming of for 45 years. Our B n B’s were hosted by wonderful people who gave us great advice about...
Read moreThis was the trip I’ve been dreaming of for 45 years. Our B n B’s were hosted by wonderful people who gave us great advice about restaurants, places to go and local history. 

We chose the 21 day North & South Island tour and we must say that it was a wonderful experience. Narissa did a great job in organising the tour....
Read moreWe chose the 21 day North & South Island tour and we must say that it was a wonderful experience. Narissa did a great job in organising the tour. Everything went so smoothly.

We are now back in Sweden after a fantastic journey in your beautiful country. Thank you very much for your good planning that made our travelling...
Read moreWe are now back in Sweden after a fantastic journey in your beautiful country. Thank you very much for your good planning that made our travelling easy and comfortable.

Hi Lauren, We really enjoyed our holiday and would like to see more of NZ in a year or so. Next time we will contact your first,...
Read moreHi Lauren, We really enjoyed our holiday and would like to see more of NZ in a year or so. Next time we will contact your first, before we plan anything else, so it will be easier for you to plan for us.

We had a great trip in NZ, thank you for arranging everything, it was absolutely amazing. I saw we got the refund from the cancelled cruise, thanks...
Read moreWe had a great trip in NZ, thank you for arranging everything, it was absolutely amazing. I saw we got the refund from the cancelled cruise, thanks for that too. I didn't see this on the list ; Waiheke Island Explorer Hop On Hop Off Tour.

I have done many trips over the years, this was truly the most memorable. Salli Smith was an incredible agent. New Zealand has been on my bucket...
Read moreI have done many trips over the years, this was truly the most memorable. Salli Smith was an incredible agent. New Zealand has been on my bucket list for over a decade. This trip surpassed any and all of my expectations.

Thank you for planning out our fabulous self drive tour through New Zealand. We had an AMAZING time! You did a fantastic job planning out a variety...
Read moreThank you for planning out our fabulous self drive tour through New Zealand. We had an AMAZING time! You did a fantastic job planning out a variety of activities that we all enjoyed

Our trip to New Zealand exceeded our expectations. The scenery is amazing and the people of New Zealand are friendly and helpful. There are too...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand exceeded our expectations. The scenery is amazing and the people of New Zealand are friendly and helpful. There are too many highlights to provide a complete list

Many thanks to Natalie and the NZSD team for helping make our amazing New Zealand holiday possible! From the start, Natalie worked diligently to...
Read moreMany thanks to Natalie and the NZSD team for helping make our amazing New Zealand holiday possible! From the start, Natalie worked diligently to understand what we wanted out of our trip and did an awesome job putting together a great itinerary.

The nz trip went very well. As my son looked out of the plane window as we left he muttered “I’ll be back!” I turned out to be...
Read moreThe nz trip went very well. As my son looked out of the plane window as we left he muttered “I’ll be back!” I turned out to be the weakest link between the four of us.

Just wanted to thank you for putting together exactly the right tour for us in New Zealand – it could not have been more perfect. You gave us...
Read moreJust wanted to thank you for putting together exactly the right tour for us in New Zealand – it could not have been more perfect. You gave us exactly what we asked for – not too little, not too much.

We worked with Laura to organize a two-week active hiking trip on both islands for the four of us (one couple and mom/daughter ages 55-75). From the...
Read moreWe worked with Laura to organize a two-week active hiking trip on both islands for the four of us (one couple and mom/daughter ages 55-75). From the pick up at the airport to rental car to daily motel lodgings, all went very smoothly.  

So nice to finally say thank you for planning our 3 week adventure. Each time that we checked into our next hotel was such a pleasure as everything...
Read moreSo nice to finally say thank you for planning our 3 week adventure. Each time that we checked into our next hotel was such a pleasure as everything was so organized and the reservations were perfect with beautiful rooms great locations and breakfast included.

With that one exception we have a wonderful time in Aotearoa. We just fell in love with this country and people. You deserve a a great round of...
Read moreWith that one exception we have a wonderful time in Aotearoa. We just fell in love with this country and people. You deserve a a great round of applause for making it possible. We’re definitely planning to come back in future to soak in the beauty of nature, environment, vegetation, food and an exceptional people hospitality. Thank you again with warm regards, Ziggy

Just want to say THANK YOU for making our trip so wonderful. We could not have experienced all of this without you (8 days to see all the great...
Read moreJust want to say THANK YOU for making our trip so wonderful. We could not have experienced all of this without you (8 days to see all the great sights in both south and north islands) - just felt I needed to say thanks for the well planned itinerary, information and recommendations. The last minute addition to stay in Mount Cook and the Glacier Explorers Mt. Cook tour that was the high point in our trip. THANK YOU. David & Anoja

Thank you for preparing and organizing this fabulous trip for us. Everything was perfectly orchestrated and well outlined. The activities were well...
Read moreThank you for preparing and organizing this fabulous trip for us. Everything was perfectly orchestrated and well outlined. The activities were well balanced with the driving and the quality of the activities and tours was very good. I would not hesitate to recommend New Zealand Self Drive Tours. Well done. Totally awesome vacation. Thanks again.

A big thank you for the exhilarating tour of New Zealand. I & Mohana thoroughly enjoyed our stay & appreciate your effort in preparing a...
Read moreA big thank you for the exhilarating tour of New Zealand. I & Mohana thoroughly enjoyed our stay & appreciate your effort in preparing a wonderful itinerary for our tour. The only disconcerting note was our stay at Bella Vista , Wanaka, where the bedroom, for the couple, was in the living room. Thank you once again. Best wishes, Dr Rajeev Kulkarni

We had reserved our trip about 10 months in advance, with Salli Smith, and were very pleased with the detail, and attention she took with our plans...
Read moreWe had reserved our trip about 10 months in advance, with Salli Smith, and were very pleased with the detail, and attention she took with our plans and suggestions.

Hi Salli, Thanks for the help & assistance provided for our tour. Yeah, though we had a slight hiccup on the first day with the GPS, we...
Read moreHi Salli, Thanks for the help & assistance provided for our tour. Yeah, though we had a slight hiccup on the first day with the GPS, we managed it without the GPS and google maps is just good enough. It was a great and we really enjoyed the whole trip. New Zealand is beautiful and amazing. The people are awesome too - friendly & very helpful. Regards, Eldhose John

In August 2017 my wife and I decided we would like to take a trip to New Zealand for our 30th anniversary. Our anniversary was in November so to say...
Read moreIn August 2017 my wife and I decided we would like to take a trip to New Zealand for our 30th anniversary. Our anniversary was in November so to say the least we did not allow ourselves much time. After some research we reached out to Shelley Ryder at New Zealand Self Drive Tours and this proved to be the perfect decision. Shelley setup a call with us immediately and spent well over an hour with us helping her learn how best to plan for us. She then put together an awesome itinerary for us for the two weeks we had set aside.

We would like to thank you for an amazing arrangement of our holiday to your beautiful country New Zealand dated 11 November – 2 December 2017...
Read moreWe would like to thank you for an amazing arrangement of our holiday to your beautiful country New Zealand dated 11 November – 2 December 2017 with visits to the Northern as well as the Southern Island.

Booked a 17 day self drive tour in New Zealand and had a fabulous time. Everything went off without a hitch, was very organized and would book...
Read moreBooked a 17 day self drive tour in New Zealand and had a fabulous time. Everything went off without a hitch, was very organized and would book through NZ Self Drive Tours again in a heartbeat.

We had a spectacular trip that was planned by Salli Smith. Salli listened closely to all our our desires and planned the trip accordingly. It went...
Read moreWe had a spectacular trip that was planned by Salli Smith. Salli listened closely to all our our desires and planned the trip accordingly. It went through three itierations and Salli was uniformly responsive and courteous throughout the entire process, responding almost instantaneously to our questions before and during the trip as they arose. My only complaint is that I didn't fully appreciate the amount of driving I would need to do but this was not Salli's fault.

Once contact was made we found New Zealand Self Drive Tours in particular Natalie DeCaro very helpful and co-operative to any changes that we may...
Read moreOnce contact was made we found New Zealand Self Drive Tours in particular Natalie DeCaro very helpful and co-operative to any changes that we may have requested and was of great assistance in arranging additional tours days. 

We had a wonderful holiday in New Zealand it was such a beautiful country to visit. We were very happy with our tour that was arranged specifically...
Read moreWe had a wonderful holiday in New Zealand it was such a beautiful country to visit. We were very happy with our tour that was arranged specifically for us. We would highly recommend this tour company to anyone considering visiting New Zealand.

Hi Natalie. We would like to thank you for the wonderful organisation of our recent 38 day Ultimate New Zealand Self Drive Tour. We had an amazing...
Read moreHi Natalie. We would like to thank you for the wonderful organisation of our recent 38 day Ultimate New Zealand Self Drive Tour. We had an amazing time exploring both islands of your beautiful country.

I mailed NZ self-drive tours with an enquiry and our requirements. Within the next 2 days, I got a call from one of their staff, an utterly sweet,...
Read moreI mailed NZ self-drive tours with an enquiry and our requirements. Within the next 2 days, I got a call from one of their staff, an utterly sweet, efficient, helpful person called Joanna Bullus. 

Hello Christina, we would recommend your company to friends and family as you have catered for our requirements and helped shape our holiday in to...
Read moreHello Christina, we would recommend your company to friends and family as you have catered for our requirements and helped shape our holiday in to being a great first trip to New Zealand.

Hi we have just completed a 15 day driving tour designed by yourselves around the North Island. We were delighted by how smoothly everything went....
Read moreHi we have just completed a 15 day driving tour designed by yourselves around the North Island. We were delighted by how smoothly everything went. After a couple of emails between us you managed to really create something special for us. 

Hi Laura Again we would live to thank you for organising our honeymoon. We had the best time. It was so easy. There was no problems with the car...
Read moreHi Laura Again we would live to thank you for organising our honeymoon. We had the best time. It was so easy. There was no problems with the car when checking in anywhere. All of the accommodation far exceeded our expectations.

Dear Sara, Writing to say thank you for all the arrangements you put in place for our visit. We had a brilliant time visiting New Zealand for the...
Read moreDear Sara, Writing to say thank you for all the arrangements you put in place for our visit. We had a brilliant time visiting New Zealand for the first time and it was easy and a pleasure to tour the country which in no small part was due to the bookings and advice you organised and gave. 

The itinerary given to us on day 1 was extremely helpful for navigating from place to place. The countryside was so beautiful & something we will...
Read moreThe itinerary given to us on day 1 was extremely helpful for navigating from place to place. The countryside was so beautiful & something we will never forget. I would definitely recommend others to visit NZ & use New Zealand Self Drive.

Hi Louise I would just like to say thank you for creating such a wonderful experience for us. As you can imagine, from our perspective, there is the...
Read moreHi Louise I would just like to say thank you for creating such a wonderful experience for us. As you can imagine, from our perspective, there is the opportunity to get information wrong and ideas confused, however you created the perfect trip.

We greatly enjoyed our Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour! All accommodations were excellent and there were no issues with any reservations (hotels...
Read moreWe greatly enjoyed our Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour! All accommodations were excellent and there were no issues with any reservations (hotels and/or tours). Touring during the winter turned out to be great as crowds were never an issue.  

We spent 19 days touring both the south and north island of New Zealand in February 2018. Christina Brockie was a fantastic travel agent who...
Read moreWe spent 19 days touring both the south and north island of New Zealand in February 2018. Christina Brockie was a fantastic travel agent who assisted us with our self drive holiday. Her attention to detail and suggestions as to what we should see within our time frame was very helpful. 

Hi Lauren, We 're back home, already reminiscing of our wonderful adventure. Everything went smoothly, with not one mishap. Even the weather fully...
Read moreHi Lauren, We 're back home, already reminiscing of our wonderful adventure. Everything went smoothly, with not one mishap. Even the weather fully cooperated. Thank you so much for your assistance in making our New Zealand trip one we shall fondly remember. We'll gladly recommend you and your company to any friends who want to experience your beautiful country. All the best, Paul and Fred

We recently enjoyed a wonderful two-week driving tour of New Zealand. Erynn did an excellent job with the arrangements and was extremely easy to work...
Read moreWe recently enjoyed a wonderful two-week driving tour of New Zealand. Erynn did an excellent job with the arrangements and was extremely easy to work with, incorporating all of our requests for additions and changes in the schedule and contacting us quickly when we asked for more information. My wife and I travelled with our adult daughter, so we were concerned about appropriate accommodations. Erynn was able to book us into apartment hotels that had two bedrooms, which worked out great.

Christina did a fantastic job planning our holiday! We appreciated her suggestions for activities and agreed to almost all. The printed out...
Read moreChristina did a fantastic job planning our holiday! We appreciated her suggestions for activities and agreed to almost all. The printed out itinerary, driving directions and map were incredibly helpful and we consulted the additional information for suggestions for additional activities or restaurants. We had a fantastic holiday and would highly recommend this travel company and Christina to anyone considering a South Island driving tour!

Great trip! In terms of lodging, Matakauri Lodge was of course was the best, but the others were all very good as well. The Wellington hotel's in...
Read moreGreat trip! In terms of lodging, Matakauri Lodge was of course was the best, but the others were all very good as well. The Wellington hotel's in room laundry facilities were a HUGE help mid trip. The Waters' self cook breakfast facilities were a distinct step below the other ones, and we were late arriving there because we thought the Waters would be closer to the ferry terminal than it was. In terms of the itinerary, it was great, though I think we could easily have spent another full day in the Rotorua area (the Waimangu Valley was terrific and took a full day for us, so we could have seen more there).

Our fabulous trip to NZ was such a success! We appreciate all the planning, details and super suggestions. We had such a fun time, did so much and...
Read moreOur fabulous trip to NZ was such a success! We appreciate all the planning, details and super suggestions. We had such a fun time, did so much and loved every minute of your beautiful country! Our highlights were Mt Cook and the Glass bottom boat tour! The Coromandal Coast is magnificent! All the hotels were wonderful, friendly and so clean! Thank you again for all the brilliant work to make our trip seamless and exactly what we wanted. Melanie & Claudia from Cambridge, MA

Hi Lauren, Sorry for only getting back to you now. We have been delighted by our trip in NZ and organising it through your services couldn’t...
Read moreHi Lauren, Sorry for only getting back to you now. We have been delighted by our trip in NZ and organising it through your services couldn’t have been easier. Very straight forward to start with, you understood our needs perfectly and the content and itinerary were just perfect. I have already provided your company details to one of my colleagues who is thinking of visiting NZ as well. Only one regret, but you could have done nothing about it is that South Island is so amasing and beautiful that we wish we could have done a bit more and stayed in some places longer, sad we only had 8 days...  Best regards, Thierry Defrène.

Our overall experience was pretty positive and we enjoyed our family holiday. Thank you Christina for your work with our trip, your itinerary was...
Read moreOur overall experience was pretty positive and we enjoyed our family holiday. Thank you Christina for your work with our trip, your itinerary was very easy to follow. Hobbiton was brilliant and definitely one the highlights for the kids. We loved Rotorua and Wellington.

Our group of 8 good friends went on the 17 days NZ tour in April arranged by New Zealand Self Drive Tours turned out to be a life time memory for all...
Read moreOur group of 8 good friends went on the 17 days NZ tour in April arranged by New Zealand Self Drive Tours turned out to be a life time memory for all of us. I would give a thumbs up for their fantastic service, their excellent arrangement on the itinerary and accommodation were beyond our expectation.

Where do I begin? First of all, let’s just say I am a bit of a planner, so I was reluctant to have someone else plan my 30th wedding...
Read moreWhere do I begin? First of all, let’s just say I am a bit of a planner, so I was reluctant to have someone else plan my 30th wedding anniversary itinerary for me. As I was researching online all the different tour groups, I kept coming back to New Zealand Self Drive Tours. Some of the top reasons I decided to go with NZSDT is because I could change up the itinerary and pick what days, how long, and where I wanted to go. I saw that other tour companies weren’t as flexible. Secondly, all their impressive reviews over the internet from people who had used them to book their tours.

Well it was a sensational holiday with everything going to plan. The pick up thru to the final drop off was so professional and hassle free. Our...
Read moreWell it was a sensational holiday with everything going to plan. The pick up thru to the final drop off was so professional and hassle free. Our introduction to NZ was an eye opener and will definitely return and hopefully with some friends in tow. Once we left Auckland city the fields opened up and so did the welcome in Rotorua with all staff at various establishments happy and helpful. On to Napier after TC Cook blasted the east coast but life carried on and all where smiling.

Amazing holiday in the South Island NZ, beautifully organised, didn't have to worry about a thing. We don't know NZ that well, but had a rough idea...
Read moreAmazing holiday in the South Island NZ, beautifully organised, didn't have to worry about a thing. We don't know NZ that well, but had a rough idea of what we wanted to do, so just gave our consultant Shelley Ryder our arrival and departure dates, explained accommodation preferences, activities and sights we would like, a rough price guide and she came back with the perfect itinerary.

The entire trip went according to the planned itinerary. The map book included in the initial package was very useful. All the accommodation was very...
Read moreThe entire trip went according to the planned itinerary. The map book included in the initial package was very useful. All the accommodation was very good and more importantly clean with comfortable warm beds. The overnight stay of Doubtful Sound was most enjoyable, but you must advise people about the sandflies. Wanaka was beautiful and peaceful an well worth the couple of day stay over.

Really good concept to get the vacation planned via New Zealand Self Drive Tours. The accommodations were ok, and the activities exactly what we...
Read moreReally good concept to get the vacation planned via New Zealand Self Drive Tours. The accommodations were ok, and the activities exactly what we asked for. I did a lot of the research myself but it was great to get help with the bookings and detailed planning.

We had an awesome trip discovering NZ on our 27-day self drive tour, set up by Jane. She did an awesome job. The motel accommodations she chose for...
Read moreWe had an awesome trip discovering NZ on our 27-day self drive tour, set up by Jane. She did an awesome job. The motel accommodations she chose for us were more than we expected. Even though we spent 27 days in NZ, we could have easily spent another two weeks to include some of the sights we didn't see. It's just such a beautiful country. This of course leaves room for a return trip! T

Thank you, Salli, for putting together our fantastic New Zealand holiday to the South Island! We appreciate your friendliness, professionalism and...
Read moreThank you, Salli, for putting together our fantastic New Zealand holiday to the South Island! We appreciate your friendliness, professionalism and efficiency in putting together our 10-day self-drive tour itinerary. We had very little time (and knowledge) to research all the NZ destinations, activities and accommodations, so it was wonderful that you took on that task for us. All the accommodations you arranged were clean with all the amenities required (usually more than!) The motel proprietors were friendly and very helpful in providing local recommendations and tips.

We had an amazing trip and we met so many wonderful and interesting people. Everything was so well planned out, all we needed to do was get in our...
Read moreWe had an amazing trip and we met so many wonderful and interesting people. Everything was so well planned out, all we needed to do was get in our rental car and go. New Zealand is so breathtakingly beautiful, pictures while wonderful, do not begin to capture the beauty. All I can say to anyone, if you can, go to New Zealand.

Had a good to great holiday. itinerary well organised. Most of the accommodations booked were of high standard. However, the accommodation at...
Read moreHad a good to great holiday. itinerary well organised. Most of the accommodations booked were of high standard. However, the accommodation at Punakaiki was average compared to accommodation at other places.

Hi Shelley, Well, back to the real world now, work etc, We had a wonderful time, Uncle from Auckland could not do enough for us, a real gentleman....
Read moreHi Shelley, Well, back to the real world now, work etc, We had a wonderful time, Uncle from Auckland could not do enough for us, a real gentleman. Our mystery night was organised by us girls, whilst we were at Lake Tepako, We stayed at a B and B called Dalry Country House run by a wonderful couple, we went to the local pub for dinner that night. The B and B was 9 ks out of Hastings but was worth the drive.

We very much enjoyed our holiday in New Zealand. Highlights include: Milford Road coach trip and the plane ride back to Queenstown. The scenery on...
Read moreWe very much enjoyed our holiday in New Zealand. Highlights include: Milford Road coach trip and the plane ride back to Queenstown. The scenery on the South Island was spectacular, especially the Mount Cook National Park. Rotorua was an interesting place to see with the mud pools etc. The Maori Village was a bit touristy but they did a very good show and I learned about their culture. The Coromandel township was beautiful but we got caught on a road closure due to cyclone Debbie.

Lauren helped us customise an 8-day itinerary driving from Christchurch to Queenstown and was very responsive throughout the process. The website is...
Read moreLauren helped us customise an 8-day itinerary driving from Christchurch to Queenstown and was very responsive throughout the process. The website is also fast and easy to use. The suggested accommodation, driving route, and attractions were carefully chosen and helped us make the most of our short time in beautiful NZ. It was a wonderful experience and everything went very smoothly thanks to Lauren's planning. We highly recommend this company.

Dear Shelley, Thank you for helping us plan our honeymoon around the South Island of New Zealand! We were so busy with planning the wedding and...
Read moreDear Shelley, Thank you for helping us plan our honeymoon around the South Island of New Zealand! We were so busy with planning the wedding and greatly appreciated how simple it was to organise our trip through your company! You made the whole process straight forward and we didn’t have to worry about a thing.

We had a great holiday and everything was arranged just the way I envisioned it. So thanks! Couple of suggestions: 1. When I received my package in...
Read moreWe had a great holiday and everything was arranged just the way I envisioned it. So thanks! Couple of suggestions: 1. When I received my package in Wellington, most of the activities did not have vouchers and we did not have train tickets. I spoke with Shelley and she assured me they wouldn't be needed (and they weren't), but it would have been nice if the instructions had made that clear. 2. The hotel in Snells Beach was less than exciting. There wasn't anything exactly wrong with it, but it was easily the least interesting place we stayed. Loved the Waipoua Lodge! And all your suggestions about where to go and things to do were just perfect. I very much appreciated the road atlas--it was very helpful.

Thank you Salli and everyone who helped make this a fabulous 'trip of a lifetime'. The B and B's and hotels were beyond terrific, the hospitality...
Read moreThank you Salli and everyone who helped make this a fabulous 'trip of a lifetime'. The B and B's and hotels were beyond terrific, the hospitality of all we met was perfection and the trip put together highlights that were just right. The only problem was our desire to spend more time in New Zealand. I guess we will simply have to return! I must add that Salli was amazing in terms of how fast she got back to us and how she was always patient, regardless of how many times we needed clarification. I highly recommend her services. Feel free to use the Schers for recommendations for others.

We had a wonderful time! New Zealand is beautiful and the people very friendly. The cars for both islands were spacious and easy to drive. All of...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time! New Zealand is beautiful and the people very friendly. The cars for both islands were spacious and easy to drive. All of the hotels were excellent locations and several with spectacular views. We liked when we didn't have to pay to park or pay for internet. We especially feel that hotel guests shouldn't have to pay for internet. Our optional trips were all we hoped for and the pre-booked trips were more economical. My top 3 were Maori Village, Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary Night Tour and Whale Watch Kaikoura. The Glowworm cave was also a wonderful experience. Thank you Lauren for your advice, help, and kindness.

My wife Bev and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time during our 18-day drive-around of NZ. Christian Brockie did a superb job of making all the...
Read moreMy wife Bev and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time during our 18-day drive-around of NZ. Christian Brockie did a superb job of making all the arrangements for accommodation, hire car and activities - there were no 'surprises' except for the astounding beauty of the country that we experienced, on both north and south islands. From the opening Mitai Village evening in Auckland to the final visit to the Antarctic Centre in Christchurh and everything in between (including visits to three glaciers), we had an unbelievable time and would do it again! Steve Swartz

Thanks for your arrangements,only the one hiccup, the tour of Auckland. Do you intend refunding the amount to me? The accommodation was brilliant,...
Read moreThanks for your arrangements,only the one hiccup, the tour of Auckland. Do you intend refunding the amount to me? The accommodation was brilliant, except for Wellington, which was my fault as I requested to be nearer the airport. Dunedin, Mount Cook,Christchurch,and Paihia were our favorites.

Hi Laura, It's been a while since we came back but I'm finally getting round to sorting things out! I thought I'd send you some feedback: ...
Read moreHi Laura, It's been a while since we came back but I'm finally getting round to sorting things out! I thought I'd send you some feedback: Firstly we had an absolutely amazing time, everything was wonderful and we have some lovely memories. I've just finished sorting through 7000 photos to make 2 photo books! We were very impressed with the quality of the accommodations considering this was your entry level property. 

Hi Shelley! We had a GREAT trip, enjoyed it all wonderfully. Your aid and suggestions were tremendously helpful in making this a fantastic...
Read moreHi Shelley! We had a GREAT trip, enjoyed it all wonderfully. Your aid and suggestions were tremendously helpful in making this a fantastic trip-of-a-lifetime. You did a FANTASTIC job and we are all very grateful! If we ever return, I'll be sure to contact you! The Milford Track was great we had no rain at all. The downside was very limited waterfall pictures... but we all agreed that was a small price to pay for warm and dry hiking! White puffy clouds and blue sky... the perfect weather for walking with a big pack on our back!

Fantastic accommodation, really appreciated having laundry in suite at the perfect time. Also appreciated the kitchenettes and barbecues... it was...
Read moreFantastic accommodation, really appreciated having laundry in suite at the perfect time. Also appreciated the kitchenettes and barbecues... it was great to be able to cook "at home" rather than eating out constantly. And we felt like we saw most of the country without being too rushed.

Colin and I would like to thank you Shelley for putting an incredible trip together for us. The accommodation was extremely clean and comfortable and...
Read moreColin and I would like to thank you Shelley for putting an incredible trip together for us. The accommodation was extremely clean and comfortable and hotel staff were very helpful. The ease of checking in, picking up cars and embarking onto the ferry and the Trans Alpine train was so well organized so thank you. Our trip was great from arriving in New Zealand to departing without any problems what so ever. We will certainly recommend your company to friends and family. Shelley thank you again for all your assistance. Colin and Wendy

Dear Louise, Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip we enjoyed while in New Zealand. All of our contacts were made and we thoroughly...
Read moreDear Louise, Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip we enjoyed while in New Zealand. All of our contacts were made and we thoroughly enjoyed the time you arranged for us. We had an interesting time getting to Hobbiton because the GPS wouldn't hook up and connect to the satellite but a couple of people gave us accurate instructions and we arrived on time. We stopped at a travel store along the way and got hooked up with Budget Rent a Car at the Hamilton Airport who replaced it for us and from that time on everything was lovely. Appreciate all you did and if any of our acquaintances plan a trip there we'll be happy to refer them to you. William and RuthAnn Parker.

Thanks to Shelley Ryder and the rest of the New Zealand Self Drive Tours crew, our recent two month trip to New Zealand was extraordinary. Shelley...
Read moreThanks to Shelley Ryder and the rest of the New Zealand Self Drive Tours crew, our recent two month trip to New Zealand was extraordinary. Shelley shaped an extensive itinerary for us focusing on what we wanted to see and do and arranging it with enough flexibility that we were able to take advantage of countless unplanned experiences along the way. The few glitches we did have were immediately taken care of by New Zealand Self Drive Tours. Without Shelley's help we could have missed so much of her wonderful country. Thank you, Shelley, and we look forward to working with you on our next adventure to New Zealand.

We have had a great time. I think you have done a fabulous job. We loved everything except for the dolphin swim. That was overbooked and not our...
Read moreWe have had a great time. I think you have done a fabulous job. We loved everything except for the dolphin swim. That was overbooked and not our thing. I thought they were cruel to the dolphins. I cannot un recommend it enough. They were very nice and let us off at an island where we hiked and got the ferry back to town. Loved kiwi Dundee we have loved the places we stayed. Weather made us cancel pee jay white island tour & the boat tour we were supposed to be on yesterday in Rotorua. Thank you for keeping tabs on us and doing such a wonderful job Cheers Dr. Nancy Kimbrell, DC

Hi Christina, Thanks for providing us with a great self drive holiday. Our accommodation was great and all the activities we chose enhanced our...
Read moreHi Christina, Thanks for providing us with a great self drive holiday. Our accommodation was great and all the activities we chose enhanced our knowledge of New Zealand. I would also like to thank you for arranging a couple of additional trips while we were on the road. I would highly recommend this company. The only fault I could raise was the time it took to collect our hire car in Picton. Budget cars need to priorities pre booked rentals instead of leaving us to wait over an hour to get our vehicle.

Hi Christine, We’re finally back on schedule. We were very pleased with the arrangements you made for us. “Uncle” picked us up at...
Read moreHi Christine, We’re finally back on schedule. We were very pleased with the arrangements you made for us. “Uncle” picked us up at the airport and drove us to the hotel. “Early check-in request” - no luck with that. You might want to advise future clients that if they can’t check in and freshen up until later in the day, they would do well to take the “Hop-on, hop-off” bus tour that gave us an excellent overview of Auckland. The last stop was the Sky Tower, and we still had an hour to put in so we went up to the top and enjoyed that experience.

Hi Natalie, Well, we’re home – finally! Everything you arranged worked out perfectly. Our flights though went a bit sideways. We were...
Read moreHi Natalie, Well, we’re home – finally! Everything you arranged worked out perfectly. Our flights though went a bit sideways. We were delayed leaving Auckland so we missed our connection in Houston. Air New Zealand rerouted us through Detroit on Delta Airlines which also got delayed. The long and short of it is we didn’t arrive home until 3:00 AM our time! We had a wonderful trip and covered a lot of ground. We are so grateful to you for all the advice, coaching, suggestions and work you put into our adventure. And to top it all off, the weather in Milford Sound was awesome!

We had an incredible trip through your beautiful country, New Zealand. We were often blown away by the sheer beauty of the country. It was a truly...
Read moreWe had an incredible trip through your beautiful country, New Zealand. We were often blown away by the sheer beauty of the country. It was a truly memorable trip and a very fitting celebration of our golden anniversary year. Christina (Brockie), you did an excellent job in organising the whole itinerary, making very suitable suggestions and making all the reservations. We are most grateful for all your help. A trip such as this would have been very difficult to plan and organise without your very capable professional help.

Kia Ora Hayley! Thank you so much for arranging this PERFECT Holiday! You were very responsive assembling our customized 21 - day North Island...
Read moreKia Ora Hayley! Thank you so much for arranging this PERFECT Holiday! You were very responsive assembling our customized 21 - day North Island Adventure for Nature Lovers. Auckland was our start and end-point, a nice University city where we heard all tongues of the world, and also offering good restaurants. New Zealand deserves to be congratulated on its conservation efforts. Our Tongariro Northern Circuit was a delight and its wonders at the coast - The Kauri Forests, White Island (Active Volcano), Poor Night Islands (World Heritage - Snorkeling) and The Bay of Islands where we hiked across beautiful Urupukapuka Island - well worth the day we spent exploring it.

Thoughrally enjoyable and well planned tour. Everything worked like clockwork from the time we landed in Christchurch to the time we returned the...
Read moreThoughrally enjoyable and well planned tour. Everything worked like clockwork from the time we landed in Christchurch to the time we returned the car. The motels were all expecting our arrival and the rooms were ready. All the motels were clean and well maintained with good cooking facilities for those who want to make light meals.

Louise: We are now home in Milwaukee. We appreciate your assistance in planning a last minute visit to NZ for us! We enjoyed everything you planned...
Read moreLouise: We are now home in Milwaukee. We appreciate your assistance in planning a last minute visit to NZ for us! We enjoyed everything you planned for us. The suite at the Hamilton Novotel blew us away (not necessary--but enjoyed). Our ride to the airport came on time. We felt cared for! Loved the Eden Villa--wonderful welcoming experience. We kept our left over NZ currency to use on our next trip to NZ. We look forward to working with you on that itinerary! Many thanks! Marge and Jeff

Dear Shelley, my wife and I thank you for all the arrangements you made for our recent trip - no hitches at all. We also were lucky to enjoy a lot...
Read moreDear Shelley, my wife and I thank you for all the arrangements you made for our recent trip - no hitches at all. We also were lucky to enjoy a lot of good weather - essentially no rain to speak of - and absolutely clear views of Mt Cook and range. Some brief comments:

Thank you Christina and New Zealand Self Drive Tours. In all 21 stops we were greeted with enthusiasm and smiles. Christina assisted with numerous...
Read moreThank you Christina and New Zealand Self Drive Tours. In all 21 stops we were greeted with enthusiasm and smiles. Christina assisted with numerous suggestions of places to consider around New Zealand and all those that we visited or involved ourselves in worked in with great pleasure and hassle free. To have all accommodation and ferry's etc. pre booked made the entire tour much more enjoyable and without worry or concern. We had to alter some of our itinerary at late notice but that was no problem for Christina. Thank you again Christina for making our tour of New Zealand an extremely complete one and leaves us with a feeling of enormous contentment. Ross and Robyn Bate - Australia

Hello to the team at NZ Fine Touring now that we have been home in the UK for a week and re-adjusted to ‘real’ life we wanted to...
Read moreHello to the team at NZ Fine Touring now that we have been home in the UK for a week and re-adjusted to ‘real’ life we wanted to thank-you for providing a superb service in arranging our holiday personal touring itinerary. Every aspect arranged by yourselves – car hire, accommodation and activity bookings went entirely to plan, making for a carefree and enjoyable holiday.

Christina Brockie organized our month long trip around New Zealand (Feb/Mar 2017) with our two kids. Using Self Drive Tours & Christina was the...
Read moreChristina Brockie organized our month long trip around New Zealand (Feb/Mar 2017) with our two kids. Using Self Drive Tours & Christina was the BEST idea for our vacation. We can't say enough good things about the service and support we received. Every place we stayed at was perfect and the attention to detail to make sure that we knew where we had to be made every day relaxing.

Putting this tour together on such short notice was great. The document pack was well prepared and helpful. Lauren was great in following up once...
Read morePutting this tour together on such short notice was great. The document pack was well prepared and helpful. Lauren was great in following up once the trip was booked, making sure that we were able to get the document pack on short notice. Great customer service.

Hi Michelle We are just home from our 8 day North Island tour. What can we say everything was organised to the finest detail. Your second choice...
Read moreHi Michelle We are just home from our 8 day North Island tour. What can we say everything was organised to the finest detail. Your second choice accommodation in Paihia was great. We had a room at the front with magnificent views of the bay. All our accommodation was first class and we had plenty of time to take in all the sights along the way. We have been singing your praises to anyone prepared to listen. Thank you, thank you, thank you Jim and Vivienne Armstrong

Jane, we wanted to thank you the advice, arrangements and execution were flawless. It did rain every single day we were there but will not hold you...
Read moreJane, we wanted to thank you the advice, arrangements and execution were flawless. It did rain every single day we were there but will not hold you accountable for that ;)) Only negative observation is that Budget would not provide GPS at either location without $10/day charge! Hope you had not paid for that! All the accommodations met or exceeded our expectations and the people were charming. Ti Kouka was both funky and particularly beautiful.

My husband and I send a sincere thank you to our wonderful tour consultant, Shelley Ryder. She put together a package for us that could not have...
Read moreMy husband and I send a sincere thank you to our wonderful tour consultant, Shelley Ryder. She put together a package for us that could not have been more pleasant. Every step of the way was laid out for us, and the details made traveling in a foreign country effortless and friendly. We enjoy the independence of driving ourselves and being on our own, but having the details of motels, transfers, and car rentals taken care of saved me a lot of time and energy in the planning stage, and all of our accommodations were perfect.

We had a really wonderful holiday and thought that the service we had from New Zealand Self Drive Tours and from Natalie in particular was excellent....
Read moreWe had a really wonderful holiday and thought that the service we had from New Zealand Self Drive Tours and from Natalie in particular was excellent. The judgements about where to go, how long to stay in individual locations, where to stay, what we might be interested in doing and the information pack provided were all spot on.

We had a wonderful trip made easy by Laura and New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We did the B&B option and were delighted with all of our...
Read moreWe had a wonderful trip made easy by Laura and New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We did the B&B option and were delighted with all of our arrangements. We felt like we saw the entire country on our 23 day tour - the pace was perfect and the routing and tour guidance made it a fun and stress-free adventure. We did have a couple of changes to our itinerary due to an earthquake and a brush fire but Laura was on top of the situation and we adjusted seamlessly. Thanks for a wonderful experience.

Thank You Hayley for giving us a fabulous tour of your beautiful homeland. You provided us with great maps and documentation to find our way with no...
Read moreThank You Hayley for giving us a fabulous tour of your beautiful homeland. You provided us with great maps and documentation to find our way with no worries. Our accommodations were great. I felt so blessed after the November earthquake that I didn't need to contact our 26 days of accommodation to find out if they were still operating. You provided the alternate route and accommodation since we couldn't visit Kaikoura.

We spent a lovely 13 days in the south island of New Zealand through New Zealand Self Drive Tours, and would highly recommend this company to other...
Read moreWe spent a lovely 13 days in the south island of New Zealand through New Zealand Self Drive Tours, and would highly recommend this company to other travellers to New Zealand -- particularly those visiting for the first time. Starting from the planning stages, our consultant Shelley was so very helpful in figuring out how to best fit the highlights we were hoping to see, with a local's knowledge about realistic driving times, the quality of accommodations, etc.

Planning a family trip to a country you've never visited before is no easy task. However, with the help of Ms Salli Smith, our holiday to New Zealand...
Read morePlanning a family trip to a country you've never visited before is no easy task. However, with the help of Ms Salli Smith, our holiday to New Zealand at the start of 2017 played out wonderfully and smoothly. Ms Smith was both very patient and helpful during the planning process and on top of that, friendly and prompt.

We had an absolutely marvellous time in New Zealand. We have already recommended New Zealand Self Drive Tours and our consultant Natalie DeCaro to...
Read moreWe had an absolutely marvellous time in New Zealand. We have already recommended New Zealand Self Drive Tours and our consultant Natalie DeCaro to friends. Natalie designed a perfect tour for us, meeting and often surpassing the goals we set for her.

Really enjoyable trip. We liked the accommodations the sites were absolutely awesome. Maybe, some smalls changes could have been made about the...
Read moreReally enjoyable trip. We liked the accommodations the sites were absolutely awesome. Maybe, some smalls changes could have been made about the time spent at some locations.

We had a nice trip to New Zealand. The trip booked by Salli was very seamless and well organised. We appreciated that she took care of our logistics...
Read moreWe had a nice trip to New Zealand. The trip booked by Salli was very seamless and well organised. We appreciated that she took care of our logistics for us and that she was also very responsive with communication with very prompt responses to any inquiries. It was also nice that Salli automatically took care of issues related to the earthquake that we would have had no idea what we needed to do differently as we didn't even know what was and wasn't open. Appreciate the help. Kaarlo and Jen

We had the most amazing holiday in New Zealand organised by NZ Self Drive Tours. As it was a first time visit for us, it was great having the booking...
Read moreWe had the most amazing holiday in New Zealand organised by NZ Self Drive Tours. As it was a first time visit for us, it was great having the booking and planning done for us. We found both Dan and Salli very responsive with communication and we had very prompt responses to any inquiries.

Great service, excellent support with a personal touch. Superb hotel and activity recommendations (except for one but that was of no fault to NZ...
Read moreGreat service, excellent support with a personal touch. Superb hotel and activity recommendations (except for one but that was of no fault to NZ Self Drive Tours). We really like your concept and it beats sorting it all out by our-self's (competitive rates). Already recommend you to several of our colleagues and friends here on Sakhalin Island, Russia.

Thank you Natalie DeCaro, for your patience with us as we planned our trip to South Island, all the way from South Africa. We had to trust that all...
Read moreThank you Natalie DeCaro, for your patience with us as we planned our trip to South Island, all the way from South Africa. We had to trust that all the arrangements would happen as planned, and we were not disappointed. At every stop along our route, we received a good reception, and we were very pleased with the extra activities that we included in the week long tour. I would definitely recommend you to friends/family who may be travelling in New Zealand in the future. Thank you. regards Sharon and Steve Thorne

Thank you NZ Self Drive especially our consultant Shelley Ryder. She had given us a memorable trip. Both itinerary & accommodations she...
Read moreThank you NZ Self Drive especially our consultant Shelley Ryder. She had given us a memorable trip. Both itinerary & accommodations she arranged was excellent. She not only arranged us a scenic drive, but also some activities to enjoy. The activities she suggested were fun. Shelley always responded to my enquiries/request very promptly. I highly recommend her to my friends or anyone who needs assistance planning their NZ trip. Thank you Shelly once again for your excellent services.

I would like to thank our tour consultant Jane Zwerrenz not only for putting together a great South Island tour, but also for how prompt and flexible...
Read moreI would like to thank our tour consultant Jane Zwerrenz not only for putting together a great South Island tour, but also for how prompt and flexible she proved to be when we had to make last minute modifications along the way! Wonderful tour recommended to everybody! Gian Mario Enrigo & Elisa Vargiu

Dear Shelley, Happy new year to you. I apologise that I took so long to get this email to you, but we only arrived back from our trip this morning...
Read moreDear Shelley, Happy new year to you. I apologise that I took so long to get this email to you, but we only arrived back from our trip this morning and I'm finally able to sit down and get to all the admin. I would just like to say an absolutely huge THANK YOU to you for organising this trip and everything that you did for us! The trip was absolutely spectacular and ticked all the boxes with everyone. We had so many laughs and the activities were fantastic!

Hi Jane, Thanks. We had a blast on the bridge walk (it was indeed a Walk, with the Syndey Harbour bridge being more of a climb). We arrived in...
Read moreHi Jane, Thanks. We had a blast on the bridge walk (it was indeed a Walk, with the Syndey Harbour bridge being more of a climb). We arrived in Aukland two hours early, no traffic on Saturday morning, so had two hours to kill. We just walked around the waterfront and had breakfast, very pleasant. After the walk, we were still at the airport by 12:30, again no traffic. The whole trip went like clockwork, never a reservation mix up anyplace. Very nice. And we had incredibly fine weather, total contrast to our last trip where we were mightily doused daily.

Hi Salli, just wanted to follow-up with a personal thank you for helping coordinate our trip to New Zealand over the Xmas holiday period. We had a...
Read moreHi Salli, just wanted to follow-up with a personal thank you for helping coordinate our trip to New Zealand over the Xmas holiday period. We had a fantastic time, and really enjoyed each and every stay. The hotels/motels were excellent, and we really appreciate the small personal feel from several of them. The owners were great, and all costs were taken care of ahead of time. We especially enjoyed the rooms in Rotorua and Christchurch.

Happy New Year Natalie, Wishing you the very best of health and happy days in 2017. It was super meeting you too; and being in your lovely...
Read moreHappy New Year Natalie, Wishing you the very best of health and happy days in 2017. It was super meeting you too; and being in your lovely town. Our visit to Rippon Winery was very productive albeit a knock in the pocket :-) We had a fabulous time again on the South Island thanks to your guidance and great planning. We certainly have a better understanding of distance, travel time, road conditions and many other facets of touring in New Zealand.

Hi Christina, As you know we are a media company looking at how we can make something positive business wise out of what is a very personal 50th...
Read moreHi Christina, As you know we are a media company looking at how we can make something positive business wise out of what is a very personal 50th birthday experience. Meeting at airport seamless despite late arrival. Service airport to hotel impeccable. Our room at the Sebel Viaduct Harbour was adequate, but deluxe one bedroom marina view turned out to be a quarter marina view from the sitting room, a slightly better view from the balcony, but no view from the bedroom other than the block opposite. Room was 211. There are lots of rooms directly facing the marina over several floors so I’m not sure what level of deluxe they must be.

This was a most wonderful tour. Everything ran like clockwork - accommodation was excellent and we were expected at every place. We were picked up by...
Read moreThis was a most wonderful tour. Everything ran like clockwork - accommodation was excellent and we were expected at every place. We were picked up by chauffeur (even at 1 am) from the airport after our delayed flight, and every pickup by tour operators was on time. We had plenty of time to explore in our hire car between towns.

Hi Michelle, Our Self Drive Holiday in New Zealand was absolutely fantastic! The accommodations arranged for the family were spot on! I am...
Read moreHi Michelle, Our Self Drive Holiday in New Zealand was absolutely fantastic! The accommodations arranged for the family were spot on! I am so envious of you folks in NZ. You do have God's Backyard in your country. Its so scenic everywhere we went. We had to pinch ourselves a few times to make sure we were sober. Thanks a Million for your help in arranging such a wondrous itinerary. We will definitely be coming back again. Regards, Eric

As mentioned before trip was great. Weather was ideal, accommodation was excellent and hire car was good. Itinerary undertaken was great for our...
Read moreAs mentioned before trip was great. Weather was ideal, accommodation was excellent and hire car was good. Itinerary undertaken was great for our needs. In Christchurch we visited the Antartic centre close to the airport which was good. Mt Cook was beautiful as was Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Very much enjoyed Edmund Hillary Alpine centre. Loved the documentary on Everest.

Hi Jane, the trip was AMAZING and thank you for all your reservation help along the way. The hotels were nice but the bed & breakfast were the...
Read moreHi Jane, the trip was AMAZING and thank you for all your reservation help along the way. The hotels were nice but the bed & breakfast were the best. Sorry we could not stop over at Wanaka during our trip. At this point we are back in the US, a little tired from with our trip and working on the gazillion photos that I took. The natural beauty of New Zealand is unparalleled. People there are amazing and so is the landscape. Thanks for making it extra special for us. Cheers Sree and Sukee

Kia Ora, Hayley. We have been back for a month and still remember our trip to NZ with huge fondness. We are so happy that we used NZ Fine Touring...
Read moreKia Ora, Hayley. We have been back for a month and still remember our trip to NZ with huge fondness. We are so happy that we used NZ Fine Touring for our arrangements. I could tell you and your associates are quite experienced, as you handled our “high maintenance” situations with calm and grace. And, we are very appreciative that you rearranged our tour after the earthquake. We love NZ - it truly is the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited. Thank you for your excellent service. If anyone asks, we would give you and NZ Fine Touring an A+. Thanks, again. Riffi OBrien

Ross and myself would like to send you the biggest thank you! to you and everyone at NZ self drive tours. As you know I wanted to surprise Ross with...
Read moreRoss and myself would like to send you the biggest thank you! to you and everyone at NZ self drive tours. As you know I wanted to surprise Ross with a "secret holiday" and I had some ideas where I wanted to be, I have always planned all my holidays personally because I felt that travel agents gave a generic experience at an inflated cost and thus was a little sceptical about the whole idea of using a touring company. Your team won me over from the start, the level of service and care taken was AMAZING. The support did not stop when I booked, I really felt cared for during the time between booking and leaving for NZ.

Hi Salli, Thank you for the great help in planning our family holiday to NZ. Very much appreciated your responsiveness, including booking our...
Read moreHi Salli, Thank you for the great help in planning our family holiday to NZ. Very much appreciated your responsiveness, including booking our Hobbiton tickets at short notice and at a discounted rate. We had a great time and would warmly recommend others to consider New Zealand Self Drive Tours. Warm regards, Chung Han

Hi Jane, We're back in England now, with many happy memories of our time in New Zealand. I want to thank you most warmly for your help in...
Read moreHi Jane, We're back in England now, with many happy memories of our time in New Zealand. I want to thank you most warmly for your help in reorganising part of our itinerary during what must have been a very busy time for you. All the arrangements for the trip went very smoothly and the range of accommodation was great (the only unwelcome surprise was at the Hotel Ibis in Wellington, where parking is only available if pre-booked). So thank you, NZFT - we will recommend you. With best wishes, Martin and Charmain Rickerd

Hi Christine, Thank you very much for the great arrangement and planning, the tour was fantastic. Accommodation very nice, especially the stay at...
Read moreHi Christine, Thank you very much for the great arrangement and planning, the tour was fantastic. Accommodation very nice, especially the stay at Blue Peak Apartments in Queenstown. The tour itself was nicely planed, car rental, pick-ups at the Airports, Train station and Airport drops, Not a single hiccup or problem. I have to thank you for your advise, your patience , and your friendly and professional service. Best Regards, from us Kassim, Yasmin and Harris.

Hello Louise Well we are finally home after an exhausting but exhilarating holiday. The hotels were all wonderful and everyone was friendly and...
Read moreHello Louise Well we are finally home after an exhausting but exhilarating holiday. The hotels were all wonderful and everyone was friendly and helpful. Organisation was fabulous, and although we were often asked if we had vouchers from our travel company, the mention of our surname resulted in a “Hi Peter and Wendy,” and we had no problems anywhere.

New Zealand Self Drive Tours provided us with a very memorable experience. The staff are great to deal with and we even had the opportunity to meet...
Read moreNew Zealand Self Drive Tours provided us with a very memorable experience. The staff are great to deal with and we even had the opportunity to meet with them in person. We chose the 31 Northbound adventure which gave us the opportunity to have a great cultural experience,great hikes, unbelievable scenery. Accommodation and vehicle hire were awesome. We selected just about every tour option which kept us fully occupied .

From start to finish, our 10-day tour of the south island was amazing! The motels used were perfect for what we needed. Jane did a fantastic job in...
Read moreFrom start to finish, our 10-day tour of the south island was amazing! The motels used were perfect for what we needed. Jane did a fantastic job in setting everything up. She went above and beyond by scheduling a north island tour for us that we inevitably had to cancel. I would use this service again in a heartbeat.

Hi Salli Thanks for your excellent tour arrangements – we had a great time – we both agreed that there was too much to do in the time...
Read moreHi Salli Thanks for your excellent tour arrangements – we had a great time – we both agreed that there was too much to do in the time but it was after all a 'taster' so now we know where to go to for a longer stay next time. Some notes: Our pick-up driver at Christchurch airport was excellent – he even took us on a 30 minute tour of the city on the way to the hotel so we could orient ourselves, and see some of the awful devastation caused by the earthquake. He was very informative, and efficient – as he also was when he picked us up on the next morning for the train trip.

Hello Laura, I wanted to post a comment on your company’s website but didn’t see an option to do so. I also wanted to say thank you...
Read moreHello Laura, I wanted to post a comment on your company’s website but didn’t see an option to do so. I also wanted to say thank you for the quick refund! We just wanted to say thank you for the most enjoyable trip we have ever had. All our accommodations and tours were nothing less than First Class. Although we were unable to go to Kaikoura because of the earthquake, our re-route to Hanmer Springs was wonderful. And we couldn’t have asked for a better person (Laura Davidson) to help us get through that hiccup in our trip. We absolutely loved the drive that started in Auckland and ended in Christchurch. This was definitely a great way to see the country and meet many wonderful Kiwis along the way. We are already talking about a return trip to New Zealand! Thank you again for everything! Linda Wilhelm and Mike Lasher

Michelle, I can't thank you enough for planning and executing a flawless trip of the North and South islands. When I say everything was perfect, I...
Read moreMichelle, I can't thank you enough for planning and executing a flawless trip of the North and South islands. When I say everything was perfect, I mean it was spot on. If someone was to meet us at the airport or train station or pick us up from our hotel, they were right there every time. No question at all. The hotels you selected for us were perfect. Each had such lovely rooms for us. Sometimes they were so nice we didn't want to leave. The activities and tours you recommended were all wonderful.

Hayley, Margaret and I are back in the states, slowly recovering from a day and a half of travel to get here. Was all that time in a metal tube...
Read moreHayley, Margaret and I are back in the states, slowly recovering from a day and a half of travel to get here. Was all that time in a metal tube travelling at 36,000 feet worth it? Without a doubt! We both want to thank you for the excellent trip you arranged for us in New Zealand - it far exceeded our expectations. Your attention to detail and organisational skills exponentially added to the wonders and beauty of New Zealand. Plus your ability and willingness to make last minute changes made for an excellent ending to our journey; the extra day at Franz Josef along with a full day in Christchurch worked out perfectly.

Hi Jane, We had a fabulous holiday thanks to your thoughtful arrangements on our behalf. We were very happy with the accommodation and it was lovely...
Read moreHi Jane, We had a fabulous holiday thanks to your thoughtful arrangements on our behalf. We were very happy with the accommodation and it was lovely not to have to worry about any aspect of the trip, including the transfers from the train station and to the airport. Your itinerary took us to stunning parts of the country that we will treasure in our memories for years to come. In fact we decided to return to Queenstown and the West Coast as often as we are able in the future. Thank you for a most enjoyable and comfortable holiday. Deidre Briesch

Firstly, we would like to thank Shelley for putting together and seeing us through our holiday. The process was smooth and worry free, particularly...
Read moreFirstly, we would like to thank Shelley for putting together and seeing us through our holiday. The process was smooth and worry free, particularly given the fact that we landed in Auckland the day following the earthquake with part of our itinerary up in the air. Our holiday was absolutely wonderful, and even the cancellation of a few activities due to poor weather / natural disasters did not reduce our enjoyment one little bit. Your company offers a wonderful service and executes it professionally.

We were so lucky to find New Zealand Self Drive Tours as a resource for planning our once in a lifetime trip. Salli Smith was incredibly...
Read moreWe were so lucky to find New Zealand Self Drive Tours as a resource for planning our once in a lifetime trip. Salli Smith was incredibly informative, knowledge and flexible creating an itinerary that specifically addressed our wish list. She made quick adjustments and offered many helpful suggestions of activities, routes and highlights in each city. As we learned more and did other research, Salli was incredibly responsive to our every request and question. She was also there for us during the trip when we had a few questions. The trip was outstanding and I wish New Zealand Self Drive Tours could plan all of our other trips! We would highly recommend them as a resource and if you're lucky enough to work with Salli, you'll be in great hands!

Thank you for everything ! I must say it has been an amazing experience for us here in New Zealand. We went for the Christchurch gondola and took the...
Read moreThank you for everything ! I must say it has been an amazing experience for us here in New Zealand. We went for the Christchurch gondola and took the tram on our last day here. In any case, I want to say that all the activities arranged and the motels booked for us was superb and beyond our expectation! Comfortable and close to places of interest and eateries. I must say that we loved Queenstown, Wanaka and Tekapo the most :) Thanks much for all the assistance Christina! You've been a great help and we really enjoyed this trip! Regards, Farah

My husband and I just returned from a fantastic 22-day self-drive vacation in New Zealand. Many thanks to Michelle and the New Zealand Self Drive...
Read moreMy husband and I just returned from a fantastic 22-day self-drive vacation in New Zealand. Many thanks to Michelle and the New Zealand Self Drive team for helping us plan our trip. This was our first time in New Zealand and they gave wonderful recommendations on places to go and things to do and also made reservations for lodging, cars, ferries and activities.

Our trip went without a hitch, thanks to Laura Davidson, despite a major earthquake while we were in New Zealand. Fortunately, we were on the west...
Read moreOur trip went without a hitch, thanks to Laura Davidson, despite a major earthquake while we were in New Zealand. Fortunately, we were on the west coast when the quake occurred on the east coast. Although there was some concern about whether or not the train from Greymouth to Christchurch would be running, it turned out to be okay.

Hi Louise, We had a wonderful time on our trip & all the arrangements went smoothly Thanks for all your work. Hotels were good with cooking...
Read moreHi Louise, We had a wonderful time on our trip & all the arrangements went smoothly Thanks for all your work. Hotels were good with cooking facilities in almost all. Only problem was the number of times we ended up in a handicap room (guess they thought it would help the old folks) Best lodging was in Whitianga & Wellington. Weakest was Christchurch for future planning. All in all excellent organising on your part next time we will choose a drier time of year.Cheers Wayne

Pat and I had a marvellous 22 day tour from Auckland south to Queenstown, thanks to Michelle who suggested activities and made arrangements to our...
Read morePat and I had a marvellous 22 day tour from Auckland south to Queenstown, thanks to Michelle who suggested activities and made arrangements to our preferences. We anticipated a terrific trip and learned to love New Zealand... people were very friendly, we learned a lot, and the seascapes and landscapes...breathtaking.

Christina, Our excursion in New Zealand was marvellous. From our welcome greeter at Auckland airport to our 5:30 AM transporter to the Christchurch...
Read moreChristina, Our excursion in New Zealand was marvellous. From our welcome greeter at Auckland airport to our 5:30 AM transporter to the Christchurch airport, we found the people of New Zealand to be warm, open, friendly, helpful and kind. Every motel owner was welcoming and charming. Our favorite accommodation was Quest Central in Rotorua. Another favorite was Omau Settlers Landing at Cape Foulwind, which would be very nice in summer. We were there in the rain after being detoured by the earthquake. All other motels/hotels were very good. Our experiences varied, but each were rewarding to 70 year old tourists.

The lodgings throughout the trip were great - perhaps at a level a bit higher than I usually use but I’m not complaining. Peter and Iris were...
Read moreThe lodgings throughout the trip were great - perhaps at a level a bit higher than I usually use but I’m not complaining. Peter and Iris were great hosts on Stewart Island, and I lucked out by having Peter one-on-one during the Ulva Island visit (where we did see a real, live, in-the-wild Kiwi.

6 Oct - 23 Oct 2016 (Awesome 18-day trip - North & South Island of NZ) First of all, we have to admit that we were so lucky and happy to have...
Read more6 Oct - 23 Oct 2016 (Awesome 18-day trip - North & South Island of NZ) First of all, we have to admit that we were so lucky and happy to have found this website when we first started to do some research on the road trip in NZ. As this was our honey moon trip after we got married in October 2016, we really hope this would be the best of the best travelling experience for both of us.

Hi Shelley, We just got home today after a wonderful trip to Hawaii and New Zealand. We wanted to thank you for all that you did to arrange our...
Read moreHi Shelley, We just got home today after a wonderful trip to Hawaii and New Zealand. We wanted to thank you for all that you did to arrange our driving tour. Everything was perfect, from the pick-ups at the airport and train station, our accommodation, the trains and the activities we chose. Not a single hiccup or problem!

Hi Jane Thank you very much for your concern. The tour was fantastic. Accommodation very, very nice, real Gems, all the Heritage houses. The...
Read moreHi Jane Thank you very much for your concern. The tour was fantastic. Accommodation very, very nice, real Gems, all the Heritage houses. The tour itself was nicely planed, car rental was well organised, and all the other bookings like Doubtful Sound etc properly booked. And what should I say about you? Although you destroyed us terribly in the last game (Rugby), I have to thank you for your advise, your patience , and your friendly and professional service. Best Regards and Kia Ora Hans

We greatly enjoyed the entire trip. Everything was superbly organised and everybody was exceptionally nice. The accommodations were all luxurious and...
Read moreWe greatly enjoyed the entire trip. Everything was superbly organised and everybody was exceptionally nice. The accommodations were all luxurious and the breakfast options plentiful and very tasty. We particularly liked the Kamahi Cottage and its owner Elisabeth Cowan. She is a delightful and stimulating host with a great degree of knowledge.

From the moment I contacted you to organise a complicated itinerary I knew I had chosen the right company. 4 weeks, 2 islands, trains, planes and...
Read moreFrom the moment I contacted you to organise a complicated itinerary I knew I had chosen the right company. 4 weeks, 2 islands, trains, planes and automobiles. I provided dates and a list of things we wanted to do and you guys put it together. I could never had done this myself and I am used to booking independent travel.  

Thanks to Hayley and all the staff at NZ Self Drive Tours for a wonderful 3 week holiday in the South Island. The car rental, accommodation and the...
Read moreThanks to Hayley and all the staff at NZ Self Drive Tours for a wonderful 3 week holiday in the South Island. The car rental, accommodation and the optional tours were all ready for me when I arrived. A very well organised trip. Brilliant! Ken O'Neill

We had a good trip and enjoyed the well plan schedule provided. The only disappointment was not getting the HOBBIT Inn which we were much expect....
Read moreWe had a good trip and enjoyed the well plan schedule provided. The only disappointment was not getting the HOBBIT Inn which we were much expect. But it was not caused by New Zealand Self Drive Tours. We recommend everyone to take a planned vacation as we did.

Our trip to New Zealand was truly amazing. Laura Davidson did a great job in helping us plan our trip. The only thing I would recommend is that...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand was truly amazing. Laura Davidson did a great job in helping us plan our trip. The only thing I would recommend is that the driving instructions be a bit more thorough. You should give the distance between turns. Our GPS was outdated and had us literally going down farm paths. However, the wonderful atlas saved the day. It was truly the best holiday we have ever had and we would definitely recommend New Zealand self drive tours. Thank you!

Hi Shelley, Thanks for taking time on your day off to meet with us near the end of our trip. As we mentioned then, everything had gone smoothly for...
Read moreHi Shelley, Thanks for taking time on your day off to meet with us near the end of our trip. As we mentioned then, everything had gone smoothly for the first 4 weeks of our trip and that continued for the final week. Before you set our itinerary, we discussed the types of hotels we preferred and all of your choices were of that kind of accommodation and very convenient locations. Everything went smoothly with all of the transportation-airport pickup/drop off, car pickup/drop off and TranzAlpine train.

We would like to thank Lauren for all her help and understanding in organising our trip to the South Island. We had a brilliant holiday seeing...
Read moreWe would like to thank Lauren for all her help and understanding in organising our trip to the South Island. We had a brilliant holiday seeing somuch beautiful scenery, rivers,lakes, mountains, glaciers.  

Firstly, a huge thank you to Hayley for organising the trip, very prompt in responding, and had some great suggestions for activities. We were so...
Read moreFirstly, a huge thank you to Hayley for organising the trip, very prompt in responding, and had some great suggestions for activities. We were so impressed by how well things worked, from the initial greeting at Auckland, the accommodation, the selected tours and the ongoing support through the trip. The detailed itinerary was fantastic, just walked into the hotel reception or tour booking office with "the book" and never had any hassle - it all just worked. We had an awesome holiday, some great trips and sightseeing tours - many exceeded my expectations, saw a lot of wildlife, did a lot of walking, enjoyed seeing the natural beauty of NZ. I have passed on your details to friends who have expressed interest in touring NZ, and would not hesitate to contact you when we visit NZ next time. Thank you, Anne.

We want to thank Michelle Chave for arranging the most amazing time for us in New Zealand’s South island. The rep was there to meet us with our...
Read moreWe want to thank Michelle Chave for arranging the most amazing time for us in New Zealand’s South island. The rep was there to meet us with our tour package when we arrived in Christchurch. All the accommodations she recommended were perfect for us. We were greeted at each one and had no problems checking in. A highlight of the trip was Ulva Island. Peter Tait provided a superb 4 hour tour and was quite entertaining. His knowledge of the island made it quite fascinating.

We finished our trip and overall we where very please with the accommodation. The only snag was on the first day. We were greeted at the airport and...
Read moreWe finished our trip and overall we where very please with the accommodation. The only snag was on the first day. We were greeted at the airport and brought to our accommodation. But the next day we had to make our way back to the airport to pick up the car. It would have made much more sense to get the car on day 1. The only other issue was a one way car return charge. We picked up the car at Christchurch and returned the car at Greymouth. The care rental company tried to hit us for the $50.00 charge. I called NZSDT and they cleared up the discrepancy. All other aspects of the trip were wonderful and I would use this service again.

Everything was very well executed in terms of the arrangements. The hotels were good and very comfortable and close to restaurants etc. the tours...
Read moreEverything was very well executed in terms of the arrangements. The hotels were good and very comfortable and close to restaurants etc. the tours worked well. We especially liked the Stewart Island Lodge - it is very comfy and both hostesses were really warm and helpful. Wendy particularly went out of her way to make sure that we could leave the island which was problematic because of the fog! We both enjoyed our holiday very much. A big thank you to Salli for organising it. Linda Lyon

Hi Hayley, We have spent the last 4 months travelling around the world, and the 42 days we have spent in New Zealand were just amazing. Everything...
Read moreHi Hayley, We have spent the last 4 months travelling around the world, and the 42 days we have spent in New Zealand were just amazing. Everything from the first contact with you, planning our tailored made self drive tour until our flight back home worked perfectly. We enjoyed also very much the possibility of the "last minute" changes in our tour, where our second daughter joined us during her school holidays on her study exchange program. This was really a great time and we had so much fun that we will never forget. Thank you for the opportunity to get to know your beautiful country and for all the new experiences. It really was a once in life time holiday and except one day, we were lucky with the weather as well. Even though we have spent almost 1.5 months travelling around New Zealand, we will for sure come back, because there are so many places that just need more time to explore. One more time a big thank you. Erich, Daniela, Alexandra and Barbora

My 12 year old daughter and I had an amazing time. All the accommodation and pre booked tours were perfect. Every thing went to plan thanks to our...
Read moreMy 12 year old daughter and I had an amazing time. All the accommodation and pre booked tours were perfect. Every thing went to plan thanks to our consultant Shelley. The extensive literary made for an exciting, enjoyable and hassle fee holiday.

First of all Christina, thank you so much for organising all of our trip details. You were amazing and very quick to respond. Our trip was...
Read moreFirst of all Christina, thank you so much for organising all of our trip details. You were amazing and very quick to respond. Our trip was definitely the trip of a lifetime! We got all of our activities in without any weather interruptions! We really enjoyed all the scenery, other than the scary, sharp, curvy roads on the "wrong" side of the road throughout New Zealand! We were able to enjoy 3/8 of the great walks: Tongariro Alpine Crossing, The Kepler Track, and the Routeburn Track. We loved all three. We really didn't need a guide on the Routeburn since the trail was clearly defined, but it was great getting to meet another couples and learning a lot from our guide.

Cape to Capital 18-day Tour. Our thanks to Jane whose meticulous planning ensured our trip went smoothly. Jane always promptly replied to our...
Read moreCape to Capital 18-day Tour. Our thanks to Jane whose meticulous planning ensured our trip went smoothly. Jane always promptly replied to our queries and double checked our plans with us. Having everything pre-booked made our travels so much easier. We didn’t have to worry about taking time out looking for accommodation or finding things to do. It was also really useful to be able to pay our trip in installments on line. It was lovely to have been met at the airport by “Uncle” who gave us a few tips for our stay in Auckland. Another surprise was a car upgrade from a Corolla to a diesel Ford Territory. This made for comfy and economical travel.

Thank you Shelley! We ventured from Port Angeles, WA, USA to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary exploring New Zealand on this self-drive road...
Read moreThank you Shelley! We ventured from Port Angeles, WA, USA to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary exploring New Zealand on this self-drive road trip. We told her our desire to hike, be outdoors and stay in rustic accommodations. She set us up with an itinerary that was extremely memorable. We travelled through the major parts of both islands. Each destination was completely different and a surprise since we chose not to research the next location. We found our favorite eating experience. The "Mussel Pot" in Havelock. We would highly recommend booking this type of adventure. Shelley, many thanks! Jon & Lori Jacobs

Thank you for a great time. Everything was set up beautifully. We really wish we were still there! Natalie did an excellent job for us in setting...
Read moreThank you for a great time. Everything was set up beautifully. We really wish we were still there! Natalie did an excellent job for us in setting up accommodations, itineraries and assisting us in getting from one place to another.

Hi Charlie, Well we made it home safe and well. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful package, both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed every...
Read moreHi Charlie, Well we made it home safe and well. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful package, both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I don't believe there was any element that we did not like but we were disappointed in not enjoying any of the helicopter adventures because of unsuitable weather conditions. We did make up the time with other activities which were enjoyable as well. The whole part of the South island that we saw had us in awe of your beautiful island and we will certainly be returning some time in the future. Once again Charlie a Big Thank You George & Jill Phillips

Hi Charlie! I've been looking forward to writing this feedback to you about our trip because I LOVE reliving all the wonderful sites and experiences....
Read moreHi Charlie! I've been looking forward to writing this feedback to you about our trip because I LOVE reliving all the wonderful sites and experiences. I'll start with accommodations. We liked ALL of the accommodations that you booked for us! They were all spacious, clean and well-located. Unlike properties in the USA where website photos often exaggerate features, I found that the photos on the websites didn't do justice to the rooms. I was always positively surprised. Some specifics: We especially liked Punga Grove in Franz Josef. The location is lovely and the patio at the back of the apartment with lush rain forest growth was beautiful. We could look out our loft bedroom in the morning and see the snow-capped peaks! Another notable property was the Quest in Wellington. The building is charming and historic. The rooms have high ceilings and huge windows.

Dear Shelley, many thanks for a fantastic trip! We were so impressed with the spectacular scenery of both islands. New Zealand is so clean and it...
Read moreDear Shelley, many thanks for a fantastic trip! We were so impressed with the spectacular scenery of both islands. New Zealand is so clean and it is clear that your government puts tax dollars back into infrastructure, i.e. nice level roads, well maintained parks, good signage, etc. We were impressed! You somehow managed to fit all of our requests into a well thought out itinerary. We had time to rest, but were able to explore so much of the country! Our rental car was new and we never had a problem.

Well we are back home and our holiday is now at an end. We had an amazing time and I must thank you for your faultless planning and organisation of...
Read moreWell we are back home and our holiday is now at an end. We had an amazing time and I must thank you for your faultless planning and organisation of our trip. Everything flowed brilliantly and all our bookings and tours were in place when we arrived at each destination. The car we received was brand new with only 20km on the clock...can't get much better than that, and all tours and pickups ran right on time. The staff at each place were really friendly and looked after us well. Of course Azur at Queenstown was amazing and I must admit we didn't want to leave and if we had to pick the best place, this would certainly be it. One thing you couldn't do for us was control the weather. We had some bad luck in Franz Joseph and they cancelled all helicopters. So you could contact Helicopter Line for us to arrange a refund it would be much appreciated. We've come home a little larger than when we left, compliments of some beautiful wine and food and brought home with us some amazing memories. Thank you once again, Regards Paul and Kerri Vico

Dear Natalie, So sorry to take so long to give our feedback. Have been really busy catching up with huge pile of work after being away for so long....
Read moreDear Natalie, So sorry to take so long to give our feedback. Have been really busy catching up with huge pile of work after being away for so long. Anyway, my husband and I wish to express our deepest thanks and appreciation for arranging such a wonderful holiday for us. As I mentioned before, this is the first time I did not have to do any arrangement and it's such a breeze to be able to leave everything to you. The pick-up at the airport was so nice. It warms our hearts to be met at the airport of a country we were visiting for the first time, especially after almost 10 hours in the plane. The hotels were great! especially Peppers Clearwater. We pampered ourselves silly. The Lakeview Suite was lovely. It was like a huge welcome hug on our first day in NZ. And to end the trip at this same hotel was unbelievably wonderful.

We had a fantastic time in NZ and found that the itinerary was very well organised. Accommodation was great- we particularly enjoyed the view from...
Read moreWe had a fantastic time in NZ and found that the itinerary was very well organised. Accommodation was great- we particularly enjoyed the view from our room at the hotel in Mt Cook. Argo tour was good fun as well. The pick up service was really helpful and drivers were very pleasant and professional. Milford sound cruise and the bus trip to and from would have to be the highlight of the trip- fantastic photo opportunities and wonderful guides. I really want to point out that your service was fantastic, Christina- with the limited time I have to organise our trip and lack of time to spend on the phone, it was really good to be able to organise things with you via email- your prompt replies and organisations skills were much appreciated so thank you very much for making it so easy for us! We look forward to returning to NZ again in the future- maybe check out north island and go back to south for the glaciers! Regards, Angela Suen

Hi Jane, it was a great trip! The car rental was handled seamlessly, the accommodations were great and spacious. We were suspicious of Motels, having...
Read moreHi Jane, it was a great trip! The car rental was handled seamlessly, the accommodations were great and spacious. We were suspicious of Motels, having only been introduced to them via shows like CSI. The only damper was that due to inclement weather, we were unable to go for the fox glacier helicopter ride. Will save that for the next time we visit!

AMAZING! I could not recommend it high enough. Everything ran seamlessly, the accommodation was beautiful, all the recommendations we did were great....
Read moreAMAZING! I could not recommend it high enough. Everything ran seamlessly, the accommodation was beautiful, all the recommendations we did were great. It was such a relaxed and easy holiday. Michelle, our rep, did a fantastic job. Thank you so much! I've travelled a lot but this was the best holiday I've ever been on.

Our trip was very well organised and the atlas was beneficial, but we would have liked to have had our path highlighted. We should have bypassed...
Read moreOur trip was very well organised and the atlas was beneficial, but we would have liked to have had our path highlighted. We should have bypassed Christchurch because it has not recovered from the 2011 earthquake and it was sad to see so much destruction. The hotels and in particular their views were wonderful. We were pleased with the side excursions we chose. Perfect time of year to go because the Fall colors were delightful. The car rental hand off went well and we were pleased with the cars. The GPS was very beneficial and could not have done without it. It was a comfortable way to travel - having an agent set up the trip and handle the details, but be on our own. Thank you Laura for your help to make this a wonderful vacation experience.

Hi Michelle, Thank you for your email. We were both very impressed with all the organising of our tour, everything went like clockwork, the weather...
Read moreHi Michelle, Thank you for your email. We were both very impressed with all the organising of our tour, everything went like clockwork, the weather was a bit up and down but we did experience some beautiful days. We liked all our accommodation, it was great to be within walking distance of attractions and shops if we needed anything. Our favourite place was the Abel Tasman National Park, it is so beautiful, unspoiled , quiet and perfect for walking and boating, we had two lovely days there and our accommodation was lovely too. We had one sunny day on the Doubtful Sound cruise which was really nice but it was a miserable day on Milford Sound. Never mind, we enjoyed seeing it anyway. We were a bit disappointed to miss our whale watching cruise at Kaikori but the weather was not good and it was cancelled, we did wait to see if it improved later in the day but no luck. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our whole trip. An added bonus was meeting my cousin and his wife for the first time in Dunedin. I thought Dunedin was a lovely city, full of many reminders of my homeland, Scotland. Thank you and all involved with the organisation and transport providers for our trip, it was amazing, great job. Regards, Martin and Kathy Smith

Rather belatedly - but better late than never. Agroup of 7 of us, all family, did a 12 day driving tour from Auckland to Queenstown (10/10-13/10/15)...
Read moreRather belatedly - but better late than never. Agroup of 7 of us, all family, did a 12 day driving tour from Auckland to Queenstown (10/10-13/10/15) all arranged by Michelle. Not a budget trip but definitely brilliantly arranged by MICHELLE. From day 1 all requests and suggestions carefully and thoughtfully catered for (note average age 70!). Accommodation all in convenient or excellent locations, vehicles, both in North and South Island delivered in excellent condition, included tours - perfect. In a nutshell would highly recommend NZSD - and if pushed to give a mark out of 10 - perhaps a 10.5 Maurice & Anne, Perth Australia

Morning Hayley It's nice to be home again but our every thought is of the time we shared in the beautiful South Island with our friends. We are...
Read moreMorning Hayley It's nice to be home again but our every thought is of the time we shared in the beautiful South Island with our friends. We are yet to touch base with reality and this feeling we have is just great and the memories live on. I have downloaded my photos from the Sandisk and thought I would send to you a picture that we treasure for your desktop. It was taken at Milford Sound at around 10:00am before we departed on our cruise - it was just an amazing sight, still, overcast and Mitre Peak fully in view which seldom is experienced by travellers and just a whiff of low clouds here and there. When the boat went out into the sea and turned back, the weather changed, and it rained all the way back so we were privileged to see the waterfalls cascading down the slopes making our trip there perfect.  

We were in New Zealand for almost six weeks and split our time equally between the North and South Islands. Being picked up in Auckland by...
Read moreWe were in New Zealand for almost six weeks and split our time equally between the North and South Islands. Being picked up in Auckland by "Uncle" started out trip off on the right foot as he was very encouraging, informative and made our first encounter with New Zealand a very welcoming experience. All of the bookings, car rentals, ferry, train and excursions were without incident and everything went just as planned. When we did contact the office to arrange a tour for us that we decided to do part way through the trip we found everyone helpful and once again everything worked without a hitch. We would definitely recommend NZFT and Jane and staff to be very helpful right from the planning to the end of our journey. The accommodations met our expectations, the car rental went flawlessly, the tours were all on time and scheduled as planned and we found the itinerary, road maps and travel guides that were provided very helpful throughout our trip. Thank-you for making our time in New Zealand enjoyable and for giving us a very relaxing, trouble free vacation Darwin and Veronica Robinson Feb-March 2016

Hello Shelley, We’re still in the US, but I thought I could take some time to give you a detailed feedback of our trip. I’ll make some...
Read moreHello Shelley, We’re still in the US, but I thought I could take some time to give you a detailed feedback of our trip. I’ll make some general comments and give specific feedback about, accommodation, food, activities. So here goes: 1. Pick-ups: Handled very well. Very friendly, efficient people who picked us up and dropped us at Christchurch and Wellington. 2. Itinerary: Perfect. We got to see all the places we wanted to see and things we wanted to do in an unhurried way, with long stays where activities were scheduled and longer drives well spaced out. It was very relaxing, thoroughly enjoyable and the least stressful vacation we have had. Everything worked like clockwork, weather excepting in some places. In hindsight, if I were to tweak our itinerary, we would perhaps extend a day in Te Anau and do the drive through the Catlins to Dunedin.

Natalie, the trip was great for us. Thanks for clearing up the GPS uncertainty at the Auckland Budget office so quickly, as well as changing our...
Read moreNatalie, the trip was great for us. Thanks for clearing up the GPS uncertainty at the Auckland Budget office so quickly, as well as changing our pickup time to go to the Christchurch airport. We loved New Zealand and the general itinerary and hope to return someday to revisit some sites and see others. All of the people assigned to meet us were prompt and especially friendly, the autos were ready as promised (except for the GPS mentioned above), and check in at all accommodations and tours were very easy. 

I had been planning the trip to New Zealand for some weeks but couldn't decide how best to cover the two islands in the 20 days we had available. A...
Read moreI had been planning the trip to New Zealand for some weeks but couldn't decide how best to cover the two islands in the 20 days we had available. A web search revealed 'New Zealand Self Drive Tours' so I rang at 11pm UK time, on the Toll-Free line, to ascertain if they could assist. Michelle answered the phone, we had a twenty minute chat about requirements and by the next morning there was an emailed itinerary which, with smallest of tweaks, was exactly what we wanted. We would like to thank Michelle and her colleagues for arranging a fab holiday, at relatively short notice, there wasn't a single hiccup and everywhere we stayed was as we'd hoped it would be. We also got lucky with the weather: 2 weeks in the South Island and no rain. I can whole heartedly recommend Michelle and her colleagues and we will certainly make use of their expertise again in the future. Thanks again and kind regards Mark & Hild

Dear Laura, Our trip to the North Island of New Zealand was brilliant from beginning (Wellington) to end (Auckland). All of the cultural performances...
Read moreDear Laura, Our trip to the North Island of New Zealand was brilliant from beginning (Wellington) to end (Auckland). All of the cultural performances you recommended were of a high standard and invaluable in order to understand better the beautiful Maori Culture and people. We were naturally disappointed that a couple of boat trips were cancelled by the one company however your effort to contact us, re-book alternatives and keep us informed were immaculate. Thank you so much for re-funding our money and for all your support in booking this trip and making it such a great 60th for my husband. We will book again in the future. Kind regards Bernadette and Ian

Before I go into any detail with respect to the actual holiday, it would be remiss of me not to say what a fabulous job Michelle did in arranging...
Read moreBefore I go into any detail with respect to the actual holiday, it would be remiss of me not to say what a fabulous job Michelle did in arranging everything for us. Everything went of without a hitch. Every tour, every hotel, every car rental plus the ferry crossing! We never had that 'heart in the throat' feeling of what do we do now. We were always expected, always welcomed and never had to give more than our family name for our reservation to be quickly confirmed and verified. 

Our 10 day tour of Fiords,glaciers and mountains self drive tour was a very nice experience. Shelly Ryder Did a fine job ,to arrange the tour even we...
Read moreOur 10 day tour of Fiords,glaciers and mountains self drive tour was a very nice experience. Shelly Ryder Did a fine job ,to arrange the tour even we were late in making our arrangements due to a misunderstanding about the down payment for the trip. Still Shelly came thru, of course we had some change from our original plans. Still everything worked out fine. Any disappointment we had was for the breakfast at a couple hotels. The Queenstown house boutique hotel was excellent, the location and the breakfast was superb. Also, the Edgewater hotel in Wanaka. We would give it a 9 on a scale from 1 to 10. We wish we could have had more time there. We do not want to forget the Mt. Cook Hermitage hotel, another fine experience. Thank you Shelly for the nice arrangements, we hope to do it again south NZ is beautiful. ED & NANA

We had Shelly from New Zealand Fine Touring arrange a wonderful 16 days self-driving round trip on the South Island for our family of five. In no...
Read moreWe had Shelly from New Zealand Fine Touring arrange a wonderful 16 days self-driving round trip on the South Island for our family of five. In no time she put together the perfect itinerary, that included our must-see wishes, suggested numerous other en route highlights, respected our lodging- and driving distance preferences and gave us an unparalleled and delightful tour of the island.  

Michelle, The trip to NZ was very enjoyable. All the organisation was excellent with all accommodation, excursions and pickups happening on time with...
Read moreMichelle, The trip to NZ was very enjoyable. All the organisation was excellent with all accommodation, excursions and pickups happening on time with no hassles. Our accommodation was excellent with even the lower star ratings being more than acceptable. The provision of road maps was excellent with the backseat navigators being able to plan stops well ahead. Maybe the naming of intermediate towns in the driving instructions would have been of assistance but no real problem. Thank you for your efforts they went a long way to making the trip memorable.

We enjoyed the trip, we discovered a beautiful country to tour and visit. Having all of the accommodations arranged made for no hassle upon arriving....
Read moreWe enjoyed the trip, we discovered a beautiful country to tour and visit. Having all of the accommodations arranged made for no hassle upon arriving. The tours that we booked through NZ Self-Drive were all first rate, we especially enjoyed Abel Tasman Kayak and Hawk Bay Wineries. When we wanted to modify part of the trip NZ Tours was fast and responsive to our needs.

Hi Natalie Well what can I say but our trip was brilliant. Everything you organised was perfect, from our pick to our drop off.Our hotels and...
Read moreHi Natalie Well what can I say but our trip was brilliant. Everything you organised was perfect, from our pick to our drop off.Our hotels and apartments were great especially Radford on the lake in Te Anau which was the highlight of the trip. I would definitely recommend New Zealand Self Drive to anyone going to New Zealand for the first time. Thanks again Alan & Lesley

Laura--- you and the company did a fine job meeting our travel needs. People we encountered were pleasant, helpful and most of all on time and on...
Read moreLaura--- you and the company did a fine job meeting our travel needs. People we encountered were pleasant, helpful and most of all on time and on task. This trip was a perfect combination of structured travel with room for all of our hikes between other scheduled activities. We are impressed and would recommend your services to others. The only thing we would change would be hotel for the night we fly out of Auckland. We left @ 9:00 pm and only had about 3 1/2 hours of hotel usage that day. We really enjoyed your country, it is so beautiful!

This was a magnificent trip. Planning was a fun process using the toll free telephone line. Natalie was so helpful and thoughtful that I was sorry...
Read moreThis was a magnificent trip. Planning was a fun process using the toll free telephone line. Natalie was so helpful and thoughtful that I was sorry when it was complete. As for the trip itself, it was exactly "as advertised" and extremely smooth in actual operation. All the reservations, telephone, lodging, cars, train and air were without error and ready for us without vouchers, reservation numbers or additional charges. Calls to the office once or twice during the five week trip were answered promptly and helpfully by knowing agents. We travelled from the Bay of Islands to Dunedin and Queenstown with an ease and confidence which greatly contributed to our enjoyment of New Zealand. Many Thanks to Natalie CeCaro and the staff of Self Drive New Zealand

We booked the 21 day Discover New Zealand for our honeymoon in Feb/March 2016. We had an absolutely fantastic time. Our trip was very well organised,...
Read moreWe booked the 21 day Discover New Zealand for our honeymoon in Feb/March 2016. We had an absolutely fantastic time. Our trip was very well organised, communication was great and everything ran to plan and went very smoothly. Everything was extremely well organised. Accommodation was good, some was fantastic. We found the suggestions of things to do in the various places very useful. No problems with the car hire. Decent car and sat nav worked very well and found everywhere for us. Driving around New Zealand was very easy. Overall everything was great. Thank you for an amazing holiday!

Louise was wonderful. We booked about 3 months in advance with fairly inflexible dates and we started off with another tour company. When we said...
Read moreLouise was wonderful. We booked about 3 months in advance with fairly inflexible dates and we started off with another tour company. When we said we were thinking of doing the west coast of the south island they found it was fully booked & because we couldn't change our dates, wished us a good trip. We started the same scenario with Louise & when she came to the same conclusion, her response was - so let me give you some other options. What we ended up with was a wonderful customised 15-day 2 island family holiday with many suggestions & inclusions which we will remember for a long time. Thanks so much.

Hi Shelley, I will respond here and then copy the response into the website. We are getting very close to welcoming our baby girl to the world. ...
Read moreHi Shelley, I will respond here and then copy the response into the website. We are getting very close to welcoming our baby girl to the world. Kim is due in just 8 weeks! We are moved back to the US as the New Zealand trip was our last before leaving China. First of all, I want to thank you for all the help you provided during the booking process. You were awesome in understanding what we were looking for and matching that up with the fact the winery aspect of New Zealand wouldn't be a good thing during this trip to New Zealand.

We had an fabulous 23 day tour of both islands. Everything was so well organised including transfers, car rentals and tickets. The quality and...
Read moreWe had an fabulous 23 day tour of both islands. Everything was so well organised including transfers, car rentals and tickets. The quality and locations of the accommodations were also very good. The itinerary was well thought out and enabled us to see a lot of New Zealand without excessive driving. That said, there was a lot more to see, but maybe that's for another time! The only slight annoyance was a long wait to pick up the Europcar rental car in Picton. Overall, an outstanding holiday, and we would recommend this company to anyone who is visiting New Zealand for the first time.

Well I don't know were to start! We had the most amazing self drive tour of New Zealand North & South Islands organised by Natalie. We were...
Read moreWell I don't know were to start! We had the most amazing self drive tour of New Zealand North & South Islands organised by Natalie. We were totally happy with all places of interest, towns & cities to visit and the accommodation was all that we could expect. We would be more than happy to recommend your services to all family and friends. Sorry we missed meeting with you in Wanaka Natalie. Many thanks again for your help and patience with us.

We completed our tour on 6 March and thoroughly enjoyed our time in NZ. The itinerary prepared for us allowed us to get a good appreciation of both...
Read moreWe completed our tour on 6 March and thoroughly enjoyed our time in NZ. The itinerary prepared for us allowed us to get a good appreciation of both islands in 15 days. The car rental arrangement was well organised as was the accommodation. I will recommend your services to any family or friends intending to tour NZ.

Many thanks to all involved in the coordination our Self Drive Tour from North Island to the South Island. Jane Zwerrenz thanks a lot! It took more...
Read moreMany thanks to all involved in the coordination our Self Drive Tour from North Island to the South Island. Jane Zwerrenz thanks a lot! It took more than one month to customise our tour to our needs, but the result have been amazing. From the moment we stepped off the place in Auckland till the day left from Queenstown we enjoyed magnificent areas in north Bay of islands, Rotorua, Kaikorua, to Milford Sounds and Queenstown in the South Island. Lots of other great places complete the tour. We were very pleased with the self-drive tour content prepared by the agency. Everything was taken care of from private transfers from the airport, to the hire car, prearranged accommodation and reference numbers for scheduled activities. The carefully planned trip gave us the necessary time to visit the surroundings. We had an excellent vacation. I would highly recommend this to others (already 2 friends of us are preparing there own tour). New Zealand is a beautiful place and this was an excellent way to see it! Thanks so much!

We had a great vacation. Saw and did a lot but in a very relaxed way. Everything worked well in terms of the car, motel, and tours that we went on....
Read moreWe had a great vacation. Saw and did a lot but in a very relaxed way. Everything worked well in terms of the car, motel, and tours that we went on. I would highly recommend this to others.

Many thanks to all involved in the coordination our self drive tour of the south island. Being able to customise our tour to our needs allowed us to...
Read moreMany thanks to all involved in the coordination our self drive tour of the south island. Being able to customise our tour to our needs allowed us to spend some long awaited time with relatives in Invercargill. From the moment we stepped off the place in Christchurch till the day left, we were in awe of the beauty of the south island, the ease of travel and the friendly locals who went out of their way to help. Our holiday was stress free thanks to the folks at New Zealand Self Drive Tours. Everything was taken care of from private transfers to and from the airport, delivery of the hire car, prearranged accommodation and reference numbers for scheduled activities. We were able to travel at our own pace which allowed us to enjoy the best of what the south island has to offer. We enjoyed ourselves so much we're already planning our next trip.

We were very pleased with the self drive tour programme prepared by the agency. Everything in the schedule went smoothly, all on time, no delay and...
Read moreWe were very pleased with the self drive tour programme prepared by the agency. Everything in the schedule went smoothly, all on time, no delay and it was easy to do the programme as proposed. The carefully planned trip gave us the necessary time to visit the surroundings. Mostly a two day stay in each town was ideal. The hotels were very good, very well located and comfortable. In Rotorua we paid a nice visit to a Mauri village and also the vulcanite parc was very worthwhile visiting. The Milford Sound cruise was quite exceptional and anyway very beautiful. The transalpine train journey was an excellent way to close our stunning visit to New Zealand. Unfortunately the weather in both Mount Cook and Fanz Jozef did not permit to see and visit the glaciers there. We are very thankful to all people who contributed to the success of our trip and we recommend this beautiful tour to all those who want to visit this exceptional country.

What a fabulous trip! New Zealand is a beautiful place and this was an excellent way to see it! Our trip was well planned and organised - no one was...
Read moreWhat a fabulous trip! New Zealand is a beautiful place and this was an excellent way to see it! Our trip was well planned and organised - no one was surprised to see us and our transfers were always there to greet us. We customised our trip to include Deco Days in Napier in late February and for us, it was a real highlight. Natalie and company did an outstanding job of providing a real world class experience for us. Thanks so much!

Michelle, We enjoyed the trip very much. Thank you for putting it together. I do have some detailed comments and other musings; take them for what...
Read moreMichelle, We enjoyed the trip very much. Thank you for putting it together. I do have some detailed comments and other musings; take them for what they are worth. First, the GPS in the car was a life-saver. We probably would not have gotten it if it had been up to us, but I'm so glad we had it. The driving directions and the road atlas were helpful, but it would have been much harder to find things with those alone. The driving directions would have been much more helpful if distances between various turns were indicated, as they are here with Mapquest. All the hotels were fine, though some were much nicer than others. Some also had more space than we needed. I assume you put us into what was available. The only real disappointment was that the Sea Spray Suites in Pahia did not have a swimming pool. A pool would have been nice, as the beach was not very user friendly (shallow, hard on the feet). The room with shared bath facilities on the boat in Doubtful Sound was not as bad as we had feared. A cabin would have been much nicer, but I assume none was available when we booked. Waipoua Lodge was fantastic, and something we would never have done on our own. In terms of what I would do differently based on what I now know and assuming availability of hotels was not an issue (this is not a criticism, but just my views that may be helpful in advising other people): I would spend more time in Abel Tasman National Park, and as close to the park as I could manage. Ideally, at least 3 nights in the park itself. I would have been happy to skip the night in Westport, but the hotel was very nice and my husband really liked the hike to the seal colony (we took the long route). Greymouth was not worth much, but I realise you only put us there because nothing was available in Franz Joseph. If I had known about it in time, I would have tried to go to the Oparara Valley. Is there anyplace to stay there? Franz Joseph would have been worth 2 days, had rooms been available. The rest of the South Island was wonderful. Mount Cook is worth at least another day (weather permitting). If I were to do it again, I would skip Auckland and the Far North. The Bay of the Islands was nice, as was the Waipoua Forest, but probably not worth the drive, all things considered. If we did go to Bay of the Islands, I would consider staying in Kerikeri. We stumbled onto Mapouri Beach which as absolutely fantastic. But again, there must be other wonderful beaches in the southern part of the North Island. I would also have skipped the Waitomo Caves (or spent more time in the area, so as do have time to do more things). We saw glow worms other places, and it was pretty far out of the way. We enjoyed Rotorua, even though it rained pretty much the entire time. All in all, we had a wonderful time. There is still so much we did not have time for. Thanks for your help. Judy

Hi Michelle, we really liked the tour and we’re still impressed by the perfect organisation of it. Everything was well prepared, all...
Read moreHi Michelle, we really liked the tour and we’re still impressed by the perfect organisation of it. Everything was well prepared, all recommended places were great and the chosen accommodations were really very good. We liked all of them especially because we always had the best category in each hotel. Only the one at Mt. Cook we did not like so much because the room was not as clean as expected. Our favorites were the one in Queenstown, the one in Picton (what a view!) and of course the Hobbit Motel ;-) All activities were just perfect. We will definitely recommend you to our friends if they will ever come to NZ. Thank you so much and all the best for you, Edyta & Alex

Shelley, Thank you so much! You planned such a wonderful trip for us. We were able to make all of the stops for our tickets with time to spare and...
Read moreShelley, Thank you so much! You planned such a wonderful trip for us. We were able to make all of the stops for our tickets with time to spare and planning the three separate two night stays were great. We were able to relax a little and see more in those places. We would greatly recommend Self Drive Tours to anyone. From the personal meet and greet to the very end, it was wonderful. Thank you again for making this a trip of a lifetime. Darren and Jennifer Sharp

Rosanne and I had a fantastic NZ adventure. The accommodation was very good especially in Queenstown. The car was upgraded to a Captiva which was...
Read moreRosanne and I had a fantastic NZ adventure. The accommodation was very good especially in Queenstown. The car was upgraded to a Captiva which was very good. The itinerary suited us very well. We had very good weather with no rain at Milford Sound. The operators of the Amore Motor Lodge and the Chinese guests were very friendly. The only hic-cup (nothing to do with NZFT) was with the Double decker bus in Christchurch. The first hour was very good. The second two hours were very disappointing. They changed the itinerary without telling us and took us to Deans Bush which is a five minute walk from the Amore motor lodge instead of Sumner Beach. Rosanne and I were very pleased that we used NZFT to organise our trip and will recommend you to our friends. Please find two photos attached. Thank you. Cheers, Gary Demby

Best holiday of our lives. The route and arrangements were excellent. The accommodation was at least good, and mostly excellent. We particularly...
Read moreBest holiday of our lives. The route and arrangements were excellent. The accommodation was at least good, and mostly excellent. We particularly liked the quirky high class B&B's, especially "The Factory" at Kaikoura - lovely people, lovely place to stay. We covered much of NZ, but in right sized chunks - we never felt tired of the journey, and we were always ready for the next place. Every day was filled with highlights. Very well done - very good planning and excellent execution.

Hi, Shelley. My apology for the delay in providing feedback. Overall, we had a wonderful time in New Zealand and looking forward to visit again. The...
Read moreHi, Shelley. My apology for the delay in providing feedback. Overall, we had a wonderful time in New Zealand and looking forward to visit again. The pace of the trip is just nice with combination of self-drive and tour. The selection of accommodations is excellent; all of them are comfortable. The trip was as I envisioned; I can tick all the boxes, especially on whale watching, Hobbiton, Hooker Valley, Milford Sound - but really disappointed that I got seasick and missed my planned crayfish lunch at Kaikoura. We also missed the pick-your-own cherry as it was not in season yet. Among the best surprises are the Wanaka visit (should have visit you) but I missed the damn tree, Hooker Valley tracks and Royal Albatross Centre. I will visit New Zealand again, and tried to cover what I've missed last time. Send my regards to your associates, Uncle Harding, tour guides in Auckland/Christchurch/Queenstown - they're all very good and helpful.

Excellent tour and great detail for driving and visiting different locations. All transfer personnel were friendly and helpful. Rooms were fine,...
Read moreExcellent tour and great detail for driving and visiting different locations. All transfer personnel were friendly and helpful. Rooms were fine, some better than others. We really liked the Milford Sound fjord cruise and glowworm tour. The Alpine train ride was OK but did not live up to its advertising. Our rental car was in great shape and perfect for touring S. NZ.

You and your company! John and I can't tell you how awesome this adventure was. New Zealand is an amazing country filled with wonderful people. We...
Read moreYou and your company! John and I can't tell you how awesome this adventure was. New Zealand is an amazing country filled with wonderful people. We were talking earlier about what was our favourite spot/thing here and each place we were at has its own special place in our hearts. This has been seamless, stressless and the best vacation we have ever had. Natalie, from the awesome maps, directions and information about where we were going, and what to do along the way Thank you again, Nanci and John

Everything was arranged to perfection making our holiday one of the most stress free and enjoyable family holidays ever. From airport arrival onward...
Read moreEverything was arranged to perfection making our holiday one of the most stress free and enjoyable family holidays ever. From airport arrival onward it was a smooth series of being met with our itinerary, booking references, maps etc, then transport to our first night accommodation. The next day we were picked up from the accommodation and taken to the car hire place. Off we went with our GPS, maps, and the NZ itinerary arranged for us, and had the time of our lives exploring the North island of New Zealand. All pre-arranged tours were booked accurately and were well suggested and most enjoyable. Accommodation was well planned and suited our family of five and the ages of our children. It is obvious that this tour company has a good relationship with all concerned with the tourist industry. It was a pleasant surprise to be upgraded on a couple of occasions (room & car type). A tour refund required at one point was attended to seamlessly. NZSD's attention to detail made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Thanks to Natalie and the team at NZSD. Warwick and Cavelyn Jones

We had a great trip on a 13 day self drive tour. Michelle was great in helping us customise a couple of the 'standard' trips to suit our needs. ...
Read moreWe had a great trip on a 13 day self drive tour. Michelle was great in helping us customise a couple of the 'standard' trips to suit our needs. Everything from the transfers, accommodations, activities booked, ferries, trains and automobiles went smoothly so we could focus on enjoying our holiday. The best review I can give is that we would use NZ Self Drive Tours again for our needs and will recommend them to others who are heading to NZ.

Dear Jane, Happy New Year. We are just back from our lovely New Zealand holiday. I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed it. The program you put...
Read moreDear Jane, Happy New Year. We are just back from our lovely New Zealand holiday. I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed it. The program you put together for us was PERFECT. From the second we were picked up until the time we left, we enjoyed ourselves. We found the New Zealand people we met to be friendly and kind. The accommodation you booked was of a very good standard. The activities were great. I will go into them in more detail if you want more feedback, but on the whole they were just wonderful. Your advice, your listening skills (to work out what we wanted ), your attention to detail and your thoughtfulness (yes, particularly with your suggestion to not go all the way to Wellington), was all spot on. The highlights were the special activities - especially the bike ride, the Tongoriro hike and the Waitomo caves. We loved Okahune and the Tongoriro Chateaux was amazing. Who would have thought we could have experienced such luxury in the middle of no-where. I had one of the best meals of my life - in their dining room. Unforgettable. We saw 2016 in with style and have fallen in love with New Zealand. Thank you so much. Kind Regards, Jo and Andrew Patrick

All travel arrangements went smoothly. Meet and greet, car pick up, and hotel bookings were as described. Quest Rotorua was especially good, and is...
Read moreAll travel arrangements went smoothly. Meet and greet, car pick up, and hotel bookings were as described. Quest Rotorua was especially good, and is recommended. Copthorne Auckland is customer unfriendly and should be avoided. Staff are fine, however Management have implemented an unworkable "free" internet policy that causes endless complaints to the front desk, and do not care despite negative reactions from many. (very limited download cap often times out in as little a six minutes a day). Avoid this place, the youth hostel would be preferable. Other hotels good but make little effort to cater to international visitors. Often no electric adapters provided and rooms lack international plugs. Christchurch as a whole is a hole. Not visitor ready. Very little progress made in the several years since the earthquake. Third world cities recover faster than this. Downtown resembles a war zone, with devastated buildings and empty sites all around. Skip it other than to exit through the modern and pleasant airport.

Hi Laura, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team at New Zealand Fine Touring for the brilliant holiday package you put...
Read moreHi Laura, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team at New Zealand Fine Touring for the brilliant holiday package you put together for my partner Jenni and I. We enjoyed the holiday of a lifetime in what turned out to be a well thought out itinerary. The accommodation was excellent and the hire cars ran like a dream. You live in an incredibly beautiful part of the world with amazing scenery from the mountains to the sea and everything in between. The lakes and Flora of New Zealand are spectacular and I don’t think I have ever seen such beautiful roses as the ones that grow in New Zealand. The food was excellent and the people we met were so friendly and helpful. The contrast between the North and South Islands was remarkable with both islands unique in their own spectacular ways. Xmas day spent cruising The Milford Sound will live in my memory forever as well as the fantastic day I had celebrating my birthday in beautiful Queenstown. Our visit to a Maori Village in Rotorua as well as Whale Watching out of Kaikoura and a visit to where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed were among the numerous highlights of our trip. Every day was enjoyable whether it was spent on the road or relaxing in first class accommodation. The restaurants and Cafes were awesome. I had one of the best steaks I have ever eaten in the Café Affair in Nelson and an excellent fish dinner in the Le Chef Restaurant in Vulcan Lane Auckland. I took nearly 800 photos in New Zealand which I will save to DVD’s and bring out often to relive a great holiday. Once again thank you from the bottom of my heart for facilitating such a fantastic adventure holiday. Kiora and Haeremai New Zealand.

Firstly Shelley did a great job - very few hitches in a very tight and busy schedule Highlights were Tongariro Crossing with legend - expensive but...
Read moreFirstly Shelley did a great job - very few hitches in a very tight and busy schedule Highlights were Tongariro Crossing with legend - expensive but made transport and trek very smooth; Franz Josef - quad bike tour and helicopter landing on glacier; sky diving at Glenorchy. No charge highlights were scenery in general, Routeburn summit hike, Hokitika gorge, blue lakes, mirror lakes, Cape Foulwind and Te Papa museum Great accommodation - Edgewater Wanaka, Nelson apartment, Blue Peaks Queenstown and Rocky Mountain Chalets Bad accommodation - Auckland, Wellington and Parklands Turangi - the Waitamo accommodation was definitely run down - novel but glad only 1 night. If I had a crystal ball pre-trip, would have skipped Waitamo (average) and replaced with 4 hour cave experience near Punakiki; would have gone from Rotorua to Taupo and done free hot pool instead of Hells Gate; would have spent longer in Wanaka; glad we did north island first as Queenstown great place to finish at and south island even more beautiful than north kind regards Darren

The expert itinerary meant that we got to see so much of this wonderful country, but 4 weeks is clearly not long enough! Will have to go back again...
Read moreThe expert itinerary meant that we got to see so much of this wonderful country, but 4 weeks is clearly not long enough! Will have to go back again sometime. I have summarised my thoughts on the trip at http://helengray.net/wise-turns-gray/new-zealand-dec-2015---jan/my-discovery-of-new-zealand.html, and will be adding webpages for each day of travel if anyone is interested to know what to look forward too!

We are a family of six, and are blessed to be introduced to this website by a friend of mine. Our tour agent, Natalie, is a very helpful and pleasant...
Read moreWe are a family of six, and are blessed to be introduced to this website by a friend of mine. Our tour agent, Natalie, is a very helpful and pleasant agent, and served us from the day we planned the itinerary (somewhere in August 2015) till very last day in New Zealand (31 December 2015). I was surprised the agent called to arrange reservations from abroad! Kudos to Natalie who took the extra mile. When we arrived in Auckland (first leg), we were greeted by a cheerful personal pickup driver, arranged by Natalie. We were rather worried before that as by the time we retrieved our baggage and cleared Customs, it was well over 2am. The booking pack received from the driver was rather professional, the pack consist of extensive maps and leaflets for the whole of our journey, our travel and flight itineraries were printed and well bound, all kept in a nice professional looking bag. I was very amazed at their professional standards. Contiki and Trafalgar did not even provide us with such extensive information packs when we travelled to Europe. All our accommodations and activities' bookings were made in good order. We managed to get through our days as planned. Accommodations were superb, clean, and receptionists were very kind and helpful too. We had comfortable stays throughout our trip. Many thanks Natalie for helping us make dining reservations for super peak days. My elderly parents especially were satisfied with the trip and service we given. Once again, thank you Natalie and other agents along the way who helped us. We deeply appreciate your kind assistance. I will certainly recommend this tour to my friends and relatives.

We went for 14 days South Island Coast to Coast Self Drive Tour on December 2015. Found that everything were arranged perfectly. Pick up were on...
Read moreWe went for 14 days South Island Coast to Coast Self Drive Tour on December 2015. Found that everything were arranged perfectly. Pick up were on time, all check-in went smoothly, brand new car ( we booked for Toyota Rav 4 WD and got Nissan X-Trail 4 WD instead. But the car was brand new and everything works perfectly including the GPS, no complain). We like most of accommodation arranged for us, clean, very good location, friendly receptions especially George and Sally from 858 George Street Dunedin. We had a very pleasant stay. Except for a bit of disappointment at Mt. Cook where you need to pay for the wifi and all 3D movies were not showing due to repair - the roads, the facilities, the excursions, the people and the view all the way of our trips are just fantastic ! Recommended to anybody. We would definitely be back. The only thing gave us a bit of struggle was the unpredictable weather, summer but feels so freezing cold - cold weather turn into hot day within minutes. Really need to prepare your clothing well. Thank you Michelle Chave for arranging everything for us, giving us such a great time in NZ !

It has been a wonderful and fantastic 22 days of self drive tour, professionally organised by both Verity Gemmell and Shelley Bates of New Zealand...
Read moreIt has been a wonderful and fantastic 22 days of self drive tour, professionally organised by both Verity Gemmell and Shelley Bates of New Zealand Fine Tours. We travelled from Auckland through Cape Reinga up north and down south all the way to Invercargill and everyone in the family enjoyed every moment of the trip. Everything was perfectly organised and have no problem accessing our motel rooms when we arrived late at night. Our family and friends followed our trip via Facebook and will definitely recommend them to use NZFT for their future plans to visit New Zealand. Thank you.

I sent in my enquiry in August and Natalie,the tour consultant contacted me within the next 2 days. She had been responding to my enquiries promptly...
Read moreI sent in my enquiry in August and Natalie,the tour consultant contacted me within the next 2 days. She had been responding to my enquiries promptly and provide me with info which I asked for even when I was in NZ. My family and I were worried as this was our 1st time to NZ. However with the service provided by New Zealand Self Drive Tours, our worries were unfounded. Everything was arranged, from where to go, how to go to where to stay, we went on a journey without any fuss. My family had enjoyed the trip so much and had a real good time. My kids want to go back to NZ again after all the exciting tour, superb accommodation and beautiful scenery sites recommended. Thank you Natalie and NZ Self Drive Tours for giving us such a wonderful holiday!

NZ was absolute stunning. We had a fantastic time and its definitely on my do list to come back perhaps in winter to go skiing. Overall it was well...
Read moreNZ was absolute stunning. We had a fantastic time and its definitely on my do list to come back perhaps in winter to go skiing. Overall it was well organised and accommodations were located in good locations. Our favourite was the Camelot Motor Lodge. Very cosy rooms. The self drive is a great way to explore NZ. Thou the 6 day circuit was a bit short and rushed for us as there is so many places to see and things do on the way. So we did stop quite a lot. So its hard to take it all in and relax when you need to get to the next town. Our only major issues was to navigate the scenery route in the provided map with the GPS. The GPS wanted to follow the fastest route especially getting out of Christchurch. It would save time if favourite destinations address were already set up in the GPS instead us trying to search the correct one. Though overall it was fantastic and definitely recommend NZ touring to other people. Its easy and convenient to organise with the company. Thanks for an amazing holiday.

It has been a wonderful 2-week journey in New Zealand. New Zealand is a beautiful country with many amazing scenery. The tour consultant Ms Christina...
Read moreIt has been a wonderful 2-week journey in New Zealand. New Zealand is a beautiful country with many amazing scenery. The tour consultant Ms Christina Brockie was very helpful in arranging the trip and the itinerary was made flexible to meet our request. The arranging for rental transport for the journey was excellent and really helpful for our trip. The only surprise was while checking-in in Dunedin. The Victoria hotel was fully booked and luckily the hotel was made arrangement with Mercure Leisure Lodge for our stay. The proposed itinerary also allow us to include other activities. We've visited the famous Hobitton Village at Matamata even though it was not in the original itinerary. Overall, the trip was excellent and worth the money spent. My family and I really enjoyed the trip and now back home with wonderful memories. I really wish to thank Ms Christina Brockie for arranging the wonderful trip. Regards Abdullah

I wrote a blog post inspired by our NZ vacation: bit.ly/1HaBUeR Here is a segment of it here: I’m back. Back from Middle Earth, a driving...
Read moreI wrote a blog post inspired by our NZ vacation: bit.ly/1HaBUeR Here is a segment of it here: I’m back. Back from Middle Earth, a driving tour that led me around New Zealand’s south island. I love getting away and being able to ponder life’s wonders. During that time my soul was doused with a triple dose of Mother Nature. Being able to witness the splendour of Mount Cook with a back splash of cirrus clouds, to crystal blue glacier lakes, fjords of Milford Sound on a mysteriously rainy day, an end-to-end rainbow with 2 pots of gold, the glory of spring flowers, to Fangorn’s Forest all connected by rolling hills and flatlands of farmland with flocks of sheep dotting the countryside from coast to coast to coast. Nothing could be finer, truly. Middle Earth? It felt like living a fairy tale. There and back again with Bilbo Baggins of sorts… As I reflect about what was most captivating aside from “nature in your face” was the (almost) absence of big corporate anything, met with warm and genuine hospitality of unpretentious New Zealanders. Rarely a logo, a billboard, a golden arch, a fancy handbag was sported with a casual, comfort and acceptance of being as you were whether at a gas station filling up or a dining room of a remote lodge. How refreshing. I relished listening to the silent whispers of nature whether a waterfall, sweet bird songs, the bark of a seal or wind rustled leaves. I collected souvenirs of rocks from the blue pools, some feathers of a red hawk and twigs of a grand Cypress tree found on the grounds of Larnarch’s Castle. How odd for me being a self proclaimed Material Girl, nothing seemed finer than those treasures I stashed in my suitcase…. There aren’t words to fully express the magnificence of it all as I mull over the jarring sumptuousness of my experience.

I usually do my own research and bookings for holidays, but found it was hard to work out what would be practical for my short touring holiday after...
Read moreI usually do my own research and bookings for holidays, but found it was hard to work out what would be practical for my short touring holiday after a conference. Shelley made it easy for me - chatting about what I wanted to do, and then delivering a great itinerary that matched my needs. The two Maori cultural tours that she suggested were superb and exactly what I wanted: a blend of history, tradition, and a glimpse into modern life with a Maori perspective. Highly recommended.

We had loads of fun during our stay in NZ! The arrangement by the company was flawless! They gives sincere recommendation and fast response to our...
Read moreWe had loads of fun during our stay in NZ! The arrangement by the company was flawless! They gives sincere recommendation and fast response to our booking! Even though I had booked and confirmed my trip just 2 week before we set off. The vehicle (Holden hatchback) arranged have served us well throughout the whole trip except that it's quite fuel exhausting. Accommodation was much better than we had expected with easy access to town area. The only disappointment was the GPS system. The system guided us a few times to some deserted area which eventually landed us in some private property area, after one hour of drive. Always have your phone Google map set and ready as second reference. Overall, We give 4.5 out of 5 for this fantastic trip! I will be back to NZ again! and definitely will book everything from this company!

Truly fabulous, stress free, as the amazing Natalie DeCaro went over and above in helping us with our, both island 21 day tour. Private transfer...
Read moreTruly fabulous, stress free, as the amazing Natalie DeCaro went over and above in helping us with our, both island 21 day tour. Private transfer means you can ask a local - great. Love too that you receive a detailed itinerary personalised with your names. This included driving information and pointed out places of interest. Thinking of seeing New Zealand for a short time or a long time just let New Zealand Self Drive Tours help you plan. Anne, Jim, Leonard and Elaine

We are now safely back home after our tour. Everything went smoothly from the moment we arrived in Auckland, to our departure from Queenstown. Thank...
Read moreWe are now safely back home after our tour. Everything went smoothly from the moment we arrived in Auckland, to our departure from Queenstown. Thank you for your assistance, especially the rescheduling after Jillian broke her leg last year. Kind Regards, Bob & Jill

Hi Louise Well the trip is over and we have all settled back into our home/work routine. The pity is that it all went so quickly. I want to...
Read moreHi Louise Well the trip is over and we have all settled back into our home/work routine. The pity is that it all went so quickly. I want to firstly thank you for all your hard work in helping me put this amazing trip together, as I have already said and will probably say a few more times, it was wonderful and very much appreciated. We got to see and do so much and you made it so stress free by making all the arrangements. It all went so smoothly. Another thing which was so helpful and amazing was the satchel that you gave us. The brochures, the New Zealand Photo Album and especially the personalised itinerary were brilliant. You must of put in so much work and we really appreciate it as it made travelling through your lovely country so much easier. I can't stress enough how useful and helpful everything was. Thanks. In relation to the arrangements which you made on our behalf, we had no issues except in relation to the car at Auckland (which was the result of the car company, not your arrangements) which you fixed so quickly; everything else went great. There is only one thing I would like to raise and it relates to the accommodation at Taupo (Beechtree Suites). Maybe there was something wrong with the person at reception but she was not friendly and didn't want to help us with information or booking of a tour. She just told us to go to the information centre in the town. Also, the accommodation was not on the lake front which we would of liked as it is a beautiful spot (especially as we could see Mt Doom from there). We know that there is nothing you can do about the people but we felt strongly about this so I felt I had to let you know. All the other accommodation was great and we had no issues. Everyone else went out of their way to help us which made a big difference to the trip. I am so impressed with the way that you helped me that I have already recommended to people that they should use you as you made everything easy. I will keep recommending you to everyone that I hear is thinking of travelling to NZ. You are tops! All the activities that we undertook were also great and went smoothly, they were such fun. Except for the two that were cancelled of course. On that note are you able to tell me where the refunds are up to? Again I must thank you greatly for all your hard work which made it all so easy for me. We all so appreciate it. Thank you, thank you. Kindest regards Joe

We recently completed an 11 day trip on the south island. I usually do all the bookings myself when planning a holiday, however heard good wraps...
Read moreWe recently completed an 11 day trip on the south island. I usually do all the bookings myself when planning a holiday, however heard good wraps about New Zealand Self Drive from friends. Natalie Decaro put together a package which included hire car, 4 star accommodation and the trans alpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch. It was that simple, everything went to plan. All the pick ups were on time, friendly and gave some good tips of what to see. The vehicle was brand new and came with snow chains, which we did use travelling from Queenstown to Wanaka. We first drove to Akaroa before driving to Lake Tekapo which is well worth the stop. Queenstown was fantastic which included a jet boat and multiple rides on the luge. Plenty of nice restaurants and bars to keep us happy at night. All in all the accommodation was very good, however we probably should have booked an apartment in Queenstown to have a bit more room and have a break from restaurants and cafes. New Zealand is perfect for driving. Good roads, not much traffic and scenery to die for. Thanks again, we will definitely be back.

We found NZ Self drive tours after searching online for a company that would work with us to customise our trip. Our experience was very positive in...
Read moreWe found NZ Self drive tours after searching online for a company that would work with us to customise our trip. Our experience was very positive in every way! We were lucky to have Jane Zwerrenz assigned to work with us as we planned our day to day itinerary. Our time was limited to 12 days and Jane's knowledge and experience helped us maximise our time in New Zealand. Most accommodations were wonderful, all scheduled pick ups were timely and excursions arranged to perfection! We cannot thank Jane for enough for her patience with countless emails back and forth with questions and clarifications. Everything about our trip to New Zealand was made even better because of the expertise offered us by NZ Self Drive Tours. I am happy to speak to anyone who would like more information! Susan Pettis

We have just returned from a 12 tour of the North and South Islands. Michelle and the other agents did a wonderful job of setting everything up,...
Read moreWe have just returned from a 12 tour of the North and South Islands. Michelle and the other agents did a wonderful job of setting everything up, answering questions and building a tour that met our requirements. The hotels were above and beyond expectations and the locations well chosen. All the reservations were flawlessly set up and the trip went without a problem. I can honestly give NZ self drive tours 5 STARS. Use this company and you will have a wonderful, stress free vacation.

Everything went beautifully, despite the incessant rain! Eliza's comfortable, welcoming and convenient. Hire car service friendly and prompt. Mt Cook...
Read moreEverything went beautifully, despite the incessant rain! Eliza's comfortable, welcoming and convenient. Hire car service friendly and prompt. Mt Cook Hermitage a overpriced for what you got. Adjoining village accommodation would have been as convenient but cheaper. Glacier Explorers very good. St Clair hotel Dunedin very comfortable, good adjoining restaurants. Enjoyed Blue Ridge Te Anau: friendly people! St Moritz Queenstown: given a room with no direct light, in under the hotel carport. Upgraded after one night at cost of $60/night to room with lake view. Spent a lot of time in Arrowtown: autumn colours, great theatre, general ambience: probably would have preferred to stay there. Fantastic golf at Jack's Point. Only had 2 rounds in all due to flooded courses. Dart River jet boat good fun, tho Shotover more exciting! Guided walk was excellent; great guide, nothing like tramping 18ks thru the bush in the rain! Seemed lots to do at both Hokitika and Punakaiki. Weather was foul, and trip got a bit rushed; got to Punakaiki at dusk, did blow holes at high tide at 7am, then back to Grey Mouth; perhaps another night at Punakaiki? Train was fun, and car was waiting at station. Hermitage a most interesting hotel. Thanks for all your planning! Cheers, David and Sue Laurie

We loved and enjoyed our North to South driving tour. This is one of our memorable holiday. We loved every single thing we saw and there was nothing...
Read moreWe loved and enjoyed our North to South driving tour. This is one of our memorable holiday. We loved every single thing we saw and there was nothing that we don't like. The itinerary that Michelle Slater did and organised for us was fantastic including accommodations. Score of 1-10 I gave her 9. Thank you very much and we will recommend your company to our relatives and friends. Well done! Eva, Carlos, and Karlo from Melbourne Victoria

Thanks to Verity, our trip to New Zealand couldn't have been more perfect. It was so helpful to have everything taken care of for us once we arrived....
Read moreThanks to Verity, our trip to New Zealand couldn't have been more perfect. It was so helpful to have everything taken care of for us once we arrived. Any questions we had or activities we wanted to add or change were quickly and easily taken care of. I could not imagine how much more difficult and less enjoyable this trip would have been to plan ourselves. The recommended activities were great; we especially loved our dinner cruise on the TSS Earnslaw which had amazing scenery and equally impressive food. We also went on the Shotover River Jet boat, a Milford Sound bus tour, and enjoyed the magnificent scenery from the Skyline Gondola as well as from the top of our hike up Queenstown Hill. We spent four days in Queenstown and it was the best part of our trip --there is so much to do, see, and eat. Our accommodation was just what we were looking for. Our car rental was even better than expected and the information we were provided with made travel quite easy. Even with our lower budget we got to see and do so much... Our only regret is that we didn't have more time! There is so much to see in beautiful New Zealand we both hope to return someday as it completely won us over--we were devastated to have to leave! Thank you for making a trip of a lifetime so special and unforgettable! -Rachel & Mary

We travelled to New Zealand in April for a self drive tour around the country. Every motel, care hire, transfer and tour booking that was made by...
Read moreWe travelled to New Zealand in April for a self drive tour around the country. Every motel, care hire, transfer and tour booking that was made by Shelley for our self drive went with a hitch and that made our holiday perfect. We would highly recommend anyone who wishes to do a self drive holiday in New Zealand they should contact this company and the tour which will be arranged will go as perfectly as ours did. Thank you again Shelley for all of the work you did for us. Cheers Gavin and Amanda (Australia)

So quick time flies! Two months ago on the 8th of April we six Chinese started 17 days self drive Autumn Photography Tour of New Zealand. Thanks to...
Read moreSo quick time flies! Two months ago on the 8th of April we six Chinese started 17 days self drive Autumn Photography Tour of New Zealand. Thanks to Natalie DeCaro and Michelle Slater, our tour ended perfectly with everything as arranged. Ever since I got your company by surfing the internet, reading your website, I knew that I've found a right company to organise our tour. The past tour and our experience proved it. The itinerary was planned according to our interest and went exactly in all respects as planned. The rental car eight seater Hyundai I Max was just bigger enough to accommodate us 6 adults and all our luggage, 6 cases plus more. The accommodations were far better than our expectation, except Bella Vista Motel in Christchurch which has one bath room only. As we would be back again in Christchurch after one week, so I contacted Natalie asking if the accommodation could be changed, She immediately checked and later changed a good one for us with upgrade charge of NZD205, but without cancelling money. We appreciate the communications between us clients and the consultants are very smooth and your help are right at hand at any time throughout the tour which make us really feel at ease. We enjoyed our tour very much and the photos we took would be our eternal memories of beautiful New Zealand. It's a pity I didn't meet Natalie DeCaro when dropping in the NZ Self drive tours' office in Wanaka, I wish to thank her once again for all the things she have done for us and also my thanks should go to Michelle Slater who did all the planning work of our tour in nearly four months, but resigned from her position with New Zealand Fine Touring just before our tour going to be true, just as she said "after booking so many wonderful holidays here in New Zealand I have now decided it is time to take one of my own", I sincerely wish her all the best with happy holidays and same all the best to Natalie and NZ Self Drive Tours. Jingen Zhu

We had the most wonderful experience. The trip was very well planned and the services provided were outstanding. Accommodation and meals were...
Read moreWe had the most wonderful experience. The trip was very well planned and the services provided were outstanding. Accommodation and meals were excellent. We were not very lucky with the weather towards the end which made us miss a scenic helicopter flight to the glaciers. However, the arrangements made by Michelle Chave our consultant Travel agent was absolutely outstanding. All the staff were very friendly and helpful at NZSDT. We have no hesitation whatsoever to recommend this trip to anyone. Our 10 year old daughter enjoyed the most. This is a very family friendly tour, and excellent value for money. Our special thanks to Michelle Chave for her professional service. We will certainly be back. Deepak. Padma and Esara Chettri, Sudney, Australia

Hi Michelle. Thanking you for doing such a great job on organising our trip to New Zealand. We thoroughly enjoyed it and have some very fond...
Read moreHi Michelle. Thanking you for doing such a great job on organising our trip to New Zealand. We thoroughly enjoyed it and have some very fond memories of the trip. Unfortunately, we are back to reality now, however the photos etc we have brought back are constant reminders. It was a bit hard getting back into work mode after our time away. Sorry we missed you in Wanaka. Hoping you did not suffer too much from the earthquakes you have experienced recently. The 25 day itinerary was wonderful. It allowed us to have quite a bit of freedom of choice as to our daily activities as well as see some of the highlights New Zealand has to offer. It was a very manageable trip for us. You did a great job organising accommodation for us. The balance of apartment style and single rooms was good. The cars were good and provided us with enough room for our luggage. We loved the different opportunities your tour provided for us - cultural experiences, sight seeing, adventure opportunities, train, ferry, gondola, jet boat and helicopter rides etc. everything was booked and we had no issues with attending pre-booked tours or with our accommodation or car hire. Thank you so much. If we could do the same trip again, we would have liked to somehow include an extra day in Rotorua to allow us to see the town (we felt like we got there with only a bit of time before the Mitai Maori experience, and then to be out to see the Lady Knox Geisel the next morning, we felt pressed for time. However, in saying that we don't know what we would have compromised on and so pretty much conceded we would have had to add an extra day (which in hindsight maybe we could have but didn't know). The only other thing we were disappointed about what's missing out on the ice explorer tour due to bad weather. I understand this was out of our control, but if we had again an extra day without having to be in Greymouth the next day to catch the train, maybe we could have been able to do that the next day. When talking to the helicopter pilot, he said they probably only fly half the days of the year. Wondering if it would be feasible to allow 2 days for the bigger tours (3-4 hour ones) to allow for bad weather. In saying that though, I guess there is nothing to stop the weather form being bad for 2 days in a row, and Franz Josef is not that big a place to do a whole stack of too much else. Just some thoughts for adapting your tours for the future. In giving you that feedback though, we were very, very happy with your organisation, what we were offered, the choices available to us, the fantastic time we had. All credit to you. Thank you too for your patience with us in organising our time away, for refunding our tour, and for organising for us to spend 3 1/2 weeks in your beautiful country. Much appreciated. We certainly have a company to recommend to others. All the best Sue