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First Light Travel

Name: First Light Travel
Address: 85 Beach Road, Auckland, 1010, NZ
Telephone: +6492814481
Rating: 5

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First Light Travel

Welcome to First Light Travel & Absolute South Pacific - Premier Experiential Tourism specialists.
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Since 2001, travellers have trusted First Light Travel to deliver itineraries that exceeded their expectations. We are your gateway to premiere New Zealand self drive and group touring experiences. Choose from one of our many ‘Tried and Tested’ itineraries or have one of our friendly Kiwi consultants design a unique holiday just for you. If you prefer we can also arrange the flexibility and privacy of travelling around New Zealand with your own personal driver guide.

13/08/2024

Thanks so much Charlotte for booking our driving holiday in Western Australia. It was fantastic! The accommodations were very good, and having a room booked in advance was so convenient.
Europcar provided us with a brand new vehicle which we drove just over 3,000kms in thirteen days. Margaret River Discovery Co tour was fabulous, highly recommend this day out with Sean.
We loved the entire trip, made lifetime memories, and had an amazing time.

Anne & Stephen Wunsch, Australia

28/07/2024

I was going to plan the trip myself, and I found First Light after searching the internet for itineraries. Kirsty responded to my inquiry and after a few emails and phone calls to gather information, she worked diligently to create an itinerary that worked perfectly for us. The pacing, activities, accommodations, rental cars, and recommendations were all spot on! We loved our New Zealand adventure - the scenery, wildlife, hikes, tours and guides, all of it!!

Melissa Bekemeier, USA

03/07/2024

Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Winner 2 Years in a Row!

01/07/2024

Use the experts - they are awesome!
We used this company to book all aspects (apart from flights) of a 3-month trip down under. From start to finish (and beyond solving issues with hire car billing - big thanks to Jeff for his perseverance to resolve) their level of support was outstanding. Big shout out for Danielle who designed our itinerary and incorporated all changes we asked for (multiple times in the planning phase!) with great patience. The arrangements made all worked fine. As for value - their prices were only a small amount above what I could book it for on websites. Overall experience excellent - strongly recommend you consider using these in-country experts to plan your trip and support you through it.

Date of experience: February 2024
Nick & Phillipa Walmsley, UK

01/07/2024

Highest of praise for FirstLight Travel (FLT) an incredible team and Natalie, who put together a truly epic adventure. First, we booked our New Zealand tour in 2019 for travel in 2020. The world had other plans. Throughout the COVID years FLT kept us informed of the situation in NZ and provided good advice about the travelling situation. So when our adventure finally began after 5 years the expectations were high. The expectations were not only met but far exceeded. The 18-day travel adventure was exceptional, every accommodation was flawless every excursion was exceptional! Seriously it was that good, we would go to sleep every night saying Wow it cannot get any better and then a new day would dawn and it was. A few of the highpoints were Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour on our first full day, perfect introduction after 30 plus hours of travelling, fresh sea air wonderful wines and lovely vineyards such a great kickoff. While I could list everything we did I’ll just hit a few not to miss activities – North Island the Kiwidundee tour was a lot of fun and informative with a thoughtful and knowledgeable guide, The Church – Hahei wonderful peaceful and a magnificent restaurant; Waimangu Volcanic Valley: Waimangu Thermal Reserve Self Guided Walk and Boat Cruise probably one of my favorites on the north island a beautiful park and spectacular and easy hike. The cultural experience in Rotorua was really interesting and informative and of course Hobbiton – a blast. The Waitomo Glow Worm Caves: not to be missed – truly an otherworldly experience. For the South Island the train from Christchurch to Greymouth was epic and not to be missed followed on by the drive down to Frans Joesph Glacier a stay at Glenfern Villa wonderful views and an unbelievable Milky Way – wow. Penguin viewing was a lot fun as was a few day respite to explore Queenstown. Truly everything on this tour was spectacular and so much fun highest of praise to FLT for putting this trip together.
Charles Hamilton & Patrick Clark, USA

23/06/2024

Recently my wife & I took a 11 day car journey from Perth WA to Exmouth WA, which was made possible by the excellent service that Micala Lindsay from First Light Travel did in putting together a fantastic itinerary, culminating in swimming with the WhaleSharks in Exmouth. This has been on our bucket list for sometime. If you are looking for a different experience in Western Australia, this is great & Micala got it 100% right. Plenty of activities on the way north & accomodation was spot on. We had no complaints & would be more than happy to recommend & use againFirst Light Travel & Micala, for future travels either in Australia or NZ. Thank you Micala for a first rate service.

Greg & Lisa Lowther, Australia

23/06/2024

First Light Travel was amazing to work with! Micala helped us out, and was always quick to answer any questions. We were able to customize our itinerary and our honeymoon in New Zealand was a dream! Every accommodation was pristine and Micala took care of booking/setting up transportation. Each transportation was on time and everything went so smooth. I would highly recommend First Light to anyone!

Ashley & Michael, USA

05/06/2024

Really happy with our new Queenstown office, housing 9 awesome new staff, allowing us to better service the South Island...

22/05/2024

Our itinerary was thoughtfully planned by First Light Travel Designer Taylor Nguyen based on our travel preference, the amount of time we had and the places we desired to cover. Even though we only had 11 days in NZ, it didn’t feel rushed. All the connections and pick up worked like clock work. We enjoyed the Hobbiton tour, the hike at Mt Cook, the plane ride over Milford Sound. It was a pity we didn’t get to do the helicopter ride through Franz Josef glaciers due to bad weather. Otherwise the whole trip would have felt more complete. Part of the itinerary allowed us to self drive, which we appreciated as we could take in the sights at our own time. If only the rental car was in a better condition. All in all, we would recommend First Light Travel to any traveller who seeks free and easy but not random and not having to sweat the planning.
Pauline Cheong, Singapore

21/05/2024

Just home from an epic trip - 28-day self-driving tour of New Zealand. Followed by 13 days in Australia. We loved it all (especially New Zealand's south island). I booked the New Zealand portion through First Light Travel who were wonderful to work with. Nicole Keuk, our agent, helped us choose just the right mix of activities and free time, car rentals, and accommodation. Every aspect of our itinerary unfolded super smoothly. I can highly recommend them if you plan a trip down under.

Marianne Edwards, Canada

20/05/2024

Danielle at First Light planned our honeymoon to NZ and Fiji. It was a seamless trip! We just followed the itinerary and loved our experience! We look forward to more trips with Danielle!
Luke Johnson & Jill Blair, USA

20/05/2024

We've just spent an amazing month in NZ for our 30th Wedding Anniversary, made all the more special by the fantastic itinerary put together for us by Nicole at First Light Travel. Nothing was too much trouble and communication before and during our trip was excellent. Nicole made almost 50 bookings for transport, accommodation and activities on our behalf - and every one of them went seamlessly. New Zealand is a spectacular country to visit and we will definitely be working with Nicole when we go again.
Darren and Elke Rodda, Australia

20/05/2024

Would I use First Light Travel again: YES. The team knows the area including the lodges and hotels to book to optimize a tourist's needs. The Company and the Agent we dealt with, Tatyana, were amazing. We started our Australian self tour (no group tours for us) in Sydney (March 2024) and ended in Hobart Tasmania (April 2024).
Tatyana listened to us , yes she called us in Canada, took our revisions for our 47 day trip, booked accordingly and kept us informed of progress. In other words First Light Travel was a one stop shop.
For example, for Kangaroo Island, pick up at our hotel in Adelaide was on time, ferry was booked, and tour and hotel arranged.
Tatyana with her amazing team organized a 16 day self drive of Tasmania. All the hotels were booked and the "must see and dos" from east coast to west coast. We were transparent in all transactions all we had to do was arrive and enjoy. Even the car pick up at the airport , with their booking and instructions, took 3 minutes.

Jean & Marcel Deschenes, Canada

13/05/2024

We booked the trip with First Light Travel adviser Jaydene who assisted us with our travel plans. Jaydene was excellent in the planning stages and she directed us to the most popular places we should visit as well as to suit our travel wishes for both NZ islands. We had sufficient time without rushing and manage to see very scenic and wonderful places. The trip was meticulously planned for each stage, accommodations, vouchers for the events, transport and the system to back up in the event of a mishap. If you are planning a trip to NZ, talk to Jaydene in the planning stages so that you can benefit from her experience and get the best result. Thank you Jaydene from all four of us and you are highly recommended.

Michael Hardless, Australia

13/05/2024

Natalie from First Light Travel did a superb job planning our 'bucket list' trip to New Zealand. Her attention to detail and personalized service made our journey a memory that will last a lifetime. The booking process was easy, and the itinerary provided accurate and helpful information. Our holiday experience exceeded expectations, with activities like Hobbiton and a Southern Glacier Helicopter Tour of Milford Sound being highlights. Accommodations at Koura Lodge, Hawthorne House, and Hermitage Hotel were exceptional. The service provided by First Light Travel represented exceptional value for money. We highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a memorable travel experience.

Charles Lewis, USA

13/05/2024

Bernadette Biggelaar was an absolute delight to work with and helped make our holiday so memorable.
Her suggestions and ideas suited our interests. Halfway through the holiday she emailed us to make sure everything was OK. Such commitment was greatly appreciated.
Even at Wellington airport due to bad weather our flight was delayed, a team member rang to keep us informed of what was happening with our flight, a response so unexpected yet greatly appreciated.
Thank you Bernadette and First Light Travel for helping to make our 51st Wedding Anniversary holiday fantastic and such wonderful memories to have and keep.

Mrs Beryl Hicks, Australia

23/04/2024

Gina and the team at First Light Travel took care of all the details for our 30 day self drive vacation and made our "retirement trip" a pure joy. She took our wish list of activities, locations, and budget and devised an itinerary to meet those requirements. The accommodations were a mix of unique, charming, and spectacular- most of them I would never have found on my own internet search. The daily itinerary we received was detailed and thorough - right down to expected drive times, hotel check-in times, things to do in that area, and contact numbers for every activity we had planned. 30 days and we STILL were not ready to leave this amazing country! We can't recommend First Light Travel enough.
Melinda & Leon Sweney, USA

22/04/2024

Our honeymoon trip was an unforgettable adventure thanks to Flight Light Travel's amazing planning (specifically Danielle Mueth’s). They handled every detail perfectly, from flights and accommodations to exciting activities. We especially loved the scenic flight from Milford Sound and the wine tour around Central Otago with Apallatian Tours - it was a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. We highly recommend First Light Travel, to anyone planning a honeymoon! Make sure you request Danielle as your travel advisor!

Michael Serafinas & Ana Cristina Cossio Duarte, USA

08/04/2024

We were very pleased with the itinerary planned for us by First Light Travel. Although we had several excursions cancelled due to weather, the information packet given to us on arrival provided alternative activities which were quite enjoyable. Some of the accommodations were a little dated but all were clean and comfortable with friendly and helpful staff.

Susan Crane, USA

08/04/2024

First Light did a wonderful job with all activities, accommodations and scheduling. They made a big job a very simple thing. Easiest and best trip ever.

Arnie Sperl, Canada

08/04/2024

This was a daunting trip. The other side of the world, new experiences and a new travel company.
What a delight, was made very easy by Natalie, she was always at the other end of an email and didn’t disappoint. When there was a minor issue during the trip – she was on it and resolved.
I cannot thank her enough for her professionalism.

Richard Cooper, UK

03/04/2024

Our experience with First Light Travel was positive, we chose them primarily for their quality of information. While the booking process was smooth, I felt the need for a roadmap during the trip, as navigation wasn't always accurate. Despite this, the itinerary was appropriate and the information provided was helpful. I enjoyed all the activities recommended and found them suitable for my interests. Accommodations varied, with highlights including Tokoriki Island and several others. Transport overall met expectations, although there was a hiccup with the Trans Alpine train. I praise First Light Travel for their responsiveness and making my 4-week journey through New Zealand and Fiji worry-free. I highly recommend their services and suggest encouraging clients to spend more time at each location for a richer experience.
Margaret Herndon, USA

03/04/2024

We had a fantastic experience with First Light Travel, choosing them for their excellent service, easy booking process, and quality information. Despite some time zone challenges, responses were always prompt and helpful. The itinerary was well-suited for the holiday, with accurate information provided throughout. Holiday experiences exceeded expectations, with activities perfectly aligned with interests, particularly enjoying island trips, hikes, and adventure tours. Accommodations met expectations, with favorites including Bay of Islands, M Social in Auckland, and Hermitage. While most activities were enjoyable, there were some issues with rushed tours. Overall, the value for money was exceptional, with commendations for the helpfulness in arranging transport and accommodations. Although there was a transition in consultants, the service remained helpful. and we would happily recommend First Light Travel to friends planning trips to New Zealand in the future.

Jeanne McAllister, USA

03/04/2024

First Light Travel made the whole planning process so much simpler, easier than we would have imagined. All of the reservations and recommendations were spot on! We will highly recommend your service to all of our friends!
They were super quick with responses and gave us all the info we needed. Our holiday plans turned out spot-on! From exploring The Rocks in Sydney to checking out Hobbiton and Tongariro Crossing, we had a blast. The accommodations, like The Pods and Airdale Boutiques, were top-notch. Transportation was smooth, and we felt we got great value for our money.

Jeff Niva, USA

27/03/2024

My wife and I traveled in March 2024 for over three weeks to New Zealand on a trip organized by Anna at First Light Travel.

The trip planning was a great mixture of activities, sightseeing time, touring throughout the country, very nice accommodations, and great service. First Light handed every detail from car rentals, accommodations, activities such as wine tastings, boat and sailing trips, and LOTR tours. Every single thing on our itinerary was well planned and communicated, and First Light also gave great suggestions on driving times, things to do, and quaint out of the way places. They even sent us an email during the trip advising us of road construction and to plan our drive time accordingly. They also recommended two cities (Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura) that we would not have planned to visit that we absolutely loved.

We have shared our great experience with others and plan to use First Light when we plan a 2025 trip to Australia.

First Light was always prompt and courteous with their responses, and really helped me to think through everything we needed for our trip.

Thank you Anna and the entire First Light team for a wonderful vacation!

Kelly Carter, USA

26/03/2024

From start to finish of our New Zealand vacation, we appreciated the help and planning that we received from First Light. Accommodations, vehicle, arranged tours and suggested tips and 'things to do', met or exceeded our expectations. We felt our agent listened to us in the planning stage and the cost was reasonable. What we loved the most about our trip: We were very happy to see our chauffeur when we arrived after our long flights. Redwoods Treewalk, we felt extra special with the express pass.
Kayaking and Maori carvings at Lake Taupo were very impressive and the paddle was just right. The Tasman Glacier Boat trip was interesting and fun. We enjoyed taking a hike up to the Ho**er Lake glacier on our own and enjoyed that, too. Our Milford Track and Cruise was delightful. Stunningly beautiful. We loved our day on the bikes. I upgraded to an e-bike and I'm glad I did. It was a very windy day. The river trail was lovely.

David and Elisebeth Checkel, Canada

26/03/2024

We appreciate all you did for us. This was the trip of a lifetime for 6 of us. Seamless. Wonderful. Professional. We love New Zealand and miss it already! Aroha and kia Ora are my two favorite words. The finest people and places on the planet can be found here in this paradise.
Sue Davis Group, USA

25/03/2024

Excellent, prompt service with experience recommendations that showed the benefit of using a New Zealand agency. We wouldn’t have thought of including a couple of suggestions but everyone was a brilliant experience. The itinerary issued was full of useful information and prompts and was referred to daily. Excellent service.
Neil and Paula Hughes, UK

24/03/2024

Danielle helped us plan a wonderful month in New Zealand and gave us good advice on what to do and where to go. Her attention to detail was excellent and she listened to our requests for accommodation types and tours we enjoy. The rest of the staff was also very helpful and when our ferry crossing was cancelled they were on top of it and booked an earlier one, ensuring the driver came to pick us up on time. So, we ended up with nothing going wrong for the entire time! Awesome!

Patricia Beauchamp, USA

22/03/2024

Gina at First Light Travel did a great job planning our trip. Most everything was easy, itinerary was well planned out. We wanted to see a lot within a two week period and that we did! Our trip was based around seeing LOTR sites and I have to say it’s a great way to see New Zealand. Especially nice was the Hobbiton tour and dinner, the Tongariro Crossing trek, Weta Workshop, and I could go on and on. If I could change anything it would be that I wish we had one day where we could just do whatever, no driving or tours, maybe an extra day in Queenstown as there’s so much to do there, but we only had so much time so now we will know for next time. Also would have been nice our first driving day to not to have to Uber back to the airport from Auckland as we did see a rental car place right near the hotel. Accommodations were nice and Gina booked multiple rooms each time as we are a family of five adults, so having our own space was nice. Especially loved the QT Museum Hotel in Wellington, the Swiss-Belsuites in Auckland and the Kinross Cottages outside of Queenstown. Until next time NZ and First Light!

Kim Duenas Family, USA

Address

85 Beach Road
Auckland
1010

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 8pm
Tuesday	9am - 8pm
Wednesday	9am - 8pm
Thursday	9am - 8pm
Friday	9am - 8pm
Saturday	9am - 8pm
Sunday	9am - 8pm

Telephone

+6492814481

Website

https://www.firstlighttravel.com/, http://www.absolutenewzealand.com/, http://www.absoluteaustralia.com/, https://www.fi

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Videos

Channel 7 News Adelaide Interview with First Light Travel

Brent Narbey owner of First Light Travel has been interviewed for Channel 7 News Adelaide Australia discussing the Trans-Tasman bubble and booking patterns between New Zealand and Australia.

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Jodi explains how we work...

Stephanie and Martina's New Zealand Self Drive Adventure

First Light Travel's Ultimate New Zealand Adventure Tour

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Trusted Australian & New Zealand Tours

Since 2001, travellers have trusted First Light Travel to deliver itineraries that exceeded their expectations. We are your gateway to premiere Australian and New Zealand self drive and group touring experiences. Choose from one of our many ‘Tried and Tested’ itineraries or have one of our friendly consultants design a unique holiday just for you.