With almost 300 customisable Self-drive, Coach, Bus and Train tours available, there is something for everyone. Exchange the Winter blues for a dreamy Summer exploring New Zealand next year!
We have self-drive road trips, escorted and guided coach tours, small group exclusive tours and daily departure independent coach tours across the North and South Island. Our team of NZ based travel experts can quickly create the perfect New Zealand holiday for you. Get in touch with them today to start planning your trip.
These NZ Coach Tours can be modified in many ways to suit you perfectly and they all depart every single day. So if you want your own, perfectly planned, independent New Zealand coach tour then these are for you. You can even make the most of the many world class rail journeys we have spread across New Zealand!
At Pure Journeys, we have a team of Australian touring holiday specialists ready to help tailor-make the perfect Australian road trip, coach tour, or beachside vacation. Just like Discover New Zealand we take your bucket list, budget and timeframe into account and build you a unique itinerary. Combine with a New Zealand tour for the perfect experience.
From Cape Reinga to Cape Palliser, New Zealand's North Island has an incredible diversity of scenery and experiences. The wonderful marine reserves of Bay of Islands, Auckland's vibrant city centre, the thermal landscapes of Rotorua and the foodie scene in Wellington all ensure a great New Zealand holiday.
Home to many of New Zealand's iconic locations and attractions, the South Island offers something for everyone. The incredible beaches of Abel Tasman, whale watching in Kaikoura, Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps, Queenstown's adventure and of course Milford Sound and the West Coast Glaciers.
See a range of tours that give you a taste of everything New Zealand is famous for. Tropical Northland, Coromandel beaches, Taupo and NZ's largest lake, Art Deco Napier, kayak with seals in Kaikoura, the French settlement of Akaroa, the Edinburgh of the South, Dunedin, Stewart Island and its friendly wildlife.
The movies of The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Trilogy showcased New Zealand in a way never seen before. These tour ideas guide you though the scenery and locations that were used throughout the movies. Specific LOTR or Hobbit themed activities and inclusions fully immerse you into Middle Earth.
We have plenty of answers to your frequently asked questions. Read our FAQs and blogs for an insight into what you might need when you come to New Zealand, when is the best to travel and for lots of inspiration. Read all our blogs here.
We have all the answers you need to plan your perfect trip and holiday around New Zealand. Check out all our frequent questions here or get in touch with the team.
The South Island is just stunning, stunning, stunning. The highlight was the Franz Josef helli flight, a never to forget experience. Janette really...
Read moreThe South Island is just stunning, stunning, stunning. The highlight was the Franz Josef helli flight, a never to forget experience. Janette really knows her stuff, nothing was too much effort for her, the add-ons were all amazing. The itinerary was seamless and the app spot on. Glad we pushed back on Europcar Queenstown with the EV vehicle, way too many issues trying to recharge on a trip like ours. Europcar Christchurch were excellent. The dining experience at the Scenic Hotel Punakaiki was terrible, numerous other guests also complained. We still had to pay for a very, very ordinary meal. The transfer company you use in Christchurch are the best we have had worldwide. Your country is amazing and we'll be sure to use Discover New Zealand on our next New Zealand holiday. Thank you Janette.
Lorenzo & Robyn Meneguzzo, A Taste of the South from Queenstown, Travelled on 14 Oct 2024
Our 17 day self drive tour around the South Island exceeded all our expectations. Everything Harriet organised went off without a hitch which made it...
Read moreOur 17 day self drive tour around the South Island exceeded all our expectations. Everything Harriet organised went off without a hitch which made it so much more enjoyable. Thanks Harriet, we had a fantastic time.
Robert & Janet Costa, Paul & Kerry Bowkett, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 11 Oct 2024
We found New Zealand to be a very clean and welcoming place. We enjoyed all the tours and found that the cab and tour bus drivers were extremely...
Read moreWe found New Zealand to be a very clean and welcoming place. We enjoyed all the tours and found that the cab and tour bus drivers were extremely helpful. Big shout out to Martin from the cab company and Craig our wine tour driver for going above and beyond to make sure we got into our accommodation before leaving us without a way to access our room. Martin even made a second trip back to us to return my cane which I had left in his cab. So very kind!
Loved the wine tour. Best lunch ever experienced on a tour. Fantastic food and venue! The boat ride through The Hole in the Rock was awesome. We highly recommend this tour to other visitors.
Emily-Rose and her team were always available to answer questions and give recommendations. We all really appreciated their fast response time when we had a question or a concern. All were very polite and professional. Our only negative was the bus ride to Paihia and back. Too long, bumpy and uncomfortable. We all would recommend an express bus or a van booked with other clients to make this a better experience.
Heather & David Morgan with Anne & Norman Ross, Morgan and Ross's Northland Waiheke and Bay of Islands Experience, Travelled on 22 Oct 2024
A superb visit, giving us a wonderful tour of New Zealand. Everything slotted into place perfectly, with smooth efficiency and friendly service,...
Read moreA superb visit, giving us a wonderful tour of New Zealand. Everything slotted into place perfectly, with smooth efficiency and friendly service, including from your transit agents. By way of constructive feedback, I’d mention that Scenic Hotels in Queenstown has difficult on-site vehicle access and insufficient car parking; but we have no other “criticism”. And it was a great pleasure to be able to meet and thank you in person in Wanaka.
Jack Jones & Hazel Anderson, Customised Southern Icons Self Drive, Travelled on 10 Oct 2024
The tour was great, the train an amazing way to see the country and the service first class. Sabina was extremely helpful and gave excellent...
Read moreThe tour was great, the train an amazing way to see the country and the service first class. Sabina was extremely helpful and gave excellent suggestions. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her in the future.
Ann Jackson, Great Journeys of New Zealand - Signature Captivating Coast Tour, Travelled on 5 Oct 2024
We loved the entire trip. A high light was the rainforest hike. The guide was amazing, informative and obviously loved his work. Ella from the first...
Read moreWe loved the entire trip. A high light was the rainforest hike. The guide was amazing, informative and obviously loved his work. Ella from the first time we messaged you, you were so helpful as we navigated doing this tour. Thank you for your friendliness and for managing the details of 3 ladies staying in one room. You did an exceptional job and we will definitely recommend you and your company. Thank you.
Trish Webster, Penny Mappin and Denise Croteau, 7 day Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes, Travelled on 3 Oct 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this Grand Pacific Tours Ultimate trip on the North Island. Everything was fantastic and would like to thank Louise Barrett for...
Read moreI thoroughly enjoyed this Grand Pacific Tours Ultimate trip on the North Island. Everything was fantastic and would like to thank Louise Barrett for her expertise and help with all my questions.
Joy Stockwell, Grand Pacific Tours 9 Day Ultimate North Island, Travelled on 3 Oct 2024
Aside from an issue with the vehicle supplied by Europcar, the itinerary and accommodations were excellent, as were all the excursions organised for...
Read moreAside from an issue with the vehicle supplied by Europcar, the itinerary and accommodations were excellent, as were all the excursions organised for us. We loved the flexibility of the self-drive which allowed us to detour to see things that interested us. We found interesting places like Waikite Valley Hot Pools near Rotorua and stopped at every lookout. One of our favourite places was Paihia and the Bay of Islands, and the excursion to Walter Peak Station was wonderful. We would like to return to New Zealand again to go to some of the places we missed.
Diane Cole and Bruce Cole, 14 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 28 Sep 2024
My trip was very well organised and updates were promptly done via the app. The hotel accommodations were very well chosen - close to amenities and...
Read moreMy trip was very well organised and updates were promptly done via the app. The hotel accommodations were very well chosen - close to amenities and tourist places. A big shout out of thanks to Neisha who greatly assisted with the planning, organising and promptly changing the itinerary to include the other attraction places that we were interested to go. Thanks to the team from Discover New Zealand, colleagues who assisted to reply on behalf of Neisha when she was on leave.
Cynthia Pek Sung Tan & Yong Hua Goh, Cynthia and Yong's New Zealand South Island Adventure, Travelled on 7 Oct 2024
The whole tour ran extremely smoothly, I loved every minute of my adventure, Neisha organised an amazing tour to what I wanted. At one stage she...
Read moreThe whole tour ran extremely smoothly, I loved every minute of my adventure, Neisha organised an amazing tour to what I wanted. At one stage she talked me through not cancelling because I was anxious about traveling on my own…Highlights were many….loved Mt Cook, and the walk I did up there, Queenstown, and the train trips…also Kaikoura, Picton and the ferry to Wellington in first class…I had issues now and then with dealing with IT…and she was always helpful….I will make contact to do another tour next year…I have to go to Stewart Island…thank you Neisha.
Jackie Keogh, Jackie's South Island Adventure, Travelled on 1 Oct 2024
Gina was great when organising our holiday. She always answered our enquiries promptly and took our preferences into account when organising...
Read moreGina was great when organising our holiday. She always answered our enquiries promptly and took our preferences into account when organising activities and accommodation. The whole experience went so smoothly. We had a wonderful holiday and could not recommend New Zealand Fine Touring highly enough. There was no stress at all, just smooth sailing all the way. Thank you so much.
Claire & Richard Henderson, Christchurch to Auckland Must Do Tour, Travelled on 29 Sep 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed our Taste of the South (Reversed) holiday in NZ. Even the weather was unfavourable at times and caused some event...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our Taste of the South (Reversed) holiday in NZ. Even the weather was unfavourable at times and caused some event cancellations, what remained still excellent. Lisa Gloeckner and the other members of the team were extremely helpful, informative and the communication was from them was excellent, especially in regard to changes. Thanks to everyone for organising a great holiday.
Alan Proctor & Vivienne Stanford, A Taste of the South (Reversed), Travelled on 4 Sep 2024
Darby Knight & Rhonda Johnson, 16 Day Explorer Tour of New Zealand, Travelled on 27 Sep 2024
Everything was so beautifully planned from the moment Dave the chauffeur picked us up from the airport in the luxurious black Mercedes we were...
Read moreEverything was so beautifully planned from the moment Dave the chauffeur picked us up from the airport in the luxurious black Mercedes we were constantly delighted by every event, destination and accommodation. The staff at the motel in Rotorua were so friendly as was everyone we dealt with in New Zealand. Thank you Carly x We want to do the South Island next year.
Deanne & Angus Ross, Mavis Winter, North Island Escape, Travelled on 2 Sep 2024
Vinh Le & Yvonne Nguyen, Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains Adventure, Travelled on 1 Oct 2024
We had a great trip and were impressed with how smoothly everything went. There were no issues with any of the bookings, and when changes had to be...
Read moreWe had a great trip and were impressed with how smoothly everything went. There were no issues with any of the bookings, and when changes had to be made (mainly due to weather) we were informed and kept up to date. Neisha, our consultant was very friendly and helpful. I would definitely use you again if making a future trip.
Jenifer and Helen McFarlane, Jenifer and Helen's South Island Adventure, Travelled on 15 Sep 2024
Grand Pacific Tours is well regarded and deservedly so. The accommodation was very good and the meals were excellent. The driver Rod was exceptional...
Read moreGrand Pacific Tours is well regarded and deservedly so. The accommodation was very good and the meals were excellent. The driver Rod was exceptional in both his driving ability on difficult roads in poor weather and his incredible knowledge. Our guide Julia was friendly, organised and very helpful especially with some elderly travellers. Some optional activities were cancelled due to heavy rain which is our only disappointment. Thank you Gina for organising this tour of beautiful New Zealand.
Bradley & Beverley Fair, Grand Pacific 10 Day Signature South Island, Travelled on 29 Sep 2024
Douglas & Mary Gosling, Auckland to Queenstown 11 Day Highlights, Travelled on 28 Sep 2024
Vickie was great to work with and provided excellent advice. Kept in touch before and during travel, also helped us when one of the tours cancelled....
Read moreVickie was great to work with and provided excellent advice. Kept in touch before and during travel, also helped us when one of the tours cancelled. Tour companies were dependable and on time. Tours were as advertised. Enjoyed the Safari/Nomad experience in the Queenstown area. The Weta tour was very good along with Hobbiton. Guides and drivers were very knowledgable! Hotel accommodations superb.
Charles & Louise Ward, Custom Journey to Middle Earth, Travelled on 26 Sep 2024
Ella helped make our NZ experience incredible from sorting out our itinerary to answering questions about things to see and do. We have already...
Read moreElla helped make our NZ experience incredible from sorting out our itinerary to answering questions about things to see and do. We have already started recommending NZ Fine Touring to our friends and family.
Trevor and Sue Milton, Auckland to Christchurch Highlights Tour, Travelled on 21 Sep 2024
Shelby was exceptional. Even when I contacted the booking places personally to change due to illness, she followed up to make sure everything was...
Read moreShelby was exceptional. Even when I contacted the booking places personally to change due to illness, she followed up to make sure everything was going smoothly and we were enjoying out NZ adventure every step of the way. Can not recommend Shelby HIGHLY ENOUGH. THANK YOU!!!!
Melissa, Arianna, Tristan & Gabriel Krueger, Krueger's Family Adventure, Travelled on 14 Sep 2024
It was a very well thought out and put together trip that ran smoothly. I will surely use the team to organise a trip around the North Island in the...
Read moreIt was a very well thought out and put together trip that ran smoothly. I will surely use the team to organise a trip around the North Island in the next year or two!!
Kevin & Berenice Whitehead, 15 Day South Island Spectacular, Travelled on 8 Sep 2024
We would take the opportunity to appreciate Lisa Gloeckner for her time and effort to create this personalised itinerary based on our requirements...
Read moreWe would take the opportunity to appreciate Lisa Gloeckner for her time and effort to create this personalised itinerary based on our requirements .
She has been very helpful throughout the experience ,
If we decide to do this again ,Lisa will be the go to person ,
Thank you
Sherin Thomas, Fibin Francis, Seraph & Sachiel Sherin, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 16 Sep 2024
Owen Hunt did a fantastic job preparing our trip and making sure it was special! All of our accomodations were top notch and we felt cared for! ...
Read moreOwen Hunt did a fantastic job preparing our trip and making sure it was special! All of our accomodations were top notch and we felt cared for! Thank you for all you did!!
Michelle Trautman & Mary Jo Cowart, North Island 11 Day Highlights with Northern Explorer V2, Travelled on 9 Sep 2024
We had an amazing time. All our tours and hotels were exactly what we asked for and didn't disappoint. My daughter and I had an amazing time. There...
Read moreWe had an amazing time. All our tours and hotels were exactly what we asked for and didn't disappoint. My daughter and I had an amazing time. There was 1 x occasion where a transport didn't show up and as promised Ella was there on the phone sorting everything without any consequences to our tours. She did an amazing job and I have not stopped telling everyone how it was definitely worth booking through discover New Zealand.
Amy and Taryn Harris, North Island Discovery Tour, Travelled on 21 Sep 2024
Lisa was absolutely awesome. She listened to us and customized our trip perfectly. She was readily available and always had quick responses. I...
Read moreLisa was absolutely awesome. She listened to us and customized our trip perfectly. She was readily available and always had quick responses. I always appreciated that when Lisa was not available, somebody else familiar with our itinerary was available. We are so glad we found Lisa - she was a true advisor.
New Zealand was an absolutely beautiful country and have already started recommending the destination and will absolutely recommend discoverNewZealand and Lisa!!
Bart Myers & Alla Myers, Contrasts of New Zealand, Travelled on 14 Sep 2024
Changes made before the trip were no problem for Tia. Loved the whole trip, minor hiccups were fixed on the spot. Helen felt very well cared for by...
Read moreChanges made before the trip were no problem for Tia. Loved the whole trip, minor hiccups were fixed on the spot. Helen felt very well cared for by everyone after she got a wheelie walker on day 2
Tracy Walker & Helen Pittman, 20 Day New Zealand City to Mountains Tour, Travelled on 10 Sep 2024
Our trip was spectacular in every way, and although we were prevented from getting to Milford Sound because of avalanche activity, we had another day...
Read moreOur trip was spectacular in every way, and although we were prevented from getting to Milford Sound because of avalanche activity, we had another day in Queenstown which was a bonus.
Brittany and the team provided great accommodation and support, and everything went to plan and they were easily contactable when required, even on the weekend.
I would recommend them highly.
Debbie, Peter & Emily Greenaway w/ Aaron Thompson, Adventure Around the South Island!, Travelled on 12 Sep 2024
We had a wonderful and a most memorable holiday in New Zealand. Wish we could have had more days to spend there but our schedule didn't permit it....
Read moreWe had a wonderful and a most memorable holiday in New Zealand. Wish we could have had more days to spend there but our schedule didn't permit it. Special thanks to Ms. Louise Barret our travel specialist. She was quick to make alternative arrangements upon our request when our heli flight was cancelled at Franz Josef. From start to end she was always patient and listened to our ideas and worked a trip around our limitations of available days and also came up with something that suited our budget. Many thanks to her!
Balakrishnan Kesavan, Raja Seveeneshwary, & Tharini & Tharun Kesavan, Scenic Southern Circuit, Travelled on 30 Aug 2024
Thank you Louise for helping us have a fantastic holiday and answering all all our questions and making our requests work.
All the activities we...
Read moreThank you Louise for helping us have a fantastic holiday and answering all all our questions and making our requests work.
All the activities we planned were excellent, even our unplanned trip to Doubtful Sound when we were unable to visit Milford Sound. As much as I had panic attacks doing the helicopter over Fox Glacier was magnificent.
I would not hesitate to recommend New Zealand Fine Tours and Louise to our family and friends if they travel to New Zealand.
Wayne & Wendy Donald, Auckland to Christchurch 14 Day Highlights (Coastal Pacific - September), Travelled on 15 Sep 2024
Thank you, Lisa, for being patient with my various inquiries, especially after my visa had been rejected multiple times. The itinerary which had been...
Read moreThank you, Lisa, for being patient with my various inquiries, especially after my visa had been rejected multiple times. The itinerary which had been prepared, I imagined, would have been really great, but unfortunately the weather was really terrible but we had tried to make the most of the journey and would love to return again to NZ some day.
The hotel selection was good, we really liked the one at Franz Josef especially. I am sure the Hermitage would have been great but unfortunately the weather did not play nice with us, but it is what it is, nothing we can do to control that.
Overall it was still a memorable journey, and we would love to return again some day to make up for the lost times due to the bad weather.
Henry & Ivan & Denny Saputera, Farida Dewi and Kim Tjai, Your South Island Family Holiday, Travelled on 5 Apr 2024
We had a beautiful time with our family traveling the North Island. Louise was really helpful and responded promptly any enquires. We really liked...
Read moreWe had a beautiful time with our family traveling the North Island. Louise was really helpful and responded promptly any enquires. We really liked the simplicity of the App with all the itinerary and documents in one place. The recommendation for the tours in each town was fabulous. All the guides were super friendly. New Zealand is a beautiful country to explore and we are already making plans to come back and explore the South Island and we definitely will be using Discovery New Zealand to arrange our trip.
Johana Yepes Gomez, Richard & Calvin Gorey, A Taste of the North Island, Travelled on 17 Sep 2024
Fiona Barclay & Geoff Prior, Fiona's Southern Circle Walking Tour, Travelled on 2 Sep 2024
Thank you Ella and team , we had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed NZ South Island at every turn. The accommodation was great and all in good...
Read moreThank you Ella and team , we had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed NZ South Island at every turn. The accommodation was great and all in good locations, the app was so useful and easy to use, unfortunately we had a few experiences cancelled due to weather but that just means we will be back again. Big shout out to Ella for tailoring our trip and Terry who pick us up twice and was very knowledgeable about the area and places to see.
Angela & Evan Dingle, Angela and Evan's Southern Highlights Tour, Travelled on 8 Sep 2024
Overall the trip to NZ from the moment we boarded the plane to the moment we disembarked was amazing.
We enjoyed the North Island immensely,...
Read moreOverall the trip to NZ from the moment we boarded the plane to the moment we disembarked was amazing.
We enjoyed the North Island immensely, everyone we met were incredibly kind and welcoming, particularly our drivers. Each activity was incredible and we thoroughly enjoyed the cultural aspects and Hobbiton the most! We have NZ on our return list and would definitely go through discover New Zealand again! Carly was so helpful and prompt, she copped a barrel of questions from me and always replied and found a solution. One aspect we would recommend was reconsidered was the accommodation in Rotorua it was not nearly as lovely and welcoming as the M Social in Auckland but was suffice.
Thank you to Carly, the team of drivers we had and Discover New Zealand for the ideal itinerary that allowed extras to be added :)
Paige Pearson & Marly Fountain, 5 day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 12 Sep 2024
We were very pleased with the accommodation Tia booked us especially the old fire station in Hokitita. The tour guide Justin on the Skippers Canyon...
Read moreWe were very pleased with the accommodation Tia booked us especially the old fire station in Hokitita. The tour guide Justin on the Skippers Canyon drive was excellent and gave us a bit of excitement by driving along the Arrow River. Its a shame that we couldnt see much of the Fox Glacier and Franz Joseph glaciers on the walks we did. Despite the rain we enjoyed the Milford Sound cruise seeing all the water cascading off the cliffs. It snowed as we were driving along the Crown Range and we werent sure whether to stop and put chains on but other cars didn't have chains so we kept going. The snow flurries provided excitement although I was concentrating on driving the slippery road.
Ian & Niwatwarn (Noi) Wormald + Vitaya & Denchai Satidkanitkul, 12 Day Southern Circuit Self Drive, Travelled on 2 Sep 2024
Peter & Regina Jarman, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 1 Sep 2024
We had an absolutely amazing time in New Zealand. The itinerary was perfect with a lovely balance of pre-planned activities as well as some free time...
Read moreWe had an absolutely amazing time in New Zealand. The itinerary was perfect with a lovely balance of pre-planned activities as well as some free time to explore some the local areas. All the accommodation was clean and well suited to our family. Highlights included the Evening Banquet at Hobbiton, the Te Pa Tu village and the stunning waterfalls. The app made it really easy to find our way around and know exactly where we needed to be and when.
Jenni, Miles, Annabel, Harrison & Beatrice Blackford, North Island Spectacular, Travelled on 4 Aug 2024
The trip was fabulous, including Owen's assistance and guidance in customizing the trip. All of the tours and segments went exactly as advertised,...
Read moreThe trip was fabulous, including Owen's assistance and guidance in customizing the trip. All of the tours and segments went exactly as advertised, and we really enjoyed the entire experience. We will highly recommend this agency, this tour, and Owen, to our friends. We had only two suggestions for future travellers:
* It would have been nice to have been able to arrange for a car service / transportation from Auckland airport to the hotel, and from Christchurch hotel to the airport. If that had been offered, we would have gladly paid for that.
* The bus from Rotorua to Wellington had a VIP section in front, and it would have been nice to have upgraded seats if I had known to ask for that.
Travis Wise & Kenny Hom, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 29 Aug 2024
Overall, the trip was wonderful. I could leave it at that I suppose, haha. I will say that I initially turned to Discover New Zealand because I had...
Read moreOverall, the trip was wonderful. I could leave it at that I suppose, haha. I will say that I initially turned to Discover New Zealand because I had decided to travel to NZ on rather short notice and did not have the time to put together something this ambitious. Amongst the tour packages provided, I found something that was essentially what I was looking for. I was contacted very quickly by Tia, who from that point worked near-daily with me to refine the package to my needs/wants and make it happen. She helped add things, remove things, and adjust the timing of different activities.
Everything proceeded so smoothly for 99% of the trip. Our reservations were readily found, and we were anticipated at all of our planned activities. There was only one issue at our lodging (at the Cotswold) where our reservation was not on the books. However, the staff contacted the Fine Touring office. After a short conversation and some found email history, not only did we get a room, but we got a complementary upgrade. I have no doubt we lucked out a bit with it being the off season, but it did turn out fine. And I didn't have to do any of the problem solving!
I very much enjoyed the app. It was extremely convenient to pull up as we moved through the itinerary and the country. It was great for staying on track and reminding myself of details. I only ever needed to use it to contact the office once, but I was glad to have it in that instance.
I feel like I should touch on the fact that this was the Lord of the Rings tour itinerary. As for the LotR-specific activities, Hobbiton was amazing and just what I was hoping for. The guide was fun an informative. The fully interactive hobbit house was the highlight (and something I didn't even know we'd be doing at first). The Weta Workshop in Wellington was great. Unfortunately, I would say that the overall tour of that day was a little disappointing. Our guide from "Capital Personalized Tours" was a great guy and incredibly knowledgeable about the city. We had some interesting conversations and a nice lunch. However, our guide was not overly knowledgeable concerning LotR or the locations we visited that day. If it had just been a "driving tour of Wellington", it would have been great. However, calling it a "Lord of the Rings Full Day Tour" fell a little flat.
The LotR highlight for me was 100% the visit to Mt Sunday for the "Edoras Tour". Our guide Natasha was the best of the trip. The 2.5hr drive out there and back is significant, but she was full of entertaining stories and played several videos in the bus that really set the mood and kept us engaged. Also, among the numerous beautiful things we saw, the views at the top of Mt Sunday were some of the best.
The jeep safari in Queenstown was tons of fun. I would say classifying it as a LotR activity was somewhere in the middle. I was glad that our guide provided us a binder with images that at least tied the locations to the scenes, and he did share a decent number of stories. LotR aside though, it was fun bounding around in the jeep! Ha
Beyond LotR though, there were so many great moments. The glacier tour and star gazing at Mt Cook were the most enchanting. The Weta Unleashed experience in Auckland was probably the biggest surprise, much better than I walked in expecting. Stopping to see the seals in Kaikoura was the best completely unplanned thing (enjoyed it so much that we didn't even have time to do the gondola in Christchurch, haha).
But we did try to completely fill every day. Taking hikes on nearby trails, visiting museums and art galleries. There was never enough time to do everything.
Anyway, this has gone on plenty long. Again, the trip was wonderful. Thank you for all the assistance in making it happen! And special thanks to Tia. :)
Phillip Johnson & Jordan Dziesinski, 14 Day Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 29 Aug 2024
The team at Discover New Zealand did a fantastic job during our trip. They were quick to answer questions and get any issues resolved before our trip...
Read moreThe team at Discover New Zealand did a fantastic job during our trip. They were quick to answer questions and get any issues resolved before our trip and during it. Booking this trip was extremely easy. Since I didn't have to worry too much about the little things, I was able to enjoy this adventure to its fullest.
Brittany, Renee & Matthew Cherwonik, Auckland to Queenstown 11 Day Highlights, Travelled on 12 Aug 2024
I was talking to my boss today about my trip to NZ - and I said it was such a great trip-partly because all the stressful parts of a holiday...
Read moreI was talking to my boss today about my trip to NZ - and I said it was such a great trip-partly because all the stressful parts of a holiday (transfers, car hire and hotel bookings)were sorted out by you and all the fun things were left up to us. I was really impressed with accommodation- it was very comfortable and well appointed. My one small suggestion would fall around the accommodation in Mt Cook- which was lovely but it took a bit of working out that all book ins are done the main hotel ( the Hermitage) I would happily recommend you to everyone who is looking for a pretty relaxing adventure holiday, Thank you 🙏 😃
Ingrid Brewster and Gigi Kwok, Gigi and Ingrid's New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 11 Aug 2024
Janette and the whole team were wonderful and incredibly communicative throughout the entire trip! They made everything fun, easy and clear, did an...
Read moreJanette and the whole team were wonderful and incredibly communicative throughout the entire trip! They made everything fun, easy and clear, did an incredible job helping us resolve issues outside of their purview, and they were excellent advocates on our behalf! We would recommend them to anyone!
Joseph & Kylie Rebich-Crowley, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 5 Aug 2024
We were very happy with our holiday arrangements. No hiccups at all and any queries were handled promptly and in a professional, friendly manner. We...
Read moreWe were very happy with our holiday arrangements. No hiccups at all and any queries were handled promptly and in a professional, friendly manner. We would like to give a special thanks to Mackenzie Neely for all her help in customising our holiday so it suited us ladies "of a certain age". :)
Kelli Du Toit & Robyn Fromhyr, New Zealand Southern Wonders with 4 star accommodation, Travelled on 1 Aug 2024
We had a memorable time in New Zealand and everything went according to plan. Kayla was very helpful in arranging everything and a quick responder...
Read moreWe had a memorable time in New Zealand and everything went according to plan. Kayla was very helpful in arranging everything and a quick responder when needed. Maybe just remind your overzealous travellers such as myself that the winter days are really short and the road to do long ;)
Ivana Gorup & Zlata Gorup, Southern Highlights Self Drive Tour V2, Travelled on 4 Aug 2024
Harriet put together a perfect, customized itinerary for me, taking care of all the details so I wouldn't have to. As a single traveller without a...
Read moreHarriet put together a perfect, customized itinerary for me, taking care of all the details so I wouldn't have to. As a single traveller without a car, I had no worries about how I would get to where I wanted to go. Harriet was very responsive to any questions or concerns I had, and offered valid and excellent suggestions of things to do or see that I might not have thought of myself. I would definitely use Discover New Zealand again on my next adventure to this wonderful country!
Rae Robertson, Auckland + Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 3 Dec 2023
Hi Kayla, Just realised that we were so busy on our return to Australia in February that I forgot to send you any feedback. We had a wonderful time...
Read moreHi Kayla, Just realised that we were so busy on our return to Australia in February that I forgot to send you any feedback. We had a wonderful time in Northland - thank you for your itinerary. We really lucked out in that we have fine weather with blue skies for the full 2 weeks we were in Northland and on the Coromandel Peninsula. We both enjoyed the range of accommodation you selected for us and we found the mix of driving and settling in one place for a couple of days was great. Thank you for your help and your patience with us in setting up the itinerary.
Ian Dover & Lynette Hamill, Auckland and Bay of Islands Adventures, Travelled on 30 Jan 2024
Louise Hodge did an outstanding job of customizing the 11 day New Zealand Southbound Explorer to our requirements. She was prompt in answering all my...
Read moreLouise Hodge did an outstanding job of customizing the 11 day New Zealand Southbound Explorer to our requirements. She was prompt in answering all my emails and very helpful in adding any activity or making changes to the hotel selection. The trip started in Auckland and ended in Christchurch. All the pickups and drop-offs were on time. The pace of the trip was just right for us ( couple in our 60s) - meaning that each day was not jam-packed with activities or long bus rides everyday. The coach ride to Milford Sound was long but it was interspersed with toilet breaks and breaks for photos. The standout guides were Rachel from GreatSights (great commentary on the drive from Auckland to Waitomo) and Steve from Thermal Path Tour with Real Rotorua (very knowledgeable and informative). We had fun doing the Luge and the Shotover Jet in Queenstown. The scenery in Mt. Cook National Park was breathtaking. I strongly recommend signing up for Stargazing in Mt. Cook National Park as it is designated a gold status Dark Sky spot. The night sky with the Milky Way and the Southern Cross was awesome! We were blessed with good weather for most of the trip. It was bright and not too cold. It rained heavily on Day 10 of the trip when we were traveling from Greymouth to Christchurch on the TranzAlpine Scenic train. That's ok as we were on the train. Overall, an awesome trip and I would recommend "Discover New Zealand" to plan your next vacation in New Zealand.
Linda Ler & Melvin Ang, 11 day New Zealand Southbound Explorer, Travelled on 31 May 2024
LOVED the tour! We had so much fun and everything was very clear. It was so nice to have all the planning completed. We loved that we were picked up...
Read moreLOVED the tour! We had so much fun and everything was very clear. It was so nice to have all the planning completed. We loved that we were picked up at our accommodations each day. Thank you!
Katie and Nathaniel Eberhard, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 7 Jun 2024
Kia Ora Louise, Thank you for organizing such a wonderful trip for us!!! All the pickups and drop-offs were on time. The pace of the trip was just...
Read moreKia Ora Louise, Thank you for organizing such a wonderful trip for us!!! All the pickups and drop-offs were on time. The pace of the trip was just right for us - meaning that each day was not jam-packed with activities or long bus rides every day. The coach ride to Milford Sound was long but it was interspersed with toilet breaks and breaks for photos. The standout guides were Rachel from Great Insights (great commentary on the drive from Auckland to Waitomo) and Steve from Thermal Path Tour with Real Rotorua (very knowledgeable and informative). We had fun doing the Luge and the Shotover Jet. Stargazing was awesome! I managed to take a photo of the Southern Cross using my iPhone! I will write more in my feedback on Google Business later in the week. Still getting over jet lag. 😊Thank you very, very much. Will definitely recommend Discover New Zealand. Regards, Linda
Linda Ler & Melvin Ang | 11 day New Zealand Southbound Explorer, Travelled on 31 May 2024
Sabina, Thank You!! Thank You!! Thank You!! Truly a ‘bucket list’ trip for my wife and adult son!! I cannot thank you enough for the...
Read moreSabina, Thank You!! Thank You!! Thank You!! Truly a ‘bucket list’ trip for my wife and adult son!! I cannot thank you enough for the professionalism and responsiveness of your support in arranging and during their trip to Australia and New Zealand. You were a true pleasure to work with!! Please send us a list of your global peer travel professional network!! Your customized itinerary was great and absolutely met their need, especially given the relatively short advance notice of the trip and the relatively short (23-day) business/holiday window (+4 days would’ve been ideal – our bad!!). The tours you recommended and set up were awesome – especially Blue Mountain Tour and Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Kuranda Scenic Railway (Rainforest) and Outer Barrier Reef Cruise in Cairns, Glacier Explorers at Mt. Cook NZ, Milford Sound in Queenstown, Hobbiton and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua, and the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves near Auckland - too many to name here. Your last-minute addition of LUNA was really fun. The 5 star hotels you set up in Sydney, Cairns, Christchurch, Mt. Cook, Rotorua, and Auckland were spectacular – never better. The app was great – they really appreciated all of your support during the inevitable hiccup or two. They made lemonade out of lemons - a private driver miscommunication, a cancellation, and a Mt. Cook Helihike fall weather related issue. On the flip side, the Milford Sound cruise hit one of the few crystal clear fall days in Fjordland so they got to fly back to Queenstown after the cruise!! As a husband and father, it is impossible to convey the gratitude I feel for your/my collaboration to set up this incredibly memorable “Mother and Son Bucket List” trip. We have, and we will continue to, share stories and pictures plus your contact info with friends and family. Thank you again so much, Steve M. (family trip coordinator)
Erik and Lisa Mayer, Explore the Natural Wonders of Australia and New Zealand, Travelled on 20 May 2024
Thank you Angela for organising a seamless and fantastic trip for me. From my first enquiry to the end, you were brilliant! All hotels, tour...
Read moreThank you Angela for organising a seamless and fantastic trip for me. From my first enquiry to the end, you were brilliant! All hotels, tour companies and tours were outstanding. I appreciated the checklist emails and I will organise a trip to the South Island with you in the future.
Keren Stuart, 5 day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 27 May 2024
The holiday was amazing in itself but the planning and preparation done by Carly was fantastic. She gave us many options on activities and...
Read moreThe holiday was amazing in itself but the planning and preparation done by Carly was fantastic. She gave us many options on activities and accommodation. The holiday wasn’t draining as her planning eliminated the fatigue factor and we were able to cover so much ground and view the amazing sights of New Zealand.
Deanne Abbott & Hayley Brittain, 10 Day South Island Highlights!, Travelled on 19 May 2024
Hey! Kia Ora! To the whole team responsible for this itinerary and special thanks to Ang, it was amazing! We landed back in our country yesterday...
Read moreHey! Kia Ora! To the whole team responsible for this itinerary and special thanks to Ang, it was amazing! We landed back in our country yesterday (Saturday 8th) and it was all really well planned and thought through. Many thanks for your expertise and New Zealand knowledge. Let's see if we can do this again sometime in the future. Take care!
Diego Vallejo Mijallo & Angela Patricia Pohl, Custom - 10 Day Middle Earth And Beyond, Travelled on 27 May 2024
Dear Owen, Our apologies for not doing this sooner. We have been back home for a few weeks now, but we are still floating along on the memories of...
Read moreDear Owen, Our apologies for not doing this sooner. We have been back home for a few weeks now, but we are still floating along on the memories of our New Zealand self driving tour. We cannot express how grateful we were to have had you at the helm of the organising of our itinerary. We found every single step of the way to be smooth sailing and easy, and we can't credit you enough for it. In fact we have already verbally told anyone who will listen to use New Zealand self driving tours if they are planning on a New Zealand trip. If we had to pinpoint the best parts of the organising, it would definitely be the user-friendly app, the general communicating with us prior to the trip to see what kind of activities and things we liked to do and the fantastic accommodation that was booked for us. The whole trip was tailor made and perfect! So thank you once again, Kind Regards, Greg and Justine Peters
Greg & Justine Peters, The Winterless North Short Trip
Our trip to New Zealand with Grand Pacific Tours was absolutely fantastic. The tour guide, Kerrie, and driver, Rod, were the most helpful and...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand with Grand Pacific Tours was absolutely fantastic. The tour guide, Kerrie, and driver, Rod, were the most helpful and knowledgeable people you could have wished to travel with. The other travellers were all very friendly and co-operative at all times, making the trip very pleasant. The itinerary was very full, with many really interesting tours and activities included in the price. The accommodation was all of a very high standard. I would recommend this tour to anyone wishing to experience New Zealand for the first time. It was comprehensive and covered much of both Islands.
Gail O'Bryan & Maria Ord, Grand Pacific Tours 16 Day Signature Highlights, Travelled on 14 Mar 2024
Thank you so much for helping us with this spectacular holiday. Everything was just so easy to follow, from arriving at airport to all our...
Read moreThank you so much for helping us with this spectacular holiday. Everything was just so easy to follow, from arriving at airport to all our accommodation, picking up hire car and booked activities. The app was a great help, it made finding place and other points of interest easy. We had a fabulous time, weather was kind to us, even giving us a good level of snow at Mt Cook. We could not imagined it being better than this. Would not hesitate to recommend to anyone asking us about our trip. To look at using your service, and great help in every way. Fiona and Noel
Fiona Van Santen and Noel Dunster, Southern Spectacular Self Drive, Travelled on 23 Apr 2024
We had an amazing time on our driving tour of the South Island. Our travel consultant Kayla was amazing and helped us along the way whenever we had...
Read moreWe had an amazing time on our driving tour of the South Island. Our travel consultant Kayla was amazing and helped us along the way whenever we had questions or we wanted to change a pickup time. Having the app with our itinerary on it made it a worry free experience as the whole trip was laid out for us. We would recommend this to anyone.
Tracy & Martin Hicks, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 22 Apr 2024
Hi Kayla. We had a wonderful time in New Zealand even though we did get COVID. The itinerary you provided was well presented, extremely thorough and...
Read moreHi Kayla. We had a wonderful time in New Zealand even though we did get COVID. The itinerary you provided was well presented, extremely thorough and catered to our needs. I have been extremely happy with the service you have provided and would not hesitate to recommend your company to anyone travelling to New Zealand. You have been very quick with your replies during the preparation of our itinerary and the information you have provided along the way has been extremely useful. Thank you again, Jeanette, Matt and Megan Kivivali.
Jeanette Margaret Kivivali, Matti Kivivali & Megan Lea Kivivali, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour + North Island V2, Travelled on 20 Apr 2024
Well, Jon, the tour is done. Vicki and I would like to say that we had the best time. The itinerary was absolutely perfect for our limited time...
Read moreWell, Jon, the tour is done. Vicki and I would like to say that we had the best time. The itinerary was absolutely perfect for our limited time availability, but we will definitely be back. All the accommodation was perfect as was the locations. We really want to see Napier in February so will keep that in mind for future plans. Lastly to you personally, thank you so much for the arrangements made. Scott & Vicki
Scott & Vicki Hansen, North Island Custom tour for Scott, Travelled on 6 May 2024
Katharine Real, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer V2 inc. Rotorua, Travelled on 11 April 2024
Hello Petra, My apologies for not doing this sooner, there’s been a few things happening at our part of the world. Nothing serious, just stuff! We...
Read moreHello Petra, My apologies for not doing this sooner, there’s been a few things happening at our part of the world. Nothing serious, just stuff! We would like to compliment you on your work as a consultant, we have no complaints at all. You were very prompt in replying to any query we had. You also made recommendations when we expressed an interest in something particular. We were very happy with all our accommodation with location and facilities - you listened to us when we said we wanted a microwave and toaster in our accommodation and delivered on that. In fact, may we say all the properties were excellent for cleanliness, comfort, facilities and location. We didn’t have any problems in any way with checking in at accommodation or activities or being picked up for the airport. Everything went smoothly. Apart from not having a GPS and having to get a SIM card connected which I suspect was a hire car issue, all the driving was straightforward and the distances were within our expectations. The quality of the car was excellent and we appreciated it being drop off to us. We were also very grateful for your team’s assistance when there was a road closure near Franz Josef and for the recommendations that were made to us. As we didn’t have local knowledge, we didn’t know exactly what to do when we heard on the news of significant weather events. We were very grateful to your team in reorganising accommodation and following up on cancelled activity refunds. We really enjoyed our trip and hope in a couple of years to come back to New Zealand and explore the North Island. If we do so, we will definitely be in touch. If there was one thing we would change it would have been to build in an extra day or so in some of the lovely locations we visited. We enjoy just getting up in the morning and going for a wander and not having a busy day. But perhaps that was something we need to be mindful of next time. Many, many thanks for all your assistance Petra, you did a wonderful job. I haven’t uploaded any photos as Phil is the photographer and always at present but maybe I can get him to pick out some choice ones. Kind regards. Fiona Hawkey for Phil and myself
Fiona & Philip Hawkey, The Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 31 March
This was a trip of a lifetime. Owen catered our trip down to a tee. We got exactly what we asked for and more. We are older travellers and Owen...
Read moreThis was a trip of a lifetime. Owen catered our trip down to a tee. We got exactly what we asked for and more. We are older travellers and Owen packed our itinerary and made everything easy. From the ferry to the flight home, Owen built a trip that was jammed. The app is easy. The tips along the way made sure we saw everything possible. The hotels were first class and again exactly what we asked for (a mixture of first class and boutique, all with a view, all within easy distance of experiences) We were upgraded and treated brilliantly. We knew exactly what we were getting and we got it with so many extras. Everything was timed to perfection so we had no problems travelling to our next venue. The only issue was with the car that didn't have a sat nav and we had problems connecting the phone but there are maps in every information centre and the app told us exactly where to go. If you like to drive and see as much as you can, I recommend my itinerary to everyone. I also recommend Owen as your preferred travel agent. He is very knowledgeable and the trip was worth every penny. The route he chose was breathtaking and the last leg, the Greymouth train was a great and a great way to wind down and relax (the roast lamb dinner was brilliant). The highlights; Helicopter ride and landing on Franz Josef glacier, Milford Sound, Jet Boating, Mount Cook resort with Stargazing. Every turn brought another vista, another rainbow, another spectacular event. Well done Owen for getting it so right.
Pamela & Carl Addamo, Southern Highlights Wellington to the Southern Alps V2, Travelled on 18 Apr 2024
Hi Louise, kia ora and thank you so much from all of us for the information sent and the reference numbers, everything went so smoothly wherever we...
Read moreHi Louise, kia ora and thank you so much from all of us for the information sent and the reference numbers, everything went so smoothly wherever we went/arrived. Accommodation great, food plentiful, APP was helpful, NZ people so friendly and kind to us, South Island is dramatic, majestic and a pure delight to the eye & mind...WOW. My husband and I would love to explore the North Island sometime & the Ultimate North Island look very enticing. Kind regards, Kerrie
Kerrie & Gerard Cooke with Elizabeth Cooke & Margaret McRae, South Island Encounter, Travelled on 5 Apr 2024
We had a lovely time following a very clear and well considered itinerary around the south and north islands. We arrived 14 February 2024 and from...
Read moreWe had a lovely time following a very clear and well considered itinerary around the south and north islands. We arrived 14 February 2024 and from that day on we felt that Louise Hodges, our consultant, was there with us, watching to be sure everything went well - and it did! All the motels and hotels where we were to stay for the night expected us and every event we were meant to experience expected us. We thank you for a beautiful holiday. Louise had originally designed an itinerary that took us around the north island first and into a number of events and luxury hotels with which we weren’t comfortable. Within a week, Louise had redesigned, giving us a tour that fit us well. We were particularly happy with the phone app that guided us around the islands. It was spot on and full of information. We were able to find the additional events that we wanted to see and find walks through sanctuaries and national parks that fit our time and our interests. So job well done.
Arnold & Susan McKinley, Ultimate New Zealand 42 Day Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 14 February 2024
Morning Angela, Just wanted to give you a quick update. Everything was perfect on the trip, even with the lack of cooperation from Mother Nature. I...
Read moreMorning Angela, Just wanted to give you a quick update. Everything was perfect on the trip, even with the lack of cooperation from Mother Nature. I ended coming home with a cold. Someone was coughing all night on the flight from Sydney to Honolulu. I'm back up and running and as soon as I get the 1,500 to 2,000 pictures off my camera that I took, I will send you a couple of photos, providing they turn out. The trip and your arrangements were great, well done, thank you. wish I would have had more time in Australia, next time would like to go to Perth, everyone has said it's worth the trip. Again, I thank you so much for setting up a great itinerary. Several of my friends here have asked for your name and address since I have been raving about the great job you did for me, so don't be surprised if you get a few inquiries from Wisconsin. Noni G.
Naomi W. (Noni) Guddie, Middle Earth New Zealand and Sydney, Australia, Travelled on 6 April 2024
Owen, Thanks for the opportunity to share my feedback. I really appreciated the work you did to pull together a spectacular trip to New Zealand. You...
Read moreOwen, Thanks for the opportunity to share my feedback. I really appreciated the work you did to pull together a spectacular trip to New Zealand. You had great listening skills and immediately developed two potential itineraries that had all of the elements of fun, hiking, variety, and great accommodations. Interfacing with you via email and a quick conference call was simple and efficient. I appreciate the fact that I could formally schedule time on your calendar. Your email responses were quick and informative. Once we were on the trip and we had weather related challenges you reached out proactively so we could begin to re-plan. The dialogue/discussions on alternatives were appreciated and when you were out of the office your associates were up to speed on the issues and were able to respond on your behalf. Overall, it was an incredible and fun adventure. It is not too often that a dad gets to run around with his 25 year old son. You made this a phenomenal and memorable experience that both of us will remember for years to come. Thanks, Keith
Keith and Trent Herndon, South Island Discovery Tour + Auckland, Travelled on 7 April 2024
Hi Lisa. Thank you for organising our trip. Everything went very smoothly with no issues. We thoroughly enjoyed our New Zealand holiday & really...
Read moreHi Lisa. Thank you for organising our trip. Everything went very smoothly with no issues. We thoroughly enjoyed our New Zealand holiday & really appreciated your support & input, A couple of minor points: - the accommodation in Rotorua was in an industrial area & a bit far from the city centre. -the Huka Falls cruise was a bit unnecessary considering that a better view of the falls was from the walking track. We did Waitomo Caves which was a great experience. The Māori Village & Hells Gate were great. Thanks again. Regards, David Talbot & Jenny Lombardo.
David Talbot & Jennifer Lombardo, Your North Island Tour, Travelled on 10 October 2024
Hi Neisha. We’re back home now and slowly getting back into our home life. We wanted to thank you for your support and excellent service in our...
Read moreHi Neisha. We’re back home now and slowly getting back into our home life. We wanted to thank you for your support and excellent service in our trip around South Island. Everything for our trip was organised perfectly!! I usually expect some challenges with bookings, something not communicated, systems failures, lost info, etc. But all was perfect! Amazing! We had such a good trip and timing was perfect. Managed to complete all our West Coast adventures in stunning weather and escaped just before the deluge and road closures. The accommodation you chose for us was, for the most part, terrific. The Christchurch accommodations were OK but all were small, poky and very basic motel rooms. Really appreciated you moving us to the Quest on Cambridge in Christchurch for our last few days in Christchurch. Terrific accommodation and a great base for touring the city. The Touring app was terrific. Had everything that we needed and constantly updated. Again, thank you so much for all your organising, Made our trip stress-free and easy. Had a fantastic time and lots on wonderful memories. Best wishes, Steve and Ali Pascoe.
Steve and Alison Pascoe, Steve's New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 27 March 2024
Graeme & Sola Trott, 15 day Coastal Explorer, Travelled on 2 Apr 2024
Thank you for your assistance and experience to help make my recent New Zealand self drive tour a enjoyable experience. I travelled the south and...
Read moreThank you for your assistance and experience to help make my recent New Zealand self drive tour a enjoyable experience. I travelled the south and north island from tip to tow and experience the fantastic natural beauty of New Zealand along the way. Highlights from Milford Sound, the farmland and hedges, hot springs, cold water and views to enjoy combined with adventures like zip lines, jet boats or just chilling all with a high standard of accommodation. The Hire car experience from Eurocar was also trouble free and I would recommend this company. My few inquiries during my trip were all resolved efficiently and thank you for your Professional assistance - Regards Alan Grist
Alan Grist, Northbound Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 12 Mar 2024
Harriet, Thanks for the itinerary for my NZ trip. Except for the issues at the end with the really bad weather around Franz Josef. You did jump in...
Read moreHarriet, Thanks for the itinerary for my NZ trip. Except for the issues at the end with the really bad weather around Franz Josef. You did jump in quickly gave me some options and took care of the bookings. Thanks also for the efficient way you took care of the refunds and changed bookings..I had a great time and NZ is wonderful place to holiday. Thanks again for the help and guidance. Cheers David
David Yates, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 1 Apr 2024
Hi Jon, thanks again for the great organisation and help of our wonderful trip through NZ! We had a fantastic vacation!!! Organisation was top, your...
Read moreHi Jon, thanks again for the great organisation and help of our wonderful trip through NZ! We had a fantastic vacation!!! Organisation was top, your tips and recommendations highly appreciated and everything went smoothly while travelling (ever the organisation of great weather worked :-) ). We'll definitely will recommend you! Thanks, Dirk & Sylke
Dirk Wehling & Sylke Schauer, Custom Best of Both Islands Tour!, Travelled on 11 Mar 2024
Jon you did a great job on our itinerary thank you. Everything went so smoothly. No hassles at all with our airport pick ups, car hire, checking into...
Read moreJon you did a great job on our itinerary thank you. Everything went so smoothly. No hassles at all with our airport pick ups, car hire, checking into our accommodation and tour bookings. The itinerary was really well worked out and (once we worked out we needed to allow extra time for the ubiquitous roadworks) we got to where we wanted to be without rushing or being late. A wonderful trip 🤩
Toni and Mark Mulholland, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 12 Apr 2024
Fantastic journey beautifully put together by Mackenzie. Accommodation choices were great, and the addition of the journey to Mt Cook was an...
Read moreFantastic journey beautifully put together by Mackenzie. Accommodation choices were great, and the addition of the journey to Mt Cook was an unexpected bonus. Well worth having a driver to meet you in unfamiliar cities to make the arrival so much easier ( especially after an overnight flight!). Would use again when we travel to New Zealand.
Denise & Richard Wilson, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Mt. Cook, Travelled on 28 Mar 2024
We enjoyed our trip very much. Great weather except for the last 2 days. Unfortunately, helicopter flight was cancelled. Everything was easy to...
Read moreWe enjoyed our trip very much. Great weather except for the last 2 days. Unfortunately, helicopter flight was cancelled. Everything was easy to manage. A bit of miscommunication with the Rental Car people, but thankfully resolved quickly. Things to note- Car parking at Milford Sound is not $25 for 5 hours. Unless there late afternoon. Jet boat ride- they do not offer splash coat. Life jacket only. Highlight for me was Paragliding in Queenstown. May have to do a tour of the North Island next.
Julie & Alan Milner, Geoffrey & Natalie Sampson, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 31 Mar 2024
Hi, We had a wonderful time on our holiday. It was peace of mind to have everything pre-booked and the flexibility to alter the itinerary was...
Read moreHi, We had a wonderful time on our holiday. It was peace of mind to have everything pre-booked and the flexibility to alter the itinerary was fantastic. Kayla Bailey was very helpful and made the arrangement very easy.
Thank you for a wonderful experience 🤗Regards, Karyn Cox and Anthony van der Nol.
KARYN COX & Anthony van der Nol, 8 Day Northern Highlights, Travelled on 19 March 2024
Andrew Stotter & Christine Birse, 26 day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 28 Feb 2024
Looking back on the trip to the South Island, it was pretty much perfect. Spending so many hours each day on a tour bus got to be a bit tough but I...
Read moreLooking back on the trip to the South Island, it was pretty much perfect. Spending so many hours each day on a tour bus got to be a bit tough but I know it was the only way to see as much as I did and thank goodness, I wasn't doing the driving! So, I really can't and shouldn't complain about that! Queenstown was crowded and touristy so I was very happy to have my hotel on the outskirts. Everything was still in walking distance. The tour buses were all good, all on time and the drivers really made a big difference. Some spoke a lot, gave a lot of history and information of the area we were going through. Others not so much. As I think I mentioned, if I had to do it over again, I would have spent another day in the Franz Josef area and taken a day off in Queenstown to make up for it. But that in no way is your mistake or some omission on your part. Just what I liked once I was there and didn't have enough time to see much of. I think if I had spent some time online really looking at these places while you were setting up the tour, I might have caught it. The helicopter ride was a blast! So glad I did it. Hadn't been in one since I was 16 and had forgotten how much fun they are.
Jill Johnson, Southern Highlights Circuit including the TranzAlpine Train (Independet Coach Tour), Travelled on 7 March 2024
Eric Brodsky & Michael McGuire, South Island West Coast, Travelled on 22 Mar 2024
Everything went to plan as per our itinerary. Hire car was comfortable and spacious. Both the reps we met were very friendly and helpful. All the...
Read moreEverything went to plan as per our itinerary. Hire car was comfortable and spacious. Both the reps we met were very friendly and helpful. All the accommodation was comfortable - some of the apartments were fantastic and the overnight cruise to Doubtful Sound on the Milford Wanderer was superb. The app provided us with so much extra information which we found very useful. We would definitely recommend NZFT to others planning a trip to NZ.
Nicola & Martin le Roux, South Island Explorer!, Travelled on 4 Feb 2024
Thank you Kayla for all your assistance on our recent holiday to New Zealand. We had a fantastic time and saw so much of this beautiful country. We...
Read moreThank you Kayla for all your assistance on our recent holiday to New Zealand. We had a fantastic time and saw so much of this beautiful country. We loved it. Your help was awesome - you booked all accommodation for us and activities that we wanted to do and it was so organised, no trouble with checking in each time or turning up for the activities. It was all on record. The app was the best thing that there was that you sent us - for us to refer to when we were driving ourselves each day. It contained so much information that we could organise times we wanted to leave and arrive in each town, where to go in the towns, it was easy to navigate. You were so organised and couldn't do enough for us, evening sending us the link to complete our travel declaration. We have already recommended your site to our friends and relations who may travel to New Zealand for a holiday. Thank you Simone
Simone & Michael Davies, South Island Coastal Self Drive tour, Travelled on 8 Mar 2024
Tia (our travel assistant) was superb. She arranged the itinerary perfectly. We really really love New Zealand and enjoyed our trip. It was very...
Read moreTia (our travel assistant) was superb. She arranged the itinerary perfectly. We really really love New Zealand and enjoyed our trip. It was very impressive, amazing and wonderful. I recommend everyone who want to visit New Zealand to choose discovernerzealand.com, it is helpfull and excellent service. Thank you for assisting us.
Julianti Julianti & Sugriwati Sugriwati, 11 Day Christchurch to Auckland Tour, Travelled on 9 Mar 2024
We had a great time on this tour. We were well taken care of by the various drivers and got to do everything we expected. Hotel accommodation was...
Read moreWe had a great time on this tour. We were well taken care of by the various drivers and got to do everything we expected. Hotel accommodation was good and the included food was great. It seemed expensive when we booked but the complexities of moving people to the various locations explained that. I would recommend your company to friends going to New Zealand. Thanks.
Sandra Mudd & Jeanne St Pierre, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Weekender, Travelled on 22 Mar 2024
This once in a lifetime tour was such a lovely experience that I would recommend this NZFT group to anyone. From the time that I decided to take this...
Read moreThis once in a lifetime tour was such a lovely experience that I would recommend this NZFT group to anyone. From the time that I decided to take this tour to the very end I felt as though I had someone looking after me. I loved the fact that this was a self guided tour (even though I drove the whole time on the left side of the road) getting some used to, but one I was used to it loved it. The tour was planned in such a manner that we never felt stressed to get from point A to B. We always had time to take all the pictures we wanted and then some. I would say that most of the lodging was above standard, there were only a couple that could use some improvement, mostly it was a language barrier on the owners part. Overall I would repeat this tour again maybe even spend some more time exploring some of the areas. Loved all the areas, loved the cleanliness even the cities, and most of all the people were friendly and helpful.
Liselotte M Myers & Vreny Elmer, Northbound Explorer Christchurch to Auckland self drive tour, Travelled on 15 Feb 2024
We completed a personalised 21 day South Island Self Drive Tour in February/March 2024. The itinerary was created by Jon (Discover New Zealand) in...
Read moreWe completed a personalised 21 day South Island Self Drive Tour in February/March 2024. The itinerary was created by Jon (Discover New Zealand) in consultation with us and our wish list. The creation of an itinerary was giving us a headache but this was no problem for Jon who has an intimate knowledge of New Zealand. Jon arranged good quality self catering accommodation, car hire, activities and tours including the train trip from Greymouth to Christchurch. There was prompt communication between ourselves and Jon at all times before and during our trip. Nothing was too much trouble for him to check or organise. With the use of the downloaded itinerary app everything during the trip worked very smoothly and we had a very enjoyable hassle-free holiday, capturing all the major sights and attractions of the South Island. The tour started and finished in Queenstown. I would definitely use this company again for future travels in New Zealand.
Leonard & Maree Kok and Steven & Susan Munro, 21 day Classic South Island, Travelled on 23 Feb 2024
Our 21 day road trip in New Zealand was amazing and the four of us thought the people on this country were so friendly and welcoming. Lisa from Fine...
Read moreOur 21 day road trip in New Zealand was amazing and the four of us thought the people on this country were so friendly and welcoming. Lisa from Fine Touring was so obliging and helpful in getting our tour organised and it was so good not to have to worry about accommodation and hire car and these were all done without any hitches. Tours included boat trips, helicopter flight and overnight cruise. If I had anything to suggest for improvement on the tour we did it wasn’t long enough and if doing it again I would stay an extra night in towns and cities that we were required to be there for a tour the same day we were travelling. We had a horror day the first day going to the Bay of Islands as there were two accidents and a main highway closure, both with detours and hours of holdups with meant arriving 8 hours late for our Hole in the Rock boat trip. A phone call to Lisa and her quick response to organise the same tour the next morning was greatly appreciated and so helped make the start of our trip bearable. Regards Fay
Graeme and Fay Carter, Kevin and Kaye Wettern, North to South Explorer Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 25 Feb 2024
Ramji Digumarthi and Sipkje Dykstra, Ramji's Te Anau, Dunedin, Wanaka and Queesntown Loop, Travelled on 11 Mar 2024
Ramji Digumarthi and Sipkje Dykstra, Ramji's Journey from Queenstown to Christchurch, with Glaciers and TranzAlpine Train, Travelled on 19 Mar 2024
We were overwhelmed by the amount of detail provided, nothing was overlooked and it made things very easy. The trip was in a word, fantastic. We have...
Read moreWe were overwhelmed by the amount of detail provided, nothing was overlooked and it made things very easy. The trip was in a word, fantastic. We have been to New Zealand a number of times but not the top of the South Island or down past Dunedin. This time we saw all of that and ticking off our bucket list, Invercargill and Stewart Island. The accommodation booked for us was all excellent and my favorite was the Rutherford in Nelson. Well I was very keen on physics at school. Quirkiest? Loved the old elevator in the Grosvenor in Timaru and the Poshtel in Oamaru was close. The side tours were good but alas inclement weather meant we missed the whales. New Zealand is so beautiful but the magnificent old buildings in the cities are fabulous. Took many photos of them, oh yes, and the scenery too. So all up a great time for us and Nicole, thank you so much and best wishes. PS most steps? Dunedin and it is so hilly!
Paul & Kathryn Pearce, South Island Encounter, Travelled on 3 Mar 2024
Hi Anna, This custom tour that you put together was a fantastic experience. All of the activities and tours that were book were great fun and travel...
Read moreHi Anna, This custom tour that you put together was a fantastic experience. All of the activities and tours that were book were great fun and travel between every location was punctual and was easily accessible. This was definitely a 5 star trip. Thank you for everything From Shaun
Shaun m James, Shaun's Middle Earth Discovered Tour (custom), Travelled on 1 Mar 2024
Mackenzie at Discover New Zealand prepared a custom itinerary for our holiday to the south island at very short notice. With just a couple of days...
Read moreMackenzie at Discover New Zealand prepared a custom itinerary for our holiday to the south island at very short notice. With just a couple of days notice Mackenzie packaged up everything we were looking for including amazing scenic flights, Milford Sound cruise, hotels, helicopter flights to the glacier, winery tours, a train ride on the Tranzalpine, hire cars and more. When I tell people what we did they are amazed at all the incredible things we did. I can't speak highly enough of the effort Mackenzie went to to put together our once in a lifetime trip! Incredibly we were blessed with great weather for the trip and it all went perfectly smoothly with no hiccups at all. It's a credit to Mackenzie given this was a one off itinerary with so many moving parts. Highly recommend Mackenzie and Discover New Zealand.
Glen & Alana Fowler, 9 Day South Island Explorer, Travelled on 24 Feb 2024
This was our second visit to NZ, our first in 2019, with both being organised by Chelsea. Everything went like clockwork with accommodation and tours...
Read moreThis was our second visit to NZ, our first in 2019, with both being organised by Chelsea. Everything went like clockwork with accommodation and tours giving us everything we could wish for. We loved every minute of our trip and would certainly recommend Discover New Zealand to anyone wishing to visit NZ.
Ian and Margaret Aspinall, Auckland to Wellington 11 Day Highlights, Travelled on 4 Mar 2024
We found this itinerary excellent - highlights for us were the brilliant sunny day at Mt Cook and the upgraded room at the Hermitage was superb....
Read moreWe found this itinerary excellent - highlights for us were the brilliant sunny day at Mt Cook and the upgraded room at the Hermitage was superb. Dunedin Lanarch Castle, the day trip to Milford Sound with Real NZ were also highlights. All of the chauffeur driven transfers we had between towns, drivers were very knowledgeable and safe. The Scenic Plus upgrade on the Trans Alpine was well worth the extra expense. The Appellation Boutique Wine Tour was very informative, enjoyable and run at a leisurely pace. On the average side we found the Monarch Cruise and Penguin Place disappointing. No penguins sighted in the wild & only 2 albatross. The driver Ross on the tour that day was excellent, very knowledgeable. All the accommodation was very good throughout in particular Mt Cook and Dunedin. Thank you for a great trip. Cheers, Andrew & Carol
ANDREW & CAROL STENHOUSE, Custom - 10 Day Southern Icons, Travelled on 27 Feb 2024
We enjoyed our tour of New Zealand's South Island and what made it easy and travel stress free was the wonderful detailed itinerary App that detailed...
Read moreWe enjoyed our tour of New Zealand's South Island and what made it easy and travel stress free was the wonderful detailed itinerary App that detailed every day of our stay, information on points of interest and also a detailed map directing us to all our booked accommodation. So easy! So we thank the team from Discover New Zealand for all their hard work and being only a phone call away if help was needed. We recommend New Zealand Fine Touring Group if you are looking for great holiday.
Roy & Olga White, 22 Day Essential Southern Extravaganza, Travelled on 16 Feb 2024
Hi Gina, We are now settled in Queenstown in thick of wedding celebrations all under a beautiful blue sky. Can I thank you for your organisation of...
Read moreHi Gina, We are now settled in Queenstown in thick of wedding celebrations all under a beautiful blue sky. Can I thank you for your organisation of our short break. Everything ran so smoothly and all personnel we encountered were so helpful and friendly. A special ‘shout out’ to the staff at our Franz Joseph motel. My husband inadvertently left his hearing aids behind and before he had even had time to check his case they had sent an email stating they had them and would await further instructions. When we relayed this to our driver Neil, he contacted his office and has arranged for another driver to drop them off at our Queenstown accommodation on Friday. We are so appreciative of them going out of their way to manage this. I thought it important to pass this feedback on to you. This has been quite a brief visit to NZ but has certainly wetted our appetite and I feel sure we will be back again. I will not hesitate in using your company again and will also recommend you to friends and family. Once again a big thank you. Regards, Chris Webb
Chris & Phillip Webb, 2 day TranzAlpine and West Coast Glaciers to Queenstown, Travelled on 18 of March 2024
Hi Jeanette. We loved our trip. It was a wonderful way to travel having car and accommodation all booked for us. The accommodation was always well...
Read moreHi Jeanette. We loved our trip. It was a wonderful way to travel having car and accommodation all booked for us. The accommodation was always well located and very clean and comfortable. The Suzuki Swift alias Tae Tae was ideal for fuel consumption and she handled the mountains easily. The app was ideal for tracking our trip, accommodation and booking references. Our only glitch was the driving from Queenstown to Franz Josef as it was a very long day. It would have been better to add a night at Wanaka to reduce the driving time. Thank you for taking care of our travels and we look forward to returning to NZ to tour the North Island. Kind regards, Ann and George Grace
Ann & George Grace , The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 24 of Feb 2024
Sorry for the delay in writing a review. It has been quite busy since I came back to the US. I want to say that we had a fantastic holiday. It was...
Read moreSorry for the delay in writing a review. It has been quite busy since I came back to the US. I want to say that we had a fantastic holiday. It was certainly a trip of a lifetime and we are so glad we did. It was everything and more than what I imagined. Owen Hunt, our agent was extremely patient with me, very informative and helped me every step of the way in designing our dream vacation. Being from there, he was able to provide first hand information and advice that helped me to decide on my itinerary. All the details were taken care of, the hotels we stayed in, the tours, the itinerary and of course the people. They were always there to answer our questions. Owen worked with me to choose the right hotels, which were all very good. They were all in the city center and easy walking distance to both attractions and food places. I would say, the best part for me in working with Owen, was that he was able to figure out exactly what I wanted, provided information that was relevant to my booking and kept the price within our budget. The tours were well organized, small groups and knowledgeable guides. We also requested vegetarian food that they did their best to accommodate. Overall, I am very impressed by their professionalism, and willingness to customize your tour and were not pushy at all. I highly recommend Discover New Zealand and Owen Hunt for anyone looking to have a trip of a lifetime “Down Under”. Thank you Owen.
Jaishree & Sundaram Hariharan & Sawhney, South Island independent coach tour - 4 pax, Travelled on 9 Feb 2024
Our 14 day North and South Island self drive tour was absolutely wonderful. The NZ Fine Touring company and Louise Hodge in particular were very...
Read moreOur 14 day North and South Island self drive tour was absolutely wonderful. The NZ Fine Touring company and Louise Hodge in particular were very responsive as we planned for the trip and during the trip as we had questions. For those considering a trip we would highly recommend going with this company- the app with all the details and all the helpful reminders about trip preparation were great. We do wish we had extended by 4-6 more days just to spend a bit more time in certain places, but the routing and suggestions on what to do/see helped us see wonderful things in the time we had. Couple of specifics we would consider if doing the tour again. Would probably have booked hotel in AKL for the morning we arrived. Had to wait from 7 am arrival at hotel to 3 pm that afternoon to check in at the hotel. A shower and change of clothes (and short nap) would have been ideal. We powered through but it wasn't ideal for us. Hotel in Wellington- rooms were a bit dated and the self parking was really confusing with driving around the block to very tight self parking. At several hotels we had to show them the booking information that breakfast was included with our room. Because we had that on the app they always honored it, but if a client didn't push back they likely would have charged them for breakfast. This happened at 2-3 hotels. Pullman Rotorua and Heritage Mt Cook were both amazing hotel rooms and locations. Christchurch hotel bit dated room but ideal location. Europcar - pickup in AKL took 2 hours +. There was a huge line and they appeared very understaffed. May want to warn people that this can take some time, as we might have booked something that day thinking it would not take so long. Pickup at the Picton Eurpocar was much smoother- they had everything ready to go when we arrived. I have already recommended your services to a number of folks. Thanks again for a helping us have such a wonderful visit to beautiful NZ.
Lorry & Jean Olson, Auckland to Queenstown 14 Day Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 21 Feb 2024
Richard & Margarita Barnes, New Zealand North and South Island Grand Tourer, Travelled on 28 Jan 2024
Hello Chelsea! We can't thank you enough for all your help in setting up our trip! Everything was just PERFECT! Grand Pacific Tours could not have...
Read moreHello Chelsea! We can't thank you enough for all your help in setting up our trip! Everything was just PERFECT! Grand Pacific Tours could not have been any better. Their luxurious coach and incredibly knowledgeable and charismatic guide/driver exceeded our every expectation. The itinerary included every major spot in NZ! The hotel accommodations and meals were all terrific. This small group travel experience will have set the bar for all future travel for us! We will be recommending both you and Grand Pacific to our USA friends who are considering this once in a lifetime trip to beautiful New Zealand! Thank you and Kia Ora! Maura & John Rudder
Maura & John Rudder, Grand Pacific Tours 14 Day Ultimate Panorama, Travelled on 9 Feb 2024
Hi Lisa, Thanks very much for organising our trip to the south Island of New Zealand, everything thing ran smoothly and we had an excellent time....
Read moreHi Lisa, Thanks very much for organising our trip to the south Island of New Zealand, everything thing ran smoothly and we had an excellent time. Thanks to you and your team for making our first trip to New Zealand such a pleasure, what a beautiful place. We look forward to working with you again in the future. Kind Regards Yuzhi and Brent
Brent Collyer & Yuzhi Bao Lakes, Mountains and Glaciers Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 19 Feb 2024
Hi, Thank You Angela for taking care of all our bookings and last minute changes. I truly appreciate that how quickly you got back to me with...
Read moreHi, Thank You Angela for taking care of all our bookings and last minute changes. I truly appreciate that how quickly you got back to me with multiple options. At no point, I felt that you were pushing me to buy something. The hotels and airport pick ups were very timely and in great locations. Please reach out to Angela for any guidance if you are planning your trip to New Zealand, she is superb in working with you and great in understanding what you are looking for!
S.G & S.R, Auckland to Christchurch Highlights Tour, Travelled on 17 Feb 2024
Harriet organised a tailor made itinerary for the North Island, she was extremely helpful and no matter how many changes I asked for she completed...
Read moreHarriet organised a tailor made itinerary for the North Island, she was extremely helpful and no matter how many changes I asked for she completed these request very quickly and efficiently, nothing seemed to be a problem for her. I would book with Harriet again - Thanks again for the wonderful holiday - Lynne, Queensland
Lynne Armstrong, North Island Adventure, Travelled on 26 Feb 2024
Good morning Chelsea, My husband and I have been liaising with Owen Hunt for many months about our month long trip to New Zealand which ended on 7...
Read moreGood morning Chelsea, My husband and I have been liaising with Owen Hunt for many months about our month long trip to New Zealand which ended on 7 March 2024. Owen has provided exceptional service and he does this always with a bright and cheery manner. We have enjoyed working with Owen so much that I wanted to write to you to let you know how pleased we have been with all the assistance he has provided and the high quality of our interactions. We first began communicating with Owen mid 2023 when we were deciding on the best way for us to visit New Zealand. Immediately we took a liking to Owen's friendly communication style and that nothing seemed to difficult for him to fit into our schedule or to rearrange if we wanted something removed. Owen heard what type of tour we were wanting and proposed a trip that suited us really well. Originally we were leaving Australia on Boxing Day, but due to emergency surgery for my husband, we had to rebook. Initially it looked like we would need to pay rebooking fees etc, but Owen was able to sort this so that we only paid an amendment fee. We are so grateful for the professional way this was all dealt with, with little fuss for us. The holiday was wonderful and we were happy with our room bookings, tours and appreciated the use of the App. We did have to swap a car and call out the roadside assistance team in Wellington, and whilst we did this ourselves and only advised Owen as a courtesy, he telephoned us to check that all was okay. This level of care and service is rare and we felt very supported by Owen. We will be recommending your agency, and Owen in particular, to friends and family who plan to visit New Zealand. We are only sorry we did not realise that Owen is based in Wanaka, as we would have popped in to say hello at the time. We hope that Owen is recognized for the wonderful service he provides. Many thanks, Prue and David Ward
Prue & David Ward | New Dates - 31 Day Northbound Experience, Travelled on 6 of Feb 2024
Dear Owen, I was meaning to write to you but you beat me to it. We had THE BEST time ever. Everything was perfectly organised and we loved...
Read moreDear Owen, I was meaning to write to you but you beat me to it. We had THE BEST time ever. Everything was perfectly organised and we loved everything you did for us. We loved our accommodation, the car (we were upgraded to a Ford Everest which was a DREAM to drive) the places we went to. We fell in love with New Zealand and can't wait to come back and explore the northern part of South Island and take a look at North Island. How many weeks would you say...2.5-3 weeks? Oh! and the train trip! what a surprise, not only was the scenery beautiful but we didn't expect to be seated in the dining car and absolutely loved that experience and was the icing on the cake. thank you very much Owen. Regards Leonie
Leonie, Lutfi and Natasya Heyder, Original Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour V3 +1, Travelled on 17 Feb 2024
Hi, We have recently returned home from New Zealand and have been reflecting on the tour organised by NZFT. Firstly, we would like to thank you and...
Read moreHi, We have recently returned home from New Zealand and have been reflecting on the tour organised by NZFT. Firstly, we would like to thank you and your colleagues for all the arrangements you made on our behalf, all of which fell into place faultlessly from start to finish. We enjoyed every minute of our trip, although there was the odd hour of driving I could have done without, it was worth it to see so many wonderful sights. It was not only the expected highlights, the places listed in the guidebook and in your itinerary, but the other less well-known places we came across every day. For example, when we were in Wanaka, we were stopped and asked where 'the tree' was, we had no idea what the gentleman was talking about, however, our late afternoon walks around the lake led us to 'the 'tree', of which we have some wonderful photos. In total, I took over 1000 photos, and you are probably sent 1000's, so I have attached just one, which I think is the best taken. We had 4 weeks of great weather, with only one wet day (in Franz Josef not surprisingly) which is far better than we could have expected. All the accommodation was very good, the city locations were so convenient, and not having to find somewhere to park was a bonus. Having said that, the Christchurch one way system was very, very frustrating, despite our detailed road atlas. Two places deserve a special mention as our favorites; Admirals View Lodge and Motel in Paihia we particularly liked, but the stand-out accommodation was Lakeview Tekapo. It was quite extraordinary in its both it's setting and the quality of the accommodation. Thank you again for a wonderful holiday, and although we are unlikely to return to NZ (there are too many other places to visit) we will recommend your services to any friends and family who plan a similar trip. Regards and thanks, Adam Naylor
Adam & Linda Naylor, 27 day Discover New Zealand 2024 Highlights Tour, Travelled on 7 Feb 2024
Hi Lisa, Thanks very much for organising our trip to the south Island of New Zealand, everything thing ran smoothly and we had an excellent time....
Read moreHi Lisa, Thanks very much for organising our trip to the south Island of New Zealand, everything thing ran smoothly and we had an excellent time. Thanks to you and your team for making our first trip to New Zealand such a pleasure, what a beautiful place. We look forward to working with you again in the future. Kind Regards Yuzhi and Brent
Brent Collyer & Yuzhi Bao, Lakes, Mountains and Glaciers Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 19 Feb 2024
My son, Andrew and I want to thank you for helping us to plan our vacation to the South Island. We just returned to San Francisco on Tuesday after...
Read moreMy son, Andrew and I want to thank you for helping us to plan our vacation to the South Island. We just returned to San Francisco on Tuesday after spending 16 days touring the island.
We feel so fortunate that you advised on visiting so many exquisite places. Thanks again for your assistance. The planning was flawless and every detail worked out perfectly. Sincerely, Rochelle, Andrew Kushin
Rochelle & Andrew Kushin, Southern Circuit extended holiday, Travelled on 20 Feb 2024
Our consultant, Mackenzie Neely, did an amazing job of getting our itinerary done with only 2 weeks notice and we couldn't rate her highly enough....
Read moreOur consultant, Mackenzie Neely, did an amazing job of getting our itinerary done with only 2 weeks notice and we couldn't rate her highly enough. She had to do some tweaking to get it together in time for us but put together an amazing trip. Everything was perfect.
Vivien & Stephen Lomas, South Island 23 Day Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 5 Feb 2024
Absolutely fabulous 19 day tour of the north and south islands of New Zealand. Made lots of new friends from Australia, Canada, UK and the USA and...
Read moreAbsolutely fabulous 19 day tour of the north and south islands of New Zealand. Made lots of new friends from Australia, Canada, UK and the USA and Roger Duncumb our coach driver and travel guide was excellent. He went over and beyond the call of duty! The days went by really fast and people at home ask me which was my favourite part of the trip and I couldn't really say as every day was unique and interesting. I have to say that I have never been in and seen a coach so luxurious and spacious. A full size coach with only 20 seats, with every seat being a window seat. I would truly recommend this trip to others. Well done Grand Pacific.
Lesley & Graeme Oliver, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Ultimate Showcase, Travelled on 6 Feb 2024
We had a brilliant tour, the tour guide Jo was excellent and Rikki our driver was a wealth of knowledge, both lovely people, the hotels and the meals...
Read moreWe had a brilliant tour, the tour guide Jo was excellent and Rikki our driver was a wealth of knowledge, both lovely people, the hotels and the meals were very good, the bus was very comfortable, we enjoyed all the activities and places we went to, I did the helicopter ride at mount Cooke that was just brilliant I loved it, and Queenstown and Milford Sound on the boat were other highlights, and the trip to the farm for dinner, we enjoyed it all, well done to all concerned we would certainly recommend this tour, thankyou, Regards Linda
Linda & James Kenny, Grand Pacific 10 Day Signature South Island, Travelled on 13 Feb 2024
Thank you thank you Neisha! So appreciate all the great help and insight. Can't love New Zealand more. It is truly an incredible country, culture and...
Read moreThank you thank you Neisha! So appreciate all the great help and insight. Can't love New Zealand more. It is truly an incredible country, culture and a lovely place in this world. Catherine and Erika
Erika Parrino &Catherine Cole, Catherine and Erika's New Zealand, Travelled on 5 Feb 2024
Hi Louise, Our tour to New Zealand was perfect. U arranged everything in the best way it could be arranged. Very good guides/Drivers. Very good...
Read moreHi Louise, Our tour to New Zealand was perfect. U arranged everything in the best way it could be arranged. Very good guides/Drivers. Very good activities. Very good accommodations. Very good weather. Very good food. Very good pleasure. All together was excellent. I thought that the tailor made tour was expensive, but it was so good that my wife said we must send U all the best for the wonderful job U did in the short time we & U had & the big number of changes we did. Regards & thanks From Ronith & Michael.
Ronith & Michael Civier, Auckland to Christchurch Highlights Tour, Travelled on 4 Feb 2024
Suzanne Hildebrand, Grand Pacific 10 Day Signature South Island, Travelled on 15 Feb 2024
Our South Island trip was absolutely incredible! From the stunning landscapes to the thrilling activities, every moment was unforgettable. Ahuge...
Read moreOur South Island trip was absolutely incredible! From the stunning landscapes to the thrilling activities, every moment was unforgettable. Ahuge thank you to our tour operator, Lisa, for her invaluable assistance throughout the journey. Lisa's expertise and support truly made the experience seamless and enjoyable. Highly recommend both the destination and the operator for an unforgettable adventure.
Fiona & James Allan, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 30 Jan 2024
Hello Carly, It's a pleasure to give you positive feedback for our recent trip to New Zealand. Everything ran very smoothly & your help & guidance...
Read moreHello Carly, It's a pleasure to give you positive feedback for our recent trip to New Zealand. Everything ran very smoothly & your help & guidance along the way was much appreciated. We had an amazing time & the accommodation you selected for us was first rate. What a great place to visit & we will have some great memories of our time there. We would thoroughly recommend yourself & Discover New Zealand to anyone wanting to travel to New Zealand. Kind regards, John & Cheryl
John & Cheryl Henry, New Zealand Adventure!, Travelled on 8 Feb 2024
Thank you for providing a great service that made for a wonderful New Zealand experience. The personal service I received was so helpful,...
Read moreThank you for providing a great service that made for a wonderful New Zealand experience. The personal service I received was so helpful, accommodating my requests and providing all the information I needed. I'd readily recommend you to others. I have already offered email comments on specific elements of my tour, while the overall package enabled me to experience a great deal of all the wonderful sights and experiences New Zealand has to offer.
Keith Elmitt, Customised New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 3 Jan 2024
Karen and Matthew D’Agata, Sally and Graeme Heritage, Cally Wilkins, Karen's Family South Island Adventure, Travelled on 13 Feb 2024
Thank you so much from bottom of our hearts to Angela and entire NZ fine touring company for once in a lifetime experience both in Australia as well...
Read moreThank you so much from bottom of our hearts to Angela and entire NZ fine touring company for once in a lifetime experience both in Australia as well as New Zealand. We could not have done it ourselves. Your team was always available to field any questions or issues we were having. We loved every moment of the entire trip. We wish you all th best and we will recommend your services in future to anyone looking for Aus-NZ trip.
Jatinkumar & Geeta Kadakia, Melbourne, Rotorua and Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 29 Jan 2024
Thomas & Elizabeth Delany, Your Southern Highlights Tour reversed, Travelled on 12 Feb 2024
We booked a custom 4 day tour with Petra as our liaison and she was amazing with accommodating our needs including special transfer to Matamata and...
Read moreWe booked a custom 4 day tour with Petra as our liaison and she was amazing with accommodating our needs including special transfer to Matamata and ensuring that all activities booked were aware of allergy restrictions. Petra was also very timely with her responses and answered all the questions I had. She did a wonderful job! I would highly recommend this tour company to anyone! All of our drivers were on time and communication with the company was always responded to quickly. Additionally, the value for having our activities and accommodation booked was excellent- much more affordable than similar services in the United States.
Nicole Schaub & Joshua Theisen, Your Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Tour, Travelled on 18 Feb 2024
It was an amazing trip. The scenery was more than we anticipated. The accommodation was good and in good locations. The rental cars were great except...
Read moreIt was an amazing trip. The scenery was more than we anticipated. The accommodation was good and in good locations. The rental cars were great except that the first one did not have GPS as the company had run out. Still not good. A reservation is meant to take care of that. Also please have in your instructions a note to be very clear about what time the car should be returned. We were 30 minutes late and it cost us an extra day for the rental. Have been recommending such a New Zealand trip to our friends. Thanks Domenic and Rita Silvana
Domenico & Rita Tatangelo, 14 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 8 Feb 2024
Norm & Jennifer Badgley, Auckland to Christchurch 19 Day Explorer - Norm & Jennifer, Travelled on 28 Jan 2024
Thank you for a spectacular trip. Every detail of the itinerary worked perfectly. Our drivers/guides were knowledgeable/entertaining and always on...
Read moreThank you for a spectacular trip. Every detail of the itinerary worked perfectly. Our drivers/guides were knowledgeable/entertaining and always on time (more often they were early), the accommodations were always very comfortable and the stops on the trip certainly gave us a great feel for the South Island, from the fiord at Milford Sound, the mountains of the Southern Alps, the West Coast from Franz Josef to Greymouth, the plains around Christchurch, to the awesome Mt. Cook. The plan to have 2 nights in Christchurch in the middle of the trip was perfect -- we had time to catch our breath and to enjoy that beautiful city and its Botanic Gardens. This trip was all we'd hoped for and more. Our contact at Discover New Zealand, Jon Andrews, was a pleasure to work with. He started with the basic Encounter, and made changes specific to our needs. With his help this was an outstanding trip.
Sandy & Bobbie Lewis, South Island Encounter, Travelled on 24 Jan 2024
Ian Laidlaw & Wendy Laidlaw, Customised - Coast to Coast Self Drive Tour - V2, Travelled on 20 Jan 2024
Thanks once again to Discover New Zealand and thank you Lydia Ford for putting our second holiday together for us.It was our first bus tour holiday...
Read moreThanks once again to Discover New Zealand and thank you Lydia Ford for putting our second holiday together for us.It was our first bus tour holiday of New Zealand we enjoyed every minute of it. We had 14 days on the AAT Vista tour and got to see all the high lights New Zealand has to offer. Totaly recommend to everyone. Just call Discover New Zealand. Thanks Guys.
Leeanne Coram & Sheryl Holtzapfel, 14 Day AAT Kings New Zealand Vista, Travelled on 15 Jan 2024
We had the best honeymoon one could have. Itinerary tailored very carefully and thoughtfully from the offset, very responsive to questions and the...
Read moreWe had the best honeymoon one could have. Itinerary tailored very carefully and thoughtfully from the offset, very responsive to questions and the entire trip was incredibly straightfoward once we were on the ground. Huge thanks to Neisha Hill in particular for making everything happen!
Owain Lloyd-Williams & Helen Jackson, Honeymoon Adventure, Travelled on 2 Jan 2024
We had a very nice adventure with lovely weather and professional travel agent. Carly Baker from Discover NZ tour is the best 👌 very customised...
Read moreWe had a very nice adventure with lovely weather and professional travel agent. Carly Baker from Discover NZ tour is the best 👌 very customised itinerary. Great job!
Robin, Lilybeth & James Merrill, Family Trip & Birthday Adventure!, Travelled on 26 Dec 2023
Louise was fantastic to communicate with regarding the tour, providing plenty of options for places and activities we had not thought of, as well as...
Read moreLouise was fantastic to communicate with regarding the tour, providing plenty of options for places and activities we had not thought of, as well as including those places we did not want to miss! The app was very easy to use and had all the information we needed, which made the whole trip run very smoothly. Everything booked, from how we travelled to the hotels we stayed at, were comfortable and a great experience.
Tara & Cameron MacLeod, Essential New Zealand, Travelled on 3 Jan 2024
From the very beginning of our adventure, Harriet McGregor and her incredible team set a new standard for what a customized travel experience should...
Read moreFrom the very beginning of our adventure, Harriet McGregor and her incredible team set a new standard for what a customized travel experience should be. Right from the start, she was a standout, understanding exactly what we wanted and making it work within our budget. Her suggestions were not only insightful but also demonstrated a profound knowledge of each locale. Her team's organizational skills were impressive. They had everything running smoothly, ensuring we didn't have to sweat the small stuff. The private transfers were a highlight – punctual, professional drivers and cars that were both spotless and comfortable. Accommodations are always a critical component of any travel experience, and here too, Harriet excelled. The hotels selected were not only of high quality but also strategically located, allowing us easy access to local attractions and experiences. What really made this trip special was how seamlessly everything went. It was all so well-planned that we could just relax and enjoy our vacation without any stress. This level of smooth operation is a rarity and speaks volumes about Harriet's expertise in travel planning. Overall, our vacation was an absolute delight, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Harriet McGregor and her team at Discover New Zealand. For anyone looking for a well-planned, enjoyable travel experience, I couldn't recommend her services enough. A huge thank you to Harriet for an unforgettable holiday! 🌟🌍✈️
Jasmeet, Ashmeet & Jasmaih Oberoi, Paramjit & Satinderpal Duggal, Ahran Chabbra, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights Updated, Travelled on 1 Jan 2024
Just wanted to say that our New Zealand trip in Dec 2023 is one of the best trips we’ve ever had! Everything was perfect. It’s an amazingly...
Read moreJust wanted to say that our New Zealand trip in Dec 2023 is one of the best trips we’ve ever had! Everything was perfect. It’s an amazingly beautiful country and we are so glad Louise helped us discover it. We did both North and south islands and loved it all. We especially loved Waheke island (from Auckland), Hobbiton, zip line in Rotorua, the Picton ferry was fabulous, full day wine tour in Picton, Captain's cabin experience whale watch Kaikoura, Glacier Explorers ride Mt Cook, Wanaka, Te Anau glow worm caves, Overnight cruise Milford sound, Heli flight over glaciers at Franz Josef, Transalpine scenic Train was just fab! Louise was just great throughout! I misplaced something valuable at the hotel in Mt cook and it’s only thanks to her that I got it back! I would highly recommend her to anyone planning a trip to NZ. All the accommodations and activities she chose for us were perfect. Here are some pictures from our trip..
Sharvari & Sundeep Gulrajani, Kiwi Tour, Travelled on 3 Dec 2023
I want to thank you for all the planning you did for us! We had a great time in New Zealand and loved all the things we saw and did. The...
Read moreI want to thank you for all the planning you did for us! We had a great time in New Zealand and loved all the things we saw and did. The arrangements for transportation from airports and hotels were great! Rental car pick up and check in for hotels were great! We loved the freedom of having a car and driving to some different places along our routes and taking our time. We loved the cheeky kiwi tour to Hobbiton, the driver was great and the tour was amazing! We can't wait to come back to New Zealand and explore more and will definitely work with your company again. Thank you again!
Hailey Rushton & Emily Gunn, The North Island Highlights, Travelled on 10 Dec 2023
Hi Petra, I tried to look where in my account I can fill up for feedback and couldn’t find it. Just to admit it again that all was perfect and...
Read moreHi Petra, I tried to look where in my account I can fill up for feedback and couldn’t find it. Just to admit it again that all was perfect and exactly what I was looking for - an individualized itinerary to visit most major attractions in NZ South Island was meticulously organized including all transportations, accommodations, having included breakfast was crucial for my activities and the food was great (at some places exceeding expectations). The professionalism and welcoming attitude of hotel staff, tourist guides, taxi coach drivers was stunning. And the weather during my stay!!! Can’t imagine any better! Sending you some pictures and you can identify the locations. Just gorgeous!!! Thank you for your outstanding work,
Madlena Maximova
Madlena Maximova, Your 9 day South Island Encounter, Travelled on 23 Dec 2023
Hi Petra I'm wanting to say thank you for arranging such a perfect tour package of sights, tours and accommodation. Especially loved the...
Read moreHi Petra I'm wanting to say thank you for arranging such a perfect tour package of sights, tours and accommodation. Especially loved the accommodation at Franz Josef. Such great hotels and the meals which were included were great. Also the App was an excellent tool and easy to follow as reference. I will be recommending you to any fellow travellers. Thank you again.
Tina Vasile & Anna Marsella, Your South Island - Independent Coach reversed, Travelled on 2 Jan 2024
Had an amazing time traveling alone in the kiwi country, thanks to Discover New Zealand! Lisa offered great advice on how to enhance my travel...
Read moreHad an amazing time traveling alone in the kiwi country, thanks to Discover New Zealand! Lisa offered great advice on how to enhance my travel experience within my desired budget. The team was responsive and their immediate support during the trip is real. And when something went wrong (driver at external agency didn’t pick me up on time coz of system failure), compensation was fair. Thumbs up on Discover New Zealand 👍
Jolie, Southern Spotlight - (with Dunedin - without Franz Josef), Travelled on 21 Nov 2023
Hi Louise. A great trip. Everything went smoothly. The App was really good and helped us each day with our planning and travels. Hotels were very...
Read moreHi Louise. A great trip. Everything went smoothly. The App was really good and helped us each day with our planning and travels. Hotels were very good and each of the tours/items on the trip were well worth doing. Great to have you coordinate all the hotel pick-ups for wine tours, cultural experiences, which made it very easy. Thanks again
Stephen Bird & Liz Cameron, North Island 7 day highlights 2023, Travelled on 27 Dec 2023
Hi Owen, Happy New Year. Thanks for organising this wonderful tour. It was a memorable experience. This tour suited my one-year-old daughter. She...
Read moreHi Owen, Happy New Year. Thanks for organising this wonderful tour. It was a memorable experience. This tour suited my one-year-old daughter. She enjoyed it thoroughly. All the accommodations were great. The drive was awesome. The TranzAlpine train was wonderful. My wife loved the accommodation in Mt Cook. On flipside, the accommodation in Queenstown could have been better. The room didn't have air conditioning, and both the days were super-hot. Nonetheless, we had a superb experience in South Island. We will reach out to you for North Island tour in near future. I have recommended your service to my friends and family. Thank you so much. Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra & Alaka Mahapatra, Southern Alps & Southern Lakes Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 21 Dec 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed our NZ South Island trip, the suggested itinerary was fantastic and everything ran smoothly - the app was very easy to use. ...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our NZ South Island trip, the suggested itinerary was fantastic and everything ran smoothly - the app was very easy to use. Louise was very helpful during the planning process, and prompt responding to my queries. We will recommend Discover New Zealand to others.
Frances, Cameron, Ruby & Callum Lee, Natural Wonders Tour, Travelled on 3 Dec 2023
This was an excellent tour. Marty, the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and interesting, which gave me an overall picture of New Zealand as a...
Read moreThis was an excellent tour. Marty, the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and interesting, which gave me an overall picture of New Zealand as a country along with its traditions and culture. Through his very good organisational skills the tour ran extremely smoothly. The hotels were good and his recommendations for places to visit and eat were always good. He made everyone feel very welcome which made the group a friendly atmosphere. I would highly recommend this tour.
Anne Budd, 17 Day Trafalgar Tours New Zealand Uncovered 23/24, Travelled on 28 Nov 2023
Our trip was amazing thanks to Lydia and her expertise in getting all the duck in a row! Our reservations were set for us every step of the way...
Read moreOur trip was amazing thanks to Lydia and her expertise in getting all the duck in a row! Our reservations were set for us every step of the way without hassle. She was so helpful when I needed to reach out while on the trip too! All of the accommodations were wonderful, very clean and modern. Thank you Lydia! If (when) we visit NZ again we will absolutely go with your services again!
Marybeth & Elyza Greene, 5 Day Southern Highlights with Milford Sound And highlights of the North, Travelled on 11 Dec 2023
Yu Leun ( Alan ) Tan & Pei Fang Yeo, Alan and Pei's New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 27 Nov 2023
Ginevra Capone & Giacomo Scoma, A Middle Earth Self Drive Explorer, Travelled on 26 Dec 2022
Warren & Michael Karle, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 23 Nov 2023
The Southern Highlights Tour was thoroughly enjoyable and packed in plenty of unforgettable sights and experiences. We would recommend this tour for...
Read moreThe Southern Highlights Tour was thoroughly enjoyable and packed in plenty of unforgettable sights and experiences. We would recommend this tour for anyone seeking to get a taste of what the South Island has to offer. Lydia was a wonderful tour adviser who arranged excellent accommodation options for us. She was knowledgeable and also very courteous and patient in dealing with questions and requests for additional assistance.
Warren & Michael Karle, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 23 Nov 2023
Dear Petra, I wanted to reach out to you personally to thank you so much for all the help and planning on our New Zealand and Australia trip....
Read moreDear Petra, I wanted to reach out to you personally to thank you so much for all the help and planning on our New Zealand and Australia trip. Everything was perfect for our once in a lifetime experience and adventure. Our tour with Grand Pacific Tours was truly amazing! The coach was beautiful and comfortable, each hotel we stayed was 5 star along with the meals. Paul, our guide and driver was wonderful! He showed us some amazing sights and had great commentary with each area we visited. He always made sure everyone was comfortable and safe. He was a joy to spend time with. Thank you so much for your help and guidance with planning our itinerary for our Australian driving tour. All the hotels that you picked out were very comfortable and beautiful! We loved the personality and uniqueness of each place we stayed (especially the historical Carrington in the Blue Mountains). We did stop at a couple of your recommendations along our driving tour and enjoyed each area we explored. We had a very special koala encounter at the Koala Sanctuary, and the dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour was amazing. Thank you again for everything, and I have already recommended you to a friend who is planning a New Zealand trip. Angela Meredith
Angela & Timothy Meredith, Grand Pacific Tours 14 Day Ultimate Panorama, Travelled on 29 Oct 2023
Our 42-day Ultimate New Zealand Self Drive Tour was very comprehensive and extremely well designed by NZ Fine Touring. Apart from a couple of...
Read moreOur 42-day Ultimate New Zealand Self Drive Tour was very comprehensive and extremely well designed by NZ Fine Touring. Apart from a couple of excursions cancelled because of the weather, all other bookings worked perfectly. Only two were rather disappointing - the "Seafood Odyssea Cruise" at Picton, which was characterised by two very small seafood canapés, and the Dining Tram in Christchurch which, while a good idea in principle, was spoiled by a very poor food offering. Aside from that, everything worked beautifully. New Zealand certainly lived up to everything we had hoped and the tour was extremely comprehensive. It would be difficult to find much that we didn't see, to be honest. The people were unerringly friendly and, on the couple of occasions we had to contact NZ Fine Touring, our issues were solved promptly and efficiently. We would certainly recommend NZ Fine Touring to anyone interested in putting together a tour of New Zealand - the local knowledge of what is feasible in a day and locations for accommodation were things we could not possibly have done ourselves. It is a trip we will always remember with great affection.
James & Sarah Stringer, Ultimate New Zealand Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 19 Oct 2023
Our tour was wonderful. Petra did a great job listening to what we wanted to do and see, and the level of hotel accommodations we expected. I would...
Read moreOur tour was wonderful. Petra did a great job listening to what we wanted to do and see, and the level of hotel accommodations we expected. I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone wishing to do a similar trip in New Zealand.
Roslyn & James Resch, Auckland to Christchurch Southbound Self Drive Tour incl. Milford Sound, Travelled on 11 Nov 2023
Thank you so much for everything you organised for our trip. That was my first time in New Zealand and I absolutely loved it. All of our activities...
Read moreThank you so much for everything you organised for our trip. That was my first time in New Zealand and I absolutely loved it. All of our activities were just fabulous, the pick ups from stations, terminals etc were great (each driver was so knowledgeable) and everything went very smoothly. That was also the first time I’ve used an organised tour and it was well worth it. I’m so glad we booked the extras we did - especially the helicopter ride! 🤗
Jeanette Morehouse & Sara Stubbins, Auckland to Christchurch 14 Day Highlights, Travelled on 11 Nov 2023
My mom and I love the experience with Discover New Zealand. Anna is so helpful when she worked on our package that's suitable for our interests and...
Read moreMy mom and I love the experience with Discover New Zealand. Anna is so helpful when she worked on our package that's suitable for our interests and needs. I still can't believe we were able to visit Hobbiton and Waitomo cave when we booked the package with Discover New Zealand a few days before. Love it and would recommend the service to anyone!
Tram (Julie) & Nhi Nguyen, 12 day New Zealand Southbound Explorer, Travelled on 12 Nov 2023
Thanks for a great itinerary! Louise was a superstar with great response times to queries and a personalised service. I would recommend Louise and...
Read moreThanks for a great itinerary! Louise was a superstar with great response times to queries and a personalised service. I would recommend Louise and Discover NZ to anyone and have done!
Clare & Colin Taggart, North Island Highlights, Travelled on 3 Nov 2023
Rachel Consunji & Alfredo Austria, Custom Auckland to Rotorua & South Island Self Drive, Travelled on 9 Nov 2023
Hi Jon, we can't thank you enough for organising our amazing trip to New Zealand, Aotearoa. Both north and south Island were stunning, different but...
Read moreHi Jon, we can't thank you enough for organising our amazing trip to New Zealand, Aotearoa. Both north and south Island were stunning, different but yet so beautiful. North island with gorgeous countryside and coastline and incredible beaches. The geothermal hotspots, hotsprings and geysers were incredible. We also learnt about the Maori culture. The south Island absolutely stunning, the many mountains, valleys, fjords, the southern Alps, glaciers and the wineries were amazing. In short the; Itinerary- excellent; Accomodation - excellent; Car and driving experience - excellent; Hikes and walks - amazing (just needed more time to explore). Thank you for helping us enjoy this amazing experience in New Zealand.
Diana & Danny Kolar, The Kolar's New Zealand Self Drive Adventure ,Travelled on 22 Oct 2023
Sabrina Baetscher, Bay of Islands 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 15 Nov 2023
We had a terrific time! I really appreciated the help planning our trip, especially the suggestions we got based on our time and the activities we...
Read moreWe had a terrific time! I really appreciated the help planning our trip, especially the suggestions we got based on our time and the activities we wanted to experience. The South Island is one of the most consistently beautiful places I've ever been--the stunning views virtually never let up! If we were to do it again, I think we'd spend less time on the Western coast, because of the rain and because we'd seen glaciers closer elsewhere. I would not, however, want to miss the drive through Haast Pass. Other highlights included pretty much all the driving and even the touristy things we did (which pleasantly surprised us)--the TSS Earnslaw/BBQ cruise, Milford Sound full-day drive/cruise, and Aoraki/Mt.Cook Dark Skies experience. We had one problem--a flat tire on the Motueka Bridge to Abel Tasman. We missed the tour we were booked on, but Discover New Zealand helped salvage the day with a short boat cruise, lunch, and a guided kayak trip. After much back and forth with Europcar, a driver changed the tire and told us he fixes flats at the same spot four times a week (note to NZ DOT: widen the bridge or remove the curbs)! Thanks, again.
Theodore Robbins & Daniel Gold, Southern Highlights with Abel Tasman V3, Travelled on 7 Nov 2023
A fantastic trip all made more enjoyable by Sabina’s professional and customer focused approach. From start to finish Sabina provided excellent...
Read moreA fantastic trip all made more enjoyable by Sabina’s professional and customer focused approach. From start to finish Sabina provided excellent guidance and knowledge that helped us make the right decisions. We miss NZ, but we will be back with other friends.
William and Sara Dougan, Customised Ultimate Explorer Tour of New Zealand, Travelled on 1 Oct 2023
Dear Neisha, I can't thank you enough for all of your help in planning a trip to New Zealand! With some very short notice, you were able to pull...
Read moreDear Neisha, I can't thank you enough for all of your help in planning a trip to New Zealand! With some very short notice, you were able to pull things together nicely for us. My husband and I had such a wonderful time. We saw a lot of areas in the North Island and had a lot of amazing experiences. Your help in putting together the 3-day tour to the Bay of Islands was much appreciated! All of the plans you put together for us flowed very nicely. Though the weather was a little uncooperative in the Bay of Islands, we were still able to make most of the plans work. We really loved everything we did - the Hole in the Rock Cruise, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and the Salt Air Scenic Flight to Cape Reinga. The accommodations you set up for us were very nice, and traveling on the Intercity Coach was comfortable and an enjoyable ride. We met some lovely people in NZ, and we found everyone to be very kind, friendly, and went out of their way to be helpful. I think what stands out to us the most about NZ is the amazing natural beauty and the warm, welcoming people. My husband and I made some wonderful memories that we will cherish for years to come. We are already talking about when we can come back to NZ and explore the South Island. When we are ready to start planning that trip, we will definitely be back in touch with you, Neisha! Thank you and everyone else on your team for all of your help!
Sandra & Marty Hayworth, Sandra and Marty's Bay of Islands 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 19 Oct 2023
Louise Barret created a wonderful top of the south island tour for us, everything went according to plan, she did an amazing job and we would like to...
Read moreLouise Barret created a wonderful top of the south island tour for us, everything went according to plan, she did an amazing job and we would like to say a big thank you. We would definitely recommend this type of itinerary as Louise answered all our questions and queries with speed and efficiency. Thank you Louise.
Joy & Brian Stockwell, Top of the South Explorer Tour, Travelled on 23 Oct 2023
Thank you for organising the tour for me. You were most helpful. The Tour Guide and Driver were exceptional as well. Very well organised with no...
Read moreThank you for organising the tour for me. You were most helpful. The Tour Guide and Driver were exceptional as well. Very well organised with no hassles. I shall certainly recommend you to friends looking for a NZ holiday.
Emma Roberts, Emma's Grand Pacific 10 Day Signature South Island, Travelled on 14 Oct 2023
We had self driving southern highlight tour. Carly was a great travel advisor. She helped us without hesitation even when we had to reschedule the...
Read moreWe had self driving southern highlight tour. Carly was a great travel advisor. She helped us without hesitation even when we had to reschedule the trip at last moment. She did a great job by arranging everything for us. We just had to follow her guide and every thing went so smoothly. Special thanks to Martyn who came to pick up us from the airport and train station. We felt him like a close friend. Highly recommend Discover New Zealand.
Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage Sivantha Sameera Hemachandra & Hevage Niluka Madhubhashini Sayakkara, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 10 Oct 2023
Thank you for the advice and planning assistance for our tour. From the airport pickup onwards, everything was to a fine standard. Wellington...
Read moreThank you for the advice and planning assistance for our tour. From the airport pickup onwards, everything was to a fine standard. Wellington accommodation in a suite, complete with laundry, for the night before leaving the North Island gave us an opportunity to prepare for the next leg. Our route gave us ample opportunity to explore and take some side tours. Overall it has left us looking for an opportunity to return. Advice on where to stay for our planned excursions (e.g. Te Anau for Milford Sound) was invaluable. Great value package and your willingness to assist us to vary the basic itinerary made it a pleasurable experience from the beginning of the planning to the end of the journey. Thank you so much.
Chris & Kim Peake, 18 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 10 Oct 2023
Our Pure Discoveries 10 day trip was a trip of a lifetime! Every day was even better than the day before-so much beauty, great food and wine, great...
Read moreOur Pure Discoveries 10 day trip was a trip of a lifetime! Every day was even better than the day before-so much beauty, great food and wine, great new experiences! Our tour guide/ driver was amazing! He was incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful and made our trip so personal and better that we ever expected!
Jim & Teresa Ansley, Pure Discoveries 10 Day Matai Tour + 1 Pre and Post tour night accommodation, Travelled on 22 Sep 2023
Joseph G. and Louis Weiss, Milford Sound Spectacular 7 Day Tour, Travelled on 17 Oct 2023
A wonderful trip that worked very well for us. Activities were great and accommodation comfortable in all cases. The travel required was about right...
Read moreA wonderful trip that worked very well for us. Activities were great and accommodation comfortable in all cases. The travel required was about right and the minimum two night stop in each place was good and allowed sightseeing as well as activities and minimised driving fatigue. One small upgrade we would recommend to all travellers driving to consider is to take the return bus Te Anau to Milford Sound. This overcomes issues with delay, road closures, parking etc that can occur and makes this trip easy. Also extra cost is less than cost of driving!. Your team's assistance in doing this change for us at short notice was much appreciated. Overall, we really appreciated your work on this trip, Louise and a big thank you to you and your team for a memorable two weeks.
Barbara & Eric Ross Hearne, The Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 8 Oct 2023
What a fantastic Holiday we had, so much packed into our 15 Day stay. The Itinerary that Louise (Barrett) put together for us was absolutely spot on....
Read moreWhat a fantastic Holiday we had, so much packed into our 15 Day stay. The Itinerary that Louise (Barrett) put together for us was absolutely spot on. All the Trips and Tours went like Clockwork. Thank you Louise for all the time you have spent over the last couple of years with re-arrangments due to Covid etc. Your patience and professionalism has been exemplary!! I will be recommending yourself and Discover New Zealand to all my Friends and Family
John Atkinson & Linda Masters, Highlights of New Zealand, Travelled on 9 Oct 2023
Michael, while we are on holiday makes a daily post with the highlights of our day. It was honestly a difficult choice to pick just a few. What we...
Read moreMichael, while we are on holiday makes a daily post with the highlights of our day. It was honestly a difficult choice to pick just a few. What we found was that lots of people were following our adventure. We got lots of questions about how it was organised and how amazing it looked. Every time, we tell them how amazing Louise was in coordinating our trip. The changes to suit what we wanted- no matter how many times, getting to know us and what we like to do made Louise the most amazing agent we have dealt with. From pickups, to drop offs, all arranged with knowledge of what we were doing and where we needed to be, were arranged with precision! We would have no hesitation in recommending Louise to anyone and we already have! From the very bottom of our hearts thank you for the most amazing holiday.
Beth & Michael Kerry, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 4 Oct 2023
It was great! NZ is breathtaking as always. Ms. Nichole White was so helpful in putting together all the itinerary, accommodation and transportation...
Read moreIt was great! NZ is breathtaking as always. Ms. Nichole White was so helpful in putting together all the itinerary, accommodation and transportation for us and we enjoyed every bit of it and due to our dietary restrictions, she also provided us with a list to restaurants to dine at. Very reliable, trustworthy and we never had a problem checking in or redeeming our tickets at the tourist attractions, we truly enjoyed our stay and would probably be back for more. thanks!
Nabilah Huda, Asiah Othman, Yazid Yunos, Shahida Johari, Kamarul Kamarruddin & Sofea Kamarul Arifin, New Zealand Ultimate Highlights in Spring, Travelled on 10 Oct 2023
This was one of the best tours that I have had and would like to thank Louis Hodge and Discover New Zealand for meticulously organizing the entire...
Read moreThis was one of the best tours that I have had and would like to thank Louis Hodge and Discover New Zealand for meticulously organizing the entire tour to every detail. Everything was great and very happy to have gone through your proposed itinerary. Your app was great and very informative, all information was available on hand and details very clearly mentioned. Amazing and very well done.
Praveen Kumar & Swarna Latha Sambarapu, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 1 Oct 2023
Harriet McGregor was extremely helpful in the planning, implementation and suggestions of our trip to the North Island of New Zealand. For the...
Read moreHarriet McGregor was extremely helpful in the planning, implementation and suggestions of our trip to the North Island of New Zealand. For the limited time that we had her suggestions were great and gave us a broad overview of the entire island. The only time there was an issue, she was quick to remedy and find a solution when we expressed our concerns. We would certainly recommend this agency to our friends as a great way to organise any trip to New Zealand. We would definitely use this method of organising a trip in the future which is what we will do when we come back to explore the south island in the future. Thank you so much Harriet.
Kathryn Ross and Carolyn White, Auckland to Wellington Highlights, Travelled on 21 Sep 2023
Hi Chelsea, thanks a lot for putting together this wonderful itinerary. I had a great time visiting all the great spots this part of North Island had...
Read moreHi Chelsea, thanks a lot for putting together this wonderful itinerary. I had a great time visiting all the great spots this part of North Island had to offer, especially the geo-thermal parks, which were fascinating. Seeing Hobbiton as an avid Lord of the Rings fan was truly magical and the Maori cultural evening was very, very special. The tour guides were always on time and each guide had something different and unique to offer to the tour experience. I definitely prefer small group tours and it makes the whole experience much more intimate. I met some wonderful people who I kept in contact with. Copthorne Hotel was a great stay as an alternative, although a bit far away from downtown. However, I do understand the choice was due to my request to stay an extra night. Overall, a great addition to my holiday and a memory that I shall cherish.
Magderie Nel, 5 day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 4 Oct 2023
We are back at home after a great tour of NZ. We just wanted to provide feedback that the Great Journeys tour was very enjoyable in a small group of...
Read moreWe are back at home after a great tour of NZ. We just wanted to provide feedback that the Great Journeys tour was very enjoyable in a small group of six, and to particularly endorse our guide Mark Hockley for his services. Nothing was too much trouble for Mark, including arranging special needs dining for a couple of people in the party. Mark has probably advised that we were unable to undertake the previously paid for “Punting on Avon” excursion due to inclement weather (gale force winds), so we anticipate a refund for that activity. The TranzAlpine was also great – spectacular views. The shuttle drivers we had from Hokitika Scenic Tours and Glacier Valley Shuttle were also very flexible and accommodating, were very informative and drove in a safe and comforting manner. We would recommend these tours to anybody.
Mike & Marlene Russell, Wellington to Christchurch Classic Tour and TranzAlpine through to Queenstown, Travelled on 8 Oct 2023
We greatly enjoyed our North Island driving trip. Chelsea rearranged the set itinerary so we could explore Russell, which was one of the highlights...
Read moreWe greatly enjoyed our North Island driving trip. Chelsea rearranged the set itinerary so we could explore Russell, which was one of the highlights of our trip. She was also very responsive to the comment we had on the alternative accommodation in Hokianga when the original/partner accommodation closed for renovation. The suggested stops throughout our itinerary made it easy for us to pick and choose where and when to go. And the accommodations throughout the North Island were excellent; we were particularly happy with the service in Auckland (CityLife), where we stayed three times. We already recommended New Zealand Fine Touring Group to some friends looking into a NZ trip, and would definitely recommend it even more.
Marikit Torrente & Charles Brammall, North Island Highlights, Travelled on 23 Sep 2023
Planning worked well as I was able to customise the trip. Very efficiently organised, all pickups were on time, except for one that was 20 minutes...
Read morePlanning worked well as I was able to customise the trip. Very efficiently organised, all pickups were on time, except for one that was 20 minutes late, however apparently there were reasons for this. Harriett and the other agents I talked to were very easy to talk to, always very helpful and positive, and willing to accommodate changes. Also, the small groups and the positive attitude of the guides made it easy to interact with the other members of the group. Thoroughly enjoyable trip with the scenery as a highlight.
Graham Warbrick, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 3 Oct 2023
We as a family have had an amazing trip which was organised and customised to our needs by the Discover New Zealand. Our tour planner Ms. Laurel...
Read moreWe as a family have had an amazing trip which was organised and customised to our needs by the Discover New Zealand. Our tour planner Ms. Laurel Thachuk has been very efficient and prompt in replying and addressing our concerns at every step of the way and made our trip a very memorable one. All the accommodations and the trips organised by them were very much up to our standards. I will definitely recommend to my friends and colleagues. Thanks again for all the help guys.. Keep up the good work
Naveena & Sandeep Sunkaraneni, The Ultimate South Island Family Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 22 Sep 2023
We knew very little about which sites to feature in our one week stay, so we trusted you to pick them and lead us along. In that regard, you did a...
Read moreWe knew very little about which sites to feature in our one week stay, so we trusted you to pick them and lead us along. In that regard, you did a great job. We asked for lots of nature, and you delivered. We asked for an extra day in Wellington and are so glad we did. We spent hours in the Te Papa museum and even found time to join a sea shanty sing-along in the local bar. Kaikoura turned too rainy for the whales, but that gave us a day for their museum and a drive around tour of the area. The train to and south from Kaikoura was alot of fun and a great way to spend a few hours. The true gem for us was Mt. Cook and that area. They'd had a bush fire, earthquake, and knee-deep snow the week before, so we were gifted with white mountains and lots of sun. Spectacular. We had no idea it would be so awesome. The room at The Hermitage was great, with views. The stargazing was worth a try, but not good weather. But the glacier explorers event was our favorite single thing. Thank you for including that. Overall, we were so amazed with the friendly people wherever we went, the great food (our favorite meal of the month was the Zephyr Restaurant in Kaikoura), and helpful service. We've been telling people that we're glad we saved New Zealand for the last week after 3 weeks in Australia. Why? Because you did a great job of giving us lots of guidance and handling all the details, and because NZ is so spectacularly beautiful.
Rod & Nancy Fisher, Souh Island Explorer, Travelled on 21 Sept 2023
My trip was amazing! Victoria was so great to work with, she addressed all of my many questions, and was so friendly and patient. The others I worked...
Read moreMy trip was amazing! Victoria was so great to work with, she addressed all of my many questions, and was so friendly and patient. The others I worked with were also so nice and made it easy to adjust my itinerary when my flight was cancelled. I could not be happier with Discover New Zealand, I loved everything about my trip- I saw so many amazing things and met such great people. I will definitely use Discover New Zealand again!
Karissa Povey and Elizabeth Grun, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 11 Sep 2023
It is a terrific trip and adventure, everything ran like clockwork, and not a minute was wasted. The tour gave me a great insight into "Waitomo,...
Read moreIt is a terrific trip and adventure, everything ran like clockwork, and not a minute was wasted. The tour gave me a great insight into "Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton". The hotel was terrific, and the tour guides and drivers could not have been friendlier, accommodating, and knowledgeable. It was a fantastic tour. Loved it.
Gerry Carroll, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 2 Oct 2023
We very much enjoyed our time on the South Island. Getting everything set up originally with Victoria was very easy and set us up for a great trip....
Read moreWe very much enjoyed our time on the South Island. Getting everything set up originally with Victoria was very easy and set us up for a great trip. While we were there, we encountered several disruptions (bush fire, snowstorm, landslide), and we greatly appreciate the efforts of Victoria and the rest of the team in doing whatever they could to make sure we got to experience as much of our original itinerary as possible. Had we been on our own, I’m sure we would have never considered the options we ended up taking, and we would have missed out on many top experiences. Thanks again to Victoria for all of her time and effort. I will recommend Discover New Zealand to anyone I know who will be making the trip from Canada.
Allen Blair & Michelle Tuck, A Taste of the South ft Milford, Travelled on 19 Sep 2023
Discover NZ and Laurel T. did a great job planning great accommodations and great activities for my friend and I. We toured North and South Island,...
Read moreDiscover NZ and Laurel T. did a great job planning great accommodations and great activities for my friend and I. We toured North and South Island, based mainly in Auckland and Queenstown. Laurel made many great suggestions for our time in NZ. We appreciated the personal attention and feeling that we could call Discover NZ if we had any problems. We didn't want to drive, and arranged tours out from Auckland, including overnight at Rotorua followed by Hobbiton the next day. When the transportation to Rotorua failed to materialize as booked, Discover NZ sent a private driver to take us down there (We later caught up with the intended driver). We would definitely call Discover NZ and Laurel if we get the chance to visit again!
Patricia Cavender and Joyce Salter, The Best of North & South Island in 10 Days, Travelled on 7 Sept 2023
This trip was incredible, from day one our tour expert, Tia Chesser, was amazing, caring and very knowledgeable. My husband and I were just recently...
Read moreThis trip was incredible, from day one our tour expert, Tia Chesser, was amazing, caring and very knowledgeable. My husband and I were just recently married and were preparing for our honeymoon and New Zealand was our #1 pick. We came across Discover New Zealand and Tia did an amazing job creating our own itinerary to fit our needs and likes. She was always in constant contact with me, helped with questions as well as concerns, and prepared us for the trip of a lifetime! She truly made our honeymoon in New Zealand the most romantic and loving place to be. We did an 8 day, customary based itinerary, where we picked the types of tour we wanted to do and the places we were interested in seeing. Queenstown was beyond beautiful and a place we never wanted to leave! We highly recommend staying in Queenstown for a majority of the trip. It is a very laid back place, relaxing all around, and stunningly beautiful. The tours we really highly recommend are the Skyline Gondola, Milford Sound cruises, the Appellation wine tours. Milford Sound cruise was our favorite place and tour. This is the best place for that 'jaw dropping' landscape and 'heavenly' views. This is the true "Heaven on Earth''. We couldn't take our eyes off the mountains and every waterfall, and just took in all the scenery that we'll never forget that was of Milford Sound. We had a one night stay in Rotorua where we had the best experience with the Te Pā Tū tribe at the Tamaki Maori Village. We got to hear the history and stories of the Maori people, they did a Haka dance along with other songs and dances, then we had the chance to taste some of Maori inspired dishes. They are such amazing, hospitable people that want to share their history of their people and homeland. It was warming getting to know the history of New Zealand and the native people. Getting to one of my favorite parts of this trip, as being a fan of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit series, we had to take the tour of Hobbiton. This was the actual movie set from The Hobbit, but all over New Zealand you will find all the famous sites from these movie series. I was in awe from the moment we arrived in Hobbiton! The place itself is absolutely beautiful alone, and then walking through the Hobbit Shire and seeing the hobbit holes was such a dream and had my heart fluttering! I was fan-girling the entire tour as I got to live out my hobbit dream! This tour is and was worth all of your time and more than highly recommend this if you are a fan in any way. On our way to the last destination, we went to the Waitomo Caves and went deep underground to see the 30 million year old geological wonders. Here, we saw the famous glow worms as we did an underground boat tour to witness their glow throughout the caves. I loved this tour as it was just awesome to see such old landscapes, but then also it was very dark and we had to be quiet for the glow worms.We stayed in Auckland for our last destination and this is the place to be for more of a city life experience. We went to the Auckland SkyTower for dinner; excellent food and the best views. For accommodations, I would definitely suggest staying at the Fable Auckland. It was very much centered in the middle of the city, close to everything you need and want to do. The hotel was gorgeous, the room was comfy and very romantic for us honeymooners. Tia went above and beyond for our trip and she was such a blessing from beginning to end, and made us feel extremely relieved from the planning. She did excellent in choosing the types of tours we wanted, just based on our likes and what we wanted to experience in New Zealand. All around, we can't express enough gratitude for Tia, we can't talk enough about how much we enjoyed every experience and tour. And above all, how we were, and still are, in love with New Zealand (we even thought and talked about moving there on our way back home). If you are unsure of where to go for your next trip or are unsure if New Zealand is the place to go, the answer is to choose New Zealand!
Schuyler Weishuhn & Landon Drapela, 8 Day New Zealand Honeymoon, Travelled on 18 Jul 2023
One of the best trips I have ever been on, very well organized, the itinerary, the transportation, the hotels, the sightseeing, everything was...
Read moreOne of the best trips I have ever been on, very well organized, the itinerary, the transportation, the hotels, the sightseeing, everything was wonderful and beyond my expectations. Special thank you to Christina my trip adviser and organizer, she is so professional, replying on time to my emails, keep me posted with all the DO since I booked until the travel day. I will definitely recommend this company to my friends. Thank you again for letting us feel happy and safe during our stay in NZ.
Jinan Faris, Grand Pacific Tours 16 Day Signature Highlights, Travelled on 5 Sep 2023
The tour was excellently planned and organized. The hotels were great. The food was outstanding. Places we visited were beautiful and informative of...
Read moreThe tour was excellently planned and organized. The hotels were great. The food was outstanding. Places we visited were beautiful and informative of the culture of New Zealand. The added city tour in Aukland and Wellington were valuable. Peter, our tour coordinator, was very efficient and effectively communicated to us the daily schedule. John, our tour bus driver, gave an outstanding commentary of the places that we visited. I learned beyond expectations about New Zealand. Also John is personable and has excellent customer service. The bus seat rotation was very confusing because the bus seats are not consecutively numbered. From my previous bus tours, the seat rotation is simply moving one or two seats backwards; the goal was everyone has an opportunity to be on both sides of the bus. I was told that the Grand Pacific tour's goal is to allow socialization with different people in the bus. We socialize on meal times not in the bus. I prefer to sit with my spouse all the time ( not in the single seats). In addition, due to the fact that COVID 19 incidence is increasing, I recommend that while in the bus the passengers wear a mask particularly when someone is exhibiting some symptoms ( on the last few days there were some who were coughing). When we arrived in Australia, my family and I (5 of us) tested COVID 19 positive. My husband had severe coughing; was examined by a physician and was prescribed with antiviral medication (paxlovid). We are currently Ok, tested negative.
I appreciate Jon Andrews for keeping us informed before the trip. Jon has an excellent customer care. I will definitely avail his service on our visit on South New Zealand.
Sincerely, Carmelita Zeta-Sanchez
Carmelita Zeta-Sanchez & Ranulfo Sanchez, Grand Pacific 9 Day Signature North Island, Travelled on 9 Sep 2023
The trip has been well planned and we are able to do quite a lot of things over the 12 days. The quality of the Lodging and locations were good....
Read moreThe trip has been well planned and we are able to do quite a lot of things over the 12 days. The quality of the Lodging and locations were good. Thank you Anna for your patience, professionalism and quick responses to attend to the changes. My friend and I really enjoyed the trip so much and we strongly recommend Discover New Zealand to our friends.
Joyce Chay, Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 2 Sep 2023
Jacqueline & Dean Horner, 14 Day Highlights Auckland to Queenstown, Travelled on 2 Sep 2023
Amazing tour! The locations are beautiful, really a wonder to see, the landscaping, the food, the experience and knowledge of the guides and their...
Read moreAmazing tour! The locations are beautiful, really a wonder to see, the landscaping, the food, the experience and knowledge of the guides and their punctuality are off the charts! The accommodations are incredible with attractions (within walking distance) on the nearby. And of course a big thanks to Laurel for arranging my tour, really appreciate it! Highly recommended if you are planning to visit New Zealand in the future!
Luis Wilfredo Leon Jimenez, 5 day Waitomo, Rotorua & Hobbiton NZ Getaway, Travelled on 27 Aug 2023
Thank you for organising this self drive tour. Had a great time! Got to see a lot of the South Island. The drives were scenic, plenty of stops were...
Read moreThank you for organising this self drive tour. Had a great time! Got to see a lot of the South Island. The drives were scenic, plenty of stops were made to take pictures. Favourite stop was Mount Cook, jaw dropping scenery. I was contacted immediately when there was an issue with a road closure, which was dealt with and another transport options was arranged, still made it to Milford Sound.
Will be back in the near future to explore the rest of the country, maybe bring the golf clubs.
John Ly, Southern Explorer Christchurch to Queenstown, Travelled on 16 Aug 2023
An unforgettable experience! We worked with Christina and from start to finish she made the process ideal for our Middle Earth trip. Christina did a...
Read moreAn unforgettable experience! We worked with Christina and from start to finish she made the process ideal for our Middle Earth trip. Christina did a great job working with us to customize our itinerary and answered all of our questions in a timely manner. Also loved having the app with in country support.
CJ & Amanda Christian, A Custom Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 16 Jun 2023
Thank you Laurel for your help. The trip was amazing and you did an amazing job ensuring that everything was flawless - be it hotels, dinners,...
Read moreThank you Laurel for your help. The trip was amazing and you did an amazing job ensuring that everything was flawless - be it hotels, dinners, activities or transportation.
Kanchan Kaur & Jaspal Muker, The Ultimate Family South Island Tour, Travelled on 5 Aug 2023
I am a student from Hong Kong coming to New Zealand for an exchange programme. I am very glad that I spent my last weekend in NZ with this Cape...
Read moreI am a student from Hong Kong coming to New Zealand for an exchange programme. I am very glad that I spent my last weekend in NZ with this Cape Reinga trip! It is indeed a precious memory. ;) I really recommend this tour because of a series of reasons. First of all, it is very novice-traveller-friendly. As we all know, planning for a trip can be very tiresome and stressful, because a lot of things need to be considered. However, in this trip, almost everything is included, and herein I would like to show my appreciation to my travel consultant Petra! She sorts out everything and she is always there to answer my endless questions, listen to my concerns and make adjustments. Second, in this trip, the accommodation is of high quality. The hotel I lived in (Kingsgate) is very close to Intercity bus stop, and I spent two relaxing nights there. The lunch provided was also beyond my expectation, with a delicious salad, a bottle of water and some snacks. Last but not least, Cape Reinga, Paihia, Russel and Ninety-Mile Beach are all stunningly beautiful! Sitting and eating by the seaside in Russel and Paihia is a good way to chill. Witnessing the ever-lasting waves by ninety-mile beach and the powerful encounter of two oceans in Cape Reinga is a great way to know more about nature. In short, I think this trip is really worth it. 💕
Wu Yan Xin, Kate, Bay of Islands 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 28 Jul 2023
Absolutely excellent trip, Tia organised our trip and then made changes at our request and was always available. Our accommodation was excellent and...
Read moreAbsolutely excellent trip, Tia organised our trip and then made changes at our request and was always available. Our accommodation was excellent and we were more than happy with all aspects of our holiday. If we return we will use Discover NZ again
Paul & Maryanne Deaves, 15 Day Queenstown to Auckland Self Drive, Travelled on 16 Jul 2023
Thanks Shelley for such a wonderful tour. You customised our tour so well. Everything went so well, great accommodation, an ideal vehicle and...
Read moreThanks Shelley for such a wonderful tour. You customised our tour so well. Everything went so well, great accommodation, an ideal vehicle and fabulous added activities. The whole tour was a winner! Steve and Michele
Steven and Michele Turner, Customised South Island 25 day self drive tour, Travelled on 8 May 2023
Thanks for organising our 21 day tour of New Zealand we had a great time. We really appreciate all the work and effort that you put into it. I will...
Read moreThanks for organising our 21 day tour of New Zealand we had a great time. We really appreciate all the work and effort that you put into it. I will definitely recommend you in the future.
Brendan Jenkinson & Terrisa Reuben, 21 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 7 May 2023
I just wanted to touch base before we fly out today. This has been the most well planned trip I have ever been on. From beginning to end we have...
Read moreI just wanted to touch base before we fly out today. This has been the most well planned trip I have ever been on. From beginning to end we have never felt so well looked after.
The pick up on the first day was a slight glitch but it pales into insignificance with the rest of the trip. Day 1 Simon our driver was fabulous. Everything taken care of. The caves, the lunch, the guided tour and the accommodation was amazing. We got an upgrade to a balcony room overlooking the lake. Opposite the spa so of course we indulged later that evening.
Day 2 driver Steve was lovely. Very caring to the older traveller (me). Hobbiton. Wow. Just wow. Again great food and so interesting to see inside the making of a movie.
Transfer to Christchurch was easy with lovely driver and picked up by Jane.
I have to say the accommodation at Distinction was outstanding. Especially the breakfast.
Day 3 driver Jude was lovely. Full of stories and a great driver through those windy roads. Beautiful scenery and the cruise we saw those beautiful little dolphins. What a treat. Then the cheese factory. A lovely day.
Day 4 we thought the scenery the day before was good but this tour Mount Cook was spectacular. Our driver was a gentle caring man who was passionate about the mountains. He said they looked the best he had ever seen them. He was almost moved to tears the view was so beautiful.
Day 5 Vicky our driver was such a wealth of knowledge about the whole process from conception to ending of Lord of the Rings. ‘She was an extra you know’. Also the impact it has had on the area and the country. It was such a fun day and we ended up dressing up in costumes and doing a photo shoot with swards and staffs in the forest. Such fun.
Day 6. This one was a bit different in that I have never been off roading before. I was a bit skeptical at first but came away from the adventure feeling quite exhilarated. Free time in Queenstown gave us time to explore this very different town.
Day7 Picked up and taken to Te Anau. Leo was a very nice man but we slept nearly all the way.
I must say I was a bit skeptical about jet boating but Jack the driver was great. It was pouring rain when we started and he gave us plenty of opportunities to go back on the way, but we were feeling safe and excited. By the time we got to the actual lake the sun was shining and the views were spectacular. All that whooshing around in the boat was fun too.
Day 8. The scenery this day just topped off a fabulous holiday. Unfortunately the very packed 50 seater coach was uncomfortable. Lots of people coughing and sneezing. Windows fogged so you couldn’t see much. It was a very long drive in cramped conditions. The Milford sound cruise was great and full of wow. We decided we couldn’t get back on that coach for another very long uncomfortable trip all the was to Queenstown so we took a flight back. This was amazing. Mountains as far as the eye could see. A scenic flight that took 35 minutes and got us out of a 5 hour horrible bus ride. I am pleased it was a horrible bus ride because we would never have gotten on the plane otherwise.
A great end to a fabulous adventure.
I can’t thank you enough for organising this for us. Everything was great.
We only had rain on 2 days and this didn’t stop us. The mountains had lots of snow for this early in the season. And given the weather in New Zealand over the past few months has been very wet I have to thank you for organising fair skies as well.
I will have no trouble recommending Discover New Zealand and you Carissa to all of my friends.
Judi Palmer & Emma Risk, Land of the Rings, Travelled on 05 June 2023
We enjoyed our New Zealand trip very much. Chelsea arranged our stay and tours in the North Island including the hotel and airport pickups and the...
Read moreWe enjoyed our New Zealand trip very much. Chelsea arranged our stay and tours in the North Island including the hotel and airport pickups and the stay and car rental and Milford Sound Cruise and TranzAlpine train ride. All went very smoothly and it was a great experience. The itinerary and the hotels were well arranged and we faced very few issues during our trip, Fortunately for us, the weather was also excellent during our trip in April and we had a great time. Thank you, Chelsea, for making such good arrangements.
Madan Venugopal & Shyama Madan, Rotorua and the Southern Highlights, Travelled on 16 Apr 2023
Anne-Marie Makin, South Island Highlights Tour, Travelled on 19 May 2023
Just wanted to reach out and say Thank you for organising this trip for us. Everything was seamless through the app. All our pickups and drop offs...
Read moreJust wanted to reach out and say Thank you for organising this trip for us. Everything was seamless through the app. All our pickups and drop offs booking was as planned. We had a wonderful time and didn't have to think about planning which let us enjoy the trip more! Thank you for all the effort you put in to for us to have a wonderful trip.
Tisa Majumder & Benjamin Ellett, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 5 May 2023
Our Grand Pacific 19 day Classic Showcase tour was a great experience, meeting lots of fellow travellers and enjoying the beautiful NZ scenery. Even...
Read moreOur Grand Pacific 19 day Classic Showcase tour was a great experience, meeting lots of fellow travellers and enjoying the beautiful NZ scenery. Even though Peter contracted Covid-19 and we had to isolate in Auckland for a week, the Grand Pacific manager and our Tour Leader Peter Kearney took care of us. We were able to rejoin the tour in Queenstown for the last week. Thanks also to Janette Bagley of Discover New Zealand for your invaluable advice in planning our trip and in providing the details we needed for our travel insurance claim. We would certainly recommend Grand Pacific to our friends. Peter and Michelle Hartshorn.
Peter & Michelle Hartshorn, Grand Pacific 19 Day Classic Showcase, Travelled on 23 Apr 2023
The tour was very well organised and lucky for this group the weather was fabulous. Kenny the coach driver in the South Island was amazing. Paul our...
Read moreThe tour was very well organised and lucky for this group the weather was fabulous. Kenny the coach driver in the South Island was amazing. Paul our tour Guide was very good and professional. Lindsay our coach driver in North Island was very professional. The food at Fox Glacier could have been better. A small local tour for those dropped at Auckland could have been arranged. Overall, if rate it as a very good.
Clarette Teresa Fatima & Valentine D C D'sa, Grand Pacific Tours 14 Day Affordable Panorama, Travelled on 2 May 2023
Tony & Daniel Way, 14 day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 16 Apr 2023
Thanks to Laurel, our N.Z. South Island tour was amazing. The itinerary was perfect, and Laurel was extremely responsive and helpful in relation to...
Read moreThanks to Laurel, our N.Z. South Island tour was amazing. The itinerary was perfect, and Laurel was extremely responsive and helpful in relation to any questions we had. Everything was detailed in the online itinerary and all the transfers, pickups etc were exactly as listed. We had the most wonderful time because it's such an amazing, beautiful place and because the organisation of our holiday was impeccable. I would not hesitate to book with Discover New Zealand again.
Kathryn Martin & Michael Durkin, South Island Tour with Milford Sound & Mt. Cook, Travelled on 20 Apr 2023
I choose to email you direct. Both Chris and I were super impressed with your help at every stage of our planning. Your name was mentioned by us...
Read moreI choose to email you direct. Both Chris and I were super impressed with your help at every stage of our planning. Your name was mentioned by us several times during our trip. All our questions were answered promptly and you gave the whole experience a personal touch, thank you.
New Zealand is certainly a stunning country, made all the more enjoyable by the staff of Grand Pacific every step of the way. I would certainly recommend this experience to anyone
Kay Mehlert & Christine Gargan, Grand Pacific Tours 16 Day Affordable Highlights, Travelled on 19 April 2023
We spent 30 days travelling the length and breadth of New Zealand. From start to finish, every link in the chain of hotels and journeys, along with...
Read moreWe spent 30 days travelling the length and breadth of New Zealand. From start to finish, every link in the chain of hotels and journeys, along with the booked itinerary items worked like clockwork.
We got to see a complete cross section of all that this country has to offer, thanks to your knowledge and experience. Some of the booked excursions we would never have thought to look at, but all were excellent, and made life a lot easier.
The team were quick to respond whenever we raised a query, and gave us confidence to be let loose on our own in a strange country. We enjoyed the varied accommodation, ranging from town centre smart hotels, through to self-catering apartments, and even a bungalow in someone’s back garden, great imagination from the team! My personal favourite was the Hermitage at Mount Cook. I get the feeling we were lucky to get rooms there, but wow, what a place!
Certainly not the cheapest way to see the country, but well worth it for the local knowledge, and hassle free nature of the holiday. We saw so much more than we would have done trying to arrange our own hotels, cars and excursions.
Thank you all very much. xxx
Keith & Catherine Dacey and Peter & Anne Dacey, The Length & Breadth 30 days North to South, Travelled on 7 Mar 2023
Hi Sabina, you were very efficient in setting up the tour for us. We enjoyed the Beachcomber Hotel in Picton. All the "pickups" went smoothly.
Punga...
Read moreHi Sabina, you were very efficient in setting up the tour for us. We enjoyed the Beachcomber Hotel in Picton. All the "pickups" went smoothly.
Punga Grove Motel in Franz Josef was below the standard of the other accommodation. We really enjoyed the 2 nights stops to have time to explore the towns and surrounds. The App for the phone was brilliant and the car supplied ideal for NZ roads. Thanks for sending the refund through for the "extras" which were cancelled. Once again many thanks for being so helpful in organising our itinerary. We will happily recommend you and your company to other interested travellers. Kind regards, Des & Doreen
Des & Doreen Roache, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour customised, Travelled on 20 Mar 2023
Overall the tour was excellent. The route planned and the instructions for the tour worked very well and we had no difficulty using the app, which...
Read moreOverall the tour was excellent. The route planned and the instructions for the tour worked very well and we had no difficulty using the app, which was easy to use.
We particularly liked the accommodation in Paihia and at at Waipoua Lodge. Unfortunately when we were at Mangawhai it was terribly windy - so much so that we were not able to sit on the verandah or go for any of the walks. As a result, we decided to end the tour a day early and spent a very pleasant extra day in Auckland, having returned the car.
Thank you, Chelsea, for organising the tour for us. We could certainly recommend it.
Robert & Tessa Philips, 9 Day Boutique Northland Tour, Travelled on 10 Apr 2023
Great service. A well planned and easy itinerary. We will definitely recommend you to friends and family. Our trip was relaxing and memorable - we...
Read moreGreat service. A well planned and easy itinerary. We will definitely recommend you to friends and family. Our trip was relaxing and memorable - we appreciate the effort and assistance Angela Winton gave us before and during the trip. We also loved the app. Was very easy to use and had good features. Two notes I would provide for future bookings
1. Let people know hire car can be electric and how to navigate this in NZ (tips on charging, websites on finding chargers, planning trips around charging etc) - we were thrown in the deep end. although we figured it out quickly by googling and speaking to other people at charging stations, it would have been good to know before hand. But we LOVED the EV and NZ has great infrastructure to make it easy.
2. Accom in Christchurch was the one location that we thought was a bit far from centre of town. Would have been better to stay somewhere walking distance to cbd.
Thanks again Angela!
Jimena Valencia & James Riches, Auckland to Christchurch Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 8 Apr 2023
A fantastic & memorable journey for us.
We were relatively surprised that there were only 4 of us on the tour. Every tour was professionally done &...
Read moreA fantastic & memorable journey for us.
We were relatively surprised that there were only 4 of us on the tour. Every tour was professionally done & there were no delays.
The trip to Milford Sound was rather a long journey & the coach driver kept us entertained.
The dinners organised were perfect & enjoyed it much. The only snag I would mention is the sandwiches served on the train & the Miford Sound cruise were cold & not appetising. We will definitely come back to savour more of NZ. Thank you, Nicole for all your help and support for organising this amazing holiday & journey for Michael & myself.
Michael & Elizabeth Kumar, Great Journeys of New Zealand - 7 Day Christchurch to Queenstown Signature Tour, Travelled on 8 Apr 2023
We had a great and interesting tour! All the pickups and drop offs went as scheduled! CityLife was a great place to start and end our tour as it...
Read moreWe had a great and interesting tour! All the pickups and drop offs went as scheduled! CityLife was a great place to start and end our tour as it was a mini apartment. We were able to do some laundry as well as store beverages in the fridge. Rotorua was a pretty town where we felt comfortable walking around at any time. The owner of The Silver Fern was quite helpful!
Thanks to Chelsea for a lovely experience and sticking with us through Covid 19!!! You are a gem!!!
Roberta & Paul Cestoni, 5 day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 13 Apr 2023
This was an amazing trip. I started planning it with Louise Barrett, a fantastic travel agent. She put up with my questions, my fears , my exuberance...
Read moreThis was an amazing trip. I started planning it with Louise Barrett, a fantastic travel agent. She put up with my questions, my fears , my exuberance for over a year. I would recommend her highly.
The trip fulfilled everything and more than it advertised. The drivers were professional and had a ton of knowledge. The director was organized and a great leader. The rooms were very nice. The bus was clean and comfortable. The sights were breathtaking at times. Our only complaint was there was a lot of bus time. But, it was necessary. I guess to see all we got to see.
We met the best people and had the time of our lives. I highly recommend this tour and this company.
Lesley & Jim Jackson, Grand Pacific Tours 14 Day Affordable Panorama, Travelled on 26 Mar 2023
Jennifer Platts, Grand Pacific Tours 9 Day Affordable South Island, Travelled on 10 Apr 2023
Discover New Zealand and especially Nichole were amazing in organizing such a wonderful trip with wonderful memories for our young family. Everything...
Read moreDiscover New Zealand and especially Nichole were amazing in organizing such a wonderful trip with wonderful memories for our young family. Everything was organized so easy and whilst we were away nothing was a hassle in terms of accommodation, vehicle hire and tours. I would honestly recommend booking through Discover New Zealand for an unforgettable holiday and I will definitely be recommending to family and friends. Thank you so much again. It was a holiday that we will never forget.
Lincoln, Julie, Jake & Mackenzie Hudson, Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains Family Adventure, Travelled on 3 Apr 2023
Had the best time. I had reservations regarding joining the tour as a single traveller however those fears were unfounded. Everyone was lovely and...
Read moreHad the best time. I had reservations regarding joining the tour as a single traveller however those fears were unfounded. Everyone was lovely and inclusive. It was great with only 22 on the Coach. It created a great atmosphere and with Covid still a concern not being crowded was comforting. The intinerary included the major attractions, the highlight for me being the Milford Sound Cruise. The Tour Guide worked tirelessly to provide a seamless travel experience while the Couch Drivers provided great commentary, were fun, friendly and personable. Having 2 nights at different locations with some free time was great as is can be tiring, so a chance to have some down time was appreciated.
My only gripe was with the pick up from the Airport. The driver was very polite however I was unable to keep up with him, losing sight of him a number of times on the way to the vehicle. This was quite stressful as I was in unfamiliar territory and it exacerbated pain which I experience in my ankles, not a good start.
Alison Margaret Kerr, Grand Pacific 19 Day Classic Rail, Cruise & Coach Tour, Travelled on 21 Mar 2023
My wife and I travelled the Southern Circuit in March, everything from the transfers, accommodations, car hire and tours were all organised by Louise...
Read moreMy wife and I travelled the Southern Circuit in March, everything from the transfers, accommodations, car hire and tours were all organised by Louise Barrett, we had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back and see more of this beautiful country. Everything went exactly to plan and would not hesitate to recommend Louise and this company to anyone wanting to see New Zealand.
Wayne & Julienne Ewart, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 14 Mar 2023
It was with much appreciation to Louise Barrett for arranging our 15 day self drive tour of the South Island. Louise’s attention to detail coupled...
Read moreIt was with much appreciation to Louise Barrett for arranging our 15 day self drive tour of the South Island. Louise’s attention to detail coupled with her professionalism, warm and friendly response to our questions in an exceptionally timely manner, we had a hassle free once in a lifetime experience. We will certainly use Discover New Zealand again should we be able to do a return trip and are more than happy to refer Louise to our family and friends. Thankyou Louise. Your a gem.
Volker Scholz & Bridget Drage, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 22 Mar 2023
This New Zealand trip in March 2023 was one of the best holidays we have ever had! We have travelled extensively over many years. Our consultant...
Read moreThis New Zealand trip in March 2023 was one of the best holidays we have ever had! We have travelled extensively over many years. Our consultant (Chelsea) helped us plan this holiday over 6 months and no question or change was too much trouble. She also added her expertise and suggestions to make this experience perfect. All the places we stayed were central and of excellent standard. All the activities and tours were brilliant (LOTR geeks.) We can HIGHLY recommend this company and Chelsea.
Donna & Kevin Foster, Auckland to Queenstown Southbound Explorer, Travelled on 23 Mar 2023
We had a wonderful holiday touring round the north island of New Zealand. I am so happy that we chose to book with Discover New Zealand as it made...
Read moreWe had a wonderful holiday touring round the north island of New Zealand. I am so happy that we chose to book with Discover New Zealand as it made our holiday so stress-free! Our consultant Laurel Thachuk was attentive to our needs and intuitive with her suggestions. Her accommodation choices were wonderful and met our needs as a family of four. These were thoughtfully located near all our pickup points for our tours which made things even easier for us. We were amazed at the extensive information included in the Discover New Zealand app and we relied on it a lot during our stay. When we needed to change our car pickup day, Laurel was only too happy to sort that out for us. I have already recommended Discover New Zealand to family and friends and I do hope that they reach and contact you soon!
Michelle & David Brown, North Island 12 day Highlights Tour, Travelled on 26 Mar 2023
My husband and I had one of the best holidays of our life on our recent tour to A Taste of the South Luxury. All our itinerary - attractions, sights...
Read moreMy husband and I had one of the best holidays of our life on our recent tour to A Taste of the South Luxury. All our itinerary - attractions, sights and more - were co-ordinated by our specialist, Lydia. Though she had her hands full while managing certain crisis (caused by the North Island storms in Jan), she still handled all my queries and concerns well and promptly. She also managed to resolve tricky situations and provided good alternatives when we couldn't secure the accommodation that we wanted. All in, it was truly quite a fuss-free and most amazing holiday we had. Nothing beats having someone to advise you and help with all the reservations and so forth. I most certainly, would (and have already done so!) recommend using this agency to others. The Discover NZ app provided was also very useful for checking details and suggestions at just a click away.
Dawn & Cheng Teck Lim, A Taste of the South Luxury self drive tour, Travelled on 26 Feb 2023
We are now back home having had an amazing holiday (for the second time). Both times we used Fine Touring / Shelley Ryder and we have been so...
Read moreWe are now back home having had an amazing holiday (for the second time). Both times we used Fine Touring / Shelley Ryder and we have been so grateful for all the help and information she has provided both before and during the holidays. We are quite specific in what we want and Shelley was great in accommodating what we asked for. The holiday was originally booked for 2021 but due to COVID restrictions was moved to 2022 and then moved again to 2023. Shelley helped with rearranging everything and making sure when accommodation we wanted was not available (it was sold!), a suitable alternative was offered. The activities we asked to participate in all went really well, especially the Otago trail making the experiences extra special. We left the UK with confidence that our travel agent would be there for us if we needed her and we did. Our internal flight from South to North Island was cancelled and I was able to call to speak to someone (even out of working hours), and Shelley rearranged the flight, additional accommodation and our guided walk which was arranged in Tongariro, as well as talking to the car hire firm and others in North Island to explain on our behalf. This second flight was again cancelled and Shelley repeated the process although it was not practical to rearrange the walk so Shelley we felt went above and beyond to arrange a smaller walk we could do instead so at least we did something. We can't thank Shelley and her colleagues enough for helping to make our holiday special. We would certainly recommend Fine Touring to any potential visitor.
Donald & Margaret Cheyne, Customised South to North Return Wonders of New Zealand, Travelled on 26 February 2023
An excellently organised trip that showed us the real beauty of the South Island. We have travelled a lot around the world but have never seen...
Read moreAn excellently organised trip that showed us the real beauty of the South Island. We have travelled a lot around the world but have never seen anywhere as beautiful as this. Thank you. The one 'niggle' would be the quality of some of the accommodation. We would urge you to reconsider who you use in future. The Garden Court Suites were quite nice, even though the reception was closed. The XXX was very uncomfortable, with the main bed mattress very uneven and the sofa almost impossible to sit on. XXX was the worst of all. No one in reception and no clear directions about which part of the hotel to go to. The bed had an enormous mobile air conditioning unit beside one half which made it awkward to get in and out of the bed. There was also no sink in the 'kitchen', which was just a shelf in the wardrobe. Hardly a serviced apartment. The Mount Cook Lodge Motel at the Hermitage was very nice. The trips you organised were wonderful and very satisfying but you are urged to reconsider who you use for accommodation based on what I have said. These views are consistent with other guests we spoke with. The New Zealand people appeared to be wonderfully generous in spirit and very helpful overall but the hotels mentioned didn't appear to care a jot about our custom. Surely it's not unreasonable to expect someone in reception when you arrive at 8:30pm? Europcar were very good as were the tour guides. We would definitely like to visit again, finances allowing!
Richard Ford & Janet O'Brien, 9 Day Southern Explorer, Travelled on 20 Mar 2023
We would highly recommend ‘Discover New Zealand’. Sabina was wonderful - very prompt and professional in helping plan our group of 6 self-drive...
Read moreWe would highly recommend ‘Discover New Zealand’. Sabina was wonderful - very prompt and professional in helping plan our group of 6 self-drive holiday around the South Island. It was so good to have all the arrangements taken care of. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip!
Wayne & Catherine Everett, Matthew & Lizette Knagge and Graham & Lesley Young, Coast to Coast Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 18 Mar 2023
We are now back home having had an amazing holiday (for the second time). Both times we used Fine Touring / Shelley Ryder and we have been so...
Read moreWe are now back home having had an amazing holiday (for the second time). Both times we used Fine Touring / Shelley Ryder and we have been so grateful for all the help and information she has provided both before and during the holidays. We are quite specific in what we want and Shelley was great in accommodating what we asked for. The holiday was originally booked for 2021 but due to COVID restrictions was moved to 2022 and then moved again to 2023. Shelley helped with rearranging everything and making sure when accommodation we wanted was not available (it was sold!), a suitable alternative was offered. The activities we asked to participate in all went really well, especially the Otago trail making the experiences extra special. We left the UK with confidence that our travel agent would be there for us if we needed her and we did. Our internal flight from South to North Island was cancelled and I was able to call to speak to someone (even out of working hours), and Shelley rearranged the flight, additional accommodation and our guided walk which was arranged in Tongariro, as well as talking to the car hire firm and others in North Island to explain on our behalf. This second flight was again cancelled and Shelley repeated the process although it was not practical to rearrange the walk so Shelley we felt went above and beyond to arrange a smaller walk we could do instead so at least we did something. We can't thank Shelley and her colleagues enough for helping to make our holiday special.
Donald & Margaret Cheyne, Customised South to North Return Wonders of New Zealand, Travelled on 26 Feb 2023
Really enjoyed our trip to North and South islands of New Zealand. Booking, payment and travel documents were easily decided, accessed and received....
Read moreReally enjoyed our trip to North and South islands of New Zealand. Booking, payment and travel documents were easily decided, accessed and received. Chelsea was readily to answer questions and clarify information. The tour was a good mix of cultural and scenic experiences. Thanks very much.
Julie Horton & Robert Barnes, Grand Pacific 19 Day Classic Showcase, Travelled on 14 Mar 2023
We want to give you some well deserved feedback on our recent tour of the South Island of New Zealand. From our first contact with you we have been...
Read moreWe want to give you some well deserved feedback on our recent tour of the South Island of New Zealand. From our first contact with you we have been impressed with your excellent customer service. We felt we were listened to, given straight, honest, good advice and guidance. Our questions and enquiries were responded to promptly and comprehensively on any and every aspect of our trip. We were a group of three with one party less physically able and robust than the other two, you accommodated each of us individually so well considering everything from accommodation to excursions, travel distances and rest periods. The written itinerary was clear, concise, comprehensive and invaluable as was the app.
Throughout our trip we had a couple of occasions where we needed your support, again you were available, proactive in resolving our issues and kept us in the loop at all times. It was a difficult and hectic time for you having to support customers touring in the North Island where the earthquake and floods were in full force. Even though we were not affected in the South Island and had a “dream run” you continued to be generous with your time and consideration of our needs, this was very reassuring for us.
Our accommodation was of a consistently good standard with exceptionally helpful staff. Always clean, comfortable, good beds and well located allowing us to self cater at most places. Your suggested stops when travelling between destinations were without exception followed and well worth the extra time taken. When some of our excursions were cancelled for reasons beyond our or your control we were promptly reimbursed. Everything happened seamlessly making it so easy for us. We just want to congratulate and thank you.
We have recommended you to another group of friends who are planning to come to the South Island this year and we will be in touch with you in the near future to plan our second tour around the North Island. We are more than happy for you to share any or all of our feedback with others.
Gavan Squires, Marlene Fraser & Desma Vos, South Island Encounter, Travelled on 06 February 2023
Overall we were very happy with the tour.
We thought that the arrival into Christchurch was not good as we arrived on an evening flight - that was...
Read moreOverall we were very happy with the tour.
We thought that the arrival into Christchurch was not good as we arrived on an evening flight - that was very delayed - and then we had an early start, so we had little benefit of the nice hotel in Christchurch. We would have been better off staying at the airport hotel.
The pickup services were excellent and very friendly. We loved the train trip. The Franz Josef accommodation was super.
The trip from Franz Josef to Queenstown was much slower that we had expected and we almost missed the boat for the dinner cruise. It would have been much better if the dinner cruise has been on the second night. However the dinner was fabulous. We also liked the accommodation and enjoyed exploring Queenstown.
The accommodation in Te Anau was simply fabulous and we loved the glowworm cave tour and the tour on Milford Sound. The drive there was much longer than we had expected and we were advised to allow three hours because of cyclists on the road.
Our arrival into Dunedin coincided with a downpour and the Fable reception staff were hopeless and didn't even offer us an umbrella. Valet parking was full and we were left to park the car on the street - not a pleasant welcome! Our room was in the back overlooking a services shaft. The restaurant prices for dinner were simply outrageous and we dined at the Casino one night and at a hotel across the road on the other. However we loved exploring Dunedin - a charming and beautiful city. The hotel at Christchurch Airport was nice and made our early departure easy. The food in their restaurant was exceptional.
The car was great and Budget were very generous in refilling the car at a reasonable price as we had forgotten to top it up, as we changed our plans at the last minute. At times it felt a bit rushed but we did want to get a feel for the South Island. Overall we had a great experience with lots of nice memories and photos. Thank you, I would certainly recommend you and your company.
Mr and Mrs Guy and Trudy Ward, The Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 10 Mar 2023
Well where do I start, from day one through to the end our tour was fantastic. Every day and around every corner you were given fantastic views of...
Read moreWell where do I start, from day one through to the end our tour was fantastic. Every day and around every corner you were given fantastic views of the ocean, lakes with amazing colours of the water, mountains and snow capped mountains, forests
and different landscapes.
We drove just over 4,400km, some days we had quite a lot of driving, but the roads are big very quiet so long distances were very easy, just one tip keep your fuel tank full as sometimes you will be driving over 100km with no fuel stations.
All in all we had a fantastic holiday and our agent at Discover New Zealand (Ang Winton) was just a text or phone call away. We had a couple of queries that were very quickly sorted, we found this very helpful knowing they were there if needed. If anyone I know or hear about wanting to travel to your beautiful country I will certainly your company. First Class service all round.
Adrian & Margaret Fishlock, 26 day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 24 Feb 2023
We really wanted to drive from the North Island to the South Island and avoid regimented "packaged" tours. Discover New Zealand has a package that...
Read moreWe really wanted to drive from the North Island to the South Island and avoid regimented "packaged" tours. Discover New Zealand has a package that allowed us to do this while taking care of accommodations and the car rentals, and allowing us to only select activities that we were interested in. This made for a very stress-free, enjoyable and memorable two weeks in NZ. Vickie Parrack was very helpful in answering questions about the package, customizing our package and assisting us with booking and logistics, and being available for in-country support. Their app - which provided an IT and all the information you need to navigate the country - was also very helpful in keeping us on track. I highly recommend their services.
Saturnino YANGA & Donald RICHMOND, Auckland to Queenstown 14 Day Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 6 Mar 2023
We've just returned from our self drive tour and are happy to report that we had a wonderful time. New Zealand was on the top of our list of places...
Read moreWe've just returned from our self drive tour and are happy to report that we had a wonderful time. New Zealand was on the top of our list of places to visit and it did not disappoint. It is a place of amazing natural beauty and warm people, and the self drive tour helped us to get fully immersed in all the country had to offer. Our consultant, Chelsea Lodge was very helpful in putting it all together. She was very accommodating in altering the itinerary to suit our specific requests. Peter was also helpful in getting us settled in Christchurch and on to the Tranz Alpine train.
With respect to the itinerary, it was comprehensive and we saw just about everything we set out to. In hindsight, given the driving distance between some locations, we may have opted to stay two nights in some places just to break up consecutive long drive days a bit more.
The arrangements, from cars to hotels, went flawlessly. We were appreciative that almost all the places we stayed had kitchen facilities, so we could manage our meal costs. However, we were surprised by the varying quality of the places we stayed. The Hermitage Hotel in Mt. Cook and the Abel Tasman Lodge were outstanding. Also notably positive were Punga Grove in Franz Joseph, City Life in Wellington and City Life in Auckland. On the other side of the spectrum, we were disappointed with the Bella Vista and Camelot in Christchurch, Hurleys in Queenstown and the Silver Fern in Rotorua. While the proprietors were uniformly welcoming, the rooms were typically run down, musty and in need of a refresh. We would not choose to stay in those properties again.
Finally, we did notice that a few driving distances were underestimated in the itinerary paperwork.
In summary, the trip was amazing and the organization by Discover New Zealand was flawless. The only downside was the choice of accommodation in some locations. However, this did not diminish the overall satisfaction of this well-organized and wonderful trip. We would highly recommend your services.
Ingrid & Gilbert Rinaldi, Northbound Explorer Christchurch to Auckland self drive tour, Travelled on 25 Feb 2023
This trip was incredible, from day one the tour was amazing. It was well coordinated and well organized. Thanks to Janette for timely response and...
Read moreThis trip was incredible, from day one the tour was amazing. It was well coordinated and well organized. Thanks to Janette for timely response and who made possible this unforgettable experience! I definitely would recommend this for all future vacations.
Roseline Nancy, 6 day South Island Encounter, Travelled on 13 Mar 2023
Sorry, it has taken me awhile to sit down and tell you what a great job you did, and what a fantastic trip we had! I will try to be concise if you...
Read moreSorry, it has taken me awhile to sit down and tell you what a great job you did, and what a fantastic trip we had! I will try to be concise if you want this on your website.
When we started to look into a trip to New Zealand I went on-line to New Zealand Touring. An icon appeared asking if I would like to chat. I exchanged some of our thoughts and ideas, and was then asked if I would like to talk. I input my phone number, and minutes later I received a telephone call from Christina Brockie.
Numerous emails and a couple of live calls later, we had the itinerary in place for our bucket list trip. Then, in 2020 Covid shut us down and our trip was postponed. We requested that Christina save the itinerary and in 2022 we connected again and the trip was a “go” for January 2023. We were fortunate to have 4 weeks to explore this beautiful country and travelled both North and South Islands. The car rental, hotel accommodations, 5 rounds of golf, as well as tours on land and sea, were all arranged and pre-booked by Christina. The online Discover New Zealand app, is an amazing tool that kept us informed, interactively, of our daily travel plans. Questions and updates were answered and available at our finger tips. When arriving at our destinations, throughout the trip, our reservations were there and we did not incur the slightest problem at any of them. The accommodations were great, the people warm and welcoming, and the country is truly spectacular. Our bucket still has a list, but this was a huge checkmark, in no small part, thanks to the work of Christina.
Brian & Gail Faulkner, A New Zealand Golfing Discovery, Travelled on 24 January 2023
I had a wonderful time on my March trip. It was very comprehensive including many of the highlights of the country, the hotels and meals were very...
Read moreI had a wonderful time on my March trip. It was very comprehensive including many of the highlights of the country, the hotels and meals were very good, and the driver, Dave Underwood was an excellent driver and guide. The pace was a little more rushed than I expected but we did cover a great deal of territory which was my primary goal. I would have appreciated a couple more days in order to have more time in some locations such as Wellington and Christchurch. Overall, a trip of a lifetime.
Barbara Davignon, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Ultimate Showcase, Travelled on 1 Mar 2023
Spectacular itinerary by Nichole. Flawlessly executed by the entire team. Very responsive to minor address issues created by weather conditions. ...
Read moreSpectacular itinerary by Nichole. Flawlessly executed by the entire team. Very responsive to minor address issues created by weather conditions. An amazing 5 star experience all the way around!
Brian & Caleb Plattner, The Ultimate New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 5 Mar 2023
Hi Angela, thank you very much for making this tour an amazing experience for me! Everything was well organised, the tours and transfers were great...
Read moreHi Angela, thank you very much for making this tour an amazing experience for me! Everything was well organised, the tours and transfers were great and the guides were all absolutely lovely people. I had a wonderful time!
Saira Reichholdt, 5 day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 12 Mar 2023
Our Discover New Zealand self drive tour organised by Chelsea 100% ticketed our bucket list. Wow Wow Wow how easy the company made our time in New...
Read moreOur Discover New Zealand self drive tour organised by Chelsea 100% ticketed our bucket list. Wow Wow Wow how easy the company made our time in New Zealand from the top of North Island to the bottom of the South Island and everything in between what an awesome experience, thankyou so much regards Pernelle and Robert
Pernelle and Robert Alexander, New Zealand Discoverer North to South Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 21 Feb 2023
We had a wonderful time. Shelley you were amazing in organising our holiday. Even when we had a very small hiccup half way round and needed to change...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time. Shelley you were amazing in organising our holiday. Even when we had a very small hiccup half way round and needed to change our hotel for a couple of nights due to my husband being unwell. Nothing was a problem for you. So thank you for everything.
The only issue we had and this happen with a number of our stays. They either wanted to charge us for breakfast or did not realize it was included. So I had to show them my itinerary. We never had to pay but on checkout a number of few of them tried to charge us for breakfast.
Will recommend you to friends who are thinking of travelling to New Zealand
Thank you
Peter and Rosemary Somerville, 23 Day South Island Highlights Tour, Travelled on 24 Feb 2023
With some hotel bookings you could have ensured that we had downstairs rooms where there were no elevators and in some cases sea views at no extra...
Read moreWith some hotel bookings you could have ensured that we had downstairs rooms where there were no elevators and in some cases sea views at no extra cost to you. After initial floods had a very good tour, Cars were fine, but a lot of driving.
Peter & Shirin Burcher, 21 day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 27 Jan 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Everything was well organised. The food and accommodation was better than expected. The tour director (Kerrie) was...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Everything was well organised. The food and accommodation was better than expected. The tour director (Kerrie) was excellent. Great value for money.
Jonathan, Diane & Madeline Pryor, Catherine Baxter, Grand Pacific 19 Day Classic Rail, Cruise & Coach Tour, Travelled on 25 Feb 2023
A big thank you to Shelley for organising our tour, she was very helpful, answering all my questions without hesitation, was in constant contact with...
Read moreA big thank you to Shelley for organising our tour, she was very helpful, answering all my questions without hesitation, was in constant contact with us when our travel plans had to change due to the cyclone. Overall an excellent tour. Once again thank you Shelley.
Robert and Paulette Pizzari, Ultimate North Island Explorer, Travelled on 20 Feb 2023
We really enjoyed our trip to New Zealand. Most of the accommodations were very good. However, when we arrived at Mt. Cook Lodge & Motels we were...
Read moreWe really enjoyed our trip to New Zealand. Most of the accommodations were very good. However, when we arrived at Mt. Cook Lodge & Motels we were initially told we would be in their motel, which required driving to the lodge for meals and was not to our satisfaction. We were moved to the lodge to a nice room. In Franz Josef one night would have been sufficient. Would have liked an extra night in Wellington. We really liked the accommodations at Quests and City Life. The app was great with details for driving and recommendations for places to see. Having car rentals, accommodations and ferry, etc. made in advance was great. We have two couples that are very interested in going to New Zealand and we have recommended you! Thank you
Sue & Dennis Berman, 15 Day Northbound Explorer, Travelled on 14 Feb 2023
Michael Powell, Auckland + Grand Pacific Tours 9 Day Classic North Island, Travelled on 1 Mar 2023
Just got back to the US after 9 incredible days completing a self drive tour of the South Island. This trip was everything we hoped it would be -...
Read moreJust got back to the US after 9 incredible days completing a self drive tour of the South Island. This trip was everything we hoped it would be - and more.
The motels were all mini apartments, allowing us to relax in the mornings with breakfast in our rooms. The excursions we purchased were better than advertised, and the scenery is some of the most beautiful in the world.
Christina Brockie was a dream to work with. First we added a person and then had to change the dates by two months. Christina never batted an eye. She is a true pro!
I'm so glad I found Discover New Zealand and was smart enough to use their services. They gave us a trip of a lifetime!
Vonnie Craig-Parker, Sue Shepstone & Bernadine McCranie, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 6 Mar 2023
My Grand Pacific Tour of 19 days was absolutely fabulous. Everything from the hotels to the meals, activitiy options and transportation were top...
Read moreMy Grand Pacific Tour of 19 days was absolutely fabulous. Everything from the hotels to the meals, activitiy options and transportation were top notch. I was very appreciative of the help Chelsea provided in advance of the trip itself. I particularly liked the app with my itinerary and maps in place. I thought everyone on the trip had one of those, but later found out they didn't and wished they did. I would highly recommend Grand Pacific Tours and Discover New Zealand. All interactions with personnel from either agency was friendly, helpful and timely.
Louise Engel, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Ultimate Showcase, Travelled on 2 Feb 2023
Our trip exceeded our expectations! We are very pleased with our experience overall. Chelsea Lodge, our agent, was extraordinarily helpful,...
Read moreOur trip exceeded our expectations! We are very pleased with our experience overall. Chelsea Lodge, our agent, was extraordinarily helpful, particularly as our plans changed due to our decisions and to Cyclone Gabrielle. All accommodations and activities booked were seamless. In every instance, we were able to check in easily. Chelsea’s recommendations were outstanding and she was very helpful in addressing our questions and concerns. We are very happy with our experience with your company and would definitely use it again and recommend it to others.
Aracelis & Richard Rogers, Auckland to Wellington, Travelled on 12 Feb 2023
Hi there I have been so impressed on the service you all provided and couldn't fault anything I'm definitely coming back and will.be calling on you...
Read moreHi there I have been so impressed on the service you all provided and couldn't fault anything I'm definitely coming back and will.be calling on you guys to help I'm so grateful for your help and organising the trip there was not even one delay amazing team.
Frank Moretto, 7 day Southern Highlights with Milford Sound, Travelled on 1 Mar 2023
Edward Smith, Grand Pacific Tours 14 Day Affordable Panorama, Travelled on 17 Feb 2023
Our travel consultant Angela, was helpful in arranging a tour that met our needs in helping us arrange a perfect tour with lovely accommodations &...
Read moreOur travel consultant Angela, was helpful in arranging a tour that met our needs in helping us arrange a perfect tour with lovely accommodations & food recommendations. We were able to contact Angela in regards to suggestions, travel changes, concerns, etc. I was happy with the services and contractors who represented Discover New Zealand.
Vivian & Chris Klaiber, Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga 3 day Tour, Travelled on 22 Feb 2023
We have enjoyed our New Zealand Tour very much, the scenery was magnificant, the Tour Guide and Driver very pleasant and well informed with a running...
Read moreWe have enjoyed our New Zealand Tour very much, the scenery was magnificant, the Tour Guide and Driver very pleasant and well informed with a running commentary of everything we saw. Our special thanks to Lydia Ford who organised this tour for us and was very helpful and made our booking very easy. Very pleasant in her manner and sorted any queries immediately. Thank you all for making this trip so special.
Ian and Margaret Sawley, AAT Kings 9 Day Southern Spotlight, Travelled on 19 Feb 2023
Thank you so much for organising such a well organised and incredible trip. We only had 4 free days and you ensured that we saw the best bits....
Read moreThank you so much for organising such a well organised and incredible trip. We only had 4 free days and you ensured that we saw the best bits. Everything went like clockwork and the different transport was brilliant, picking us and dropping us at various motels. The accommodation was perfect.
I have recommended you to my friends. I was blown away by New Zealand - it's people, the scenery and everything it.offers. we will definitely be returning.
Vanessa Woodward & Simon Eldridge, 4 day Glaciers, Queenstown and Milford Sound highlights - coach, Travelled on 05 March 2023
We are so happy we booked our self drive tour of New Zealand through Discover New Zealand. From start to finish the experience was a positive one....
Read moreWe are so happy we booked our self drive tour of New Zealand through Discover New Zealand. From start to finish the experience was a positive one. Janette responded quickly to our queries and requests. The detailed itinerary was extremely helpful and everything rang smoothly, exactly as planned.
In general the standard of the accommodation was good. We were especially happy with the Distinction Hotel in Dunedin and the motel in Franz Josef. The hotel in Te Anau was not up to the standard of the others, but was clean and comfortable.
The trips we booked were fantastic and good value for money. It would have been useful to know we wouldn't get back from the Eco tour on the Otago peninsula until 9pm - we would have taken food!
We have no hesitation in recommending Discover New Zealand to our family and friends or to anyone planning to holiday in your amazing country.
Heather McKendrick & Ian Wadforth, The Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 31 Jan 2023
Taylah Knowles & Adrian Endicott, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 9 Feb 2023
Thank you to Carly Baker for organising our tour. It was an amazing experience with constant adventure and plenty of relaxation. Absolutely...
Read moreThank you to Carly Baker for organising our tour. It was an amazing experience with constant adventure and plenty of relaxation. Absolutely everything was taken care of so that we did not need to worry about a thing and could just enjoy our holiday. Would very highly recommend.
Marcus Walsh & Montana Hillman, 7 day Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes, Travelled on 16 Feb 2023
My wife and I had an excellent tour. The hotels we were booked in were all clean, comfortable, and conveniently located. They had all the amenities...
Read moreMy wife and I had an excellent tour. The hotels we were booked in were all clean, comfortable, and conveniently located. They had all the amenities we needed and very few amenities we didn't which meant we weren't paying for amenities we didn't want or need. Booking through New Zealand Fine Tours saved us countless hours it would have taken to find similar lodgings. The rental cars were also just what we needed. The tour plan allowed us to see the highlights of both Islands and the suggestions for what to do en route alerted us to interesting sights and gave us options. Again, this saved us countless hours of research it would have taken to map this out on our own. With the benefit of hindsight, here's what I would have changed: (1) I would have avoided scheduling rental cars in Wellington and Auckland. The hotels were so conveniently located that almost everything we wanted to do in the cities were located within walking distance. We could have taken a cab from the ferry to our hotel in Wellington, a cab to and from Zealandia and a cab from the hotel back to the car rental location if it's open on Sundays. That would have avoided stressful city driving and parking hassles, and the savings on the car rental and parking would have offset the cost of the cabs. I did leave the car off at the Airport in Auckland on the way in, and we took a cab to and from the airport even though my rental fee was not reduced for returning the car two days early. The only other cab ride we took in Auckland was a return from a museum to our hotel. (2) The guide was designed to for travelers to stay at Aoraki Mt. Cook. That was fully booked so we were staying at Lake Tekapo. The worked out quite well but it made the suggested activities a little out of order and confusing. (3) Your guide mentioned the chance to see blue penguins at Oamaru on the way to Dunedin. We stopped to consider that and were told we could also see them at the Royal Albatross Center on the Otago peninsula, which is what we did. That allowed us to get to Dunedin at a more reasonable hour and still see the penguins. You had a suggested an Otago Peninsula tour in your guide that briefly mentioned the penguins. You also might consider adding the Blue Penguin nesting site and the Yellow eyed penguin nesting site to your suggested activities on the Otago peninsula. We visited both and they were a highlight of our trip. (3) It would be good to emphasize that there are no services other than the boat tours at Milford Sound. We started out toward the sound from Te Anau, and about 20 minutes later turned around and returned to Te Anau to fill up with petrol. I was very glad I did, because there were no service stations at Milford Sound. Fortunately, we left early enough that my delay returning for fuel did not cause us to miss our boat trip. (4) You did warn about Zealandia tours going rain or shine, but in hindsight I would have not booked Zealandia by night in advance and waited to see if the weather was going to be good. The weather was miserable, and we saw only one species of bird at dusk, and no kiwis. Only avid birders should book this in advance. These are all minor issues. Overall, we were delighted with our New Zealand Tour, and everything went quite smoothly.
Lawrence Grasso and Cindy Moeckel, Northbound Explorer Christchurch to Auckland self drive tour with Auckland, Travelled on 12 Jan 2023
Kim Denning & Christopher Gillard, 9 Day Southern Icons Self Drive, Travelled on 9 Feb 2023
We loved our New Zealand tour! From Hobbiton to Aoraki to Mt. Sunday it was breathtaking. When there were hiccups with weather or scheduling, the...
Read moreWe loved our New Zealand tour! From Hobbiton to Aoraki to Mt. Sunday it was breathtaking. When there were hiccups with weather or scheduling, the Discover New Zealand staff were quick to help address the problems and provide solutions. Thank you so much!
Adam & Danielle Knapp, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 31 Jan 2023
The value of using Discover NZ really came to the fore when the extreme weather events happened in and around Auckland while we were there. We had to...
Read moreThe value of using Discover NZ really came to the fore when the extreme weather events happened in and around Auckland while we were there. We had to find an extra 4 nights accommodation, extend the car hire & alter our itinerary very quickly as everybody else was trying to the same.
One phone call to Janette at Discover NZ & every thing was fixed. When the chips were down it was really comforting to have Janette on our side.
All the accommodation that was booked was great except maybe the Millennium in Rotorua. It was still stuck in the 1980's with reception staff who didn't want to be there. The stand outs in the accommodation was Matamata & Parehua resesort in Martinborough. We loved Martinborough, found the best Pinot ever.
At the end of the day, would we use Discover NZ again? Most definitely yes.
Mark & Lyn Granland, Auckland to Wellington Highlights, Travelled on 2 Feb 2023
The tour is well organized and all the pickups and transfers are arranged without any hiccup. Hotels and Accommodations are also great. It's a good...
Read moreThe tour is well organized and all the pickups and transfers are arranged without any hiccup. Hotels and Accommodations are also great. It's a good tour for the tourist who wish to see the North Island of New Zealand..
Brandon Taw & Maylain Pai, North Island 6 day Waitomo, Rotorua and Napier Experience, Travelled on 7 Feb 2023
My wife and I had an amazing time on our chosen itinerary, we have not stopped telling anyone and everyone just how good the trip was.
The staff...
Read moreMy wife and I had an amazing time on our chosen itinerary, we have not stopped telling anyone and everyone just how good the trip was.
The staff from the booking to the confirmation process were simply fantastic, we have recommended Discover NZ to our entire group of friends. We will most definitely be travelling again with this professional team, a big thank you to all. The biggest thanks goes to Janette Bagley for her tireless efforts to ensure that our trip was extremely memorable, cheers.
Ken & Lesley Mayes, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour - January, Travelled on 17 Jan 2023
The Itinerary that Harriet came up with was fantastic. All the hotels/motels that she booked us into were very good. The distance between the stop...
Read moreThe Itinerary that Harriet came up with was fantastic. All the hotels/motels that she booked us into were very good. The distance between the stop offs was just about right. The hire car was small but comfy (supplied by Europcar). Harriet dealt with us very quickly, from our initial telephone call to her and then her coming up with the itinerary was about 4 hours. Harriet contacted us twice whilst on our journey to make sure everything was ok. All in all we were very pleased. Thank you
Philip & Elaine Benn, Auckland to Wellington Highlights, Travelled on 31 Jan 2023
I recently returned from this tour and have to say that everything was absolutely fantastic. New Zealand is such a great country and anyone...
Read moreI recently returned from this tour and have to say that everything was absolutely fantastic. New Zealand is such a great country and anyone considering traveling there should definitely include both islands (as this tour does) because there is a great contrast between them. I really love the business class coach - it is really comfortable (my only issue was that the onboard wi-fi never worked for me but that may just have been the specific bus or my settings). Our driver/guide Megan was fantastic. We were really lucky with the weather as it was good every place we went although in several places that quickly changed after we left (like the floods in Auckland). I really wanted to see as much of New Zealand as possible in one tour and this tour provided just that. Many thanks to my agent Chelsea who helped me make my decision by answering all of my questions and providing assistance when needed.
Cecil Acheson, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Ultimate Showcase, Travelled on 18 Jan 2023
Thank you Lydia for your great organisation and communication in regards to our recent fly/drive package of the South Island. All accommodation...
Read moreThank you Lydia for your great organisation and communication in regards to our recent fly/drive package of the South Island. All accommodation suited our needs, the itinerary covered all the major "must dos" with suggestions for sights to visit along the way. Every day there was a new highlight. We loved every minute !!!
Alicen & Godefridus van Bokhoven, The Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 9 Jan 2023
We had a great time during our New Zealand tour and Jeanette Bagley was exceptionally helpful in making our trip successful and trouble free. We...
Read moreWe had a great time during our New Zealand tour and Jeanette Bagley was exceptionally helpful in making our trip successful and trouble free. We might plan on the South Island tour someday.
Alfonso & Gilda Tan, North Island 11 day Highlights, Travelled on 16 Jan 2023
Great tour. Christina did an excellent job in setting up everything. I can’t say how nice it was to have everything prearranged. It took the...
Read moreGreat tour. Christina did an excellent job in setting up everything. I can’t say how nice it was to have everything prearranged. It took the stress out our holiday and we thoroughly enjoyed everything! Thank you Christina.
Cynthia Adair & Andrew Pozin, A West Coast Explorer, Travelled on 31 Dec 2022
What a holiday!
Nichole arranged our trip and there is not a single thing we could complain about.
Every event, activity, accommodation, and...
Read moreWhat a holiday!
Nichole arranged our trip and there is not a single thing we could complain about.
Every event, activity, accommodation, and transfer was sorted and we didn't have to worry about a single thing. Franz Josef was our 10/10 stay. Our son was stoked with the LOTR tours and Hobbiton, we spent a week on the North Island and two weeks on the south doing a self-drive tour. Nichole and Janette from NZ Fine Tours were never far away from anything we needed and precision organization. These people are superb and represent their company perfectly. We seriously had 22 days of non-stop activity, and can't thank you enough for your advice and help.
We went zip lining through Rotorua old growth forests, jet boating in Queenstown, Heli Hiking at Franz Josef, up the Gondola in Christchurch, amazed by the architecture in Dunedin, thrilled to have gone to Hamilton Gardens, and the list goes on and on.
Again, we had a terrific time, will definitely do it again albeit a little slower!! THANKS, NICHOLE - superb job!
Damian, Therese & Joshua Moore, 21 day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 3 Jan 2023
Mark LeBay, Zeynep Gocmen, Doga Gocmen-LeBay and Ada Gocmen-LeBay, A New Zealand Summer Holiday, Travelled on 16 Dec 2022
We booked our Discover New Zealand tour at the last minute for the Christmas/ New Year period. Despite the fact that accommodation and car rentals...
Read moreWe booked our Discover New Zealand tour at the last minute for the Christmas/ New Year period. Despite the fact that accommodation and car rentals were difficult to arrange at that time, Harriet McGregor the team at Discover New Zealand were able to design a tour that we were more than happy with. Despite my numerous emails and phone calls Harriet remained patient and professional and I would like you to pass my thanks on to her personally. It the end the tour was fantastic and our accommodation was even better than we expected. Thanks again Craig Kingsley.
Craig & Carmen Kingsley, Contrasts of New Zealand, Travelled on 26 Dec 2022
Fabulous trip, we saw everything we wanted to see. All the accommodations were clean and well located. The two cars were perfect and all the...
Read moreFabulous trip, we saw everything we wanted to see. All the accommodations were clean and well located. The two cars were perfect and all the activities were really worthwhile. Everything went smoothly and when we had to make a change due to traffic jam it was sorted out with one email. We highly recommend your services which were impeccable and we enjoyed the app which gave a lot of information. All the best for 2023
Anne Lise Libo & Vera Debontridder, Grand New Zealand, Travelled on 11 Dec 2022
Cheryl & Michael Palmer, Auckland to Christchurch 16 day Explorer, Travelled on 18 Dec 2022
It was a great trip. Everything was planned and organised meticulously and to perfection. From the planning stage right up the trip itself. We...
Read moreIt was a great trip. Everything was planned and organised meticulously and to perfection. From the planning stage right up the trip itself. We required some customisation to the standard itinerary which Shelley organised in no time. While we were in our trip there was a change in timing for one of the activities, but that was communicated to us well ahead of time. All the activities planned and the places we visited were fantastic. Since it was all so well organised, there was nothing for us to worry about or to do - except simply enjoy beautiful New Zealand :) Big shout out to Shelley Ryder who organised this trip for us. She is fast in responding, kept us informed / updated throughout the entire planning process and was more than happy to provide recommendations or put through any changes that was required. Great job !
Jacintha Varanamuthu & Anthony Manickam, Custom 9 day Queenstown to Auckland Essential Highlights, Travelled on 17 Dec 2022
This Ultimate NZ Small Group Tour is really ultimate...and Awesome! Thanks to Ms Shelley who first recommended this to us when we were searching for...
Read moreThis Ultimate NZ Small Group Tour is really ultimate...and Awesome! Thanks to Ms Shelley who first recommended this to us when we were searching for a suitable itinerary. Shelley was prompt in responses and most resourceful and patient in clarifying questions. The apps provided is very informative and helpful too. Both Discover New Zealand & Grand Pacific Tours are highly recommended to anyone who wants a fuss-free experience in NZ! Thank you Shelley for the great service! Cheers!
PS: Wonder if there is a Discover Australia!
Willy Tan (Nguan Peng) and Lee Sook Hian, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Ultimate Showcase, Travelled on 4 Dec 2022
Thanks Louise for your ‘A-class’ service ie. prompt response & excellent communications. We’ll definitely use your services again in the near...
Read moreThanks Louise for your ‘A-class’ service ie. prompt response & excellent communications. We’ll definitely use your services again in the near future as we love NZ, and happy to recommend your agency to friends.
All the best, Marissa & Paul
Marissa Rico & Paul Macgowan, Northern Explorer Summer tour, Travelled on 20 Dec 2022
Hi Nicole, Tour was great, with all accommodation, inter island ferry and Milford Sound bookings arranged perfectly as expected. There was lots of...
Read moreHi Nicole, Tour was great, with all accommodation, inter island ferry and Milford Sound bookings arranged perfectly as expected. There was lots of driving as expected and we are fine with that arrangement as we do the same in Australia. There were a couple of detours we had to make: (1 bridge closure on the way to Whitianga - had to go back to Coromandel then via The 309 road) (2 road works between Picton and Nelson - detour was a long way around but we got there OK). Overall, the tour was great and we would recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind driving long distances. Have a safe and happy Christmas - Rita & Neil
Neil & Rita Bennetts, New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 11 Nov 2022
Hello Vicki, & team, We have had a fantastic experience with the planning and tour organized by yourselves. we couldn’t have done it ourselves....
Read moreHello Vicki, & team, We have had a fantastic experience with the planning and tour organized by yourselves. we couldn’t have done it ourselves. Even though Pavan kept asking here and there, you were firm on the good itenary and asked us to put our trust in your planning! you are spot on!
we loved staying at the locations you offered! Rainforest and the ryes both were fantastic locations with amazing service!
And Glacier tours, Kayaking and Milford sound all were remarkable places!
The chaperones you offered for private travel were very considerate, knowledgeable and guided us very well.
Infact with the experience I have had, I might come back again and/or book another travel for my daughter who will be studying in Sydney from Jan to Mar. Be ready to offer your great services!
Thank you Vicki, & Happy Holidays and wishing you all a fantastic New year ahead!
Kiran, Pavan, Kavya and Anwita Borra, New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 27 Nov 2022
Hey,
Me and my wife wanted to say a massive thank you to Christina who organised our trip to New Zealand! It was a long time planning with many...
Read moreHey,
Me and my wife wanted to say a massive thank you to Christina who organised our trip to New Zealand! It was a long time planning with many things having to be reschedule etc but she was fantastic throughout! New Zealand was so amazing, we had the best time. Thank-you for helping us create memories that will last a lifetime.
Raymond & Bethany Chase, 14 day New Zealand Highlights, Travelled on 18 Nov 2022
Superb tour. Perfectly organized and scheduled. Luxurious and comfortable hotels. Great food.
Comfortable SUV with GPS. Beautiful country, makes...
Read moreSuperb tour. Perfectly organized and scheduled. Luxurious and comfortable hotels. Great food.
Comfortable SUV with GPS. Beautiful country, makes ones enchanted and enamoured with it and its people. Journey of a life time.
Travelers from Canada.
Bogdan & Alexander Schwarz, Iwona Kornicka, Auckland to Christchurch 14 day highlights, Travelled on 19 Nov 2022
Peter and I throughly enjoyed our trip in New Zealand. The tour took us to all the destinations on our wish list.Highlights were experiencing the...
Read morePeter and I throughly enjoyed our trip in New Zealand. The tour took us to all the destinations on our wish list.Highlights were experiencing the spectacular scenery of the South Island. The North Island held highlights in Rotorua, with the thermal geysers and mud pools. We also really enjoyed learning about the Maori culture at the Te Ra experience. Lydia was approachable, supportive and available both via email and phone calls. As novice travellers, we had moments of uncertainty and Lydia was a calming voice of reassurance! We will certainly recommend your company to others who plan to visit beautiful New Zealand. Jane and Peter Wright
Peter & Jane Wright, 14 Day Christchurch to Auckland Must Do Tour, Travelled on 19 Nov 2022
The tour was fantastic and the coach very roomy and comfortable with an excellent driver/guide. It would have been good to have spent a bit more time...
Read moreThe tour was fantastic and the coach very roomy and comfortable with an excellent driver/guide. It would have been good to have spent a bit more time in Wellington and more 2 night stays. Chelsea was fantastic throughout. She was very helpful in guiding me through the choices of tours and helping me to pick the right one for us. At each stage she notified me of any changes, usually due to Covid. Whenever I sent an email asking a question she answered very quickly. Chelsea was very helpful, friendly and professional and I would like to thank her very much for all her help.
Lynne & Stanley Robertson, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Ultimate Showcase, Travelled on 12 Nov 2022
Janice and I had a terrific trip to NZ in October. The driving trip you suggested provided us with a feeling that we had really experienced NZ,...
Read moreJanice and I had a terrific trip to NZ in October. The driving trip you suggested provided us with a feeling that we had really experienced NZ, enjoyed its culture, and marveled at its beauty. We had requested upscale hotels and B&Bs and you delivered that as well. We really enjoyed our stays at all the places we stayed. The Springs with Katherine in Rotorua, the Kimi Ora in Abel Tasman, Remu in Hokitika, and the Fiordland Lodge were all just great.
Our only glitch was at the Fable in Auckland as we discussed on the phone. I know you will be addressing this with them. It was an unfortunate but very difficult night due to the nightclub next door to the hotel.
We really enjoyed the food in your country. The options at the B&Bs were always great and restaurants really seem to pride themselves on flavorful preparations.
We are showing our photos to friends and creating even more interest in New Zealand. Many folks are reluctant to drive themselves and we always explain that Discover offers many ways to see the country besides driving oneself.
Thanks again. We wished we had been able to see you on the way through Wanaka but it was not to be. Maybe in the future.
Larry & Janice Ganann, New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 09 October 2022
Hi . Thanks for booking our trip . We had a fantastic time and we will be back . Your country is a very beautiful place.
The car hire was perfect...
Read moreHi . Thanks for booking our trip . We had a fantastic time and we will be back . Your country is a very beautiful place.
The car hire was perfect .
Loved being picked up and the car dropped off to us.
Accommodation, great choice. Liked them all. (Christchurch a little loud from traffic and we had a slight stuff up with the rooms at Mt Cook. BUT the hotel upgraded us so all worked out in the end .)
Pre booked tours, we had to change the times twice as the time you booked did not give us enough time to get to the tour without a 6 am start or not stopping on the way or in the middle of the day so felt we could not venture out in fear of being late so a trip early morning or late afternoon was our preferred slot.
We had a little trouble with the app and contact with us on route . My phone is off when overseas and only us WiFi and as I was the contact person getting intouch was difficult . If we had understood how it all works we would of given a different contact person who always has the phone on.
Loved the food and there's so much to see. I would also of liked an extra day on one of those long drives to break the journey and to give us more time to enjoy what's to see on the way. May be a suggestion offered when booking .
A few things were incorrect one was the cost to park at Milford Sound , post covid changes no doubt. We did not get lunch on the Milford Sounds Cruise with RealNZ. They said it was for coach trips only. A very good trip we enjoyed it and thank you .
Kate Simpson, Sarah Lloyd, Flo Kennedy & Wendy Denison, The Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 11 Nov 2022
Christina, our consultant, was obviously incredibly knowledgeable about the lower south area and put together a fantastic two week trip. Activities...
Read moreChristina, our consultant, was obviously incredibly knowledgeable about the lower south area and put together a fantastic two week trip. Activities and accommodation we could not falter. Our itinerary allowed for us to add in many other places of interest along the way. We certainly wouldn't have had such an amazing time exploring the lower south area without Christina's professional help. We loved the diversity of the trip, each area we visited was something new. New and memorable experiences, the ever changing countryside and wonderful food along the way made for a wonderful getaway.
Karen & Graeme Hebard, A Lower South Island Explorer, Travelled on 12 Nov 2022
WOW! What an amazing trip to New Zealand I had. The diversity of the trip made it extra special and I believe I saw everything NZ had to offer. I'm...
Read moreWOW! What an amazing trip to New Zealand I had. The diversity of the trip made it extra special and I believe I saw everything NZ had to offer. I'm so glad I rented a car as it allowed me to take my time and see the best of both islands. The side tours were perfect. The only thing I would change is the hotel in Wellington. While the lobby and restaurant were nice, the room was very tired and needed a deep cleaning.
Michael Henry, New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 31 Oct 2022
Discover NZ was amazing! I would highly recommend them. Thank you to Chelsea for making our itinerary the best and for suggesting extra places to...
Read moreDiscover NZ was amazing! I would highly recommend them. Thank you to Chelsea for making our itinerary the best and for suggesting extra places to visit that we hadn't thought of.
Michelle, Ashley, Leeroy & Alexandra Grant, Auckland to Queenstown highlights, Travelled on 21 Oct 2022
It was a wonderful trip. This was a photographic tour for us and we were not disappointed. The scenery was magnificent throughout the Canterbury...
Read moreIt was a wonderful trip. This was a photographic tour for us and we were not disappointed. The scenery was magnificent throughout the Canterbury plains and the lakes and snow capped mountains were a sight to behold. Our favourite places were Wanaka and the road into Queenstown. They had the most magnificent views. The West Coast and Dunedin were nice but I would not redo if I were to take this trip again. The accommodation was very good and close to all amenities. New Zealand Fine Touring did a wonderful job planning this trip for us and we would certainly book through them again.
Doris & Kerry Cameron, Southern Highlights Landscape Tour, Travelled on 1 Nov 2022
It was great to be able to custom make our holiday to NZ, having been our first time over. We weren't sure of what to include, wanting to cover a...
Read moreIt was great to be able to custom make our holiday to NZ, having been our first time over. We weren't sure of what to include, wanting to cover a great deal, including LOTR opportunities and locations. This was made possible with Christina leading the way in organising our holiday. We had the most amazing time, and were well looked after all the way through due to Christina's meticulous organisation. Seeing NZ was truly majestic, and there were definite highlights - Lake Tekapo, Milford Sound (do the flight!), Picton (do the tri-bike tour!!) and of course Hobbiton and Wellington for LOTR fans. To be honest, we found all of what we saw amazing. Food, coffee and wine, fantastic. Loved every minute. Thanks Christina for a wonderful time in NZ. Looking forward to returning and seeing more.
Peter & Evelyn Defina, A Custom Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 28 Oct 2022
Thank you for your email and we were just planning to drop you an email sometime this week to thank you for your help in arranging for this trip!
We...
Read moreThank you for your email and we were just planning to drop you an email sometime this week to thank you for your help in arranging for this trip!
We would like to extend our sincerest compliments to yourself and the team at Discover NZ for a perfectly planned self drive 12D11N holiday over in South Island!
So many great things to highlight about this experience:
1. The team was so easy to work with and willing to make adjustments to the suggested itinerary to fit our plans.
2. The correspondence from the team was prompt and very quickly helped us with whatever was needed.
3. Everything was booked in advance from airport pickup and Christchurch, to the rental car pickup all the way down to every single activity.
4. Each item on the itinerary suggested was spot on - the team has really gone out of their way to pick the good providers for whichever activity that was offered - even the one which we asked for which originally wasn’t on the itinerary (alpaca farm tour) was also amazing!
5. Even during the trip we could use the app messaging system to contact the team to clarify any questions, and quick responses were generally obtained (eg when the helicopter scenic flight had to be cancelled due to weather conditions)
6. Most importantly the price was very reasonable for the service and the experience we had
We would certainly recommend this to our friends and family who want to visit NZ in the future, and definitely consult you guys again when we next travel to NZ.
Thanks to you and your team - it has really made our travel a wonderful experience to remember.
Eugene Yeo & Alisa Tan, The Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 24 October 2022
Thank you Nichole for your advice and assistance in booking our recent anniversary trip. Absolutely no problems with any of the bookings made. It all...
Read moreThank you Nichole for your advice and assistance in booking our recent anniversary trip. Absolutely no problems with any of the bookings made. It all worked like clockwork. The standard of accomodation was very good and the app made tracking our daily itinerary very easy. The only thing that didn’t work was the outline given for day 5 where we left Dunedin and were supposed to follow the coast to Invercargill and then be In Te Anau by 1:30 ish to do the Glow worm caves. With a minimum 5 hrs driving and then suggested stops it wasn’t possible without an exceptionally early start. We should have plugged in a stopover in Invercargill and that would have made it workable.
The weather was against us on the West Coast and made for some hard driving in heavy rain. That was beyond anyone’s control so we may have to come back and redo the Milford Sound and Franz Josef Glacier. Who knows. We were very happy to have booked with NZ Fine Touring and would highly recommend it to anyone.
Kenneth & Lynette Ashton, The Natural Wonders Of The South Island, Travelled on 21 Oct 2022
Nichole organised a great holiday for us. The accommodation was always great (particularly Dunedin) and the extra activities were fabulous - even if...
Read moreNichole organised a great holiday for us. The accommodation was always great (particularly Dunedin) and the extra activities were fabulous - even if the weather spoilt a few. A small suggestion for the accommodation in Mt Cook- advise future travellers to go to the Hermitage Hotel to book in. We did wander around aimlessly for a while 😁.
Highlights- Dunedin, Milford Sound and the evening Steamer in Queenstown. Every accommodation we had was clean and comfortable but more importantly, the hosts were so helpful and nice. Great advertisement for NZ!
Lowlights- the flat tyre in the pouring rain with a million midgies eating us alive. Also the spare was only temporary and restricted so that caused us some concern
Nichole was fabulous and catered to all our changes. Highly recommended. Thanks❤️❤️
Denise & John McGloin, Carol Kenney, The Natural Wonders Of The South Island, Travelled on 25 Oct 2022
Thanks Chelsea for planning this tour. While there were some hiccups along the way; this was resolved in a timely manner. My family enjoyed the tour....
Read moreThanks Chelsea for planning this tour. While there were some hiccups along the way; this was resolved in a timely manner. My family enjoyed the tour. Kudos for the effort !
Yi Xiang Tay and family, Auckland highlights, Travelled on 23 Oct 2022
Louise Millwood and Kerry Haywood, 14 day New Zealand Grand - self drive tour, Travelled on 19 October 2022
We are back in Washington, DC and pretty much over jet lag. I want to follow up and thank you for arranging such a wonderful tour for us. ...
Read moreWe are back in Washington, DC and pretty much over jet lag. I want to follow up and thank you for arranging such a wonderful tour for us. Everything went smoothly, and we partook in everything you booked for us. The app was very helpful and gave us all instructions necessary to confirm reservations. We're so glad we visited New Zealand and have encouraged several friends to do so as well.
John McCall & Daniel Hicks, Christchurch to Auckland Highlights, Travelled on 17 October 2022
My Middle Earth Discovered 8 day NZ tour was absolutely fantastic! Everything was smooth and well-organized, and Janette was fantastic at responding...
Read moreMy Middle Earth Discovered 8 day NZ tour was absolutely fantastic! Everything was smooth and well-organized, and Janette was fantastic at responding quickly with the answers to my questions. It was great to know that everything was lined up and ready to go once I got to NZ. The activities lined up were excellent, and I had an amazing time touring all the way through NZ, finding out more about Lord of the Rings and NZ simultaneously. There was an issue with one of my tours, but they got the issue sorted out, got me on a different equivalent experience, and switched around one of the days in the itinerary for me in order to make sure I still got the most of my NZ experience. Thanks to Janette and the team at Discover NZ!
Zachary Thiessen, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 15 Oct 2022
Hi Christina, Everything went well, the weather was very good except for the last two days in Greymouth and train trip very wet, apart from that...
Read moreHi Christina, Everything went well, the weather was very good except for the last two days in Greymouth and train trip very wet, apart from that brilliant, had a great time. My only complaint was the hire car or should I say truck, when we went to pick it up we were told we had a upgrade, so I thought an Audi or a Merc, but no we got a Mitsubishi Triton 4wd twin cab with canopy, Vicki refused to drive to big and awkward, we had to buy a tiedown strap to stop the suit cases sliding around in the back, and they should supply kidney belts with it. Apart from that loved the trip , Thanks Ian and Vicki Jones
Ian Jones & Vicki Jones, A Custom South Island 23 day self drive tour, Travelled on 6 Oct 2022
Thank you for all your help in organising our wonderful New Zealand tour!
The organisation was seamless and the tour was tailored to our family –...
Read moreThank you for all your help in organising our wonderful New Zealand tour!
The organisation was seamless and the tour was tailored to our family – we all had a brilliant time.
We booked the Milford Sound Highlights tour which started off with taking in the sights of the lovely city of Christchurch. Next stop was a picturesque drive to the lovely turquoise waters of Lake Takepo – followed by the lovely Tekapo springs hot pools –Three swimming pools full of hot water for the family to enjoy!
Queenstown provided the action and adventure – The skyline gondola, luge rides and jet boating- an action packed day surrounded by beautiful sights.
The Milford sound cruise and coach tour were amazing – gorgeous sights and we learnt so much about the history of the south Island.
Franz Josef provided the adventure and hiking opportunities. Next was tranzAlpine scenic train ride back to Christchurch.
All in all an amazing tour and great experience – we have been recommending this tour - and of course New Zealand Fine Touring - to all our friends/family!! A lovely balance of adventure and relaxation! Perfect for the kids and us adults!
Pictures do not capture the full beauty of the south island.
Naina, Nilesh, Dhylan & Milan Patel, Milford Sound Highlights tour, Travelled on 27th September 2022
Your formulation and implementation of our itinerary was the most significant factor in our tour being as near to perfect as one could ever hope for....
Read moreYour formulation and implementation of our itinerary was the most significant factor in our tour being as near to perfect as one could ever hope for. In addition, the weather was better than we could ever have asked for, giving the tour that extra dimension of success. It is our utmost desire to do a similar tour of the North Island in 2023 and we will certainly be putting the itinerary into your most capable hands. Many thanks for the excellent manner in which you prepared our tour.
Robert & Edwina Debreceny, The Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 13 Oct 2022
We recently completed the 21 Day Nth Island Ultimate Tour. Highly recommend. This tour was exceptional value for money. We had a large Outlander...
Read moreWe recently completed the 21 Day Nth Island Ultimate Tour. Highly recommend. This tour was exceptional value for money. We had a large Outlander touring car and, overall, the accommodation was excellent. The tour is very well organised and we all felt we had come to know the North Island very well by the end of the trip. I selected to do most of the Optional Tours. This was a good idea. It keeps you going if you get a bit tired and, some of the tours were booked out and we would have missed out all together. Very efficient and friendly service. Yes 5*****
Michael Giddens, Clive Lewis & Neil Coventry, Ultimate North Island Explorer, Travelled on 10 Sep 2022
I have just returned from an amazing trip. Thank you so much for your organisation and support. The detail provided in the app was brilliant; and...
Read moreI have just returned from an amazing trip. Thank you so much for your organisation and support. The detail provided in the app was brilliant; and being an app meant I did not have to carry oodles of paper with me. I really appreciated the fact that some "experiences" were included. The boat trip on the Milford Sound was incredible, the guide was really informative and indeed approachable and we had so much pointed out to us; additionally the long coach ride from Te Anau to Milford Sound was enhanced by the various stops along the way and the commentary provided by the driver. My favourite part of our trip though has to be the Te Papa Museum in Wellington; although I suspect I would not have got so much out of it if we had not had the introductory tour to the museum which you had organised. Also not to be missed was the Mount Cook visit; I was really looking forward to the Big Sky Stargazing but the weather intervened. However, the views were wonderful and the colour of Lake Pukaki absolutely stunning.
When I needed to contact Nichole at Discover New Zealand she could not have been more helpful. Thank you again. I will not hesitate to recommend your company to my friends. (Indeed, before travelling I had already been showing my friends the wonderful app)
Caroline & Sean McManus, The Natural Wonders Of New Zealand, Travelled on 9 Sep 2022
Was browsing NZ Tour website with recommendation from my contacts, and found an itinerary that is close to what I wanted. After contacting, I was...
Read moreWas browsing NZ Tour website with recommendation from my contacts, and found an itinerary that is close to what I wanted. After contacting, I was linked up with Chelsea whom helped me with customising the itinerary with the activities I had in mind. Chelsea provided me with the best recommendations of which day to add in my preferred activities and arranged time for the activities. Upon reaching NZ, the whole trip went super smoothly. Thank you for making my first trip to NZ so enjoyable! I would definitely recommend NZ Tour to my friends!
Nicole Zhuang & Fang Keng Lim, Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains, Travelled on 9 Sep 2022
Thank you so much for organising our NZ trip, Jane and I are still buzzing.
Our first week in Queenstown where our daughter got married couldn’t...
Read moreThank you so much for organising our NZ trip, Jane and I are still buzzing.
Our first week in Queenstown where our daughter got married couldn’t have gone better.
Our second week was spectacular, Milford Sound was my highlight and Jane loved Wanaka all finished off with the scenic rail trip what an amazing country not long enough we will be back!
We would like to thank you for the choice of hotels some very nice and the smaller ones were clean and very close to all amenities.
All our booked trips were great and no problem we were expected by the tour company.
Thank you once again Louise for organising our wonderful holiday I would not hesitate to recommend you to any future travelers to NZ.
Robin & Jane Cotsford, Southern Icons, Travelled on 17 September 2022
Chelsea did a great job facilitating the planning and booking of our South Island self drive holiday. We enjoyed the trip very much. The itinerary...
Read moreChelsea did a great job facilitating the planning and booking of our South Island self drive holiday. We enjoyed the trip very much. The itinerary covered the key areas of interest given the time we had there. Motels chosen were clean and conveniently located. Pick up service was punctual and friendly. SUV provided was relatively new and more than adequate for our group of four, though an alert to service the vehicle popped up half way through our journey. The mobile app for the tour was an excellent idea. It served us well.
Kwong Weng LEE, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 1 Sep 2022
Excellent trip. The best part of it was the Milford Sound Cruise and coach tour from Queenstown. Excellent accommodations and unique landscapes, wich...
Read moreExcellent trip. The best part of it was the Milford Sound Cruise and coach tour from Queenstown. Excellent accommodations and unique landscapes, wich you don't see anywhere else in the world. The hole trip organization and guided tours were also excellent. Congratulations to the travel agency (Discover New Zealand) and especially to Louise Barrett who organized it and was always happy to answer any questions I had.
Georgios Papaisidorou, 4 day Glaciers, Queenstown and Milford Sound highlights, Travelled on 30 Aug 2022
The trip was fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed the itinerary with excellent accommodation along the way. The sprinkling of activities were also...
Read moreThe trip was fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed the itinerary with excellent accommodation along the way. The sprinkling of activities were also fabulous. The lead up and planning went seamlessly. At one point I was wondering when it would go wrong because nothing had, and nothing did go wrong.
Since my return I have recommended the services of Discover New Zealand to a number of friends and colleagues.
It was a wonderful experience at every point, from the first online contact, when collected at Auckland airport and then at every point along the way. Thank you to Louise and everyone involved in this.
Peter & Hugh Miller, Auckland to Queenstown 12 day highlights, Travelled on 25 Jun 2022
We count our getaway in New Zealand as an absolute Godsend. It has enabled us to survive these extra months of lockdown, rejuvenated. Thank you.
My...
Read moreWe count our getaway in New Zealand as an absolute Godsend. It has enabled us to survive these extra months of lockdown, rejuvenated. Thank you.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our long-anticipated 18 day getaway in Zealand in July 2021. Christina Brockie, our consultant, was not just an absolute gem in rescheduling our self-drive tour due to lockdowns, several times, but she was like a guardian angel for the duration of our trip. The day inclement weather forced the cancellation of the TranzAlpine rail journey from Greymouth to Christchurch, she rang us immediately she had the news, and gave us brilliant advice - "drive now before the Pass is closed to all traffic". We did so and reveled in a dramatic, but safe trip. She had our back all the way, checking that we had made each stage safely.
This was one of the many highlights of the trip. As Christina was so conscientiously looking at weather forecasts, we started our time with an idyllic weekend at Mt Cook, in perfect winter weather. She knew which tour operators were working, and which weren't (due to pandemic closures), so we got to enjoy South Island with Kiwis: for example - stunning flight over Mt Cook, engaging tour of Lake Te Anau glow worm caves and a very satisfying Lord of the Rings Glenorchy tour where we were the only passengers with a fifth-generation local South Islander as driver and guide! We were immersed in local history both there and on the tour bus to Milford Sound. Little walks along the route, for example to Blue Pools, evoked both our senses and Narnian imaginations.
The accommodation at each of our destinations was very suitably chosen, the descriptions for each leg immensely interesting, and Christina was flexible at every turn, when our itinerary was changed of necessity. She also took care of the little hiccups that arose, expertly without fuss. She knew her stuff! This left us stress-free. She understood our interests and knew our needs better than we did, thanks to the communications leading up to our tour.
We thoroughly recommend Discover New Zealand with the New Zealand Fine Touring group, and applaud Christina for her expert, thoughtful care. We have not stopped talking to our family and friends about our memorable, de-stressing, and thoroughly interesting holiday in New Zealand.
Roslyn & David Brown, A Northbound Explorer, Travelled on 9th July 2021
Thank you so much for organising the trip, we had a fantastic time! Everything ran really smoothly and we had no issues at all.
We lucked out with...
Read moreThank you so much for organising the trip, we had a fantastic time! Everything ran really smoothly and we had no issues at all.
We lucked out with the weather and we loved our trip to Milford Sound. The transfers were always on time and all of our bus drivers were lovely. The accommodation in each city was central to the town centre and it was really easy to get around.
For two non-drivers, it was a great way to see the South Island.
Lisa and Emily Pullen, 6 day Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Mt. Cook, Travelled on 21 April 2021
Just a quick note to thank you for organising such a wonderful tour for Heather and I. We thoroughly enjoyed everything and had a fantastic time. ...
Read moreJust a quick note to thank you for organising such a wonderful tour for Heather and I. We thoroughly enjoyed everything and had a fantastic time. All the accommodation was very comfortable and we felt very special to be collected by personal drivers so many times we were really beginning to feel like royalty!! All our pickups were exceptional, the most outstanding being Ann from Iconic who went above and beyond expectations and such a lovely person to spend the long drive with on that leg of our journey. All our arrangements were straight forward and went without a hitch thanks to your very professional expertise. Certainly one for the memory book Louise.
Heather Morse & Jude Cook, Southern Wonders Tour, Travelled on 23 October 2020
It was a memorable and well arranged tour for us. Your pick up drivers are all punctual and we are happy with their services. Only towards the end,...
Read moreIt was a memorable and well arranged tour for us. Your pick up drivers are all punctual and we are happy with their services. Only towards the end, it was an unexpected quarantined for us.
Nur Hafizah Liew & Nor Hisham Bin Mohd Yusoff, 6 day Mt. Cook, Queenstown Milford Sound and Dunedin, Travelled on 16 March 2020
Thanks, Jo- it's a pity we left early and thank you for helping us with cancellations.
We loved NZ and New Zealanders and will come back.
Loved the...
Read moreThanks, Jo- it's a pity we left early and thank you for helping us with cancellations.
We loved NZ and New Zealanders and will come back.
Loved the Distinction chain of hotels and we missed it at Te Anau where we had to stay at another hotel (which was lovely, but not as swish)
It worked out fine without breakfast included in our hotel rates as it was easy to find great cafes for the early risers while the others just dined ala carte in the hotel. Great cafes around the Distinction hotels.
The drive from Dunedin to Te Anau was long and we couldn't go via Invercargill and get to Te Anau in time for the glow worm tour. It was fine, and if we had more time, would add an extra day in Invercargill as the short drive in and out of The Catlins was very scenic.
A highlight of our short trip was Fleur's Cafe in Moeraki- such a surprise to find such fresh cooking and seafood.
Wishing you all the best- be safe and healthy
Mu Hiew & Family, The Southern Circuit - self drive tour, Travelled on 13 March 2020
Thank you very much, Vickie, for seeing so promptly and effectively to my various requests/changes. I was very confident that the arrangements for my...
Read moreThank you very much, Vickie, for seeing so promptly and effectively to my various requests/changes. I was very confident that the arrangements for my holiday were well looked after as I could sense your enthusiasm during our initial interactions, and it was borne out. My family had a wonderful time in New Zealand and I would certainly recommend you should I know of anybody planning a similar holiday.
Lip Cheng & Teri Xinpei How and Mun Wai Hwee, Southern Highlights Tour, Travelled on 10 March 2020
This was an amazing tour with lots of beautiful sites and activities. Everything was great and went smoothly for the entire trip until it was time to...
Read moreThis was an amazing tour with lots of beautiful sites and activities. Everything was great and went smoothly for the entire trip until it was time to come home. This is when things went horribly wrong with 9 airline delays, re-routes, cancellations and rebooking on another airline due to countries closing down borders for the CoVid-19 virus outbreak but we made it home with hours to spare before New Zealand closed its borders. A big thank you to all for the trip and a thank you to all New Zealanders for being gracious and accommodating.
Guy Determann, Lisa Hankey & NiColette Boblit, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 12 March 2020
Chelsea Lodge arranged a 9-day tour for us that met all of our requests. We started in Christchurch, spent a day there, took the scenic TranzAlpine...
Read moreChelsea Lodge arranged a 9-day tour for us that met all of our requests. We started in Christchurch, spent a day there, took the scenic TranzAlpine train to Moana and back, went by train to Kaikoura, then by train and ferry to Wellington where we also spent a day before taking a train to Auckland, spent a day there, and then flew back to Los Angeles. She arranged lodgings for us each night with breakfasts included and contracted for transportation to and from airports and train or ferry stations to and from our lodgings. She contracted for hop-on-hop-off tours at Christchurch, Wellington, and Waiheke Island near Auckland plus a visit to the Antarctic museum at Christchurch Airport and a three-course dinner at the Sky Tower Restaurant in Auckland--all paid for in a surprisingly low itinerary charge. This allowed us to see both the north and south islands and much beautiful scenery as well as to meet many friendly and helpful New Zealanders. We really appreciated her attention to detail and her expert knowledge of New Zealand and would recommend her to anyone wanting an individualized trip in this lovely island country.
Dill and Cheryl Hunley, Explore New Zealand by Train, Travelled on 9 March 2020
Your itinerary gave us a beautiful experience of NZ's expansive geography and peoples. We appreciated the selection of accommodation (with a couple...
Read moreYour itinerary gave us a beautiful experience of NZ's expansive geography and peoples. We appreciated the selection of accommodation (with a couple of exceptions) which met our requests. The cars were suitable. All reservations were smooth and welcoming. Excursions were also efficient, friendly and satisfying with the exception of the Middle Earth tour.
The development of the Covid-19 crisis and its anxieties reduced our tour minimally. The responses to our requests for help and changes by Christina and Jamie-Lee were exceptional. We are grateful for the overall tour and experience made possible by your company.
Ian and Annette Manton, Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 2 March 2020
We had a great trip! It was, however, cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic and the need for us to travel home while we could. We were sorry to...
Read moreWe had a great trip! It was, however, cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic and the need for us to travel home while we could. We were sorry to miss the last 5 days of our trip; we are betting those days would have been just as awesome! Jo did a great job of understanding what type of trip we wanted - bits of adventure every day, with lovely accommodations and amazing food to top off our stays at various places in both the north and south islands. We feel like we saw a little bit of the best of everything in New Zealand. We used our downloaded app every day to guide us and prepare us for each day's activity. Thanks for all the help in planning this wonderful trip!
Betsy Hamlin & Julie Jonas, City to Mountains, Auckland to Queenstown Tour, Travelled on 7 March 2020
We loved our NZ trip. Both Louise and I enjoyed travelling to your beautiful country. I think the self-drive tour was a fantastic way to travel and...
Read moreWe loved our NZ trip. Both Louise and I enjoyed travelling to your beautiful country. I think the self-drive tour was a fantastic way to travel and witness the scenery as we went. It allowed us to stop at our leisure and not be cramped on a coach. We particularly enjoyed the areas of Lake Taupo and Huka Falls, where we had a jet boat ride and hiked to see the thermal springs. The ferry trip was very underrated, and I would even suggest skipping the Milford Sound outing in its stead. The views from our Mt Cook accommodation were breathtaking and was a highlight for us. As well as the journey to arrive there with the beautiful waters of Lake Tekapo. We had an amazing time and thank you for organising this wonderful trip for us.
Dave McAlister & Louise Pakulski, Auckland to Christchurch Highlights, Travelled on 3 March 2020
We LOVED the 19-day Showcase trip! We believe we saw very much of New Zealand - land, culture, towns, etc. Booking it was easy - it was great to work...
Read moreWe LOVED the 19-day Showcase trip! We believe we saw very much of New Zealand - land, culture, towns, etc. Booking it was easy - it was great to work with you and to be able to talk with you from the US directly to NZ. One area for improvement would be to touch base with us (email) during the trip to just check-in and make sure we're doing okay. This was especially important as the COVID-19 shutdowns were starting during our trip and we had quite a bit of uncertainty and needed to change our return plans. Thanks for ALL your help - it was a trip of a lifetime!
Deborah & Richard Kumpf, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day New Zealand Showcase, Travelled on 3 March 2020
Louise was always there to discuss our emails, phone calls or whatever. Happy to oblige in any way with a great manner. Therefore when Louise asked...
Read moreLouise was always there to discuss our emails, phone calls or whatever. Happy to oblige in any way with a great manner. Therefore when Louise asked if we could change our Franz Josef Glazier 3 hr walk from morning to the afternoon, I didn't feel I could refuse. Though we had booked it maybe July/Aug 2019 for March 2020. Supposedly there was a large group who wanted the morning. While this didn't matter in the end as no one got to go on this walk because of track flooding days earlier. But we noticed on the day that the weather was great in the morning but very overcast and raining in afternoon, which would not have been pleasant. I also had planned on having a hot tub after the walk and probably would not have if in the afternoon. Don't think I'll change any plans if I ever book again, even for the lovely Louise. Also very prompt in refunding our 3hr valley walk fee. When home I checked and there was the refund thanks heaps.
Shirley & Bruce Gregory, Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes (Milford Wanderer), Travelled on 1 March 2020
This was a great tour! I was able to see so many of the iconic sights and learn about the Maori culture. Having Discover New Zealand set the...
Read moreThis was a great tour! I was able to see so many of the iconic sights and learn about the Maori culture. Having Discover New Zealand set the itinerary saved me effort and time as well as gave me peace of mind that I had reputable tours and accommodations booked. All of the representatives were responsive and helpful, even when I accidentally gave the wrong date for my arrival and needed last-minute changes. The variety of activities also added to the quality of the trip. The only hitch was that I expected to be dropped off at the hotel when arriving in Wellington but I needed to order a separate Uber because the bus only stopped at the train station. Overall I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone else hoping to see the Lord of the Rings locations and experience the best of New Zealand!
Heather Cha, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 8 March 2020
The trip you organised for us was fantastic - we just loved every minute touring New Zealand. All the arrangements you made together with the other...
Read moreThe trip you organised for us was fantastic - we just loved every minute touring New Zealand. All the arrangements you made together with the other recommendations in our planned itinerary worked perfectly for us. We used the app every day and tried to follow the driving directions but we kept making little detours and found lots of other interesting places en route, too many to mention! A 21-day adventure and we have barely scratched the surface of such a beautiful country. Hopefully, we'll be back to pick up where we've left off but meantime, thank you.
Geoff & Deborah Kelly, Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 1 March 2020
A very well organized trip which helped us cover key points in New Zealand. Pickups and drops from/to Airports, Trains and Hotels were very...
Read moreA very well organized trip which helped us cover key points in New Zealand. Pickups and drops from/to Airports, Trains and Hotels were very efficient. Milford Sound Tour and Glacier Helicopter were highlights. Helicopter ride dropped us at the NZ Open Golf on a beautiful day in Queenstown. We loved it because the entry was free that day and our driver was amazing and encouraging to help us enjoy the final day. Hotel selections were pretty good. The only miss was mix up of drivers in Franz Josef to Queenstown leg. We did not value Greymouth to Franz Josef to Queenstown leg because we did not see anything due to bad weather and poor handling of drivers. Overall, We would like to thank Jane and team for organizing this. This helped us make the most of our time.
Satnam Gill & Navjot Kaur, Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights, Travelled on 26 February 2020
Our trip was awesome! We really enjoyed touring New Zealand and all of the arrangements Emma made for us worked out perfectly. We appreciated the...
Read moreOur trip was awesome! We really enjoyed touring New Zealand and all of the arrangements Emma made for us worked out perfectly. We appreciated the flexibility offered by your group which enabled us to make a vacation plan that worked best for us. The app was a great tool to use during the trip with lots of supplemental information provided. The trip plan made for a worry-free relaxing vacation. Thanks Emma!
Robert & Kathryn Burnyeat, Auckland to Christchurch Essential Highlights, Travelled on 26 February 2020
Laura our New Zealand adventure was outstanding. From the time we landed in New Zealand until we stepped back through the aircraft door to depart...
Read moreLaura our New Zealand adventure was outstanding. From the time we landed in New Zealand until we stepped back through the aircraft door to depart your great country our trip was picture perfect. We could not be more pleased with our accommodations and the excellent itinerary you arranged.
The charms of New Zealand obviously played a big part in ensuring our enjoyment. However, the professionalism exhibited by your firm was outstanding and beyond our expectation. Laura your willingness to help plan and execute our vacation was greatly appreciated. We have already recommended you and Discover New Zealand to many of our friends and acquaintances. I am sure that once this virus issue has passed many of them will be in contact with you to schedule their personalized adventure.
Thanks again Laura, You’re the Best “Mate”!
John & Cindy Hawkins, Classic New Zealand, Travelled on 16 February 2020
We have been so impressed with your organisation and most of all your professionalism and personal attention through all of our contact with you,...
Read moreWe have been so impressed with your organisation and most of all your professionalism and personal attention through all of our contact with you, from the earliest days nearly two years ago, through all of my stupid questions along the way, right up until we had to return home at such short notice and finally the prompt settlement of our account. A heartfelt thank you from both of us.
Tom & Dawn Martin, Auckland to Queenstown - Natural Discovery Tour, Travelled on 7 March 2020
Peter & Janice Dyck, Customised New Zealand Explorer, Travelled on 22 February 2020
Clare & Edward Munro, Milford Sound Highlights tour, Travelled on 21 February 2020
We have had a wonderful time in NZ thanks to Jane. Everything was perfect. From the pickup at the airport to the hotel reservations, the car rental....
Read moreWe have had a wonderful time in NZ thanks to Jane. Everything was perfect. From the pickup at the airport to the hotel reservations, the car rental. I highly recommend this tour we have seen many wonderful things!
Thanks again!
Sofia Bennouna & Caroline De Aubreu, North Island Highlights, Travelled on 28 February 2020
The choice and recommendation for the Ibis in Christchurch were great. It was clean, well located with nice people to receive their guests. During my...
Read moreThe choice and recommendation for the Ibis in Christchurch were great. It was clean, well located with nice people to receive their guests. During my tour, I stayed at the Ibis in Wellington which I would not recommend.
The tour: I wrote long feedback to the Grand Pacific team. It was my first tour, 27 pax, 24 Australian, 2 English ladies and I was the "exotic country representative" a Brazilian. The tour guide, Brenda, was super, nice and helpful, I couldn´t understand most of the speech of the first driver, due to my difficulty regarding some English accents. Most of my colleagues spoke with Aussie accent which was hard for me. The tour was well organized, especially in the South Island. The coach/bus was excellent, mostly very good hotels and great food. The activities were well chosen and I added some excellent optional tours.
Due to weather conditions, I lost some experiences: Franz Josef and Lake Tekapo.
At some places, I would stay longer and didn´t understand the design: Mount Cook and Taipo/Huka Falls
I was very well impressed with the cities, mostly Dunedin and Christchurch. Auckland is not at the best time to be visited because they are restructuring the downtown area. It was a long stay in these conditions
I came back home feeling that I am not such a "tour" person, but I should try once. I´m sure I wouldn´t see and experience so many incredible sites/places/activities on my own.
You helped me organizing the tour and I thank you very much for your assistance. I will recommend your service if asked about travel to NZ.
Ruth Steuer, The Solo Travellers Tour of New Zealand Highlights, Travelled on 19th February 2020
We had a wonderful holiday. The transfers all went like clockwork, the hotels that you booked for us were amazing. Punga Lodge on Waiheke island was...
Read moreWe had a wonderful holiday. The transfers all went like clockwork, the hotels that you booked for us were amazing. Punga Lodge on Waiheke island was fabulous, particularly the afternoon tea!
Thank you so much for your help in booking a trip of a lifetime.
Lynn Flynn & Julia Walker, North and South Island Highlights, Travelled on 18 February 2020
We had a truly memorable vacation. New Zealand is truly a beautiful country.
We were very pleased with the service that we received. All...
Read moreWe had a truly memorable vacation. New Zealand is truly a beautiful country.
We were very pleased with the service that we received. All employees were so helpful and friendly and their suggestions were very appropriate. We were pleased with our accommodations. They were clean, modern, and the hosts were all very friendly and helpful. Our last accommodation in Auckland at the Nesuto Stadium apartments was our least favourite. We thank you again and would highly recommend your agency to others.
Brent Child, Larry and Cynthia Allred & Laura and Val Dunn, Grand New Zealand Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 21 February 2020
Overall the trip was seamless. You spend a lot of time on a tour bus but the guides are very knowledgeable and the scenery is spectacular. There...
Read moreOverall the trip was seamless. You spend a lot of time on a tour bus but the guides are very knowledgeable and the scenery is spectacular. There are lots of stops and breaks. Only one driver was terrible - the one from about Tekapo (I forget where they switched drivers) to Christchurch. Heartland hotel is fine for the $. Lunch at the Hermitage was excellent. The cruise-in Doubtful Sound (Milford was closed due to rain damage to the roads) was a bit disappointing. Beautiful but I expected more (ie saw no wildlife, no big waterfalls, not as much of the waterways as expected.). I still feel the tour is pricey but it made the best use of the short time I had to explore New Zealand. Not a lot to do in Christchurch - I would only allocate half a day. The app provided by the tour pretty much makes all the pickups and details seamless as it gives all the details and instructions.
Leslie & Alana Christensen, Christchurch to Milford Sound and Queenstown, Travelled on 18 February 2020
Reliable pickups, nice tour in general, customer support was there when we needed. I know my tour was specifically abbreviated by us but one slight...
Read moreReliable pickups, nice tour in general, customer support was there when we needed. I know my tour was specifically abbreviated by us but one slight recommendation in Wellington is to try to get LOTR fans to the WETA studios. Our half-day Wellington LOTR Tour was nice but many of the filming locations are hardly recognizable anymore. That combined with WETA would have been great but honestly, it probably would not have fit into our tight itinerary. BTW, loved Hobbiton, Waitomo and Tamaki Maori dinner show! The Auckland zoo was only fair, and is currently under major construction but tourist can see Kiwis there. In Queenstown, the Kiwi house and bird Sanctuary has three Kiwi houses and other birds but was a bit expensive.
James & Tracy Greico, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 17 February 2020
We had a fantastic time on our recent trip to New Zealand and our tour to the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga was wonderful. All of the details fell...
Read moreWe had a fantastic time on our recent trip to New Zealand and our tour to the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga was wonderful. All of the details fell into place and we enjoyed each excursion! The highlight was the Dune Rider up to the Cape--sliding down the dunes on the Boogey board and driving back along the 90-mile beach! Our day was beautiful, sunny and warm which made it perfect! Also, the excursion on the tucker Thompson Sailboat was fantastic and again especially enjoyed due to spectacular weather!
Thank you for your help in putting this itinerary together!
Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga Deluxe Tour, Travelled on 25 February 2020
Chelsea was very attuned to our needs, choosing both accommodations and adventures that were well suited. Her attention to detail was greatly...
Read moreChelsea was very attuned to our needs, choosing both accommodations and adventures that were well suited. Her attention to detail was greatly appreciated, as well as her willingness to adapt as our circumstances changed.
Anne Berg, Anne's New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 15 February 2020
10/10 for our NZ holiday. We covered a lot of ground in three weeks.
We appreciated your attention to all the small things to make a smooth holiday...
Read more10/10 for our NZ holiday. We covered a lot of ground in three weeks.
We appreciated your attention to all the small things to make a smooth holiday experience.
We particularly enjoyed the South Island (mountains and lakes) which we do not have back home.
It has wet our appetite to come back and explore more of the South Island like Mt Cook, Queenstown to Franz Josef areas.
We were fortunate to arrive home just in time before the compulsory isolation kicked in.
Hope all goes back to normal soon.
Henry Morris and Irene McGladdery, Discover New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 23 February 2020
Just to say the whole tour was most enjoyable. The hotels, food and stop-offs were excellent, enhanced by the camaraderie of the group.
The comfort...
Read moreJust to say the whole tour was most enjoyable. The hotels, food and stop-offs were excellent, enhanced by the camaraderie of the group.
The comfort of the Platinum coach was exceptional and finally. We must commend coach captain David on his knowledge, attention to detail, pride in his heritage, and of course his Pristine coach.
Graham and Gail Shaw, Kirra Tours Platinum 10 Day Southern Encounter, 23 February 2020
When my mom and dad came back from their trip, my mom pronounced it her best vacation ever. I cannot thank you enough for all the time and attention...
Read moreWhen my mom and dad came back from their trip, my mom pronounced it her best vacation ever. I cannot thank you enough for all the time and attention to detail you put towards their trip, ensuring a smooth and exciting journey every step of the way. Thank you again -- working with you and your agency was the absolute best possible decision I could have made. When I get a chance to come to New Zealand one day, I will definitely be in touch.
Joseph & Molly Vadakara, South Island Encounter, Travelled on 15th February 2020
Trip leader did a fine job. Itinerary covered a nice blend of activities and choices. Ability to choose your own restaurant a couple of times was...
Read moreTrip leader did a fine job. Itinerary covered a nice blend of activities and choices. Ability to choose your own restaurant a couple of times was nice. My only disappointment was the Maori cultural dinner. I really wanted to learn about their culture but felt the dinner experience was too touristy, too long on information it was hard to hear amidst all the other people and just too like a Disney experience. Also I would have liked better a brief overview of the museum in Wellington and then time to explore our own interests. The guided tour was not the best in my opinion. Overall, we really enjoyed trip.
Craig & Susan Cambier, Inspiring Journeys 10 Day Inspiring New Zealand, Travelled on 16 February 2020
Chelsea was extremely helpful. Always available and returned emails promptly.
We had a wonderful holiday, and want to go back to New Zealand to see...
Read moreChelsea was extremely helpful. Always available and returned emails promptly.
We had a wonderful holiday, and want to go back to New Zealand to see more.
We will definitely choose Discover New Zealand again.
Jennifer & John Ellis, Contrasts of New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 12 February 2020
The itinerary that was put together was very good and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The accommodation was also very good, but felt that the 1 night...
Read moreThe itinerary that was put together was very good and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The accommodation was also very good, but felt that the 1 night accommodation in Wellington (CityLife) was too upmarket, as we didn't arrive at our accommodation till 7pm and was away again the next morning early and probably a Travelodge was have sufficed.
Maria & Colin Bishop, New Zealand Must Do Tour, Travelled on 13 February 2020
Words such as Amazing, Fabulous, Terrific, Wonderful, Incredible and deeply grateful simply don't do justice to how we feel about the 28-day,...
Read moreWords such as Amazing, Fabulous, Terrific, Wonderful, Incredible and deeply grateful simply don't do justice to how we feel about the 28-day, self-drive trip you curated for us. We can't thank you enough for everything you did to make our first trip throughout both islands of your exceptionally beautiful country an experience we will cherish for the rest of our lives. You delivered absolutely everything we expected from this trip; often far beyond even our wildest dreams! I can't tell you how many times during our trip my husband and I commented to each other about what an exceptional experience we were having, all thanks to YOUR hard work in making sure that each of our hotel, flight, automobile and activity reservations were confirmed.
We would highly recommend your company to anyone wishing to visit the magical place you are so lucky to call home. If we are fortunate enough to be able to return to New Zealand, you can be certain that we will contact you and "Discover New Zealand" again to arrange our itinerary. Even 28 days wasn't enough time to see all the sights and do all the things New Zealand offers for travellers of all kinds with so many different interests.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us to have the time of our lives in New Zealand. We can't wait to return!
Fred Durham and Cindy Lambert, Wonders of New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 14 February 2020
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of New Zealand. We found the hotels excellent, the itinerary fabulous, the guides brilliant and the country and the...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our tour of New Zealand. We found the hotels excellent, the itinerary fabulous, the guides brilliant and the country and the Kiwis wonderful.
Absolutely fantastic. Kia Ora!
Michael Hales & Chafik Khazzani, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Rail, Cruise & Coach Tour, Travelled on 7 February 2020
An incredible experience. All arrangements, accommodation and transport were of the highest standard. Other than some unnecessary delays picking up...
Read moreAn incredible experience. All arrangements, accommodation and transport were of the highest standard. Other than some unnecessary delays picking up our vehicles either side of the Cook Straights, we had a flawless and wonderful experience.
Many thanks to Jane for her assistance before and during the Tour, I cannot praise her enough.
Howie & Gaynor Johnson, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 6 February 2020
Thanks for your help Sissy - nice to have someone get back to us so quickly to answer the questions we had. I'd recommend Grand Pacific Tours and NZ...
Read moreThanks for your help Sissy - nice to have someone get back to us so quickly to answer the questions we had. I'd recommend Grand Pacific Tours and NZ to anybody. Great staff (Chrissie the tour guide was wonderful), scenery, itinerary and just happened to have great weather almost every day. Food and hotels exceeded our expectations.
Steve and Darlene Lutton, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day New Zealand Showcase- 25th Wedding Anniversary, Travelled on 8 February 2020
My wife and I just returned from a self-drive tour of New Zealand, organized by Nichole White. Every aspect of the tour was managed perfectly. Every...
Read moreMy wife and I just returned from a self-drive tour of New Zealand, organized by Nichole White. Every aspect of the tour was managed perfectly. Every hotel booking, attraction ticket and car rental was in place and waiting for us when we walked in the door. The only surprises were the occasional up-grades to accommodations and the substitution of a more expensive excursion to replace our Milford Sound outing, which was cancelled due to road and weather restrictions. All in all, our experience was top-notch from beginning to end. We would highly recommend "discover New Zealand" and the level of assistance provided by Nichole!
Derrick & Janine Huston, The Natural Wonders Of The North & South Island, Travelled on 6 February 2020
We were very pleased with the itinerary that Discover New Zealand presented. Their App was excellent! Easy to follow and so much information and...
Read moreWe were very pleased with the itinerary that Discover New Zealand presented. Their App was excellent! Easy to follow and so much information and suggested activities. The accommodations were all good, if not excellent. The car rental went smoothly, especially in Picton in the South Island, once we got to the counter, it took 2 minutes to be processed, not 15 minutes for other car rental customers.
Any issues that were caused by the weather (flooding in Milford Sound), alternative transportation was offered and our cruise wasn’t cancelled. The staff anticipated problems and let us know, great service.
New Zealand is a must see country and having an experienced tour company made the trip stress free.
David & Louise Bursey, Discover New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 6 February 2020
Hello Chelsea, we had a wonderful trip to New Zealand. I would have liked to have spent a few extra days between the day-long drives, but, of course,...
Read moreHello Chelsea, we had a wonderful trip to New Zealand. I would have liked to have spent a few extra days between the day-long drives, but, of course, that would have been more expensive. Almost all the hotels were very nice with a few notable exceptions. We were disappointed with one due to the noise from the street, With a bus stop right by the entrance to the motel, the noise was pretty bad. We mentioned it to the host and he told us he would move us farther from the street when we returned on the 22nd. However, when we arrived then, he said he could not do that and put us in a room right next to the bus stop! The biggest disappointment was the accommodation in Franz Josef. We felt the conditions would not improve if we complained so we found another place to stay close to Greymouth. We left Saturday morning and drove to Goldfield Suites which was a wonderful boutique motel. We really liked the Mt. Cook area and could have spent much more time exploring and hiking there. Thank you for making the changes for the last day, the rides went smoothly and Nesuto was wonderful. I will be sure to send referrals your way.
Mark & Judy Klinger, Discover New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 5 February 2020
Fabulous holiday. Booking with yourselves ran very smoothly. Grand Pacific provided an excellent tour with knowledgeable staff and the weather even...
Read moreFabulous holiday. Booking with yourselves ran very smoothly. Grand Pacific provided an excellent tour with knowledgeable staff and the weather even played its' part. I highly recommend this tour to anyone. Only suggestion was a little more unscheduled time to allow for some shopping, exploration and relaxation, but overall superb.
Carole & David O'Brien, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day New Zealand Showcase, Travelled on 7 February 2020
Victoria was wonderful! Our accommodations’ at the Quest on Eden were top notch and the staff were also wonderful. Our shuttles waiting at the...
Read moreVictoria was wonderful! Our accommodations’ at the Quest on Eden were top notch and the staff were also wonderful. Our shuttles waiting at the airport worked out perfectly and our accommodation in Paihia and all of our booked adventures were also handled perfectly.
We appreciate all of your help and will definitely recommend you to our fellow travelers.
Judith Sommerville & Maureen Proctor, Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga Tour, Travelled on 10 February 2020
Very impressed with everything.
Laura had obviously listened very carefully to the sort of things we wanted, the type of people were our likes and...
Read moreVery impressed with everything.
Laura had obviously listened very carefully to the sort of things we wanted, the type of people were our likes and dislikes etc, and put together an itinerary that turned out absolutely perfect, with nothing that we would have changed.
I suppose the main thing to say is that in terms of all the numerous bookings for cars, hotels, train, ferry, pickups and excursions, unbelievably every single detail worked like clockwork with not a single, even tiny hiccup. Even when flooding on the road to Milford Sound, unbeknown to us, tried to throw a spanner into the works, Laura's successor contacted us a couple of days before and managed to make the necessary changes to get us there OK. The owner of our hotel in Te Anau said how lucky we'd been to get booked onto a coach as most of her guests had been unable to - used the wrong travel company, I guess!
The accommodation was, without exception, perfect - good quality hotels situated centrally in cities and excellent motels elsewhere. In case this seems a bit over the top, we were frequently amazed that we appeared to have the best rooms wherever we went, huge and often with fabulous views or practically right on the beach. Having organised a number of driving trips myself in the US and Canada, the definition of a motel in NZ is very, very different.
Absolutely no complaints on anything, but a small suggestion. The journey timings are often impossible to achieve, due to the huge amounts of roadworks going on (or sometimes not, as also happens at home). The satnav gave exactly the same timing estimates, but we found that a projected 4-hour journey normally included at least an hour stationery. Just something to consider.
Anyway, thanks so much for organising everything so well. Don't know if we'll pass this way again, but if we do, it will certainly be with you, and will definitely recommend you to anyone we know who is planning a trip.
Chris & Pam Dearmun, Grand New Zealand Scenic Adventure, Travelled on 10 February 2020
Maria, Jose and Jonjay Baugh and Tricia Tabora, Explore Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 3 February 2020
We are back home now after a spectacular NZ holiday thanks to you. I must congratulate yourself and all your partnered agents for their...
Read moreWe are back home now after a spectacular NZ holiday thanks to you. I must congratulate yourself and all your partnered agents for their professionalism. I can not fault our organised holiday and you Kiwis put us Aussies to shame when it comes to tourism. Thanks for a job well done.
Jeff Gomm & Juliana Tooze, Southern Highlights, Travelled on 8th February 2020
Thank you Christina, We had a wonderful holiday and it ran like clock work with all locations prepared and ready for us. We had our issues with the...
Read moreThank you Christina, We had a wonderful holiday and it ran like clock work with all locations prepared and ready for us. We had our issues with the rain on the west coast but we managed to still nearly do everything possible. The holiday plan was first class as was the accommodation.
Peter & Marinda Hunt, Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 3 February 2020
This tour, with organised trips and transfers by taxi, coach and the mini bus was fantastic, It was great to see all the beautiful scenery without...
Read moreThis tour, with organised trips and transfers by taxi, coach and the mini bus was fantastic, It was great to see all the beautiful scenery without the hassle of driving or the constraints of a coach tour. Everything was so well organised, and the APP with details of pick-up times, excursions and hotels - all information in one place- was a definite plus.
All the excursions and transfers were excellent, with careful and helpful drivers and informative, interesting commentaries.
Highlights were the Bay of Islands, with the boat trip to the Hole in the Rock and the trip to the Far North, Mount Cook with the boat trip on the glacial lake, the boat trip on the Dart River and the TranzAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch.
There were many wonderful excursions and experiences organised by the company, but also enough free time to relax and choose individual activities.
Best hotels were Hermitage Hotel for the magnificent views of Mount Cook and Tarltons Lodge for the beautiful view, private jacuzzi and wonderful hospitality.
We would definitely like to do the trip again and will recommend it to family and friends.
Robert & Delia Hannon, Auckland to Christchurch Ultimate Explorer, Travelled on 4 February 2020
Christchurch - hardly any sightseeing in the city. not enough time left for a major city to explore. The hotel was so out of the way, getting into...
Read moreChristchurch - hardly any sightseeing in the city. not enough time left for a major city to explore. The hotel was so out of the way, getting into the city on your own is not possible with the time allocated in the itinerary.
some hotels were mostly motel type, not even 3*.
When I booked this tour, you did not offer me the option of extending to Bay of Island. I had requested 2 additional nights in Auckland and had I know this tour was also going into the Bay of Island I would have chosen that option. The guide was very helpful and friendly. One of the best I have come across in my travel experience.
Shyama Thuduhena & Shiromi Samarawickrama, Grand Pacific Tours 14 Day New Zealand Panorama, Travelled on 2 February 2020
Well organised tour thoroughly enjoyed. Led by an excellent tour guide in the name of Krissy Higgan.
Appreciation is due also to Christine Brockie...
Read moreWell organised tour thoroughly enjoyed. Led by an excellent tour guide in the name of Krissy Higgan.
Appreciation is due also to Christine Brockie for booking arrangements. She was clear in communication and prompt with emails
Koppada & Abharani Rajaratnam, Valuthadatthil Samuel & Valsa Varughese, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day New Zealand Showcase, Travelled on 9 February 2020
Nichole did a great job planning our tour. It took us to the places we wanted to see on the dates we had available. We were particularly impressed...
Read moreNichole did a great job planning our tour. It took us to the places we wanted to see on the dates we had available. We were particularly impressed that all the drivers picked us up within 10 minutes of the time on our itinerary and we were taken to our next stop with interesting commentary along the way and arrived on time. Our one glitch, the erosion of roads leading to Milford Sound was handled well; we were notified in a timely way and offered help in planning alternatives for that day. All the hotels were welcoming, providing a nice breakfast each day.
Thank you for your pleasant calls and assuring us of help when needed as we travelled through your lovely country. Great tour!
Carol & Robert Dutton, The Natural Wonders Of The South Island, Travelled on 1 February 2020
Santosh Ajagarni, Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights, Travelled on 1 February 2020
Thank you, Chelsea, for arranging our Bay of Islands and Cape Regina Tour, it was brilliant. As this was the first time we had booked a tour in...
Read moreThank you, Chelsea, for arranging our Bay of Islands and Cape Regina Tour, it was brilliant. As this was the first time we had booked a tour in another country on the internet we were a little apprehensive that it would all work but it all went as planned. Averill Court Motel was excellent and Winnie was very helpful.
Brenda Howard & Beryl Pengilley, Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga Tour, Travelled on 3 February 2020
We had a lovely time in NZ. Our itinerary went very well, all the hotels/motels were excellent. We are already thinking about a return visit and...
Read moreWe had a lovely time in NZ. Our itinerary went very well, all the hotels/motels were excellent. We are already thinking about a return visit and will certainly use Discover New Zealand again. Many thanks to Shelley.
Paul & Pamela Cronin, Explore New Zealand, Travelled on 2 February 2020
Apart from a few minor issues, swiftly dealt with by the team, this was an excellent holiday, with everything ready for us when we arrived...
Read moreApart from a few minor issues, swiftly dealt with by the team, this was an excellent holiday, with everything ready for us when we arrived everywhere.
Before we arrived, we had received excellent service, making sure that any queries we had in regard to the holiday had been addressed and any changes requested were swiftly implemented.
Documentation received upon arrival was thorough, though the sat nav was sometimes also necessary to ensure safe arrival at a destination!
Most accommodation, trips, etc., met expectation, though with one particular exception, but this was swiftly changed for us.
For the one trip that had to be cancelled, a rapid refund was provided after the vacation ended.
Thank you for a wonderful 28 days in a picturesque, welcoming country.
Alan James and Celia Lynch, The Essential New Zealand, Travelled on 1 February 2020
We had a great time. We not only found that New Zealand is a beautiful country along with the nicest people. I would highly recommend the trip. The...
Read moreWe had a great time. We not only found that New Zealand is a beautiful country along with the nicest people. I would highly recommend the trip. The trip planning by Rommy was a great value to us. Thank you
Tom & Connie Schwan, AAT Kings 14 Day New Zealand Vista, Travelled on 28 January 2020
We had a fabulous trip and although it was a busy trip, with lots of driving, hotels, activities we managed to complete everything we planned and...
Read moreWe had a fabulous trip and although it was a busy trip, with lots of driving, hotels, activities we managed to complete everything we planned and thoroughly enjoyed it all. Highlights were Hobbiton and Mount Cook. Both wine tours were also excellent. The pack was easy to use and follow.
Our suggestions, based on our experience for future consideration are:
Hobbiton - as the car rental only opened at 8 am and you have to check-in at Hobbiton 15 mins before the tour we saw the booked time was too tight, so we called and delayed by an hour. Would recommend a slightly later tour to others.
Rotorua - at Rainbow Springs there is a kiwi hatchery. As there is time available in Rotorua, suggest this could be added as an option. We thoroughly enjoyed
Ferry from Wellington - it says the check-in time was 8.15am, but this was actually the boarding time. Some people were checking in at 8.15am, but it was very busy. We had arrived earlier and the queue was far less, so recommend arriving earlier
Mount Cook - we tried the helicopter flight and it was fantastic, giving an option to add this to the itinerary may be useful for people
Bendigo Reserve - as this was mentioned we went to see, quite narrow, steep roads and not much signage! Not sure it was worth the visit. However earlier in this journey we wet to see the Clay Cliffs and they were impressive, although not mentioned
The Hotel locations were all good. The rooms were comfy.
Many thanks, we would not hesitate to recommend you and the company - in fact we already have as Facebook friends requested details after seeing our travels!
Justine Ormandy & Nadeem Shameen, Auckland to Queenstown Highlights Tour, Travelled on 31 January 2020
Kasmira has been very helpful and dedicated to making the itinerary fit our needs. Excellent service!!
We loved our tour. Our driver/guide Nick on...
Read moreKasmira has been very helpful and dedicated to making the itinerary fit our needs. Excellent service!!
We loved our tour. Our driver/guide Nick on the second day was very dynamic, giving clear and complete explanations. The driver on our first day was a good driver but his comments were not loud nor clear even if he was told twice to speak louder. The total organization of the tour was perfect. Thank you for this very good experience, we would recommend
Daniel & Sylvie St-Pierre, Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga Deluxe tour, Travelled on 31 January 2020
Thank you Victoria for customising a wonderful itinerary for us within such a short period. Our family enjoyed the trip, especially our five-year-old...
Read moreThank you Victoria for customising a wonderful itinerary for us within such a short period. Our family enjoyed the trip, especially our five-year-old Daughter because she had many opportunities to interact with the animals. I appreciated Victoria’s patience towards my queries and requests. When we were at Queenstown, there was a heavy downpour and Victoria took her initiative to inform me that the Milford Sound trip had to be cancelled. She was also prompt in processing this refund for me.
Alex & Sarah Teo & Lorraine Lin, New Zealand Grand Tour, Travelled on 25 January 2020
We had a wonderful trip with your organization, but encountered a couple of problems:
1) we expected to find written information about our trip in...
Read moreWe had a wonderful trip with your organization, but encountered a couple of problems:
1) we expected to find written information about our trip in the first accommodation. Only after our phone call we were informed that all information was present in the app.
2) we had problems at the car rental office, because my driver's license did not contain an English translation. I think it is up to your organization to warn travelers form abroad about this issue and advice them to have a valid international driver's license with them.
3) the app worked well and at all locations people were prepared for our arrival.
4) it is nearly impossible to drive from Abel Tasman NP to Picton and take the Interislander from there at 10 am. Why so early, there were enough boats later that day. We decided to leave Abel Tasman already on the previous extra night accommodation.
5) As we already communicated with you, we decided not to go to the Bay of Islands and to stay in Auckland instead. Driving a 300 km trip in New Zealand with mainly two-lanes roads takes much more time and is much more tiring than we are used to in Western Europe.
Joop van Zoelen & Maria Paulssen, Christchurch to Auckland Northbound self drive tour, Travelled on 23 January 2020
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour of New Zealand that you organised for us. The itinerary worked well, the accommodations were good and everything went...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed the tour of New Zealand that you organised for us. The itinerary worked well, the accommodations were good and everything went smoothly. We did have the misfortune of having our trip to Milford Sound cancelled due to the road being closed, but Chelsea pulled out all the stops and got us onto the Doubtful Sound cruise instead, which we enjoyed immensely. The harbour cruise on our last night in Auckland was a brilliant way to end the holiday. We found the App very useful and used it throughout the trip. Thank you.
Pat Smart & John Richard Clarke, New Zealand Grand Tour, Travelled on 26 January 2020
This was a truly amazing trip. Everything was so well organised and all the ‘must-see’ places were included, plus a lot more. Information was...
Read moreThis was a truly amazing trip. Everything was so well organised and all the ‘must-see’ places were included, plus a lot more. Information was shared by the driver and guide. The optional excursions were fabulous - especially Skippers Canyon. The hotels were well chosen. The only downsides were the change of hotel to Fox Glacier - much lower standard of hotel and the killing of time on the last day waiting for the TranzAlpine railway. I would fully recommend this 9 day tour.
Heather Suckley, AAT Kings 9 Day Southern Spotlight, Travelled on 26 January 2020
My trip around New Zealand was AMAZING! A big part of the great experience was the superb organisation of the Self Drive Tour which worked like...
Read moreMy trip around New Zealand was AMAZING! A big part of the great experience was the superb organisation of the Self Drive Tour which worked like clockwork. I was particularly impressed by your ability to modify the basic package to suit my particular needs. Another big plus was your suggestions and bookings for some of the events and tours that I did through my trip which were a huge addition to my enjoyment and again worked like clockwork.
Very impressive was the constant engagement in planning the trip and the rapid responses to my requests especially when I needed to change some things when I was part way round.
I have no hesitation in recommending Discover New Zealand to anyone considering a tour of this fantastic country
Nicole was great in the planning phase and Jo was super efficient during my trip. Many thanks and well done!
Colin Jackson, Customized The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 23 January 2020
Linda and I much enjoyed our recent visit to New Zealand. It's a beautiful Country, the people are friendly, the food is good. The itinerary you...
Read moreLinda and I much enjoyed our recent visit to New Zealand. It's a beautiful Country, the people are friendly, the food is good. The itinerary you organized for us was wonderful. We enjoyed every day. We were particularly impressed that among numerous activities, reservations, transfers, we were always greeted on time, by courteous, smiling, people who helped us on our way. Our regret is that we didn't plan to spend more time on this visit. Many thanks for preparing a "Spectacular" visit!
Norman & Linda Riley, South Island Spectacular, Travelled on 23 January 2020
Awesome trip overall. Little too much bus time. But understand the necessity. Accommodations were excellent. The tours I would cut out the first...
Read moreAwesome trip overall. Little too much bus time. But understand the necessity. Accommodations were excellent. The tours I would cut out the first tribal tour as we saw pretty much the same act at our dinner (which was great).
All in all a great time..... I hope to capture some of the beauty in an upcoming You Tube video. I will certainly give you and the company the credit for the outstanding agenda.
Charles & Suzanne Esser, Customised Contrasts of New Zealand, Travelled on 25 January 2020
Christina, I can't thank you enough for one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. I was concerned having someone else plan everything for me would...
Read moreChristina, I can't thank you enough for one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. I was concerned having someone else plan everything for me would mean not getting everything I wanted. But we loved our accommodations, the rental car and all the adventures we wanted plus the ones you recommended. You were so easy to get ahold of and made everything seem doable. That means so much to someone with anxiety. Your country is gorgeous, the food was delicious and the people were friendly. Trip of a lifetime! Thank you for your part in making it happen.
Laurie & Christian Lester, Customised Christchurch to Auckland Must Do Tour, Travelled on 21 January 2020
Mark Herbert & Simon McCulloch, Customised Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 20 January 2020
Many thanks for organising our Length & Breadth North to South Tour, your organisation was brilliant, every place we went we were expected and all...
Read moreMany thanks for organising our Length & Breadth North to South Tour, your organisation was brilliant, every place we went we were expected and all tours booked were as described or in most cases even better than we expected. You have a beautiful country and we really enjoyed it, highlights were many but Doubtful Sound a standout trip as was the trip to Mt. Cook and the glacier there.
Hotels were varied with some being far better quality than others, unfortunately these were mainly where we stayed for just one night. In hindsight we should have been more specific with you about the rooms booked and we should have done more due diligence on the hotels. At almost every hotel we got the room with the worst outlook whereas normally we would always book the best rooms/views and we should have made this clear to you. Many of the hotels catered for large coach tours and again we would never book these but rather we would go for something smaller and more boutique. It was pretty annoying that the tour groups got the best rooms in the main. In many of the room descriptions it mentions Deluxe or Superior but this, in my opinion, is misleading and not consistent with European hotel rooms with similar descriptions.
We did get an upgrade at Pepper's hotel in Martinborough but this was probably because I am an Accor hotels members.
Again, in hindsight, we should not have booked breakfasts at each hotel but probably would have been better off using that money to upgrade the rooms.
Maybe in future, you could make these points clear to potential clients as the tour has many stops and hotels and you cannot review every aspect yourselves.
Mike & Carole Canham, The Length & Breadth North to South Tour, Travelled on 21 January 2020
We want to thank you for a fantastic holiday in New Zealand.
The itinerary was perfect, allowing us enough time at each stop-over to see your...
Read moreWe want to thank you for a fantastic holiday in New Zealand.
The itinerary was perfect, allowing us enough time at each stop-over to see your beautiful country.
Akaroa was fantastic, we managed to see the Hector dolphins, the blue penguins and even krill, which was fascinating! Our next stop was Mount Cook, quite spectacular, the highlight being our helicopter ride up on to the glacier and being able to walk round in short sleeves! The highlight of Dunedin was seeing albatrosses in flight, apparently a rarity.
Beautiful scenery all the way to Te Anau and then the fantastic Milford Sound.
Queenstown and the buffet cruise were a delight. The food was superb. On through Wanaka, a stop to meet you before our journey to Franz Josef. A robust walk to see the glacier and the river complex, which was fascinating.
On to Greymouth and the train ride back to Christchurch through the mountains. Not only spectacular but the history was extremely interesting. Finally, we explored Christchurch, a beautiful city despite the damage by the earthquakes, before our flight to Australia. We would like to thank you for all the organisation and your recommendations to make our holiday superb. The transfer-drivers to and from the airport were wonderful, friendly and helpful. The accommodation was first class and again the staff could not have been kinder.
All-in-all a perfect holiday, superbly put together by yourselves - a five-star trip.
Peter & Joan Tupling, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 20 January 2020
We appreciate the on-time pickups and transfers. The problem with self-driving is not knowing the hotel. Three times we had no idea where to park or...
Read moreWe appreciate the on-time pickups and transfers. The problem with self-driving is not knowing the hotel. Three times we had no idea where to park or pull in to reception, so we had to drive around the block in traffic once we saw where the hotel was. Not fun in busy Aukland and Wellington!! We also found that a suggested restaurant was closed, as well as a suggested tour was not running, so your information could be updated more frequently.
Karen & Kirk Mosley, North Island Highlights Trip with Northern Explorer, Travelled on 16 January 2020
We had an absolutely fantastic holiday in New Zealand and loved every minute of it. It exceeded all our expectations.
All the arrangements and...
Read moreWe had an absolutely fantastic holiday in New Zealand and loved every minute of it. It exceeded all our expectations.
All the arrangements and bookings worked very smoothly and everyone we met seemed really friendly and helpful. As you know we did have a couple of hitches with the arrival flight and the floods which were totally out of anyone's control. However, the revised arrangements were dealt with very efficiently by your office and it didn't spoil anything.
The only minor suggestion I would make that would improve the holiday would be to give a bit more detail about cooking facilities (especially if there is a cooking ring in the apartment) as it helps when planning ahead as to whether to eat in or go out. You often have to do the shopping on the way to the apartment and you cant cook everything in a microwave.
Chris and Julia Coombs, The Length & Breadth North to South Tour, Travelled on 14 January 2020
My husband and I were introduced to Chelsea by close friends of ours who had used Discover New Zealand to plan their trip to New Zealand. (Discover...
Read moreMy husband and I were introduced to Chelsea by close friends of ours who had used Discover New Zealand to plan their trip to New Zealand. (Discover New Zealand assists in planning for various popular travel destinations like Australia as well) Our friends had nothing but amazing things to say about Discover New Zealand. After my husband and I connected with Chelsea, I quickly understood why. Chelsea was absolutely amazing - she checked off every box from A-Z. Chelsea was very knowledgeable, patient, and professional. Being from the United States, my husband and I did a lot of research and took a lot of time to prepare the perfect itinerary for our honeymoon and Chelsea was there every step of the way. Finally, after we created the perfect itinerary, we changed it 5 or 6 times after that - #patient. Chelsea guided us throughout the entire process and truly helped us create the trip of a lifetime.
Upon our arrival, we received a printed copy of our itinerary with a step by step guide of our entire 16 day trip. Even cooler was the Discover New Zealand application that we downloaded to our phones which detailed our trip, important addresses and directions, information about every location that we were going to visit, and tourist recommendations like popular sites to see, restaurants, nightlife, and more. My husband and I were blown away by how user-friendly and resourceful the Discover New Zealand app was.
Looking back, we did not realize how valuable planning with Discover New Zealand turned out to be. Discover New Zealand provided us with a comprehensive itinerary, leaving all the thinking to them and enabling us to focus on what was most important - our honeymoon, relaxing, and having a good time. Moreover, after we had already paid for everything, when we reached out to Chelsea with a minor issue at 7 p.m. on one of the days that we were already in New Zealand, Chelsea quickly responded and helped us address the problem at hand. Felt like V.I.P treatment to us!
Travelling to New Zealand is already a life-changing experience but working with Chelsea helped us parlay our trip into something magical. Working with Chelsea was by far the best experience we ever had working with a travel agency or touring company. We will never forget our experience and neither will you if you plan through Discover New Zealand!
Reie Levi & Danielle Sharafi, Auckland to Queenstown Highlights Tour, Travelled on 14 January 2020
Caroline & Stephen Morris, Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound highlights Tour, Travelled on 13 January 2020
Discover New Zealand did a great job for us. It started when we arrived from Australia late, landing at 2 AM - and finding Faith waiting for us with...
Read moreDiscover New Zealand did a great job for us. It started when we arrived from Australia late, landing at 2 AM - and finding Faith waiting for us with a lovely grin and a warm car! Our hotel in Christchurch was very nice and right in the thick of things. We then had an easy flight to Queenstown and a good time there. Then the tour of the West coast was much fun. The bus drivers were amusing and informative and we saw a lot. We were glad not to take a glacier landing because they were all fogged in. The hike and the kayak tours we took instead were just about right for our level of conditioning. Again, great fun informative guides. Finally, the TranzAlpine rail was a relaxing finish.
All in all, this was a great week - we wish we had taken two!
James & Marietta Cawse, NZ South Island Highlights Tour, Travelled on 17 January 2020
The trip was great, well organised and was great to have everything sorted re-accommodation and activities. Main problems, the app used for maps was...
Read moreThe trip was great, well organised and was great to have everything sorted re-accommodation and activities. Main problems, the app used for maps was annoying at times, really needed online connection. The solution would be to recommend buying a pay as you go sim on arrival and loading with some internet credit.
Most accommodation was great, the exception being the last two we had. The accommodation was fine, don't get me wrong. The Taupo one was upstairs (annoying with suitcases on wheels!) and neither had cooking facilities. All the rest great in every respect.
That said, would recommend and use again.
Julia Clausen & Callum Morris, Spectacular North Island Highlights, Travelled on 13 January 2020
A few years ago I took a tour with this company of the South Island, and everything worked great. So when I booked this North Island tour, I had high...
Read moreA few years ago I took a tour with this company of the South Island, and everything worked great. So when I booked this North Island tour, I had high expectations and they were exceeded. The buses, the hotels and the excursions were excellent, and some of the highlights in Paihia were the visit to Waitangi, the Hole in the Rock cruise, and the 90-mile beach was impressive.
In Rotorua, it was very interesting to visit Te Puia and see how the ancient wood carving traditions are still practised, and the Tamaki Village tour and dinner was very enjoyable.
Overall, I had a wonderful experience, my only regret is that I didn't have more time. I chose to see just a small part of the Island, but I'm glad that I chose this tour.
Lis Kofoed, Bay of Islands and Rotorua Combo, Travelled on 12 January 2020
This was an amazing trip! Chelsea gave us excellent advice and assistance and booked everything to perfection! We never had a single glitch and we...
Read moreThis was an amazing trip! Chelsea gave us excellent advice and assistance and booked everything to perfection! We never had a single glitch and we knew where and when to be at the places we needed to be. I cannot say enough about the excellent service Chelsea provided. I would not hesitate to recommend her and Discover New Zealand for travel planning. Thank you and Kia Ora!
Susan Barron & Maggie York, AAT Kings 8 Day Northern Discovery + transport to Christchurch, Travelled on 9 January 2020
New Zealand was beautiful and you certainly made it easy for us to navigate through this beautiful place. We loved all of the activities that we did...
Read moreNew Zealand was beautiful and you certainly made it easy for us to navigate through this beautiful place. We loved all of the activities that we did except felt that 3 activities in Rotorua on one day was very packed and it was hard getting from one activity to the other in time, also to do the extreme walking sites with kids was a little cumbersome, I think if there are little kids, those families should be warned against the walking in the valleys and craters, As much as kids enjoy trips they don’t appreciate seeing craters for hours and get bored plus tired. The beach the brakes were great and they really enjoyed it and the jet boat and canopy tours were the highlights of the trip for the kids all of the locations chosen to stay we’re super fantastic the hosts were extremely friendly and helpful and we couldn’t have done better with that. Chelsea, you were extremely flexible and helpful and I will definitely be sending references your Way. Plus I will reach out as we haven’t had enough of New Zealand.
Puja, Mehul, Vivaan & Aahana Amin, Central North Island Explorer Tour, Travelled on 8 January 2020
We had a wonderful time on our trip to New Zealand. I can't say enough good things about New Zealand, and your planning of our trip allowed us to see...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time on our trip to New Zealand. I can't say enough good things about New Zealand, and your planning of our trip allowed us to see as much as we could on our trip. Thank you for your excellence and speed in planning our route, accommodations, and activities. I would highly recommend Discover New Zealand to anyone interested in visiting New Zealand!
Renee & Jeremiah Moore, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 8 January 2020
Thank you so much for all the work you put into organizing our trip to New Zealand. It was exactly what we wanted and everything was perfect, even...
Read moreThank you so much for all the work you put into organizing our trip to New Zealand. It was exactly what we wanted and everything was perfect, even the weather, which we had been warned was not great, turned around for us.
Can't pick out a favourite, it was all we hoped for. Before the first week was out, we knew we have to return. So much to see, fabulous seas and majestic mountains. We really appreciate the great job you did for us.
Earla & Stuart Croll, Auckland to Christchurch 15 day highlights, travelled on 8th January 2020
This was a great tour with an excellent tour manager and coach driver, good accommodation and food and lots of inclusions. It was very...
Read moreThis was a great tour with an excellent tour manager and coach driver, good accommodation and food and lots of inclusions. It was very well-organised. My only slightly less positive comment is that the itinerary was very packed with early starts and long days of travelling/touring; I personally would have appreciated a little more down-time as I was exhausted at the end of the 9 days! Many thanks to Chelsea for all your help and advice about my trip too.
Daphne Gardner, Grand Pacific Tours 9 Day Taste of the South Island, Travelled on 8 January 2020
The tour was great. The only problem was with the rental car GPS. We missed one turn out of Christchurch and then it tried to take us to Queenstown...
Read moreThe tour was great. The only problem was with the rental car GPS. We missed one turn out of Christchurch and then it tried to take us to Queenstown via Arthur's Pass! It took us a while to realize the problem, but we saw some interesting country that we would not have otherwise experienced. We had clear skies for our day in Milford Sound, but rain from Franz Josef to Greymouth.
Dave Duncan, Milford Sound Highlights tour, Travelled on 6 January 2020
Firstly, a huge thank you to Christina our travel consultant who made this entire trip seamless, from car rental and all the accommodation, activity...
Read moreFirstly, a huge thank you to Christina our travel consultant who made this entire trip seamless, from car rental and all the accommodation, activity arrangements, well done!
What can I say... New Zealand is Awesome! From Auckland all the way through to Dunedin and back to Christchurch such scenery and very friendly people. In the 21 days, we were very lucky to only encounter one day of a drizzling rain which made the whole journey that little bit easier to take. Although I think the scenery would be just as spectacular at any time. I have already recommended Discover New Zealand to family and friends as the only option to choose when travelling to New Zealand. Once again thanks for creating some wonderful family holiday memories.
Andrew Pursall, Paula Lane-Pursall, Alexandra & Akacia Pursall, 21 Day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 4th January 2020
Thanks for organising a terrific tour for us. We had a great time and were really impressed with the way everything was sorted and planned so...
Read moreThanks for organising a terrific tour for us. We had a great time and were really impressed with the way everything was sorted and planned so professionally.
Everything fell into place as planned and there were no nasty surprises. Just a couple of comments:
As only one of us was driving, we found the Rotorua to Wellington drives a bit taxing. I guess in hindsight we could have broken it up somewhere, but otherwise, the drives were of a really manageable length.
We didn't use the SatNav. Fortunately, we were upgraded to an SUV for both cars, and the North Island car had a built-in SatNav. The South Island drives were easy enough to go without. When we tried to use the SatNav provided, we found it a bit glitchy and unreliable, but it's possible we weren't using it correctly.
It was reassuring to have a dedicated staff member for our trip and 24-hour access to help if we'd needed it. We have already recommended Discover NZ to a number of our friends.
Tristian Price & Graham Abbott, Auckland to Christchurch Splendour, Travelled on 2 January 2020
First of all, thank you to NZ Fine Touring for a wonderful time recently on our adventure through New Zealand - we all loved your beautiful country,...
Read moreFirst of all, thank you to NZ Fine Touring for a wonderful time recently on our adventure through New Zealand - we all loved your beautiful country, our travel arrangements, and meeting the friendliest people ever!
Cal, Cathy & Blaise Roth and Ron & Debi Wirth, Nelson to Christchurch Christmas Holiday, Travelled on 20th December 2019
Firstly may I congratulate you on your wonderful planning and organisational skills. You organised our trip right down to the smallest detail. I...
Read moreFirstly may I congratulate you on your wonderful planning and organisational skills. You organised our trip right down to the smallest detail. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending you and the Discover New Zealand. It’s a long time since we have received such outstanding service from a travel consultant.
Highlights were:-
1. Experiencing New Year's Eve with all the locals in the streets below the tower in Auckland. What a wonderful atmosphere. We were amongst a huge crowd but we felt safe.
2. Although very busy at that time of year, we loved the Bay of Islands. What a beautiful spot.
3. The Canopy walk near Rotorua was breathtaking. Not to be missed!
4. The trip on board the Northern Explorer from Wellington to Auckland was a treat. It was great to just sit back and relax and watch the wonderful scenery just drift past. This was especially relaxing after all that driving on the first part of our trip.
Overall – a great experience. Thank you Jane.
Errol & Lois Callaghan and Theres Sterndale, North Island Highlights, Travelled on 31st December 2019
I have nothing but good things to say about the arrangements that were made for me and the help that Kasmira provided. I asked for some complicated...
Read moreI have nothing but good things to say about the arrangements that were made for me and the help that Kasmira provided. I asked for some complicated transportation arrangements which were provided by a number of sources (GreatSights bus, InterCity bus, shuttles, taxi, etc) and all of them were on time and perfect. The hotels were all fine and I appreciated being in a harbour view room on New Year's Eve as I had a perfect view of the fireworks and the light show on the Auckland Harbor Bridge. The activities were all good and I do highly recommend the progressive wine and dinner evening in Napier. This was an excellent evening with wonderful wine and wonderful food. The small group of three made it perfect. I will definitely recommend Discover New Zealand to anyone travelling there and will definitely use them again when I return. Thank you so much for making my holiday so perfect!
Christina Ash, 8 Day Bay of Islands to Wellington, Travelled on 28 December 2019
Wow, what a trip! New Zealand is an amzingly beautiful country and we had the best time. Thank you for organising such an incredible and memorable...
Read moreWow, what a trip! New Zealand is an amzingly beautiful country and we had the best time. Thank you for organising such an incredible and memorable holiday. Everything was so easy from the initial planning stages, being met at the airport, picking up cars etc it was all seamless. The accommodation choices were excellent, all in great locations, clean and spacious for a family of 4. It was all completely trouble free making for a busy but great relaxing holiday. We didn't organise too many activities with yourselves as we were not sure what we wanted to do but managed to pack a lot in and had no trouble booking activities as we went along. Other than needing more time in NZ we couldn't have wished for more.
Rob, Christine, Ewan & Nia Griffiths, The Best of New Zealand, Travelled on 28 December 2019
Nichole, our trip wa WONDERFUL! From the very beginning, we were so pleased with the itinerary you put together for us, based on just a short...
Read moreNichole, our trip wa WONDERFUL! From the very beginning, we were so pleased with the itinerary you put together for us, based on just a short paragraph outlining what we were looking for. Having returned home a week ago, the trip was just as perfect to experience as it looked like on paper. We remarked to each other several times how great it was to have all of the details and bookings taken care of, so all we had to do was show up and enjoy. It really was the vacation of a lifetime, and we will absolutely recommend your company and you specifically to family and friends who might also want to visit New Zealand.
Amy & Benjamin Lauer, The Natural Wonders Of New Zealand, Travelled on 28 December 2019
My wife & I had a fantastic time in NZ and everything went to plan seamlessly. Thanks for putting together a great experience. Highlights were...
Read moreMy wife & I had a fantastic time in NZ and everything went to plan seamlessly. Thanks for putting together a great experience. Highlights were staying at The White Morph & surrounding area (I upgraded to a front room that was vacant for an extra $80 and I highly recommend you choose that for your customers, it was stunning) and Lake Ohau Lodge was simply amazing - even with the smoke haze drifted over from the Australian bushfires.
Trevor Saunders & Kam Wan, Auckland to Queenstown Highlights Tour, Travelled on 25th December 2019
Our trip was great, the Zealandia tour had to be the highlight. The 14-day pass for the geothermals worked well. We were able to go a day earlier. ...
Read moreOur trip was great, the Zealandia tour had to be the highlight. The 14-day pass for the geothermals worked well. We were able to go a day earlier. All the facilities were great and accommodating as well as spacious. The National Park was superb. If you wanted a suggestion for improvement. Europcar had long lines and slow process for getting to and from your car. We especially enjoyed the hotels in Auckland and Rotorua and the National Park. Thanks 😀😀
Bonnie Scott, Robert & Eason Barclay, Christchurch To Auckland Northbound Highlights, Travelled on 31 December 2019
Thank you for the fantastic job you did! You absolutely handled everything for me from hotels to experiences and all the transportation as well. ...
Read moreThank you for the fantastic job you did! You absolutely handled everything for me from hotels to experiences and all the transportation as well. With such a complicated itinerary, I was expecting at least a small hitch somewhere, particularly in the transportation arrangements. But everything went exactly as you planned and I had no problems whatsoever. And everything you booked was absolutely wonderful. The hotel you booked for me in Auckland looked out over the harbour so I had a perfect view of the fireworks and light show on the harbour bridge on New Year's eve. I can't say enough good things about the Progressive dinner and wine tasting experience - that was just fantastic. In fact, everything was just fantastic.
I hope to return to New Zealand someday and will definitely be looking for you again to help plan the trip...and I will definitely recommend you to anyone else I come into contact with.
Christina Ash, 8 Day Bay of Islands to Wellington, Travelled on 28th December 2019
The organisation was great, itinerary really helpful. All motels are great except for one hotel with cobwebs. South Island beautiful, sorry for...
Read moreThe organisation was great, itinerary really helpful. All motels are great except for one hotel with cobwebs. South Island beautiful, sorry for missing Fox Glacier helicopter due to cloud. Reported it by phone back to discover NZ but still waiting for a promised refund, told would occur after the tour was completed. Great holiday , great place , 2 down points.
Mark, Alexandra, Ryan and Vanessa Rowell, Southern Icons Self Drive, Travelled on 27 December 2019
Firstly, our entire family is grateful for the help you extended to us during difficult times. The tour was awesomely planned. We had a fun time in...
Read moreFirstly, our entire family is grateful for the help you extended to us during difficult times. The tour was awesomely planned. We had a fun time in New Zealand. We shall cherish the memories in years to come.
1. Our time in Christchurch was superb.
2. Mount cook was just splendid wish we had more time like a day to track
3. Dunedin was good but the residence although prime in location was pretty disappointing. The wildlife trip was ok, not much to see. But drive around was very scenic.
4. Queenstown was just awesome we even managed to drive to your home town and I must say you live in heaven on earth. The hospitality was very welcoming. The resort was a bit of a disappointment. We thought we could have a place facing the water front, instead, the view was blocked by blocks in front of us.
5 the rides that you including heli ride and the speed boat were cool
6. Milford sound was just breath taking. The entire experience was great.
We would once again like to thank you for doing all this for us and if you ever come to Singapore we would love to meet you for a meal.
Take care and most importantly belated Happy New Year
Asim and family
Asim & Mariam Shabbir and Family, Southern Highlights Tour, Travelled on 17 December 2019
Wow-what an amazing vacation !!!!!!!!!! We enjoyed every moment, thank you, Chelsea, for everything ....so well organized!
New Zealand is a...
Read moreWow-what an amazing vacation !!!!!!!!!! We enjoyed every moment, thank you, Chelsea, for everything ....so well organized!
New Zealand is a beautiful and safe country ...we will definitely return for a holiday
Joy, Johan, Lalique, Leandri Wehmeyer, Northbound Adventure Tour, Travelled on 11 December 2019
This was a memorable journey for us. Everything was well organized from the point of providing information on New Zealand's various journey options,...
Read moreThis was a memorable journey for us. Everything was well organized from the point of providing information on New Zealand's various journey options, booking the journey, listening to our request for organizing rooms near to each other for all family members. AAT kings well organized team made it possible to visit so many places within specified time and providing information about places. I would highly recommend to discovernewzealand.com and AAT king.
Lokesh Dewangan, AAT Kings 14 Day New Zealand Vista, Travelled on 24 December 2019
The quick response from Laura Davidson after the initial query was very impressive.
This was the major factor for me to choose this personalised NZ...
Read moreThe quick response from Laura Davidson after the initial query was very impressive.
This was the major factor for me to choose this personalised NZ tour. Along the way, there were small mishaps. No breakfast was mentioned or provided on the first night, It was very understandable as I arrived after midnight from Australia. However the 2nd time stayed at the same hotel, the receptionist mentioned the breakfast, I said "no breakfast provided on the 1st night and I am leaving 6:30 am in the morning: she organised the prepacked breakfast for me to pick up in the morning and provided me a better comfortable room.
Paihia, the bus driver forgot to pick me up from the hotel for Sand dune tour, after contact from the hotel, they came and took me to the tour bus, this same driver forgot to pick another couple along the way, I mentioned it in front of passengers and smacked his bottom lightly with a big smile and said "all is forgotten", everyone laughed and we had a great time afterwards.
This is the essence of NZ, speak nicely to them and they rectify any mishap immediately.
The tour was well organised to every single detail and I proudly recommend NZ tour to anyone. Thank you, Laura, enjoy motherhood and Have a lovely day.
Yumiko Smith, North Island Highlights Experience, Travelled on 14 December 2019
Our 9 day Southern Explorer tour was excellent! The itinerary and information provided was really helpful making it easy to get around and see all...
Read moreOur 9 day Southern Explorer tour was excellent! The itinerary and information provided was really helpful making it easy to get around and see all the important and amazing sights. Nichole was amazing and promptly answered any questions we had along the way. I’ve never had such a well organised holiday. Thank you!
Brittany Reynolds & Matthew Lane, 9 Day Southern Explorer, Travelled on 28 December 2019
We were thoroughly satisfied with your planning of itinerary, constant contacts to keep us informed of any changes.
In particular, when there's a...
Read moreWe were thoroughly satisfied with your planning of itinerary, constant contacts to keep us informed of any changes.
In particular, when there's a landslip problem on the route, you gave us a warning and offered alternatives.
The private transfers were on time and the drivers were very courteous too.
We greatly enjoyed our trip in New Zealand and would definitely recommend your service to our relatives and friends.
Aster, Terence & Angela Au Yeung, South Island Christmas Holiday, Travelled on 26 December 2019
Joyce & Ingrid Hu & Wenchieh Hung, 5 day Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes, Travelled on 29 December 2019
Mariana Miroiu, AAT Kings 17 Day Kia Ora New Zealand, Travelled on 21 December 2019
Engaging the service of Discover New Zealand is the best start I could have asked for in planning for my recent trip to NZ in Nov/Dec 2019. The...
Read moreEngaging the service of Discover New Zealand is the best start I could have asked for in planning for my recent trip to NZ in Nov/Dec 2019. The itinerary is well thought through and catered very well to our driving schedule. It contains a good mix of fun activities and cultural experiences. Not forgetting the great eateries that are recommended along our routes that offer delicacies to fill our tummies. Discover NZ is also very responsive in addressing our needs and queries during our journey. I can’t imagine how my trip would turn out to be if not for the swift adjustments made by Discover NZ to re-route my trip when the road to Greymouth closed. All in all, we had a wonderful time travelling and visiting this beautiful country. Our family will certainly be visiting in the future and we will want Discover New Zealand to plan for us again.
Hong Koon, Jun Rui, Li Xuan Lim & Soh Kwan Tan, Classic New Zealand Driving Tour, Travelled on 27 November 2019
Dorte Falsbo, Harry & Emilie Knudsen, Southern Scenes Adventure, Travelled on 18 December 2019
Belinda Smit & Paul McShane, The Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 18 December 2019
Thanks, Katie for organising such a well planned and lovely trip. All the bookings were the same as it was mentioned in the itinerary. It would not...
Read moreThanks, Katie for organising such a well planned and lovely trip. All the bookings were the same as it was mentioned in the itinerary. It would not have been possible to do a such compact and budget-friendly tour without your guidance. So thanks once again for planning such a lovely trip. I would highly recommend Discover New Zealand as a preferred tour partner for all who are planning for a New Zealand trip in future.
Anup Ghosh & Swati Sinha, 6 day Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound highlights for Anup & Swati, Travelled on 28 December 2019
Thanks, Vickie for organising such an amazing trip for us. I must mention that you considered all our needs and preferences in planning the whole...
Read moreThanks, Vickie for organising such an amazing trip for us. I must mention that you considered all our needs and preferences in planning the whole trip, for example, accommodations, tour timings and what all we wanted to do. You had been absolutely fantastic in responding to all my queries and issues that we faced.
The only minor issue that we faced was with the reference numbers in the App not matching with tour operators. other than that everything else was very well planned.
Without a doubt I would recommend you to anybody who wants to make their NZ holidays a memorable holiday.
Ritesh Rajput & Family, South Island Self Drive Family Adventure, Travelled on 20 December 2019
I have nothing but praise for Nichole White who prepared a great itinerary for me. All details were taken care of including transfers and...
Read moreI have nothing but praise for Nichole White who prepared a great itinerary for me. All details were taken care of including transfers and sightseeing. The hotels were excellent too. Thank you Nichole. I hope to return to your beautiful country and will certainly use your services again.
Shanti Stevens, South Island Tour from Christchurch Including Queenstown and Milford Sound, Travelled on 16 December 2019
Chelsea was so lovely and helped with many extra requests without hesitation. The tour was very detailed and easy to follow using the App & having...
Read moreChelsea was so lovely and helped with many extra requests without hesitation. The tour was very detailed and easy to follow using the App & having the printed version of the itinerary was helpful also. I highly recommend using this tour company & would use them again in the future. Thank you Chelsea!
Laura Owen & Peter Scapellato, The Southern Circuit, Travelled on 16 December 2019
We had a wonderful tour and saw parts of New Zealand we had never seen on our many previous visits. Our most memorable ones were the albatross colony...
Read moreWe had a wonderful tour and saw parts of New Zealand we had never seen on our many previous visits. Our most memorable ones were the albatross colony and the Taieri Gorge train ride. Everything you set up for us was great. The tour went off like clockwork and all of the people doing their various parts were extra friendly and helpful.
Thank you for the great holiday and hopefully, we will be back another year. Happy New Year.
Edward and Willma Lang, Icons of the South Island Tour, Travelled on 14 December 2019
I wanted to take a moment to thank you (and your team) for the planning and coordination of the greatest vacation we have ever experienced. Since I...
Read moreI wanted to take a moment to thank you (and your team) for the planning and coordination of the greatest vacation we have ever experienced. Since I was a child, I wanted to see New Zealand. Many of my friends have visited New Zealand and Australia and all came back with the same comment; " I wish we had spend more time on New Zealand." We spent two weeks traveling the north and south islands. We drove approximately 2000 kilometers following your directions and enjoying the fantastic hotels that you have discovered. We had numerous adventures (excursions) along the way and we cannot tell you how much we enjoyed them. It was a dream come true. You made it so easy for us and we will never forget you for organizing this dream. You have been courteous, professional and extremely responsive to my questions throughout the planning process. Thanks so much! Great job!!!
Kevin & Julie Mickits, Iconic New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 13 December 2019
What an amazing trip with Gina and Stu. The north island was fantastic and the tour group was small. The south island was my favourite, rain...
Read moreWhat an amazing trip with Gina and Stu. The north island was fantastic and the tour group was small. The south island was my favourite, rain forest, Te Anau and the FiordJet with Chris, Queensland and the steamboat BBQ dinner. All the Little towns in between, gorgeous countryside.
Deborah Rayworth, AAT Kings 14 Day New Zealand Vista, Travelled on 10 December 2019
Many thanks for organizing this wonderful trip for me. I simply loved the beautiful sceneries of your country and the friendliness of your people....
Read moreMany thanks for organizing this wonderful trip for me. I simply loved the beautiful sceneries of your country and the friendliness of your people. The only pity was that I could not visit the Franz Josef Glacier because of the intensive rains that affected the area during my visit.
You live in paradise and I will certainly be back one day to visit the North Island, Mount Cook and hopefully the Fiordland National Park and the Westcoast of the South Island.
It was definitely a trip that left me with unforgettable memories and which I will warmly recommend to my contacts and friends.
Except for the weather, the organization and the program of the tour was perfect, and your assistance very helpful. Many thanks for that.
Hans Alfred Hübner, 6 day Dunedin, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glaciers, Travelled on 30 November 2019
Nichole was an absolute pleasure to work with. I had left my travel plans to the last minute and was stressed I wouldn't find something I loved for...
Read moreNichole was an absolute pleasure to work with. I had left my travel plans to the last minute and was stressed I wouldn't find something I loved for the dates required. Before contacting Discover NZ I had checked a few websites and made some enquires but no one was near as attentive and as accommodating as Nichole and Discover NZ. Nichole went above and beyond to ensure my trip was tailored exactly how I wanted it and made me feel very excited about my trip.
Unfortunately the South Island had experienced unseasonably terrible weather during my last few days which meant a number of my trips got cancelled, but Nichole kept me informed by email immediately and took care of the refund process before I even mentioned it. I also had alternate travel arrangements organized by the team at Discover NZ on my second last evening when I and a number of others were stranded in Franz Josef due to the severe storms washing out both highway bridges. The team did everything they could to help us out even thought it was the weekend and their office was closed.
Thank you Discover NZ, I will definitely be recommending your services to friends and family.
Dristy Sharma, The Natural Wonders Of The South Island Tour, Travelled on 30 November 2019
I am very happy to say that you made our short tour very enjoyable and unforgettable, During such short notice, you planned our tour in the north as...
Read moreI am very happy to say that you made our short tour very enjoyable and unforgettable, During such short notice, you planned our tour in the north as well as the south part of New Zealand and covering most of the popular destination. We really enjoyed our tour very comfortably. My wife liked very much the Milford Sound and she too appreciates your arrangement. Due to bad weather, we could not complete tour to Franz Josef and we missed seeing Glacier but it is a nature and out of our control. We would definitely come back again but with friends and other family members for a longer duration. New Zealand is wonderful nature in its pure form.
We thank you for your best tour management at a very appropriate price. We feel the money we paid is worth the value we enjoyed.
Mulshankar & Meenaben Panchal, Majestic New Zealand Coach Tour, Travelled on 29 November 2019
Thank you for all your help and support making our trip around the two islands most memorable, from being met at the airport to dropping off the car...
Read moreThank you for all your help and support making our trip around the two islands most memorable, from being met at the airport to dropping off the car in Christchurch everything seemed to work like clockwork. Everything was booked and easy to access through our name. The accommodation was great at each location. The documentation pack with book and atlas was very useful. One very small bit of feedback was that I had to contact the office on the morning we were travelling to Hokitika due to being told by a couple of strangers that the road to Franz Josef was blocked. If we hadn’t met them we could have had a wasted journey. Once I contact the office you took over and sorted a re-route, which in the end was spectacular. Apart from that, which was a problem out of anyone’s control, you were great, thank you. Will be more than happy to recommend your company.
Lynda and Brian Fuller, Explorer Tour of New Zealand, Travelled on 29 November 2019
We want to thank you for the planning that you did for our trip. Everything worked according to your schedule that was prepared and we were very...
Read moreWe want to thank you for the planning that you did for our trip. Everything worked according to your schedule that was prepared and we were very impressed with the beauty of your country. We were very happy with the accommodations that were booked.
Any questions that we did have during the planning and while on our trip were quickly answered and handled perfectly. We will definitely recommend your service to anyone we know who is planning a trip to your part of the world.
Jere & Diane Bremer and John & Janet Moellman, Southern Scenic Wonders Tour, Travelled on 28 November 2019
Thank you very much for organising such a wonderful trip for us. Everyone enjoyed ourselves tremendously though it rained at Doubtful Sound and...
Read moreThank you very much for organising such a wonderful trip for us. Everyone enjoyed ourselves tremendously though it rained at Doubtful Sound and Mount Cook. Still, everything went smoothly and the guides are so friendly and knowledgeable. The coaches and vans arrived very punctually. we certainly will recommend you to our friends! Cheers.
Lean Lim, Ing Mee Kwok, Guik Keng Kwok, Shu Li Kwok, Swee Hoon Lim & Sang Chyn Chew, South Island Highlights Tour, Travelled on 29 November 2019
I cannot stress enough how pleased we were with the attention to detail that Vicki put into this trip designed for us. Every step of the way was...
Read moreI cannot stress enough how pleased we were with the attention to detail that Vicki put into this trip designed for us. Every step of the way was covered from the moment we stepped off the plane in Auckland. All pickups were on time, the extra hotels were great and the AATKings tour was wonderful. Vicki kept in touch with us before we left as well as after we arrived in New Zealand. I would highly recommend her as well as her company to organize a scenic, informative and stress free holidays you will remember for a long time. Thank you again Vicki.
Donni & Patric Presidente, AAT Kings 8 Day Northern Discovery, Travelled on 27 November 2019
It is definitely a very well organised itinerary. We had a fantastic time. No hassle and no other issues. No complaints. A big pat on the back for...
Read moreIt is definitely a very well organised itinerary. We had a fantastic time. No hassle and no other issues. No complaints. A big pat on the back for NZFT. Thank you so much.
Rajasegaran Palanisamy & Varnadevi Veloo, The Essential North Island Tour, Travelled on 23 November 2019
From the very start, we found Discover New Zealand to be an excellent company to work with when planning and booking our trip to NZ. After an initial...
Read moreFrom the very start, we found Discover New Zealand to be an excellent company to work with when planning and booking our trip to NZ. After an initial fact-finding phone call with Heather, she drew up an itinerary and plan for our time touring the Islands. We were able to add in our own travel arrangements to visit family whilst there and cover all of the sites, locations and experiences we wanted to see. In the build-up to the holiday, they kept in touch regularly and updated us on the need for new travel documents to visit NZ. All transfer arrangements were in place and on time as we're all the accommodation bookings, hire car arrangements and holiday experiences. The quality of the hotels / B+Bs that were selected was spot on and we stayed at some really beautiful places.
A VERY big thank you goes to Shelley who took over from Heather in arranging the holiday and being our point of contact. She dealt with a few unexpected "emergencies", such as when the Interislander ferry broke down stranding us on the North Island, in her stride and was able to very quickly book us a flight which got us to where we needed to be on time but by a very different route. She also managed to sort out alternative travel and accommodation arrangements when our plans were disrupted due to heavy rainfall on the South Island. Without her, calm and helpful approach and her assistance in sorting things out the holiday would have been a lot more stressful.
The holiday lived up to all of our expectations and when we return, which we are definitely going to do, we will have no hesitation in using Discover New Zealand again to help book and arrange our stay.
A 5-star company and Shelley is certainly a star.
Andrew & Justine Pullan, Essential New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 24 November 2019
1) Overall very good experience touring the countryside - The Mountains & Lakes were just beautiful
2) Hotel accommodation was excellent
3) The 2...
Read more1) Overall very good experience touring the countryside - The Mountains & Lakes were just beautiful
2) Hotel accommodation was excellent
3) The 2 Hour nature cruise on the boat at Milford Sound - Too long - In future I would opt for something more interesting
4) Scenic Train: Greymouth to Christchurch - Enjoyed it
Thanks for organising the itinerary.
Ravi, Indra, Kartik & Vidya, New Zealand Getaway Tour, Travelled on 22 November 2019
The trip was really well planned and I enjoyed every bit of it! I appreciated the emails notifying me if any plans were modified, and it wasn't...
Read moreThe trip was really well planned and I enjoyed every bit of it! I appreciated the emails notifying me if any plans were modified, and it wasn't difficult to rebook the Milford Sound trip to Doubtful Sound.
I will note that the lodging was incredibly comfortable and spacious for one person, and I didn't always feel like I needed all that space and wouldn't have minded staying in smaller or even shared spaces if it could have cut down on my costs.
Emily Chow, Queenstown to Christchurch via Franz Josef, Travelled on 18 November 2019
Our trip to New Zealand was absolutely fabulous. Every single transfer, event, and even airplane trips were on time and well done. We thoroughly...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand was absolutely fabulous. Every single transfer, event, and even airplane trips were on time and well done. We thoroughly enjoyed both the north and south islands. I think we may love Queenstown the most. Nicole was fabulous to work with and responded to my every email and answered every question. The tour guides were so knowledgeable and entertaining. Thank you for all your help and making our vacation flawless. Know that we are thinking about the New Zealand people affected by the volcano eruption and the earthquake. You are in our prayers.
Freida & Curtis Payne, Auckland to Queenstown Explorer Tour, Travelled on 17 November 2019
From the moment I contacted Discover New Zealand, the service we received was first-class, firstly in the preparation of our itinerary and later...
Read moreFrom the moment I contacted Discover New Zealand, the service we received was first-class, firstly in the preparation of our itinerary and later whist we were travelling around the country. I felt that we had a very personalised service with the documentation provided, the app which was designed for both online and offline, and the support provided by the company whenever we had a question.
A couple of things worth mentioning:
Whilst the majority of our accommodation was well located and very comfortable, there were a few motels that were a little 'tired'. A fantastic experience and would highly recommend Discover New Zealand to our families and friends!
Gail McGuckin & Geoffrey Grigg, New Zealand Grand Tour, Travelled on 8 November 2019
We really enjoyed both days. Especially the glow worm caves and the Rotorua Maori experience was unique. Overall the time on each place was good....
Read moreWe really enjoyed both days. Especially the glow worm caves and the Rotorua Maori experience was unique. Overall the time on each place was good. However, we did feel the Agrodome experience was a bit rushed and in fact, I think we didn’t get to catch the main show where they display all the sheep etc. I think we got an abbreviated show there. But, overall very happy customer here and would recommend this to others with limited time in NZ.
Riazul Alam, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Experience Tour, Travelled on 7th December 2019
I want to say thank you Nichole White for organising our itinerary of New Zealand. We started with the 9 day spotlight tour of the South Island, but...
Read moreI want to say thank you Nichole White for organising our itinerary of New Zealand. We started with the 9 day spotlight tour of the South Island, but our daughter really wanted to see Hobbiton and weka workshop, so Nichole organised a tour of the north as well. We organised our own flight travels, but Nichole did all the rest, all our transfers and accommodation and day tours all organised, with only a few hiccups (mainly to do with our accommodation selected) but all in all, we had a fantastic time, and we saw a lot of New Zealand. Thanks again Nichole 9 1/2 out of 10👍
Francis, Stephen & Kirsten Harvey, Southern Spotlight Plus North Island Adventure, Travelled on 12 November 2019
Faraaz Ahmed & Rifat Sheerin Mohammed Habeebullah Khan, Spectacular North Island Adventure Tour, Travelled on 27 November 2019
Edward Paukovits & Rebekah Hoffner, Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 15th November 2019
Thanks to Shelley for organising a great trip. Airport and train transfers were much appreciated. The accommodation was very good. The food and...
Read moreThanks to Shelley for organising a great trip. Airport and train transfers were much appreciated. The accommodation was very good. The food and coffee was excellent everywhere we went. The sights to see on the South Island were beautiful. The only problem we had was in getting to some of the places in the itinerary on time because we wanted to stop and take in the scenery.
Peter Sculley & Iza Bartosiewicz, The Southern Circuit self drive tour, Travelled on 11 November 2019
An excellent tour if a little tiring with so many early starts. Coach captains and tour manager excellent very helpful and knowledgeable. Very good...
Read moreAn excellent tour if a little tiring with so many early starts. Coach captains and tour manager excellent very helpful and knowledgeable. Very good hotels and food amazing. Would suģgest that pickup time for Auckland airport allows at least 2,5 hours before check-in. Had my pickup not been 15 minutes early and it being Sunday I believe I could have missed my flight.
Anthony Hounsell, Grand Pacific Tours 14 Day New Zealand Panorama, Travelled on 18 November 2019
Overall it was exceptionable A couple of improvements would be the hotel in Blenheim. The whale watch was cancelled but the refund process was...
Read moreOverall it was exceptionable A couple of improvements would be the hotel in Blenheim. The whale watch was cancelled but the refund process was exceptional. Would recommend more time in Picton. We were really happy with the extra time we were there. The ferry mix up worked out great. Glowworms were ok but the Hobbiton was great. Everything else exceeded our expectations. We were very concerned with making reservations online and by phone. But Skye was very understanding and gave us the attention we expected and responded to all our questions almost immediately. I will recommend her to others without exception.
Albert & Cynthia Wilt, New Zealand Getaway Tour, Travelled on 19 November 2019
Great experience with the tour from the start to the end! Very professional, courteous, funny staff at every stage of the journey - from the bus to...
Read moreGreat experience with the tour from the start to the end! Very professional, courteous, funny staff at every stage of the journey - from the bus to the hotels. Very carefully crafted and organized tour, will recommend to all my friends. Many thanks to Nicole and all the people who helped me to know New Zealand. I'm coming back!
Igor Titushkin, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights Tour, Travelled on 25 November 2019
We thoroughly enjoyed our vacation in NZ, The greatest treasure that NZ has is its people. We met the very best in your population. All the sights...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our vacation in NZ, The greatest treasure that NZ has is its people. We met the very best in your population. All the sights we visited and most all of the places we stayed were wonderful. We enjoyed the South Island and all of its beauty. Queenstown and Christchurch were great cities to visit but Wellington and Auckland were too busy for us. Thanks so much for putting a travel plan together. We will recommend your company to our friends.
Richard & Donna Miles, Ken & Linda Roth, Christchurch to Auckland Must Do Tour, Travelled on 10 November 2019
We had a lovely and relaxing trip! New Zealand has such magnificent beauty! NZ Coach Tours' tours are amazing and we got bang for our buck. Servanne...
Read moreWe had a lovely and relaxing trip! New Zealand has such magnificent beauty! NZ Coach Tours' tours are amazing and we got bang for our buck. Servanne was also immensely helpful and patient at every step of the way, and her guidance made the booking hassle-free. I have already, and will in the future, recommend your company to my friends and family.
Apart from that, just had one point to share. Though Franz Josef was a lovely little town and our motel was superb, the glacier wasn't in its full glory, given it was nearing summer, and moreover it was cordoned off for tourists. Thus, we felt it would have been better to have stayed a night at Lake Tekapo instead. It was a gorgeous place and I really wanted to spend more time there. Maybe you can give an option to spring/summer tourists to spend a night somewhere apart from Franz Josef.
Debangana Banerjee, 5 Day Southern Highlights with Milford Sound, Travelled on 21st October 2019
Our comments on the most enjoyable holiday are as follows:-
Your efforts in arranging the trip and our additional requests were much...
Read moreOur comments on the most enjoyable holiday are as follows:-
Your efforts in arranging the trip and our additional requests were much appreciated.
The organization of the entire trip especially the 3 Transfers and Car Hire delivery were excellent.
The accommodations throughout were very good to excellent (special mention the room at the Punga Grove Motel in Franz Josef with its view over the rear rainforest garden also The Merivale Manor in Christchurch – a beautiful welcome to NZ. (A special mention to the attention of the managers Kate & Matt and the upgrade to the Manor on our return for our final night.)
The supplied GPS was not used as the one in the hire car was very good and easily programmed.
TSS Earnslaw - An absolute excellent cruise and dinner.
However - Parking near the dock almost non-existent especially when the town is busy. I had to drop Pat at the boat and return to the motel to park. It was a bit hard for this 81-year-old to run (fast walk! ) back to the dock (in the rain). Luckily they held the boat for me (Only about 5 minutes).
A disappointment to miss the Shotover Ride and the first half of the TranzAlpine Express due to nature’s efforts. We substituted the Gondola Ride in Queenstown and (as mentioned by the bus driver who took us from Greymouth to Arthurs Pass) the bus trip covers a more scenic route than the train on the first part of the journey). Overall a well-planned and well-organized effort by you and your company.
We will certainly recommend it to our friends. On a less positive note.
The final point we wish to make is the 2 days (days 6 & 7) travelling from Mt.Cook to Dunedin then on to Te Anau via Invercargill were most scenic, but due to the distance left little time to see either of the main towns. We feel these days could be better used by visiting other features on the West coast.
Thanking you and hope to use your services in the future. and feel free to contact us if you need further comment.
John & Pat Hehir, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour - extended, Travelled on 8 November 2019
In summary, the tour was excellent and the level of support also excellent. The guides were fantastic and really brought the scenery alive with their...
Read moreIn summary, the tour was excellent and the level of support also excellent. The guides were fantastic and really brought the scenery alive with their knowledge and enthusiasm. I can’t really fault anything between what was promised and what was delivered I also cannot fault the support and service that we received and would definitely recommend your company to anyone visiting NZ for tourism.
Andrew & Alison Jose, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer Tour, Travelled on 9 November 2019
Thanks you Katie for organising our trip-we had an amazing holiday- New Zealand was awe inspiring and its people were so polite and helpful. Such a...
Read moreThanks you Katie for organising our trip-we had an amazing holiday- New Zealand was awe inspiring and its people were so polite and helpful. Such a difference between the North and South Islands - so pleased we saw both-loved it all !!!!
Merry Christmas to you and the staff in your office- hope you all have a wonderful time with family and friends and may 2020 be kind to you.
Judy & Geoff Hardaker, Auckland to Queenstown New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 9 November 2019
Very happy with the tour - everything ran like clockwork. The only minor criticism we have is that the accomodation in Rotorua, Napier and...
Read moreVery happy with the tour - everything ran like clockwork. The only minor criticism we have is that the accomodation in Rotorua, Napier and Martinborough was about a 15 minute walk from the eateries and bars. While the walk wasn't a major problem for us for anyone who had to drive it would mean someone not being able to have a drink.
Debbie & Harry Royles, Auckland to Wellington Highlights Tour, Travelled on 8 November 2019
We had an incredible Holiday in New Zealand. Rommy did a great job of working our Holiday time in NZ. We feel we saw everything we needed to see. We...
Read moreWe had an incredible Holiday in New Zealand. Rommy did a great job of working our Holiday time in NZ. We feel we saw everything we needed to see. We enjoyed all of the venues, accommodations and recommendations.
Our favourite destination was Christchurch. The Merivale Manor House was wonderful. The bed was the finest we had ever slept on.
The Doubtful Sound cruise was very special as was the Botanical Gardens in Wellington.
THANK YOU Rommy!
Bruce & Nancy Seidner, NZ Highlights Tour, Travelled on 8 November 2019
Our trip to New Zealand was amazing! Absolutely no issues with any of the rental cars, lodgings, or tours. Jane did a fantastic job listening to what...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand was amazing! Absolutely no issues with any of the rental cars, lodgings, or tours. Jane did a fantastic job listening to what we were interested in and customizing our trip for us. All of the tours were great! Some of our Lord of the Rings tours were even guided by people with first hand knowledge of the filming at the locations they showed us! 14 days was far too short a time to spend in this amazing country!
Matthew Crouch, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer Trip, Travelled on 6 November 2019
We’ve recently returned from the most wonderful family holiday in the south of NZ and it was mostly planned to perfection.
The Queenstown...
Read moreWe’ve recently returned from the most wonderful family holiday in the south of NZ and it was mostly planned to perfection.
The Queenstown transfers were waiting for us and took us to our accommodation while giving us some information about the place on the way. He was very nice.
The accommodation in Queenstown was in a fabulous location, close to everything and with stunning views! It was clean and pretty comfortable but in desperate need of a facelift.
We picked up the hire car on Saturday, we loved the car! Europcar were very helpful with making sure we had all the information we needed even suggesting local eateries and a visit to Arrowtown.
The next day we headed to Franz Josef. Our accommodation at the Rainforest Retreat was incredible!! We couldn’t believe that this beautiful place was ours for the next couple of nights. We ate that night in the restaurant, Monsoons, and can highly recommend it for great food and great service...and a happy hour for cocktails! :)
There was a mix up with the times of our activities but this was easily rectified (a few days earlier). We did the walk to the base of Franz Josef Glacier the following morning, this was a bucket list activity for my husband and it didn’t disappoint, we loved every moment and have incredible photos to remember it by. Later that afternoon we were meant to do the flight over the 2 glaciers but the weather didn’t permit, fortunately, we could reschedule to early the next morning and we got there. Interestingly, our helicopter had a pilot in training and an experienced pilot next to him. We weren’t told about this and normally it wouldn't be a huge problem, but it did get a bit concerning when the experienced pilot urged the actual (in training) pilot to lift his nose several times, each time more urgent than the last! We didn’t like that bit, but the rest was also incredible!
Afterwards, we headed to Greymouth to drop the car off and catch the TranzAlpine train. Dropping the car off was a bit stressful because the instructions were to drive into the building of the Greymouth railway station, but after driving around looking for a building to drive into, we decided to park where other hire cars were parked. We were in the wrong car park but the very nice Europcar lady walked to us to do the handover. Phew! The train ride was both comfortable and spectacular! We loved it!!
Christchurch is a beautiful city, again, our transfers to our accommodation were seamless. The Bella Vista was clean and comfortable enough, (with 2 flights of stairs to get to the bedroom) though something in the city centre would have been preferred. The managers of the Bella Vista were lovely and very accommodating.
The grand tour was lots of fun and a great way to see the highlights of Christchurch. We hired a scooter a few times and had a ball on them!
Thank you Louise for organising a wonderful holiday for us. There are so many great photo’s and new memories that we’ll cherish forever.
Cheryl, Darryn, Matthew and Daniel Hooper, Southern Highlights Tour, Travelled on 6th November 2019
A thoroughly well-planned trip which we all enjoyed. The choice of accommodation was also very good. A complete surprise to see snow-capped mountains...
Read moreA thoroughly well-planned trip which we all enjoyed. The choice of accommodation was also very good. A complete surprise to see snow-capped mountains at every turn - a truly scenic tour.
Jeanette, Nicole, Lynette & Robert Elmer, Southern Highlights Tour, Travelled on 6 November 2019
My parents thoroughly enjoyed the trip, but mostly loved that everyone at all the places were so efficient and accurate with all the arrangements....
Read moreMy parents thoroughly enjoyed the trip, but mostly loved that everyone at all the places were so efficient and accurate with all the arrangements. Everyone was friendly and assisting throughout the trip. I am very happy to have chosen Discover New Zealand as part of my parents 50th wedding anniversary celebrations. You have made it memorable.
Jacobus and Sussanna Hamman - booked by Adri, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Mt. Cook Tour, Travelled on 4 November 2019
Hi, Everything was fine except at the Te Anau accommodation, we were initially told that we have to pay for the extra bed as there were 5 of us. For...
Read moreHi, Everything was fine except at the Te Anau accommodation, we were initially told that we have to pay for the extra bed as there were 5 of us. For the accommodation at Mt Cook and Franz Josef, our rooms were quite far apart and that was a bit inconvenient. I know this may not be within your control.
Teng & Yong Family, Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 1 November 2019
Assistance was fantastic, so was the planning and itinerary. Very flexible in any changes. It really did make us enjoy our holiday more. The new app...
Read moreAssistance was fantastic, so was the planning and itinerary. Very flexible in any changes. It really did make us enjoy our holiday more. The new app was helpful, but for some things we still had to go back to the printed itinerary, so we were happy to have that as well.
Most of the accommodation was nice, especially the ocean view chalets. Some motels were very disappointing. One room was right next to their T-bar and the windows open to all the kitchen chimneys, so the room smelt of cooking oils.
Julius Blomme & Femke De Boer, A Natural New Zealand, Travelled on 3 November 2019
David Young & Scarlett Liu, Grand Pacific Tours 16 Day Highlights of New Zealand, Travelled on 3 November 2019
Would have loved to spend an extra day everywhere, except Auckland! The hotels were more than adequate. The only hotel discomfort we experienced was...
Read moreWould have loved to spend an extra day everywhere, except Auckland! The hotels were more than adequate. The only hotel discomfort we experienced was in Rotorua, the weather was very hot and there was no air conditioning in the hotel. Overall we were more than satisfied and will recommend you to anyone we encounter who wants to go to New Zealand.
Peter LaBelle & Nancy Kelley, Northbound Explorer Christchurch to Auckland, Travelled on 18 October 2019
First of all, thank you. We both thoroughly enjoyed our 21-day self-drive tour. We took over 1000 photos between us. The weather for spring was...
Read moreFirst of all, thank you. We both thoroughly enjoyed our 21-day self-drive tour. We took over 1000 photos between us. The weather for spring was really good … we only had three afternoons of pouring rain, although Milford Sound was cold and windy as well.
Hugh & Margot Suter, 21 Day Classic New Zealand Driving Tour, Travelled on 17th October 2019
Hi Nicole, What a great holiday. Anne and I would rate that as one of our best organised, least stressful, most spectacular scenery and varied...
Read moreHi Nicole, What a great holiday. Anne and I would rate that as one of our best organised, least stressful, most spectacular scenery and varied landscape and experience holidays we have had. I have already recommended Discover New Zealand to friends, family and work colleagues. Thank you so much. New Zealanders everywhere were so helpful and friendly. In the 2000’ish k’s we travelled, we only came across one road rager on the way out of Dunedin (just one impatient blockhead). I loved your road sign, “if there’s someone behind you, just let them pass” We would like to come back in a couple of years with Anne’s farmer brother and his wife, we would probably change the itinerary a little to extend our stays, particularly Dunedin and Wellington which we loved. Thanks again
Bruce & Anne Brooks, Grand South Island Tour, Travelled on 21 October 2019
We thoroughly enjoyed our taste of the delights of the South Island. The overnight locations were well chosen, providing cameos of different features...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our taste of the delights of the South Island. The overnight locations were well chosen, providing cameos of different features of the island, and not being too far apart for the daily drive. The accommodation was generally excellent. Queenstown was a little below the standard of the others but I suspect Queenstown prices are somewhat inflated. We were warmly welcomed at most venues, and found locals welcoming and ready to help Aussie cousins. Our only hiccups were the refusal by Budget to give us a GPS device but this was quickly rectified by Kasmira, although it was a challenge to find the Dunedin depot without GPS. With the tour inclusions, the Milford Sound Trip was exceptional, best boat on the Sound, but the jetboat was not appropriate for our age group, and we were not aware that we could have obtained a refund, or choose a substitute if we had cancelled earlier. I suggest that you might warn clients that inclusions may not be appropriate for everyone and that a substitute may be arranged at no more cost if you are notified well beforehand. We assumed that the cost of any unwanted extras could not be refunded as it was included in the overall package price. Another warning you may give clients is a reminder about the weather which contrasts fundamentally with Australia. As it rains in NZ on more than 200 days a year, perhaps visitors need to be reminded that it is not unreasonable to expect several days in 14 to be affected by rain and that driving in these conditions can be difficult. This is not a complaint about your weather as it keeps the country beautiful, fresh and spectacular, just that some visitors did not appreciate that wet days are normal and to be expected. We would like to make special mention of Karen from Hydrangea Cottages (probably our favourite accommodation) who went out of her way to return to us my wife's spectacles that we did not discover missing until we were too far away to return. And also a heads up to Ocula of Queenstown for friendly and quick attention to my spectacle breakage. In conclusion, our thanks to Kasmira for her prompt and meaningful responses to our various queries along the way. We have recommended Discover New Zealand to several friends as we fondly remember our time in your spectacularly beautiful country,
Frank & Judith Vagg & friends, South Island Coastal Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 9 October 2019
Well done on organising our great trip to your wonderful country. We had a great time and were looked after very well. A bit disappointed for the...
Read moreWell done on organising our great trip to your wonderful country. We had a great time and were looked after very well. A bit disappointed for the Grand Tour of Christchurch - was not what we expected, didn't see enough of Christchurch but never mind, would like to go back to the south Island again in the future. THANKS
Joy & Brian Stockwell, 10 Day Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 15 October 2019
Thank you so very much for organising a fantastic holiday for me. It was everything and more than I expected. Everything ran smoothly without any...
Read moreThank you so very much for organising a fantastic holiday for me. It was everything and more than I expected. Everything ran smoothly without any hassles. The scenery around the south island is fantastic and I will certainly look forward to coming back and seeing more of it. Thank you again for your help and support it really was fantastic. Will definitely recommend you to all my friends if they are travelling to your beautiful country. Thank you.
Diane Fisher, South Island Highlights Tour, Travelled on 29 October 2019
Thank you, Lisa, and Discover New Zealand for a very smooth and enjoyable trip. We were very happy with the tours, the guides, the drivers and indeed...
Read moreThank you, Lisa, and Discover New Zealand for a very smooth and enjoyable trip. We were very happy with the tours, the guides, the drivers and indeed every aspect of our trip. We thank Lisa for her professionalism, responsiveness and attention to detail. We have recommended both Lisa and your company to people we know. Great job, well done.
Malena Stankovska & Kire Stankovski, Malena & Kire's NZ South Island Highlights Tour, Travelled on 19 October 2019
Thanks everyone at Discover NZ, especially Abby and Kaz, everything went well (except the weather) but we had a great time, a great car and...
Read moreThanks everyone at Discover NZ, especially Abby and Kaz, everything went well (except the weather) but we had a great time, a great car and accommodations were good. People in NZ are so friendly and helpful. Will visit again in the near future.
Joy & Brian Stockwell, 10 Day Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 15 October 2019
Rommy, Thanks for arranging this holiday for me. New Zealand was exotic, and my tour arrangement was flawless to match with it. You have been very...
Read moreRommy, Thanks for arranging this holiday for me. New Zealand was exotic, and my tour arrangement was flawless to match with it. You have been very helpful through all the booking procedures and even though I didn't have much time before starting my journey, still everything was in order & perfect. I took a few suggestions that you have made which was spectacular as well. I will definitely recommend 'Discover New Zealand' to my Family & friends who will like to visit this beautiful country. I wish you all the best.
Nazia Sultana, South Island Tour from Christchurch, Travelled on 27 October 2019
Thank you very much for following up on the trip. The participants had an enjoyable time with excellent lodging and sightseeing . Thank you Jane for...
Read moreThank you very much for following up on the trip. The participants had an enjoyable time with excellent lodging and sightseeing . Thank you Jane for all your help.
Elaine Lau, George Martin & Wan Lee, AAT Kings 9 Day Southern Spotlight, Travelled on 6 October 2019
Servanne, Our holiday went like clockwork and we had a great time. The suggested activities were all excellent, we were met on our arrival and the...
Read moreServanne, Our holiday went like clockwork and we had a great time. The suggested activities were all excellent, we were met on our arrival and the quality of the accommodation was very good. Mt Cook was especially a highlight. We are keen cyclists and managed to hire bikes in a couple of places. When we return we will try to include some time on the many South Island trails as well as the things we did.
David Brumfield and Roslyn Harper, South Island Adventure, Travelled on 22 October 2019
Great trip from Christchurch to Mt Cook, Queenstown, Glenorchy, and home via Haast Pass and the glaciers and the last leg on the train from...
Read moreGreat trip from Christchurch to Mt Cook, Queenstown, Glenorchy, and home via Haast Pass and the glaciers and the last leg on the train from Greymouth. The drivers provided excellent commentary and clearly knew the areas they were travelling through and history. As a car driver on the routes covered for some years I had a good knowledge of what to see and expect and the drivers expanded that knowledge greatly.
Jeff & Alison Paterson, 5 Day Southern Highlights with Milford Sound, Travelled on 26 October 2019
Everything went very smoothly thanks, though we had some ongoing problems with our first car and so Europcar agreed to refund us a day's use through...
Read moreEverything went very smoothly thanks, though we had some ongoing problems with our first car and so Europcar agreed to refund us a day's use through a reimbursement from New Zealand Fine Touring (Discover New Zealand). All the motels were fine, and the itinerary was appropriate for what we wanted. The weather cooperated too! Many thanks Christina – this was the trip of a lifetime!
Brian and Rebecca Jackson, 14 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 19 October 2019
Hi Katie! Thank you for being very helpful to us especially in designing our tour and for answering my queries. We had a very memorable experience in...
Read moreHi Katie! Thank you for being very helpful to us especially in designing our tour and for answering my queries. We had a very memorable experience in our tour. Everybody enjoyed it.
Cheryll Padua & Family & Garcia Family, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Tour for Cheryll & Family, Travelled on 1 November 2019
Thanks for your wonderful arrangement to our 10 days NZ tour. We have visited the most beautiful scenery in NZ. NZ is so peaceful and we love the Mt...
Read moreThanks for your wonderful arrangement to our 10 days NZ tour. We have visited the most beautiful scenery in NZ. NZ is so peaceful and we love the Mt Cook, glacier and the hobbit paths. The coach drivers are polite and helpful, the hotels are neat and clean. We enjoyed it lots. It is better to print on the booklet the tour company responsible for the day tour so that we can find the guy who came to pick us up. Anyways Thanks again for your arrangement and hope to see you and NZ again.
Agnes and Wendy To, Yuen Ling, Auckland to Queenstown 10 Day Explorer, Travelled on 21 October 2019
Brilliant. From the planning with Christina to the excellent communication to the actual trip! We would definitely book again. During the trip, there...
Read moreBrilliant. From the planning with Christina to the excellent communication to the actual trip! We would definitely book again. During the trip, there was a lovely range of accommodation, usually close to eateries. The tours we took were all great, with the Maori village in Rotorua and Zealandia in Wellington being stand outs. Thank you, Christina, for the great attention to detail!
Nicki and Andrew Haldane, Ultimate North Island Explorer Tour, Travelled on 22 August 2019
Robert Woods & Matthew Allen, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 26 October 2019
Tom & Melanie Gellhaus, Auckland to Wellington Highlights Tour, Travelled on 5 October 2019
Shelley was extremely helpful and responsive. We loved our trip to New Zealand - what a beautiful country!! There were so many highlights it’s...
Read moreShelley was extremely helpful and responsive. We loved our trip to New Zealand - what a beautiful country!! There were so many highlights it’s hard to list only a few. However, some of our favourite tours were Hobbiton, the various hot springs parks in Rotorua (Te Puia especially), the Milford Sounds Nature Cruise and the scenic flight back to Queenstown. We also loved the Botanical Gardens in Christchurch. If we have the opportunity to return (and I hope we do) we would choice to go fewer places and stay longer, as the only downside was having a lot of time on buses and not always as much time to explore. Still this was one of the best trips we’ve taken and working with Discover New Zealand to maximize our experience was well worth it!
Tracy & David Regis, Your Essential New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 15 October 2019
We had such a wonderful time in New Zealand. Thanks Chelsea and her team to organize everything for us. All accommodation, transportation and...
Read moreWe had such a wonderful time in New Zealand. Thanks Chelsea and her team to organize everything for us. All accommodation, transportation and activities are booked and it is so easy for us to just follow the plan.
Natinee Viriyapong and family, Southern Highlights 10 Day Tour with Dunedin and Te Anau, Travelled on 13 October 2019
We had a fantastic trip and can’t fault the service we were provided. Special mention must go to our transfer drivers in Christchurch who went...
Read moreWe had a fantastic trip and can’t fault the service we were provided. Special mention must go to our transfer drivers in Christchurch who went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and ensured we were looked after.
Kathryn O’Meara, Jennifer Tait, Liam & Amy O’Meara, Wellington to Christchurch Highlights Tour, Travelled on 5 October 2019
We had a fantastic three weeks touring both islands. Our contact with Discover New Zealand, Nichole, was extremely helping. She helped both in giving...
Read moreWe had a fantastic three weeks touring both islands. Our contact with Discover New Zealand, Nichole, was extremely helping. She helped both in giving great advice before we travelled there, and was also available by phone to help us out of a difficulty whilst we were touring. I have no hesitation in recommending their service.
Alexander & Rosemary Joannou, 23 day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 1 September 2019
I asked Rommy Fisher to arrange a memorable trip to the NZ South Island. She did a great job with the itinerary, hotels and transportations. We...
Read moreI asked Rommy Fisher to arrange a memorable trip to the NZ South Island. She did a great job with the itinerary, hotels and transportations. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip from Christchurch to Queenstown on a sunny day, with Mount Cook showing its full splendor. We learned quite a bit about the Milford Sound with the nature guide on board. The Franz Josef Glacier was the only disappointment, mostly due to the bad weather. I’d certainly recommend Rommy to my friends for their travels to this wonderful country. Thank you so much.
Lotte & Gisela Wang, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights Tour, Travelled on 5 October 2019
Exceptionally done, well organized, spot-on for the tour. Although we ran into a wee problem at the Mount Cook stopover, none the less overall very...
Read moreExceptionally done, well organized, spot-on for the tour. Although we ran into a wee problem at the Mount Cook stopover, none the less overall very satisfied. Shelley knocked it out of the Park, as we North Americans say. Good on ya! For setting up and excellent tour. Everything fell into place all car rentals were great - not a problem. I cannot say enough about how well organized everything was. Thanks, many times over for a job well done. Cheers
Alan & Maureen Wiita, Christchurch to Auckland Tour including the Tranz Alpine Train, Travelled on 27 September 2019
Our itinerary was facilitated by Shelley to suit our needs and time frame and all went to plan. All the drivers we had were very attentive and...
Read moreOur itinerary was facilitated by Shelley to suit our needs and time frame and all went to plan. All the drivers we had were very attentive and informative. Accommodation was excellent. All in all a wonderful visit to the South Island and a great time was had by all!
Collette McClelland, Antonius & Theodora Zydenbos, Johanna & Gregory Haines, 4 day Southern Highlights, Travelled on 9 October 2019
The tour was wonderful! A lot to see in 5 days, so it was a little tiring, but the landscape was so beautiful that it was worth it. And all the...
Read moreThe tour was wonderful! A lot to see in 5 days, so it was a little tiring, but the landscape was so beautiful that it was worth it. And all the transportation, by bus or train or boat was on time, no delays, so everything worked out smoothly. Great job!
Mr Ing Giok Tan, Mrs Ing Hwie Tan & Mr Julio Oliveira, Mr Eduardo Oliveira, South Island Tour from Christchurch Including Queenstown and Milford Sound, Travelled on 24 September 2019
The whole experience of my tour from the booking to the final dinner in Christchurch was excellent. The places of interest, hotels even the lunch...
Read moreThe whole experience of my tour from the booking to the final dinner in Christchurch was excellent. The places of interest, hotels even the lunch stops where tip-top. Staff wise you couldn’t have asked for more nothing was too much for them.
Mrs Eileen Carloss, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Rail, Cruise & Coach Tour, Travelled on 19 September 2019
We had a wonderful holiday in New Zealand, arranged for us by Chelsea at Discover New Zealand. She answered all our queries promptly and phoned me in...
Read moreWe had a wonderful holiday in New Zealand, arranged for us by Chelsea at Discover New Zealand. She answered all our queries promptly and phoned me in the UK to discuss various options in order to ensure that the itinerary covered everything we wanted to do and see. All the arrangements went smoothly, with taxi and coach pick-ups timed to perfection and nice accommodation throughout. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful - Franz Josef Glacier and the Dart River Jet were two highlights from a great tour. I have no hesitation in recommending Discover New Zealand and Chelsea for a great service!
Anne & Emma Robertson, Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes Tour, Travelled on 23 September 2019
Margaret Hassall, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 14 September 2019
Overall we both enjoyed the trip and appreciated the assistance you provided. The only suggestion re the trip would be to change a few of the...
Read moreOverall we both enjoyed the trip and appreciated the assistance you provided. The only suggestion re the trip would be to change a few of the attractions. However, as I said, we both enjoyed the trip. The food, accommodation, coach, coach driver Chris, all top class.
Chris and Teresa Greenough, Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Ultimate Discovery, Travelled on 11 September 2019
Had a wonderful time! Our driver, Rachael was absolutely fantastic. They gave great insight and commentary the whole way there. Everything was...
Read moreHad a wonderful time! Our driver, Rachael was absolutely fantastic. They gave great insight and commentary the whole way there. Everything was great— even though it rained. Thank you!!
Kristin Huff & Kathyrn Heitman, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Experience, Travelled on 23 September 2019
Christina did a great job organizing our trip and also responding to my special requests for nature-oriented activities. The result was a memorable...
Read moreChristina did a great job organizing our trip and also responding to my special requests for nature-oriented activities. The result was a memorable tour of the South Island that included so many iconic things I have wanted to do and see for over 30 years -- the Milford Sound, complete with penguins; the Franz Josef Glacier; the TranzAlpine Railway; Akaroa Harbor and Hector's dolphins! The highlight for us was Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the Hermitage, and a couple of really nice hikes! The bus drivers and tour guides were all great -- interesting, informative, accommodating. Hats off to all of them. The accommodations were all nice. The best was the Hermitage, and the place we stayed in Franz Josef Glacier. Christina even helped me find a nature-oriented day trip in Queenstown after our tour ended, with another tour operator. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated that referral. It was just what I was looking for. After thirty years, we finally made it to the South Island. I am glad we finally made it. What a trip! Thank you!
Janet Franklin & Serge Rey, South Island Encounter, Travelled on 11 September 2019
We would like to thank Katie Looker for helping us to arrange a customised itinerary during our stay at the South Island of NZ! I'd wanted to make a...
Read moreWe would like to thank Katie Looker for helping us to arrange a customised itinerary during our stay at the South Island of NZ! I'd wanted to make a couple of changes to the original itinerary, and Katie was very prompt in replying and making changes/arrangements to my various requests and queries.The connections from point to point were well done too - most of the coaches and private transfers arrived punctually, and the friendly drivers would provide commentary to give us more insight to the places we were going to. I enjoyed the trip thoroughly and love all the beautiful scenery New Zealand has. Will definitely contact Discover New Zealand again when we plan to re-visit New Zealand, and will also recommend it to friends who plan to travel there!
Alicia & Hian Goh & Gek Hong Lim, Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound highlights tour, Travelled on 17 September 2019
All the accomadations were great. The bus rides became tedious. We felt they made too many stops at remote areas and didn't leave us enough time to...
Read moreAll the accomadations were great. The bus rides became tedious. We felt they made too many stops at remote areas and didn't leave us enough time to enjoy that days destination. We would have liked more time in Christ Church. We didn't arrive there until nearly 8pm and had to be up at the bus by 7am. A slightly better itinerary for us would have been spending an extra day in Christ Church and only having a short visit to Mount Cook.
Lois & James Kuechler, 5 day Southern Scenes, Travelled on 16 September 2019
Enjoyed trip very much It all went very smoothly and the accommodations were great The suggested route seemed fine although we took a few...
Read moreEnjoyed trip very much It all went very smoothly and the accommodations were great The suggested route seemed fine although we took a few alternatives PS. I enjoyed the windy roads My wife not so much
Grant & Jane Nelligan, 14 day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 11 September 2019
We want to thank Discover New Zealand and especially Nicole for the plans she made for us. It was absolutely perfectly planned through. We had a...
Read moreWe want to thank Discover New Zealand and especially Nicole for the plans she made for us. It was absolutely perfectly planned through. We had a wonderful honeymoon and enjoyed our New Zealand time a lot! Thank you again for this wonderful trip.
Katharina & Martin Fieles, Lord of the Rings Scenic Honeymoon, Travelled on 3 September 2019
Hello Nichole, I was going to email you to thank you for arranging our tour of New Zealand. We had a wonderful time and encountered no problems along...
Read moreHello Nichole, I was going to email you to thank you for arranging our tour of New Zealand. We had a wonderful time and encountered no problems along the way. We were always collected on time and our hotels were very good. The trips were everything we had hoped for and it was lovely to have free time so that we could explore on our own. Couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you very much.
Eryl Jones-Utter & Dennis Utter, Auckland to Queenstown 10 Day Explorer, Travelled on 31 August 2019
Had a great tour experience. Everything went hassle free once we arrived. Hotels & motels booked were as expected and provided good service....
Read moreHad a great tour experience. Everything went hassle free once we arrived. Hotels & motels booked were as expected and provided good service. Cancellations & amendments were dealt with & could be made easily as the tour operator was easy to reach. Despite the confusion about the payment and charges, all elements of the trip were taken care of, which made it memorable.
Sherdelle, Olivia & Blaise D'Souza, Customised North Bound Kiwi Experience, Travelled on 31 August 2019
I would like to say that Katie was so helpful throughout the whole experience, from initially reaching out to discuss options to suit our wish list...
Read moreI would like to say that Katie was so helpful throughout the whole experience, from initially reaching out to discuss options to suit our wish list items and budget, all the way through to helping out with bookings and suggestions while we were traveling. Katie, thanks for sticking with our slow communication throughout the early stages, Carissa and I really appreciate you taking all of the stress of planning the honeymoon away from us during a full on time in our life!
Callum Harty & Carissa Garrick, Auckland to Christchurch Honeymoon Adventure, Travelled on 27 August 2019
Thank you Louise Well organised, good hotel accommodation and tours wonderful. My only criticism was dealing with Budget in Christchurch. Unfriendly...
Read moreThank you Louise Well organised, good hotel accommodation and tours wonderful. My only criticism was dealing with Budget in Christchurch. Unfriendly and wanted to charge us for extra drivers. I pointed out that this had been taken care of and on closer inspection of her notes, this was indeed the case. We were also told we would need to pay extra for snow chains so we decided not to take them and fortunately did not require them. They also opened at 9am not 8.30. Otherwise a lovely holiday.
Diana Knight and friends, Milford Sound Spectacular Tour, Travelled on 27 August 2019
She did a great job! Telling all my friends to contact her for their trip to NZ. There currently is an interest at my work place to go to NZ for a...
Read moreShe did a great job! Telling all my friends to contact her for their trip to NZ. There currently is an interest at my work place to go to NZ for a couple years now and I am telling people that if they want to go the way I did, to contact Christina. We had to make last minute changes in our plans due to illness, but Christina was on it in a flash. We are VERY satisfied with Christina and if we go to NZ again, you can bet Christina is who I will contact ( I have her bookmarked in my Contacts).
Lori & Joni Okuda, Custom Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 18 August 2019
Thank you for your help in making our trip so amazing!! We had a great time! We could not have done it without the insights that you provided...
Read moreThank you for your help in making our trip so amazing!! We had a great time! We could not have done it without the insights that you provided regarding the various options we had and how long to spend at each place. Thank you again for all of your help!
Wendy, Greg & Austin Oseep, Glaciers and Mountains, Travelled on 9 August 2019
We were extremely happy with our recent tour of New Zealand. Katie Looker put together a fabulous itinerary for us and effortlessly meshed together...
Read moreWe were extremely happy with our recent tour of New Zealand. Katie Looker put together a fabulous itinerary for us and effortlessly meshed together all of our requests while making some excellent suggestions of her own. All of the add-ons she suggested turned out to be spectacular. We had a couple of minor hiccups along the way, which had nothing to do with NZ Fine Tours, and which she smoothed out for us quickly and efficiently. Based on our experience I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this company to any friends contemplating a trip to this beautiful part of the world. We also happened to be blessed with extraordinarily good weather while traveling around, although this may not have been entirely Katie's doing.
Robert Kemp, Michael Gow, Patricia McLoughlin & Vanessa Downing, Christchurch to Auckland Including the Bay of Islands for Robert & Friends, Travelled on 6 August 2019
Thank you Shelley, all the arrangement go on well. We really enjoy our stay. and we are lucky to have blue sky most of the times especially Milford...
Read moreThank you Shelley, all the arrangement go on well. We really enjoy our stay. and we are lucky to have blue sky most of the times especially Milford sound, so we can take beautiful picture. We will come back for North Island tour, and definitely introduce to our friends plan to NZ. We are lucky because sea condition is good for Whale watching. we saw the whale 3 times. Once again, thank you.
Chou Teik Shia, Kang Chin Seng, Jacquarine Yong, Michael Heah and Ooi Phaik Yueong, 7 Day Wellington to Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 11 August 2019
Hi Katie, we had a fantastic time and everything went to like clock work we will definitely be doing this again and have already told our family and...
Read moreHi Katie, we had a fantastic time and everything went to like clock work we will definitely be doing this again and have already told our family and friends what a great trip we had.
Carol & Glyn Mcdonald, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 9 August 2019
Jan and Richard here, back in the US. Just wanted to send you a quick thank you for all your help in planning our non-conference time in NZ. We had a...
Read moreJan and Richard here, back in the US. Just wanted to send you a quick thank you for all your help in planning our non-conference time in NZ. We had a great time! We especially enjoyed the post-conference coach-boat-scenic air flight from and back to Queenstown. The day was beautiful and we got to see so much on land, water and in the air during this day trip. Our next adventure from Queenstown to Christchurch via Mt Cook was relaxing and allowed us to experience more of NZ than we have in the past. Thank you again, and, if/when we are planning to come back to NZ, we will definitely be back in contact with you for help in finding more wonderful things to do in NZ.
Richard & Jan Levenson, Milford Sound and Mt Cook adventures, travelled on 12 August 2019
Hi there! A huge thanks again to Nicole for her friendly, responsive and positive attitude, absolute pleasure to deal with her. The tour was great,...
Read moreHi there! A huge thanks again to Nicole for her friendly, responsive and positive attitude, absolute pleasure to deal with her. The tour was great, happy with all accommodation and was blown away by the celebration of our anniversary in several places. The only issue we had was collecting the car in Auckland. It appears there was an error when making the reservation in Europcars system. They initially intended on charging me for two days but when I explained that the tour includes the car for the whole time, the lady quite rudely stated that Mam we deal with this company a fair bit, someone stuffed up and I'm trying to fix it for you. There was no apologies or any sort of friendliness and was not a positive experience, considering I had not done anything wrong and she is in a customer service role. Based on that experience, I would not be recommending Europcar to anyone else. Aside from that one person though, everyone else was fantastic and we had a wonderful time. Thank you again!
Sophie Tory & John Green, North Island 5 Day Highlights, Travelled on 14 August 2019
Our time in New Zealand was everything imagined and more! Shelley Ryder listened well to what we desired and fashioned a trip from our input that...
Read moreOur time in New Zealand was everything imagined and more! Shelley Ryder listened well to what we desired and fashioned a trip from our input that surpassed expectations, from accommodations to printed materials (especially the bound detailed itinerary with directions) to the excursions. It made our time stress free with everything flowing so smoothly. It is easy to see why people wish to move to New Zealand. The people are kind, thoughtful, generous, respectful, helpful and very welcoming. The natural beauty of the islands is spectacular! And our trip allowed us to soak in the wonders of the people and the land! Shelley was very patient with our months of planning and always timely in her communications — not easy with the huge time difference between our two countries. We could not have asked for more! Thank you, Shelley, and Discover New Zealand, for truly a once in a life time experience.
Sheila Barnes & Barbara Smoker, Customised 26 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 2 August 2019
Hi Nichole, Sorry for the delay. We had such a great time on the tour. Highlights were Mount Cook (We wish we had more time around the glaciers or...
Read moreHi Nichole, Sorry for the delay. We had such a great time on the tour. Highlights were Mount Cook (We wish we had more time around the glaciers or exploring Wanaka etc), Milford Sound and Dunedin. Queenstown was a nice stop along the way. The parking you suggested was full, but we found somewhere else relatively easily. We were a little confused when some accommodation seemed to change from the initial quote, but we were not disappointed at all - all the accommodation was great. Thanks so much for all your help!
Nicole Reynolds & Emily Lyons, Milford Sound Spectacular 8 Day Tour, Travelled on 15 July 2019
My visit to New Zealand was absolutely fantastic! I was utterly enthralled by the magnificent beauty of this magical place. My itinerary was very...
Read moreMy visit to New Zealand was absolutely fantastic! I was utterly enthralled by the magnificent beauty of this magical place. My itinerary was very ambitious. I should definitely have allowed more time for myself to do all the wonderful things I did. I had to drive a lot...on the left...but enjoyed all that that allowed me to do: visit the glaciers, walk through the rain forest, sail on Milford Sound, climb a mountain near Mt. Cook and so much more. The train ride on the TranzAlpine Scenic Train was unforgettable, as was the sunrise at Mt. Cook, the skyride at Queenstown, and the Maori Experience in Christchurch. I'll definitely be back. I heart NZ!
Bridget Anne Drinka, The Natural Wonders Of The South Island, Travelled on 8 July 2019
The tour was great. It was quite a lot to take in and many hours on the road. A rest day or 2 built into the itinerary would be refreshing but...
Read moreThe tour was great. It was quite a lot to take in and many hours on the road. A rest day or 2 built into the itinerary would be refreshing but otherwise it was a good route, the activities exceeded expectations and it was a relief that we never had any issues with accommodation bookings.
Murray & Kristin Davis, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 6 July 2019
Everything was well plan and driver was on schedule. Our group enjoyed the trips and beautiful sightseeing. Except on 8 Aug the pick up from Bella...
Read moreEverything was well plan and driver was on schedule. Our group enjoyed the trips and beautiful sightseeing. Except on 8 Aug the pick up from Bella vista Queenstown to Frans Josef , the driver was not on time and was not very friendly. For the hotel accommodation it would be nice that hotel room are book at ground floor at Rainforest Retreat and Belta vista Queenstown instead of 1st floor, as we need to carry our large and heavy luggage up without any help from hotel staff. Thank you Nicole Andrews for the planning.
Doreen Heng & friends, South Island Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 4 August 2019
Nicole was incredibly helpful in setting up the connecting pieces. Everything went really really smoothly. The coach drivers were courteous, and we...
Read moreNicole was incredibly helpful in setting up the connecting pieces. Everything went really really smoothly. The coach drivers were courteous, and we got lunch breaks in Kaikoura, Oamaru and Te Anau - places I did not think we would get to see on this trip!! I would recommend Nicole most enthusiastically!!
Amy Stillman & Joseph Lam, New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 3 July 2019
Absolutely fabulous from start to finish. Chelsea was really helpful with the organisation of the tour and during the tour. My itinerary was perfect...
Read moreAbsolutely fabulous from start to finish. Chelsea was really helpful with the organisation of the tour and during the tour. My itinerary was perfect and ran like clockwork. I thank Discover New Zealand for the amazing experience and for all their help in arranging this. I would love to relive it!
Angela Holdaway, North and South Explorer, Travelled on 30 June 2019
Laura Rossi & Mary Wesselingh, Trains, Fiords and Glaciers & Amazing Additions, Travelled on 9 June 2019
We've been meaning to review our tailor made trip for ever, so finally getting round to it. Feb 18 is such a long time ago now, but this trip is 1 we...
Read moreWe've been meaning to review our tailor made trip for ever, so finally getting round to it. Feb 18 is such a long time ago now, but this trip is 1 we think about and talk about often. So, we just want to let everyone know if they're thinking about touring NZ THIS is the way to do it!! We absolutely loved it! Loved how ALL the things we wanted to do or didn't want to do were as the name says, 'tailormade', for us. Extra days or time spent in 1 location was not a problem. Selecting different accommodation was not a problem. The best, best thing was we were on an organised tour of NZ, but a tour with a maximum group size of 2 people!! Our own private tour! No-one telling us where to meet or eat. No shared tables with 'polite' general chit chat. No waiting on someone who's late for the bus, (continually)! Thank you guys for helping us plan this trip. We'd so love to see much more of NZ if it wasn't for the 8hr flight to Dubai followed by the 19hrs to Auckland. 😲. So people.... if reading this review and contemplating doing a tailormade trip to NZ.... do it! Book it with Discover New Zealand, believe us they're worth it and you deserve it!
Margaret & Gordon Lafferty, Customised New Zealand Vista
Chelsea, the trip was absolutely wonderful! We had a great time and everything ran smoothly and on-time. It was exactly what we were hoping for and...
Read moreChelsea, the trip was absolutely wonderful! We had a great time and everything ran smoothly and on-time. It was exactly what we were hoping for and it was so nice to have the itinerary each day to guide us to see the most of NZ south island! We greatly appreciate your help in making this such a perfect family holiday! best, Jeannie
Jeannie, Fred, Matthew and Cameron Morelock, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 1 July 2019
Morning Jane If we had to give a score out of 10 for our tour of the South Island New Zealand we would give it 100. We were so impressed with all of...
Read moreMorning Jane If we had to give a score out of 10 for our tour of the South Island New Zealand we would give it 100. We were so impressed with all of it and we would definitely recommend touring with your company.
Diane Weir, Annette Singleton & Jennifer Barrett, Taste of the South Tour, Travelled on 15 June 2019
Thank you so much, Christina for helping us plan our 30th Wedding Anniversary Vacation to NZ's North Island! I keep pinching myself because it will...
Read moreThank you so much, Christina for helping us plan our 30th Wedding Anniversary Vacation to NZ's North Island! I keep pinching myself because it will be a very special memory for the both of us. The land was breathtaking & magical, the people were warm & gracious, and the food was exceptional & delicious! We hope to plan another one to visit the South Island one day soon. Thank you again for your expertise, last minute arrangements, and questions you answered professionally & warmly.
Rowena & Marvin Tajalle, A Custom 9 Day Northern Highlights, Travelled on 12 June 2019
Ray Chen, Hongbo Li, William Chen, Auckland to Queenstown Explorer, Travelled on 11 June 2019
We found that the trip was very well organised. Every side tour was very interesting and met all of our expectations. The accommodation was very good...
Read moreWe found that the trip was very well organised. Every side tour was very interesting and met all of our expectations. The accommodation was very good and the hosts were very welcoming and couldn't do enough for us.They advised us of the local tourists attractions which we found to be great.It was amazing to drive from the North to South Islands and the scenery was just beautiful. A big thank you to Narissa and the team. We would recommend this trip to anyone.("GREAT").
Greg and Helen Mallet, The Customised 21 Day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 6 May 2019
Wayne and I really appreciated the organisation of the tour overall. Communication was prompt and changes requested were accommodated quickly. On...
Read moreWayne and I really appreciated the organisation of the tour overall. Communication was prompt and changes requested were accommodated quickly. On arrival we were warmly greeted by both our driver Faith and Wayne and Karen at Merivale Manor, making us feel welcome. All accommodation was to our liking. The decision for a Corolla hire car suited our needs. The itinerary suited us very well. We used GPS, maps and driving instructions to find our way. (Slight confusion finding our accommodation in Dunedin!) The trip was made even more enjoyable as the rain and snow held off while we were travelling. Because the trip was well planned, and by keeping an eye on the weather reports, our tour was a success from beginning to end. A big thank you to Chelsea Lodge.
Margaret & Wayne Parry, Southern Highlights, Travelled on 27 May 2019
Hi Louise and team. Stephen and I would like to pass on our sincere thanks and absolute joy at the marvelous time we had traveling in beautiful NZ....
Read moreHi Louise and team. Stephen and I would like to pass on our sincere thanks and absolute joy at the marvelous time we had traveling in beautiful NZ. All of the arrangements from the tour information pack and the many optional extras that had been arranged went without a hitch. The accommodations were highly satisfactory - with only the exception of Omapere on the Kauri Coast, which was a little bit old and tired. I understand that there was little alternative at this location - so maybe your suggestion to travel onto Paihia would have been a better idea :). I'm not sure if you worked additional magic - as the weather we had for the whole 28 days was fantastic and only rained when we were traveling between towns. We even had a sparkling clear day at Milford Sound... something we were told is an absolute rarity. Overall I couldn't recommend your organisation more highly - and it's something I've been doing since I returned home. Thanks again - I'll be looking you up when I head back across the ditch :)
Margaret & Stephen Starks, 28 Day Grand Explorer, Travelled on 14 May 2019
It was a great tour with a well organized route by very nice staff so we didn't come across any hassles at any stop. The weather was a bit out of...
Read moreIt was a great tour with a well organized route by very nice staff so we didn't come across any hassles at any stop. The weather was a bit out of expectation but still good to enjoy the stay and the bus tour. We experienced the fantastic nature scenic while on the bus tour from Queenstown to Greymouth and on the train from Greymouth to Christchurch. We 100% will be back!
Ken Wu & Shiu Yuen Tang, 3 Day Glaciers and TranzAlpine, Travelled on 15 May 2019
Hi Nichole, You had arranged for me a really wonderful tour - beyond what I expected! The hotels were incredible particularly Punga Grove absolutely...
Read moreHi Nichole, You had arranged for me a really wonderful tour - beyond what I expected! The hotels were incredible particularly Punga Grove absolutely lovely. The drivers were very friendly and helpful, pointing out as much wonders of each and every destination, even stopping so we can get out our cameras and record each breathtaking moments. You designed a wonderful smooth journey for the all methods of transport I took. Never for a moment had I to be worried about schedules or arriving late anywhere. The drivers picked and dropped me at every hotel. I really spent my days taking in all the beautiful scenery and frankly I am saturated to the brim. Thank you to you Nichole and your team. Every cent spent was truly rewarding and satisfying. Love, Jennie
Jennie Ariaretnam, The Incredible South Island Highlights, Travelled on 13 May 2019
The tour was wonderful, but there's room for little improvement. 1. Lake Tekapo is very nice and we suggest to stay one night over there. 2. There's...
Read moreThe tour was wonderful, but there's room for little improvement. 1. Lake Tekapo is very nice and we suggest to stay one night over there. 2. There's many trails in Mount Cook National Park and they're easy to reach. The Mount Cook Encounter Guided Walk is quite expensive and it's not worth to spend such money on the proposing trails because we can go by ourselves. Luckily, the Japanese guide allows us to change the original plan and she brought us to another way which is different. 3. The receptionist of Hermitage Hotel's activity counter was very nice and they helped us to change the date of stargazing because of the weather. 4. The nature walk in Wanaka was interesting. 5. The trip to Milford Sound was really time-consuming, it's the hardest time we had in the trip. Nevertheless, it's worth to go but we would not include this in the next trip to NZ. 6. The helihike was excellent!!
Tse Wai Shan & Shing Chau Tam, Scenic South Island Tour, Travelled on 23 April 2019
Hi Laura, OMG the trip was absolutely fantastic. The weather was perfect, only had 1 day when it rained that was when we decided to go to the...
Read moreHi Laura, OMG the trip was absolutely fantastic. The weather was perfect, only had 1 day when it rained that was when we decided to go to the Hot Beach. The accommodation was fantastic and our itinerary was as well. We're glad we decided to spread it out a bit cos we thought it would've been too hectic otherwise. The best part of the trip for me was going to Rainbow Springs Kiwi Park. When we got there just before 9am we said that we would like to do the tour. So the girl rang through to see if there were any kiwis and there was a 3 month old little baby kiwi called Hokey Pokey who got weighed and had to have some treatment for a sore eye. He was so gorgeous. I'm glad we didn't get you to book this in advance cos we might have missed out on seeing Hokey Pokey. We went to Hell's Gate in Rotorua and we had a fantastic guide who instead of just taking 30 - 45mins she took over an hour, explaining so much. The dolphin cruise was great and we saw bottle nose dolphins and then went out further and saw common dolphins. Rotorua was great and the visit to Mitai Maori village was fantastic. We also went to the Maori village where Maoris still live as Mark wanted to buy a true traditional carving. Mark loved the Hobbiton tour and we actually went on an earlier time, which turned out better for us but since I haven't seen any of the films it was a bit confusing when the guide would say things about different scenes in the films. In Taupo we went on the Maori Rock Carving cruise which was great, even though it was a bit cool - thank goodness for the blanket that I was given. The Footwhistle Glowworm Cave tour was fantastic as we were allowed to take photos of the glow worms and in the cave. The Kawa tea was very different - bitter but okay. Once again thank you for organising such a fantastic holiday for us. Trust me when I say we didn't want to come home!!!
Mark & Susan Burnell-Armstrong, Northern Highlights tour, travelled on 23rd April 2019
Everything on the trip went as planned apart from the glacier sail which was cancelled due to the bad weather. Apart from the rain on that first day...
Read moreEverything on the trip went as planned apart from the glacier sail which was cancelled due to the bad weather. Apart from the rain on that first day we had beautiful weather ( better than in Scotland) and the scenery was spectacular. I found it strange that Europcar gave us a separate navman when there was a satnav in the car. Your accommodation selection was spot on and all had easy access to restaurants so there was no need to use the car and we could enjoy your New Zealand wine. Your suggestion to book the 10.30 sailing at Milford Sound was spot on as the ship was not too busy and it was easy enough to get around to take pictures without having to squeeze through a crowd. The journey times you quoted were pretty accurate. I did not find the roads difficult to drive on and they were quite quiet, perhaps it was a quieter time after the Easter break. However we did make a lot of stops to take pictures of the magnificent scenery and it would be very easy to get delayed if to were not careful about your time. The winery tour was slightly disappointing as two of them did not seem to have much idea of what to do especially the Wooing Tree where they did not know what a vegan was. Vicky who was taking the tour was also a bit disappointed with the service and I think she was going to raise the matter with them. Nevertheless we did thoroughly enjoy our tour. The train journey to finish off the tour was very relaxing and informative, despite not being a lover of trains I did enjoy the commentary and scenery and saw more than I would have if we had driven back to Christchurch. I have given your website to a couple of friends in Australia as they were keen to know how we got on but whether they are willing to spend the money is debatable. For us this was the best way to see the country and it was well worth the expense. Thank you for all your assistance and organising what was a superb trip.
Ian and Margaret Aspinall, The Southern Circuit, Travelled on 28 April 2019
Everything went well and smoothly. No dramas along the way. We had a wonderful holiday and the 11 days of perfect fine sunny weather was a bonus....
Read moreEverything went well and smoothly. No dramas along the way. We had a wonderful holiday and the 11 days of perfect fine sunny weather was a bonus. Thanks be to God. Thanks to Jane for the preparation and for ensuring all logistics are in place.
George & Felicia Ting, 11 Day Highlights of the North, Travelled on 29 April 2019
Bhola Singh & Surekha Negi, 5 Day Southern Alps Circuit, Travelled on 1 May 2019
Dear Rommy and the Discover New Zealand team, Thank you for organising a wonderful trip throughout New Zealand. We had a very good time and fun...
Read moreDear Rommy and the Discover New Zealand team, Thank you for organising a wonderful trip throughout New Zealand. We had a very good time and fun experiences along the way. The tour was nicely organised, we especially enjoyed the Maori village experience, Agrodome, Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton and other sites as well. Accommodations in Auckland and Wellington were superb, however the Tuscany Villas Rotorua and Blue Peaks Lodge in Queenstown had poor internet. However, in Blue Peaks the staff was very helpful and provided DVDs to watch and also it was much more warm there than in the Tuscany Villas. We were also very excited that we could see Queenstown and Milford Sound. Such beautiful places. Thank you very much for organising the trip and we will definitely recommend your company to our friends and family.
Olga Glushkovskaya & Madina Nurmatova, North Island Sights, Travelled on 16 April 2019
The trip was a lovely way to see the country! However we had though there was breakfasts included in the tour - possibly just a miscommunication when...
Read moreThe trip was a lovely way to see the country! However we had though there was breakfasts included in the tour - possibly just a miscommunication when booking. Our accommodation was also out one day when we checked in a Franz Josef, thankfully they had a spare room for us that night. Otherwise brilliantly organised, we enjoyed ourselves immensely!
Pheobe Strafford & Lauren Fraser, Southern Highlights Tour, Travelled on 27 April 2019
From the time I was online looking at options for a our trip to New Zealand I have been very impressed with the Discover New Zealand team. Brigett...
Read moreFrom the time I was online looking at options for a our trip to New Zealand I have been very impressed with the Discover New Zealand team. Brigett has a real pleasure to work with and put together a great trip that will give us many pleasant memories. We did have a hitch in our plans and were not able to visit Franz Josef Glacier because of a washed out bridge. Brigett was on top of it and made alternative arrangements for us. Two thumbs up to Brigett and the team at Discover New Zealand for arranging a wonderful trip for my wife and I. Thank you.
Dale & Brenda Cawsey, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 4 April 2019
That was a unforgettable & stunning tour in New Zealand South Island. Thank you Nicole for your well & professional arrangements, my friends...
Read moreThat was a unforgettable & stunning tour in New Zealand South Island. Thank you Nicole for your well & professional arrangements, my friends and me were really happy with this trip and will definitely come back to NZ to have holidays. I have also recommended you to my other friends.
Joey Lin & Friends, Incredible South Island Highlights, Travelled on 20 April 2019
Thank you so much for organising this amazing and a lifetime memorable trip. Special thank to Chelsea to assist in keeping in my mind my needs and...
Read moreThank you so much for organising this amazing and a lifetime memorable trip. Special thank to Chelsea to assist in keeping in my mind my needs and requirements and providing outstanding customer service. Thanks a ton I really enjoyed my time in New Zealand
Ankita and Alok Jain, 10 Day Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 19 April 2019
Very organised all went like clockwork. Buses comfy and clean,train trip was really good. Hotels good standard. Lucky with the weather. Overall would...
Read moreVery organised all went like clockwork. Buses comfy and clean,train trip was really good. Hotels good standard. Lucky with the weather. Overall would recommend your company
Mary Basic, South Island Encounter, Travelled on 18 April 2019
Thank you to Abby for helping me set this up! It was super intimidating to plan a whole trip by myself but Abby gave great suggestions and the add-on...
Read moreThank you to Abby for helping me set this up! It was super intimidating to plan a whole trip by myself but Abby gave great suggestions and the add-on activities are what really stole the show. I would recommend this service to anyone going to NZ!
Carson Howard, Iconic North Island Itinerary, Travelled on 20 April 2019
Hi Christina, we just wanted to say thanks for arranging such a super trip for us! The mixture of LOTR and more 'authentic' NZ was just right, and...
Read moreHi Christina, we just wanted to say thanks for arranging such a super trip for us! The mixture of LOTR and more 'authentic' NZ was just right, and your personal touches really made a difference. The accommodation you chose for us was just right, allowing us to be independent when we wanted to be, and with a few special touches along the way. We knew we couldn't do everything in just 2 weeks but you certainly packed a lot in! NZ is a beautiful country and we met so many friendly people too, that I'm sure we'll be back one day! Thanks once again.
Ian & Carrie Rule, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 6 April 2019
This was an excellent tour which we enjoyed immensely. South Island New Zealand is even more spectacular than we anticipated. Collection of the hire...
Read moreThis was an excellent tour which we enjoyed immensely. South Island New Zealand is even more spectacular than we anticipated. Collection of the hire car, hotel bookings, directions, all went smoothly and for this we are grateful to you. The first hotel we stayed in, the Hermitage at Mount Cook was excellent in every way - this set a standard that was not quite fulfilled in subsequent hotels. While the rooms in subsequent hotels were clean and well appointed the provision for dinner and breakfast was more basic. The hotel at Te Anau was welcoming but the restaurants were mediocre. The hotel at Queenstown was very well appointed but again the restaurant was disappointing. The hotel at Dunedin again was limited. We appreciate that these other hotels may well have been the best on offer for the price - but they emphasised the excellence of the Hermitage. The trip on Milford Sound was brilliant and we have memories that we will keep for a long time. Thank you again for such efficient and friendly service.
Rosemary Margaret & John Ernest Colwell, Your Customised Milford Sound Spectacular Tour, Travelled on 30 March 2019
Hi Nicole, thank you for helping us organise the trip. I've been so busy that I forgot to ask about getting a refund for the Franz Josef Glacier...
Read moreHi Nicole, thank you for helping us organise the trip. I've been so busy that I forgot to ask about getting a refund for the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Shuttle that was cancelled due to the flood. I called on the day and they said that refunds have been issued and to talk to our tour organisers. There was also a small issue regarding the private transfer that was supposed to pick us up to leave NZ, he never showed up so I had to call and get another driver. Other than that, the trip was smooth sailing and we appreciate all your help!
Emily Lau & Nicholas Tan, Southern Discovery, Travelled on 13 April 2019
My family and I had a wonderful trip to New Zealand in early April, thanks to Shelly and team. There were multiple changes along the way and we had...
Read moreMy family and I had a wonderful trip to New Zealand in early April, thanks to Shelly and team. There were multiple changes along the way and we had to change itinerary often due to road closures but the team made it a much less stressful trip without us having to worry about making the changes to accom, car etc. Thanks once again!
Muhammad Raimi Bin Rahmat, Shahidah Binte Shiddik & Family, Lakes, Mountains and Glaciers Self-Drive Tour, Travelled on 8 April 2019
Huge thanks to you Christina for organising our wonderful trip! We had the best holiday and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the tour. We certainly...
Read moreHuge thanks to you Christina for organising our wonderful trip! We had the best holiday and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the tour. We certainly saw a lot of the South Islands and the scenery was breathtaking. Each day of the tour was executed with flawless precision. Our transfers always arrived early and we were always greeted with friendly and professional staff. The hotels chosen were great - clean, spacious and good breakfasts! Thanks again and would definitely recommend your services to family and friends.
Linda Lung, James Liang, Thomas & Winnie Yeung, Ignatius Ku, Jennifer Li, Gabriel & Joyce So, 7 Day Dunedin, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Mt. Cook, Travelled on 4 April 2019
Dear Discover New Zealand Team, thank you very much for everything as we had an absolute amazing, relaxed , enjoyable and stress free vacation. A...
Read moreDear Discover New Zealand Team, thank you very much for everything as we had an absolute amazing, relaxed , enjoyable and stress free vacation. A Special thanks to Christina - she is very dedicated and was easy to reach in regards of any questions or adjustments. We will definitely share our great time with friends and family and can recommend your agency 100%. Keep all doing what you are doing. Thank You !!!! We loved NZ and you helped us to enjoy every part of it more :)
Anne and Kerstin Pretzsch, 21 Day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 25 March 2019
Thank you for organising our wonderful holiday, we had a great time. Everything went very smoothly with no problems. The last minute changes due to...
Read moreThank you for organising our wonderful holiday, we had a great time. Everything went very smoothly with no problems. The last minute changes due to the west coast bridge being out worked out fine. We would recommend Discover New Zealand for anyone wanting to holiday in NZ.
Antony & Luzviminda Moss, 7 Day Southern Highlights, Travelled on 3 April 2019
We had a wonderful holiday. Although we had to change plans at the last moment due to the bridge collapse everything worked out quite well. Your...
Read moreWe had a wonderful holiday. Although we had to change plans at the last moment due to the bridge collapse everything worked out quite well. Your company's response to the change made it effortless on our part. We would and will highly recommend your services to others.
Ken & Judy Simon, Ultimate New Zealand 20 Day Escape, Travelled on 21 March 2019
We have had the fortune to have Katie help us on our recently concluded 5-day Auckland to Wellington your, including a trip to Hobbiton. The tour...
Read moreWe have had the fortune to have Katie help us on our recently concluded 5-day Auckland to Wellington your, including a trip to Hobbiton. The tour packages listed on the website could not fulfill our requirements. The request to Discover New Zealand was made at the very last minute, something like 2-3 days before the tour actually started. Katie responded to our request within an hour. After a couple of short calls and emails, the tour package was setup exactly to our requests. Katie is extremely helpful and understand all our requirements perfectly. Her break-neck speed in turning around the tour itinerary and quotation was superb with a 100% accuracy. It is our luck and fortune to have worked with Katie on this last minute organized tour where every part of the tour went smooth, from transport to hotel arrangements to visits to all places of interest. We are very thankful to all the help rendered by Katie. She is definitely a great asset to your organisation. We will certainly recommend Katie and Discover New Zealand to our friends when they visit New Zealand in the future. Many thanks, in particular to Katie, for her friendliness and the superb planning and organizing that made the tour so pleasant.
Chee Chong Lee & Poh Meng Quek, 5 Day Auckland to Wellington Tour including Waitomo and Hobbiton, Travelled on 18 March 2019
Laura, We had an outstanding time on our trip! We thought all of the accommodations were great except for the Picton Yacht Club... that hotel was OK...
Read moreLaura, We had an outstanding time on our trip! We thought all of the accommodations were great except for the Picton Yacht Club... that hotel was OK - a bit run down in the hallways although the room was clean. We thought everything ran very smoothly - the bookings you made, the picking up and dropping of the cars, etc. We especially appreciated your teams rapid adjustment to our plans when we decided to escape Fran Josef during the torrential rains. (We made it out with about an hour to spare before the road washed out). All in all, a very well done job! We had received positive recommendations from friends who had used your team and we will be sure to recommend your team to others.
Sten & Anne Wallin, 21 Day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 8 March 2019
WOW! What a holiday. From the minute our group of 5 'mature' ladies were picked up from Christchurch Airport to being dropped off 2 weeks later at...
Read moreWOW! What a holiday. From the minute our group of 5 'mature' ladies were picked up from Christchurch Airport to being dropped off 2 weeks later at Dunedin Airport we experienced NZ hospitality at its best. All the hard work Amanda put in to ensure we had great accommodation and that our itinerary went smoothly certainly paid off. We loved our time in Christchurch staying at Terra Vive Apts; the Trans Alpine Train Journey was spectacular; the huge Rainforest Retreat lodge in Franz Josef was amazing as was the walk to the glacier; and the afternoon spent in the Glacier hot pools. We decided our time in Queenstown was the best as was the fabulous apartments over looking the lake. TSS Earnslaw evening cruise and BBQ was magical. Lastly staying at Quest Dunedin for 4 nights gave us lots of time to enjoy the sights (including climbing Baldwin St). All customised to our wishes, including activities of our choice, we couldnt have asked for better. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Christine Nichol & Friends, Customised Southern Alps to Southern Lakes Tour, Travelled on 7 March 2019
The plan and the description of my itinerary was very good. It was the only way to me to see as much as possible of the south. Of course it is not...
Read moreThe plan and the description of my itinerary was very good. It was the only way to me to see as much as possible of the south. Of course it is not the same as if you travel in a group all the time. But it is an interesting way travel individual.
Stefan Schmidlin, Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights, Travelled on 23 March 2019
Thank you Brigett for the wonderful trip and for arranging everything for us. It was a truly exceptional experience. We loved the tour and the...
Read moreThank you Brigett for the wonderful trip and for arranging everything for us. It was a truly exceptional experience. We loved the tour and the recommended activities. It was a pity that we missed out on Franz Josef, and the Alpine train ride, and thank you for helping with the interim arrangements. With regards to the accommodation, we enjoyed all of the hotels/motels. The Waldorf Stadium Apartments in Auckland are a little run down, but the service was good. thanks again
Rhonda, Stephen, Glynne Hamilton & Carolyn Kingsley, Custom Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 15 March 2019
So everything went great. We had an awesome and amazing time. Was sad a few things had to be canceled because of weather, but that is nothing anyone...
Read moreSo everything went great. We had an awesome and amazing time. Was sad a few things had to be canceled because of weather, but that is nothing anyone can control. Just gives a a reason to come back. I don't recall anything that went wrong. Everything flowed great and we had time to make each tour and sight see at the same time. Thank you for all your help and support in making an awesome and amazing vacation. If anyone ask us about NZ and plan to go, we will diffidently give them Discover New Zealand information. An if we get the chance to come back i will be reaching out to you. Thanks
Greg & Elizabeth Searle, Customised Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 11 March 2019
A brilliant holiday, very well organised by Discover New Zealand. Although the weather caused some changes in the itinerary, we were contacted...
Read moreA brilliant holiday, very well organised by Discover New Zealand. Although the weather caused some changes in the itinerary, we were contacted quickly and efficiently with alternative arrangements which we were very happy with. Accommodation was all good, transfers were all good, no criticisms at all.
Ian Cameron & Daphne Wing, 8 Day Dunedin, Queenstown, Milford Sound and the Glaciers, Travelled on 26 March 2019
Kathleen Kanouff-Taylor & Barbara Brown, 4 Day Dunedin, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights, Travelled on 25 March 2019
Our only problem was, not being able to take the Alpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch because of the heavy rain. The people were very helpful...
Read moreOur only problem was, not being able to take the Alpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch because of the heavy rain. The people were very helpful at Franz Josef to help us get going again that morning. The trip was very good we saw lots of interesting things and were able to get lots of good pictures.
Verdell Tapp & Raymonde Tapp, 9 Day Southern Scenic Wonders, Travelled on 19 March 2019
We are so pleased with the arrangements you made for us Abby. It was a wonderful north Island experience. Everything was so well planned, with...
Read moreWe are so pleased with the arrangements you made for us Abby. It was a wonderful north Island experience. Everything was so well planned, with informative and friendly guides. All of our connections were made flawlessly. None of it would have been possible without your competency and friendly, yet professional manner. We appreciated all your efforts and are now having a great time in the south island. We love New Zealand!
Bill & Pat Vernooy, Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 28 March 2019
Chelsea Thank you. All the arrangements and bookings were in place as promised. We are grateful that everything happened smoothly, without a single...
Read moreChelsea Thank you. All the arrangements and bookings were in place as promised. We are grateful that everything happened smoothly, without a single issue. In particular, thank you to CityLife Wellington that upgraded our room - we felt very privileged to housed in such a fantastic room. Also, we were treated to a private wine tour in Napier - with a complementary tour of the city that we really enjoyed.
Karen and Jan Louw, North Island Exploring, Travelled on 16 March 2019
Thank you Laura Davidson! Our 5 day trip to NZ south Island was AMAZING! My husband and I felt like we were on a private tour. All the transportation...
Read moreThank you Laura Davidson! Our 5 day trip to NZ south Island was AMAZING! My husband and I felt like we were on a private tour. All the transportation set up was like clockwork. The bus drivers were so informative and full of such useful and interesting info about NZ. we especially enjoyed Stuart, Tom and the guy that took us to Milford Sound (I can't remember his name). I had no idea what to see and do and left it up to your discretion. So many beautiful, amazing sights. the wonderful lunch and 2 hours to hike at Mt Cook was perfect. you were easy access by email to help me with my gluten free needs that I had for got to mention. We loved all the motels you booked, especially beautiful was the Panga Grove. The drives on the bus through the beautiful rainforests and farmlands. So glad we didn't have to drive so we could both relax and enjoy. Helpful also was the itinerary you sent with all the info so we knew what to expect. I would highly recommend this tour to everyone. My only regret is that we didn't take a longer trip. Maybe next time! Thank you again for this beautiful trip through your amazing country!
Marie Wierzbic & Siggi Rachinger, 5 Day Southern Alps Circuit Christchurch to Christchurch, Travelled on 12 March 2019
The package than Nichole prepared, “The Spectacular Essence of New Zealand - Nature & Wine Trail”, could not have been more on...
Read moreThe package than Nichole prepared, “The Spectacular Essence of New Zealand - Nature & Wine Trail”, could not have been more on target. With a minimum input from me, she put together an itinerary that allowed us to experience an amazing cross section of New Zealand. The overnight locations were strategically placed, and the in-between drives were full of interesting vistas and charming small towns. The pre-arranged activities and tours were exactly what we needed to enrich our daily travel. The itinerary package was clear and comprehensive, providing enough information for a worry free self-drive 16 days tour. On two occasions when I needed small assistance, I received an immediate support. My only disappointment was that the 16 days came to an end and we had to leave New Zealand. It’s a beautiful country with the most friendly and accommodating people. We have traveled throughout the world, so referring to this trip as a “trip of lifetime” is a high praise. More detailed comments: On a more personal note, I need to thank Nichole for 16 spectacular days in New Zealand. Magically, she got into my head and put together an ideal itinerary. The information provided in the itinerary was a great base for making daily plans. It had it all, beautiful nature, great wines, architecture, food and most importantly an opportunity to interact with the wonderful people of New Zealand. I liked the balance between the freedom to do my thing and the scheduled activities/tours. The locations of the overnight accommodations were perfect. Actually, I am glad that we stayed in Twizel, as it provided a great morning drive to Mt.Cook. With the exception of the Heartland Hotel, all of the hotels ranged from good to excellent. There probably needs to be a conversation with the Heartland Hotel about the type of rooms that they provide to your customers, or you should find another place. FYI, I gave them a rather scathing review on the TripAdvisor. BTW, the hotel in Wellington upgraded us to a 2 bedroom penthouse suite. The car rentals and the ferry in between were a seamless experience. I love to drive, so the daily drives were a lot of fun. One thing, the suggested times for the drives, even without stopping take longer than indicated. It might be advisable to state in the itinerary that since there are many things too see on the way, the 4 hour drive might take 6 hours. When asked, we have a difficult time coming up with a single most memorable moment. Probably, Milford Sound, Mt.Cook and the geothermal area for the nature, Marlborough and Hawks Bay for wine, Waiheke Island for nature and wine, and Napier for the amazing Art Deco architecture. Also, the oysters and the lamb were rather tasty. Favorite wine and food experiences: Cloudy Bay’s Sav with oysters, lunch at the Brancott winery, the progressive wine dinner and the entire Waiheke tour. We managed to stop in a total of 15 wineries. Finding small interesting cafes during the drives was a lot of fun. I have a daily journal from the entire trip, but will not overwhelm the feedback site with this much material. Just one funny story, at the Mitai Maori Village I was appointed a “chief” for the visiting tribe (out of all of the visiting tourists). This was a lot of fun. A question, how did Nichole also arrange the weather for the 16 days? it was absolutely perfect. Again, a big thank you to Nichole.
Julius & Kathleen Gribou, The Spectacular Essence Of New Zealand - Nature & Wine Trail, Travelled on 14 March 2019
We had a wonderful and fulfilling time on the Iconic North Island tour arranged by Nicole Andrews of Discover New Zealand. The tour was tailor-made...
Read moreWe had a wonderful and fulfilling time on the Iconic North Island tour arranged by Nicole Andrews of Discover New Zealand. The tour was tailor-made to our requirements and Nicole was very accommodating with our requests for changes to the itinerary. The paperwork at Budget Rent A Car when we collected the Ford Fiesta was completed smoothly and we took off on our road trip from Auckland to Waitomo, Taupo, Rotorua and back to Auckland. The GPS provided was not that helpful and we relied on Waze to get us around throughout our 6-day drive. We enjoyed the tour of the glow worm caves. The guide was entertaining and forthcoming with information to keep the group engaged throughout the tour. We found the Waitomo Caves Hotel to be run down and musty. The room was stuffy despite the fan and open window. Would not suggest this hotel for future tours. Food was available within a short walking distance of the hotel. We loved Taupo the best. The accommodation at Beechtree Motel was exquisite. The room was comfortable and we felt at home during the 2 nights there. The visit to the Wairakei Terraces Walkway and Thermal Pools was refreshing and relaxing. Eateries were within walking distance from the motel and there was a variety to choose from. We stopped at the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools on the drive from Taupo to Rotorua and wallow in a private pool opened out to nature. The room at Hotel Ibis Rotorua was comfortable with food outlets within walking distance.The Mitai Maori Tour is a must to experience at Rotorua. We were entertained and tutored on the Maori culture. The hangi buffet dinner was delicious. We visited the Lava Glass outlet on our own and also the Redwood Forest. It was an awesome experience walking through the forest of gigantic Redwood trees. At The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, we were upgraded to a 1 room suite which we found to be comfortable. They had laundry facilities in the suite which was very helpful. Overall, We have a wonderful first-time experience in New Zealand, thanks to Nicole and Discover New Zealand. Would certainly be back through Discover New Zealand to explore this beautiful country even more on our next trip.
Michael Kumar & Elizabeth Vijayarani, Iconic North Island Tour, Travelled on 16 March 2019
Amanda Dalgleish was very helpful! She responded my mails right away and personally called me a few times whenever I had questions about the tours....
Read moreAmanda Dalgleish was very helpful! She responded my mails right away and personally called me a few times whenever I had questions about the tours. She explained everything in details. It was a great tour my family and I expected. We had a great time throughout her help. I think I’ll go to Amanda again when I visit New Zealand next time. Thank you!
Peichun Chiang & Lihua Wei and Children, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Tour, Travelled on 21 March 2019
The trip was everything we hoped for. After surviving the 13 hour flight we hit the ground running in Auckland taking tour buses, checking out the...
Read moreThe trip was everything we hoped for. After surviving the 13 hour flight we hit the ground running in Auckland taking tour buses, checking out the aquarium and sky tower. We even caught the Captain Marvel movie. Driving wasn't difficult. We were able to keep to the left. ALL of the middle earth related activities were spot on perfect. Please push the Hairy Feet tour with Suzie. It's perfect and she was lovely. Kamahi Cottage with Liz was so peaceful, highly recommended. Thumbs up to: Glow Worm caves and we're glad we got to see them before it gets closed to recover. Meh/thumbs sideways: Kiwi House. Should be The Duck House. Rotorua was awesome and Novotel was great. Skyline gets a big thumbs up and the zorb is a should but damn it was painful. Te Po was moving and the geysers were impressive. Thermal World was worth it but walking it midday was so hot. BIG THUMBS UP: Huka Falls jet boat. Elliot was great. Wellington was great. Initially we were confused about staying at the Bolton but it was totally walkable to Westpac (exciting rugby match) and Cuba Street. The Terracotta soldiers and Weta Studio exhibit about Gallipoli were amazing at Te Papa. My only... minor... tiny... barely worth mentioning 99/100 score?? The steaks were mediocre at best. We come from a grilling/bbq city and overall the food was underwhelming. Except hokey pokey. So good. We really appreciate everything you set up. Jane i wish you/your company did other country adventures. New Zealand was amazing. Thank you so much. This trip will be something we remember forever.
Geoff & Juli Bernard, Middle Earth Explorer, Travelled on 19 March 2019
Tom & Wendy Pockett and Stephen & Sandra Brobyn, The Southern Circuit Explorer, Travelled on 2 March 2019
We had an absolutely wonderful holiday driving New Zealand, which was put together by the amazing Jane. Everything went like clockwork and we have no...
Read moreWe had an absolutely wonderful holiday driving New Zealand, which was put together by the amazing Jane. Everything went like clockwork and we have no hesitation in recommending Discover New Zealand, in fact I have already to a couple of friends. It was also great to be able to meet Jane face to face when we passed through Wanaka. You're worth more money Jane! 😁
John & Trudi Pratt and Vicki & Gary Meloni, Customised 19 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 8 March 2019
Thank you soo much!! The trip was amazing!!!! We enjoy from the first day until the last one. Everything was extremely well planned! You have made of...
Read moreThank you soo much!! The trip was amazing!!!! We enjoy from the first day until the last one. Everything was extremely well planned! You have made of our trip something really wonderful and unforgettable :) Thanks again!
Laura Calcagni & Ivan Lovich, Essential New Zealand - Natural Wonders, Travelled on 4 March 2019
I think the holiday was amazing. I had a great coach tour. Unfortunately at Franz Josef the accomodation was far to far out of town I phoned and this...
Read moreI think the holiday was amazing. I had a great coach tour. Unfortunately at Franz Josef the accomodation was far to far out of town I phoned and this was put right straight away. Well done Abby
Joan Brown - Peter & Heidi Eymor Join, Christchurch to Wellington, Travelled on 10 March 2019
Hi Brigett, Thank you for organising our trip around New Zealand - it was perfect from being met at Christchurch Airport to being dropped off at...
Read moreHi Brigett, Thank you for organising our trip around New Zealand - it was perfect from being met at Christchurch Airport to being dropped off at Queenstown Airport. The helicopter trip to the Twin Glaciers was a particular highlight for me. The hotels were excellent and your idea of using Garden Court Suites and Apartment and having our own washing machines was great (bearing in mind we had been travelling for a couple of weeks at that stage). We will certainly recommend your company and will use you for our next visit to New Zealand.
Chris & Jacqueline McKee, Timothy &Elizabeth Godfrey, Gary & Carole Ellis, Custom Tranz Alpine, Glaciers and Queenstown, Travelled on 19 March 2019
The tour was smooth and New Zealand is amazing. Wish we could have stayed longer. Two bits of information would have been helpful. (1) GPS does not...
Read moreThe tour was smooth and New Zealand is amazing. Wish we could have stayed longer. Two bits of information would have been helpful. (1) GPS does not know the right place to send you in Rotorua for the Hobbiton tour. We missed our tour time but they were able to fit us in one hour later. The tour guide said it happens all of the time. (2) A note about how awful the car-return space is at the ferry parking in Wellington would have been helpful. We would have arrived earlier to find a spot (all of the spots were full and we had to improvise). Cars and lodging were all as we expected. Thanks again for your help!
Christopher Hiemstra, Theresa Kay, Adeline Hiemstra & Elinor Hiemstra, Tailored Auckland to Christchurch 11 Day Splendour, Travelled on 12 March 2019
The whole package is good, very good logistics, very helpful people, responsive to my queries and complains. Great sights is good, driver is good,...
Read moreThe whole package is good, very good logistics, very helpful people, responsive to my queries and complains. Great sights is good, driver is good, logistics is good, didnt encounter any problems. Intercity is not though, driver not helpful, not coordinated, the bus is so hot, aircon is not working.
Jeane Nicole Chong and Jeffrey Ong, 5 Day Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes, Travelled on 9 March 2019
We really enjoyed our tour, but at times we wished we had a bit more time to explore one city before we moved on to the next. In particular, we...
Read moreWe really enjoyed our tour, but at times we wished we had a bit more time to explore one city before we moved on to the next. In particular, we thought Te Anau looked quaint and we wished we could have spent more time there. The accommodations were lovely, but a bit expensive at times. Have you considered giving travellers a choice of 3 or 4 star locations? A few details in our itinerary were a bit vague. e.g. “You will be collected from your hotel... with no mention of the company who was to pick us up. A couple of times we either approached the wrong driver, or he approached us. We could have save quite a bit at Mount Cook is we had chosen the buffet. You had booked us for the 4 course dinner. While the food was delicious, it was far more than we could eat and a lot more money than we would have spent on a meal if we had known there were other options. The walk from the bus station to our accommodation in Te Anau would have been difficult for us given the amount of luggage we had. (I would not call it a short walk...) but thankfully, our bus driver dropped us across the road within walking distance. Loved the TSS Earnslaw dinner & cruise in Queenstown! We were highly appreciative of the efforts that were made to pick us up after the horrendous mass shooting in Christchurch. We were deeply impressed by that attention to detail and effort on our behalf.
Margaret (Peggy) & Colin Dunham, 9 Day Southern Spotlight, Travelled on 8 March 2019
Thank you for arranging such a fabulous tour. Everything went very smoothly and we were able to experience a lot of the highlights of your wonderful...
Read moreThank you for arranging such a fabulous tour. Everything went very smoothly and we were able to experience a lot of the highlights of your wonderful country at our own pace with no worries about transport and accomodation.
Charles & Caroline Pitt, Auckland to Wellington 10 Day Highlights, Travelled on 10 March 2019
Gini Kelley and Tom Barberic, Custom 14 Day New Zealand Holiday, Travelled on 6 March 2019
Aloha, Narissa. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to give you feedback on our wonderful Discover New Zealand trip. Our experience was completely...
Read moreAloha, Narissa. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to give you feedback on our wonderful Discover New Zealand trip. Our experience was completely unforgettable. The service and individual attention was incredible. Our drivers, Ralph Harrison and Kim (in Dunedin), Leo (who drove us from Wanaka to Queenstown), John (who drove us on the Milford Sound journey), and Marcel (who took us up the West coast to Fox Glacier, then on to Greymouth to catch the train back to Christchurch) were so kind and informative. They were the true treasure of this trip. We felt completely taken care of and we were made to feel so welcome. Our only issue was our toothless driver at Fox Glacier. His van was filthy, and it smelled like an ashtray. He was nice, but curt, and just a little smelly. Other than that, our hotels were perfect, our hosts were generous and informative and kind, and our total experience was fantastic. We have already recommended your company to a number of friends and family here in Hawaii. Thank you for such an incredible experience, and for hiring such wonderful hosts.
Josephine (Uilani) and Steven Goldsberry, Trains, Fiords and Glaciers, Travelled on 10 March 2019
From the very first time I made contact with Discover New Zealand, they made me feel very welcome and tailored my trip for me. Would recommend this...
Read moreFrom the very first time I made contact with Discover New Zealand, they made me feel very welcome and tailored my trip for me. Would recommend this for anyone going.
Rick Glover, Auckland To Christchurch 7 Day Highlights, Travelled on 12 March 2019
Kia Ora Jane, New Zealand is a lovely country and we enjoyed our trip. We did & saw many amazing things. We were saddened by the violent events...
Read moreKia Ora Jane, New Zealand is a lovely country and we enjoyed our trip. We did & saw many amazing things. We were saddened by the violent events in Christchurch. We have been discussing/evaluating the trip amongst ourselves as this is the first trip of this sort we have taken. Knowing what we know now, we may have made a few minor changes but overall we give the trip high marks. Considering we are used to driving and traveling at our own pace and that there is almost always room for improvement, our overall impression of the trip is positive. :) The photo/keepsake book was an appreciated touch. If you'd like a more comprehensive day-to-day breakdown I am going through the photographs we've taken and I've been making notes. Thank you for all of your work!
Dawn, Mark & Rose Koenings, 17 Day New Zealand Ultimate Explorer, Travelled on 3 March 2019
Hi, Jane Zwerrenz suggestions on where to go and what to see in our intense itinerary in New Zealand was amazing and exciting experience, with...
Read moreHi, Jane Zwerrenz suggestions on where to go and what to see in our intense itinerary in New Zealand was amazing and exciting experience, with fantastic accommodation and hire car worked a treat. So I would highly recommend her to any family or friends and use her myself in future for any tour advice and future trips. Thanks Jane it was awesome But I want to point out I was a little upset that Nicole said she would add something to my itinerary and she didn't follow it up, so we missed out on one day and a particular area my husband wanted to see, but that's nothing against Jane, as she wasn't at work and didn't get told about it . Thanks for the great experience of your lovely country and until we meet again.
Trudi & Brenden Moar, 14 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 4 March 2019
Organization: Everything went perfectly smoothly with transfers to and from the airport, transfers to and from buses to accommodation, etc. I was...
Read moreOrganization: Everything went perfectly smoothly with transfers to and from the airport, transfers to and from buses to accommodation, etc. I was really pleased with how seamlessly the various pieces of the trip fit together! Transportation: The buses were all clean and well-maintained. Every driver was good and provided nice commentary. That was really great. Accommodation: All the accommodation was good except for one place. I was unhappy with the cleanliness of 58 on Cron in Franz Josef Village. Otherwise, every other place was good. My two favorites were the Scenic Suits in Queenstown (unsurprisingly) and the Mt. Cook Lodge and Motel. The Mt. Cook accommodation was especially great - I wished that I could have stayed there longer! Highlights of the trip: I think my favorite parts were the boat ride of the Milford Sound and my time at Aoraki/Mt. Cook. One thing for the future might be to let people know of the possibility of flying back from Milford Sound to Queenstown. I ended up doing this, but I'm sure lots of people wouldn't just because they wouldn't have arranged their budget to potentially include such a big excursion. It was absolutely worth it, but I do wish I had known about it beforehand as a possibility. If I were to do the trip again, I think I would have skipped the day in Christchurch and gone straight on to Mt. Cook with an extra day there. For those interested in walks and hiking, I think it would be a better option. Overall, I was incredibly happy with the trip. I will most definitely recommend Discover New Zealand to anyone who is traveling to NZ in the future. Thank you so much for such a fantastic trip!
Sharda Umanath, South Island Encounter, Travelled on 5 March 2019
Great planning, great itinerary with lots of driving. The destinations were great and the car pick up, tour pick ups were all on time!! Hotels- the...
Read moreGreat planning, great itinerary with lots of driving. The destinations were great and the car pick up, tour pick ups were all on time!! Hotels- the 1st Bella vista was great location- managers were “so-so” friendly. 2nd Bella Vista - great and Dennis was terrific - room was spotless! Budget rent car- terrific! Wine Tour guides were top/ notch and so much fun!! Glow Worm - was good- a bit touristy for us Auckland Hotel/ great location, nice hotel and they let us have late check out and parked car all day! We can’t wait to book our next tour!!
Betsy & Douglas Tootell, A Taste of the North Island, Travelled on 4 March 2019
It was a great trip. We enjoyed all the tours you scheduled for us. The pace was busy but we had adequate time. The weather was great which was a...
Read moreIt was a great trip. We enjoyed all the tours you scheduled for us. The pace was busy but we had adequate time. The weather was great which was a pleasant surprise. Milford Sound in the rain was perfect!, loved the eco tour in Wanaka. The tour in Dunedin. We loved the penguins but would love to have also gone to the albatross house to see them up close.. for the most part all the motels were fine. The only negative was Christchurch. It was their smallest room and we could just walk around the bed with difficulty finding a place to open suitcase. It made us nervous about future rooms but others were fine. Got lots of pictures and will post some later after I go through them all. It is a wonderful country with very friendly people!! Thanks so much.
Daniel & Jean Johnston, Once-In-A-Lifetime New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 27 February 2019
This was the trip of a lifetime for us! We had a basic idea of what we wanted to see, and where we wanted to go. We then contacted Discover New...
Read moreThis was the trip of a lifetime for us! We had a basic idea of what we wanted to see, and where we wanted to go. We then contacted Discover New Zealand, and they could not have been more helpful in arranging quality accommodations, recommendations for tours and cultural places to visit, the ferry ride from North to South Island, winery tours, and especially the trip to Milford Sound. We are VERY pleased with this company, and would highly recommend them to anyone considering a trip to New Zealand.
Curt and Jane Logee, The Customised New Zealand Grand Tour, Travelled on 23 February 2019
It was an unforgettable and amazing trip! Under my impression, everyone are very nice and helpful! I would like specially thanks to Steve, the...
Read moreIt was an unforgettable and amazing trip! Under my impression, everyone are very nice and helpful! I would like specially thanks to Steve, the private driver of my 1st day pick up. He is friendly and nice gentlemen, representing most of New Zealand's tour drivers. Everyone knew, New Zealand is very beautiful and the masterpiece of God! No discrimination against appear, at least I don't feel it from my 1st visit in 2018. Thank you Heather too! Thanks for your good arrangement!
Yiu Kwong Yiu, Martens & Ka Ming Leung, Your South Island Explorer Tour, Travelled on 7 February 2019
Shelley Meeting with our driver at the airport went smoothly. The driver was very efficient and courteous. We appreciated receiving our trip...
Read moreShelley Meeting with our driver at the airport went smoothly. The driver was very efficient and courteous. We appreciated receiving our trip information early on. For future reference, the drive from the airport would be an ideal time for the driver to introduce New Zealand with a little local information and must see points of interest. The initial car pickup went smoothly. We didn’t think we would need the company provided GPS, intending to rely on our phones. In fact it proved very helpful a couple of times. All of the accommodations exceeded our expectation. Accommodations in Auckland and Wellington were very well located. Check in always went smoothly. The proprietors were typically helpful with additional information on local sites they may not have been included in our information packet. Suggestion: emphasize anyone taking a hike or tour of Milford Sound to bring a complete change of clothes. We did not appreciate the intensity with which it rains. Socked to the bone we did not get to take advantage of the boat trip. Overall we had a great trip! We found the trip advisor service and pre-planning an exceptional value.
Chuck & Suzanne Foisie, 21 Day Discover New Zealand, Travelled on 4 February 2019
Although we were planning our trip to NZ for some time we feel we would not have enjoyed our trip as much without Laura’s help. Being based in...
Read moreAlthough we were planning our trip to NZ for some time we feel we would not have enjoyed our trip as much without Laura’s help. Being based in New Zealand she gave us excellent advice and suggestions on where to go and what to see. The scheduling of our trip was brilliant. From the moment we landed at Auckland we felt confident in what we were doing. Accomodation was always of a high standard in good locations. Laura’s input was always friendly and positive; communicational all times was prompt.
Martin & Ros Fallon, Grand New Zealand Explorer, Travelled on 6 February 2019
Hi Amanda We had a great time touring your country made special with your magnificent help. The itinerary worked well and all the accommodation was...
Read moreHi Amanda We had a great time touring your country made special with your magnificent help. The itinerary worked well and all the accommodation was first class. Everything you organised went like clockwork we only wished we could have spent more time touring. We have no hesitation in recommending your services and have told several people about you. Many thanks Paul and Maureen. PS we are very saddened about events in Christchurch.
Paul Mellish & Maureen Wright, Southern and Northern Highlights Tour, Travelled on 30 January 2019
Jane, we wanted to thank you for planning such a wonderful vacation for us. All the connections worked seamlessly and the itinerary was great. The...
Read moreJane, we wanted to thank you for planning such a wonderful vacation for us. All the connections worked seamlessly and the itinerary was great. The trip was short but we felt we made the most of our time and enjoyed a fantastic variety of landscapes and experiences in this beautiful country. Anne
Anne Wilford & Adrian Beer, Customised New Zealand Encounter, Travelled on 20 February 2019
We had a very enjoyable trip. It started badly as our luggage didn't catch up to us for almost 2 days. The accommodation was excellent and we really...
Read moreWe had a very enjoyable trip. It started badly as our luggage didn't catch up to us for almost 2 days. The accommodation was excellent and we really enjoyed the food, wine and coffee. And I really liked our rental car. The only glitches were with the GPS not being installed in our car and the reservation for Wellington accommodation was for the wrong month. Fortunately, both problems were fixed quickly. If I were to change anything, it would be to allow more time in each destination. One night is not enough! Thanks.
John and Anne Linton, Cape to Capital Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 17 February 2019
The trip was excellent. The train ride was comfortable and the scenery incredible. All pickups and transfers were flawlessly executed. The hotel was...
Read moreThe trip was excellent. The train ride was comfortable and the scenery incredible. All pickups and transfers were flawlessly executed. The hotel was okay but unimpressive.
Joan Zwit, 2 Day Tranz Alpine and West Coast Glaciers to Queenstown, Travelled on 6 March 2019
We had a fabulous time. All the accommodations and activities that were pre booked and suggested activities were perfect. Just wish we could have had...
Read moreWe had a fabulous time. All the accommodations and activities that were pre booked and suggested activities were perfect. Just wish we could have had more time to spend in the South Island.
Karen & Fred Gehring, Milford Sound Spectacular 8 Day Tour, Travelled on 24 February 2019
Had a great trip! Brigett did a great job finding accommodations and getting everything organized and arranged for us on both North and South Island...
Read moreHad a great trip! Brigett did a great job finding accommodations and getting everything organized and arranged for us on both North and South Island tours. A pleasure to work with! Everything went as expected. Accommodations were all of good quality and in good locations (and all accommodations had free in-room internet access, so the list of features in the Discover NZ itinerary should be updated). Transfer drivers were on-time and very helpful, courteous, and accommodating. It was initially confusing how the GreatSights bus system would work with both tours and transit passengers, but it works very well and is a great way to travel around the country with good commentary on the areas you travel through. Having everything packaged up by Discover NZ really made things easy. Thanks again, Brigett!
Teri Carlstrom & Tom Flapper, North Island Express, Travelled on 22 February 2019
Thank you for making our family trip so memorable Laura. All pick-ups from airports, hotels and tour bus lines were impeccable!!! New Zealanders are...
Read moreThank you for making our family trip so memorable Laura. All pick-ups from airports, hotels and tour bus lines were impeccable!!! New Zealanders are the friendliest people! The bus lines made it very clear about departure times. We left a couple in Rotorua who had to find their own way back. After that, everyone was punctual. Most were able to give interesting facts along the way while driving. We even sang songs in Rotorua! We enjoyed all hotels and their central locations. The Distinction Hotel in Christchurch was the best! The only one that needs an update is the Scenic Suites in Queenstown. Their rooms were tilted so the bathroom showers didn't drain. We did appreciate and utilize the washer/dryer inside the unit. That was perfect timing! We covered a vast area in a short time. And although there was a lot of driving, it was necessary to grasp the beauty of your country. I wish we saw more of the coastline and varied rock formations. It'll have to be on another trip. Our adult children loved the variety of activities. Some of the highlights were: Tamaki Village, Agrodome sheep show, Rotorua Canopy Tours, Milford Sound, and Appellation Gourmet Scenic Wine Tour (Vicki, our guide, was incredible!) The Glacier Valley shuttle to hike Franz Josef was very rushed. An extra 30 minutes would have been better since all they did was drop-off and pick-up. Lambert and I thought it was a very successful trip. Thank you so much, Laura, for your quick email responses and excellent planning. We will spread the word about your company and its flexible planning.
Lambert & Tracy, Ryan & Margeau and Kasey Jong, Majestic New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 20 February 2019
Nisse was amazing. She helped setup this custom itinerary almost last-minute and everything went flawlessly, despite it being both Chinese New Year...
Read moreNisse was amazing. She helped setup this custom itinerary almost last-minute and everything went flawlessly, despite it being both Chinese New Year and Waitangi Day. One of the best tour arrangement experiences I've had anywhere. Thanks a lot!
James Long, North Island 3 Day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Experience, Travelled on 5 February 2019
We loved every bit of this trip! Each stop was filled with so much adventure and beautiful landscapes. Our favorite stops were Paihia and Snells...
Read moreWe loved every bit of this trip! Each stop was filled with so much adventure and beautiful landscapes. Our favorite stops were Paihia and Snells Beach and Taupo. When we return we will spend more nights here. We were well taken care of and each accommodation was lovely. I would highly recommend this destination to anyone and cannot wait to go back!
Jill and Shannon Lamoreaux, The Customised Northern Highlights, Travelled on 16 February 2019
We prefer that our feedback remain confidential. Overall, thought that the trip was great. Hotels selected were conveniently located and nice choices...
Read moreWe prefer that our feedback remain confidential. Overall, thought that the trip was great. Hotels selected were conveniently located and nice choices for our needs. Excursions went very well. Maps and directions were helpful. Only negative is that the trip was a bit more driving than we expected, mainly due to a lot of road construction on the south island that caused delays. May want to warn future travelers about this.
Brian & Joyce Brooks, Customised 12 Day Best of New Zealand Highlights, Travelled on 11 February 2019
Thank you for helping us to organise such a fantastic tour Christina. We had a fabulous time. The scenery was stunning and the motels were of a very...
Read moreThank you for helping us to organise such a fantastic tour Christina. We had a fabulous time. The scenery was stunning and the motels were of a very good standard. We particularly enjoyed our stay in Wanaka at the Clearbrook Motel.
Wendy and Phil Taft, A Customised Pancakes Glaciers and Mountains, Travelled on 13 February 2019
Neither my friend nor I being very seasoned travellers, we really appreciated the one-on-one guidance and assistance in planning our trip - we had a...
Read moreNeither my friend nor I being very seasoned travellers, we really appreciated the one-on-one guidance and assistance in planning our trip - we had a wonderful time! We opted for the 9-day South Island tour, and Christina helped us modify the package so we could fit in everything we wanted to see and do on our holiday. Always willing to take the time to research and talk through our options, Christina put together an excellent itinerary we could view and modify easily on the website. Our transport, accommodation and activities were all organised seamlessly, so we were able to make the most out of our short stay. I'm already longing to take another trip to NZ, and will definitely go through Discover NZ again. Thank you so much again Christina - it was a great trip!
Yara Hussein & Jennifer Bisset, A Custom Southern Scenic Wonders, Travelled on 24 January 2019
Thank you Shelley, my family had a fantastic holiday and lots of fond memories of the places we visited. We drove through the North Island and...
Read moreThank you Shelley, my family had a fantastic holiday and lots of fond memories of the places we visited. We drove through the North Island and enjoyed every minute of it. We were happy with all the accommodations provided except for our 1st night in Waldorf Stadium Apartment. The room was average in comparison to the others. We are planning our Southern Island trip in a couple years time and will definitely seek help from you Shelley to plan our journey.
Stephanie Lowe and Family, North Island Family Adventure, Travelled on 26 December 2018
Our correspondent, Laura was knowledgeable and very competent at her job. Despite the fact we were in England, she was willing to talk us through the...
Read moreOur correspondent, Laura was knowledgeable and very competent at her job. Despite the fact we were in England, she was willing to talk us through the itinerary for our vacation and got the accommodation and timings spot on. We would recommend Discover New Zealand for anyone wishing to arrange a vacation here.
George & Claire Hughes, Southern Highlights Outdoor Adventure, Travelled on 7 February 2019
Our trip in January 2019 was truly amazing. It was brilliantly planned out and everything ran smoothly. We had everything we needed and all...
Read moreOur trip in January 2019 was truly amazing. It was brilliantly planned out and everything ran smoothly. We had everything we needed and all pre-booked activities and transportations were on time and exactly how it was planned. On our self drive tour of both islands we got to see a great deal of a beautiful country and very much thank Louise for organising our bespoke trip which included all of our wishes & requirements. We recommend Discover New Zealand as they planned everything and allowed us to relax and just enjoy our once in a lifetime trip to New Zealand. Thank you
Carol, John, Adam & Hannah Drinkall, New Zealand Explorer, Travelled on 2 January 2019
Susan Mackie, 2 Day Bay of Islands Short Escape Tour, Travelled on 18 February 2019
My husband and I spent nearly three weeks touring NZ with Discover New Zealand this past November. We worked with your staff to personalize our...
Read moreMy husband and I spent nearly three weeks touring NZ with Discover New Zealand this past November. We worked with your staff to personalize our trip and we were extremely pleased. Every reservation at every lodging was exactly as we were advised and there was never a problem throughout our self-drive tour, All the expeditions, ranging from Whale Watching north of Christ Church, a helicopter ride over Mt. Cook and an overnight ship excursion on the Doubtful Sound, were perfectly reserved and executed. All the individual tour operators were top notch, friendly and knowledgable. We planned things out so that we never had to drive more than we expected, in order to reach our destination each evening. When we needed to add or subtract a thing or two, there was no problem notifying the office. We would heartily recommend Discover New Zealand for your staff's personal knowledge, flexibility and good humor. It was a great relief to be met at airports by your drivers and then to drop our car at the train station for a last memorable train ride across the South Island back to Christchurch. Your professionalism enabled us to thoroughly enjoy your spectacular country. Thank you!
Carolyn K Brancato, Auckland and Southern Highlights Tour, traveled on 10 November 2018
As I think you know, this trip was a bucket list for my husband for 40 years. Discover New Zealand and especially you, did not disappoint! Everything...
Read moreAs I think you know, this trip was a bucket list for my husband for 40 years. Discover New Zealand and especially you, did not disappoint! Everything was perfect. I’ve never seen an itinerary so detailed. All our transportation was on time, professional, friendly and so knowledgeable. Laura you helped make our dream trip so memorable. We can’t thank you enough and will definitely recommend you to anyone we know going to New Zealand.
Bill & Sue Hercules, South Island Highlights, Travelled on 3 February 2019
Thank You Nisse we had a great time enjoying the beautiful countryside of the South Island . The sites are spectacular we really loved Mt Cook and...
Read moreThank You Nisse we had a great time enjoying the beautiful countryside of the South Island . The sites are spectacular we really loved Mt Cook and the delicious lunch we had at the Hermitage Hotel. We couldn't fault the accommodation at the Novotel Queenstown or the Scenic hotel in Franz Josef it was first class and the breakfast each morning was great. We could have had a few more days to really enjoy everything so we think a longer trip would be better next time.
Colin & Janet Proctor, 5 Day Southern Highlights, Travelled on 11 February 2019
Adam & Christine Jaworski, Auckland to Wellington Highlights, Travelled on 10 February 2019
The tour was great except for our most unfortunate experience being left behind in Wanaka. The driver was difficult to understand but we understood...
Read moreThe tour was great except for our most unfortunate experience being left behind in Wanaka. The driver was difficult to understand but we understood he said we would be in Wanaka for 30 min. However when we returned after 20-25 min he was gone. We went to a Cardrona office and they were very helpful. The girl there took us to an iSite office where there was a staff member from Discovery NZ and they managed to get us on a bus to Queenstown. They were also very helpful in getting our luggage back to us. I realise the bus commuting service was not Discover NZ staff but we still don't understand how they could have left us. Again I stress we have no complaint with Discover NZ
Jeff and Anne Hughes, 2 Day Tranz Alpine and West Coast Glaciers to Queenstown, Travelled on 1 February 2019
All the arrangements worked out great. The accommodations were very nice. It was nice to have all the airport transfers arranged for us. The best bus...
Read moreAll the arrangements worked out great. The accommodations were very nice. It was nice to have all the airport transfers arranged for us. The best bus tour company was the one that did the Milford Sound tour - Real Journeys - that was the best tour. We only had one issue during our trip. The day we were picked up in Christchurch to go to Mount Cook by Great Sights. The bus was a little late picking us up, which was not an issue, then we waited in downtown Christchurch over an hour because they had to wait for one more passenger. So the driver left off one stop on the itinerary (Church of the Good Shepherd) and of course did not tell us that! Nichole did a great job putting this together. Thank you.
Teresa Wong, Kai Ki Chan & Maria Kwan, Spectacular South Island Highlights, Travelled on 25 January 2019
Thank you for arranging everything for us. My family and I had a really enjoyable trip in South Island. You planned everything for us so perfectly...
Read moreThank you for arranging everything for us. My family and I had a really enjoyable trip in South Island. You planned everything for us so perfectly and your itinerary gave us all the information we need to know plus more. We were particularly impressed with the Great sighseeing coach arrangements and the drivers (with the exception of one) were very knowledgeable and helpful. Although we didn't have much time in Christchurch, we were able to enjoy some really fine food there. Queenstown is stunning as expected and again lots of fine cuisine were available. As for Franz Josef, the mountain views and glaciers were stunning and the train ride from Greymouth back to Christchurch was relaxing and enjoyable. Should we visit New Zealand again, we will definitely contact your company for bookings.
Mildred Benjamin & Carol Ng, 4 Day Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights, Travelled on 4 February 2019
We just returned from our trip to New Zealand and I just wanted you to know that everything was amazing! Your schedules were perfect. ...
Read moreWe just returned from our trip to New Zealand and I just wanted you to know that everything was amazing! Your schedules were perfect. Every bus picked us up on time and got us to our destination on schedule. Also, the side excursions were GREAT. Every company was top notch and provided a very professional experience. Lastly, the hotel accommodations were very upscale and comfortable. All in all a flawless experience. Thanks for making our trip a very exciting and pleasant visit to New Zealand.
Bill & Sue Hercules, South Island Highlights, travelled on 3rd February 2019
James & Fiona Vatiliotis, Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 21 January 2019
Thank you so much for arranging a great trip we thoroughly enjoyed it. Everything went smoothly- hardly any traffic on the roads made driving a...
Read moreThank you so much for arranging a great trip we thoroughly enjoyed it. Everything went smoothly- hardly any traffic on the roads made driving a pleasure - the car, accommodation and itinerary were excellent and to finish off with the train journey was the icing on the cake- Queenstown was a standout - The scenery was spectacular- you are very lucky to live in such a beautiful country .
Anthony Chick & Janet Wyatt, 9 Day Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 22 January 2019
Miss Lau and friends, 10 Day Southern Spotlight, Travelled on 21 January 2019
Had a fabulous time in New Zealand. The scenery was truly stunning. The trip went like clockwork. The shuttle drivers were on time and very helpful...
Read moreHad a fabulous time in New Zealand. The scenery was truly stunning. The trip went like clockwork. The shuttle drivers were on time and very helpful with local knowledge. We have already communicated with you about the only issue we had. Looking back on it, I'd say perhaps the driver may have been new or lacked good communication skills. Queenstown is very hilly, so for future, may I suggest that if the coach cannot stop at the hotel, patrons should be let off at the bus stop in town and a taxi take them to the hotel. This is how the departure was handled. A taxi picked us up directly from reception and drove us to the bus stop where we caught the coach to Christchurch. I would not hesitate to book with you again.
June and Gary Joji Kamino, 10 Day Contrasts of New Zealand, Travelled on 8 January 2019
We just wanted to say thank you for arranging the customized Fiords, Glaciers, and Mountains self-driving trip for us. Everything you arranged for us...
Read moreWe just wanted to say thank you for arranging the customized Fiords, Glaciers, and Mountains self-driving trip for us. Everything you arranged for us (transports to and from the airport and train, meals for Christmas and New Years, the extra bed in the hotels for our children, and all the vouchers needed for our activities) went perfectly. The South Island of New Zealand has a gentle pace, beautiful scenery, international flavor, and modern affordability which made for a relaxing and interesting vacation. My teenagers described as the best vacation ever. Although many days were accompanied by long drives, we were glad to experience so much of the South Island. We got to witness the various climates and landscapes, and learned a bit about glaciers and glacier melt, earthquakes, sheep shearing, gold mining, and the geological and environmental impacts on New Zealand. The pre-trip planning really helped and everything we did matched our interests. Our view of Mt. Cook from our hotel room absolutely blew us away. Thank you again for organizing our trip, sharing your country with us, and giving us a lifetime of memories. With any luck, we talking to you again someday to continue our explorations
Erica Shane, Stephen, Joshua and Kira Lentz, Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains Family Adventure, travelled on 24th December 2018
I just wanted to give you the credit you deserve for putting together a wonderful trip for my husband and I. We have lived in Japan for 23 years and...
Read moreI just wanted to give you the credit you deserve for putting together a wonderful trip for my husband and I. We have lived in Japan for 23 years and this may be our last trip before we head back to the USA. NZ has always been a country we dreamed of visiting. We enjoy being outdoors so the activities and accommodations were perfect for us.
Traveling to the West Coast and Canterbury by train was ideal. Taking in the views were both relaxing and spectacular. We arrived in the little village of Fox Glacier on a rainy and cool night where our accommodations were warm and comfortable. We ate dinner at a nice cozy restaurant in town. We enjoyed the ride to Queenstown. The town was full of activities and people. Our favorite part of the trip was the ferry ride to Otago where we could get on the bikes and ride through the country side. The buffet was a plus and the food was both delicious and appetizing. We also liked the cruise to Milford Sound.
I have already recommended you and your company to friends in Japan. I hope they will contact you.
Thank you so much for the time you put into planning our trip.
Craig & Yvonne Long, South Island Tour from Christchurch, travelled on 18 December 2018
Our tour was awesome. Except for weather getting in the way of touring glaciers the trip went smoothly. All of the connections were extremely timely....
Read moreOur tour was awesome. Except for weather getting in the way of touring glaciers the trip went smoothly. All of the connections were extremely timely. The motels were adequate for what we needed and the folks who ran them were so helpful and friendly. We now know what we will want to explore when we return to this beautiful country. Shelley was very easy to work with especially with our changes in the plans because of weather.
Kathy Valentine & Jani Stonington, Customised 11 Day Southern Scenic Wonders, Travelled on 1 January 2019
The organisation of our holiday was excellent, emails were answered quickly. Once on tour, everything went smoothly and we really enjoyed the whole...
Read moreThe organisation of our holiday was excellent, emails were answered quickly. Once on tour, everything went smoothly and we really enjoyed the whole trip. The paperwork we were given was excellent and very detailed. The accommodation was really good, with just the room in Christchurch being very small compared to the others. Transport arrangements were good and we were picked up more or less on time. Just one time when we were dropped off at the YHA in Mt Cook instead of the Lodge and Motels. We had to drag our bag across rough ground to get there. The driver also asked us to go to the Hermitage to be picked up. We got the shuttle to do this which wasn't a problem but it was a bit confusing at the time. In all a very enjoyable and well organised trip. Thank you.
Lynne & Paul Mawson, Southern Scenic Wonders, Travelled on 14 January 2019
We had a lovely time in New Zealand! Our travel agent was very helpful and communicative throughout the planning process, and our time in New Zealand...
Read moreWe had a lovely time in New Zealand! Our travel agent was very helpful and communicative throughout the planning process, and our time in New Zealand was much simpler thanks to Discover New Zealand! This is the best way to travel, with enough planning so that you hit all of the important places you want to go, but still enough flexibility so you can plan as many or as little excursions ahead of time as you want. Some more information on the website about what excursions are recommended to book far in advance would be helpful, but otherwise everything was great! The website has a lot of great tour options, and that plus our travel agent's expertise ensured a wonderful holiday!
Tyler Kepschull & Liz Emley, Customised Discover New Zealand Honeymoon, Travelled on 20 December 2018
Excellent Tour superbly organised by Brigett. Everything worked like clockwork. No complaints whatsoever although was a little disappointed with...
Read moreExcellent Tour superbly organised by Brigett. Everything worked like clockwork. No complaints whatsoever although was a little disappointed with 'Paradise'. Drove along the unsealed road for what seemed like miles. Eventually came to a sign indicating that we were in Paradise but there was nothing there. Drove a few miles further on but still nothing. Met another car which had given up and turned back so we did the same. Noted that it was listed amongst the 10 most disappointing things in NZ. However, car was excellent, all accommodation was of a high standard and all hosts very helpful and accommodating. All in all a very enjoyable tour of the South Island. Our thanks to Brigett for the excellent arrangements. Ten out of Ten.
Edward & Flora Crowden, Finally got to the South Island Tour, Travelled on 6 January 2019
After a stressful start to our trip due to a flight delay and then cancellation in Sydney, we where extremely glad to land in New Zealand, the staff...
Read moreAfter a stressful start to our trip due to a flight delay and then cancellation in Sydney, we where extremely glad to land in New Zealand, the staff at Discover New Zealand especially Lauren where more than helpful and made the rest of our holiday very enjoyable. She went over and above to get the trip on track and we are extremely grateful. Would I recommend Lauren & Discover New Zealand? Yes!!!!!
Ornella Minuzzo, Peter, Gemma & Ciara Broccardo, Christchurch to Auckland Must Do Tour, Travelled on 20 December 2018
This was a truly memorable trip. The self-driving aspect of the tour allowed us to take our own time between the pre-arranged night accommodations...
Read moreThis was a truly memorable trip. The self-driving aspect of the tour allowed us to take our own time between the pre-arranged night accommodations and to stop and make diversions from the suggested route whenever we wished. This flexibility added greatly to our enjoyment. The car provided was comfortable, large enough for our substantial luggage and a pleasure to drive. The overnight accommodations were comfortable and all of their management staffs friendly and welcoming. I have nothing but praise to offer Nicole Andrews who worked with us for a couple of months to arrange our tour. She suggested the itinerary, very necessary for a couple who had never visited New Zealand, but then very efficiently tailored the itinerary to fit in with our several requests. The result was a tour of the South Island that was based on her knowledge but incorporated our specific location requests and time frame. She made the planning process of this rather complex project very enjoyable and the end result more than we could have reasonably expected. In sum I most heartily thank Nicole and her organization for their splendid and efficient service and most strongly recommend them to anyone wishing to create a tailored visit to New Zealand.
Garth and Elaine Bawden, Garth's Southern Adventure, Travelled on 11 January 2019
We had a fabulous time on this tour. We would never have thought to visit Hobbitton but it was just delightful. We wondered if two Maori experiences...
Read moreWe had a fabulous time on this tour. We would never have thought to visit Hobbitton but it was just delightful. We wondered if two Maori experiences was overkill but each was special and moving in its own way. The Waitomo caves were fascinating, especially the silent boat trip through the glowworms. Despite heavy, soaking, rain at the thermal valley, we had enough dry time to enjoy the walk round the lakes while the Pohutu Geyser was worth standing in the rain - and at least the coach driver brought us back to the hotel early. Overall, it was a great trip, with everything running to time and everybody very helpful.
John & Elizabeth Viner, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 12 January 2019
Thank you for arranging a wonderful holiday. Everything from the transfers and the motels and the extra activities worked perfectly. We would not...
Read moreThank you for arranging a wonderful holiday. Everything from the transfers and the motels and the extra activities worked perfectly. We would not hesitate to recommend using your company if they are visiting New Zealand. The only negative thing was we thought there could have been a better map of the drive as we found the maps in the atlas only covered a very small area and didn't give us an overview to follow the drive. Thank you once again.
Barry & Gail Kilah, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 12 January 2019
Just wanted to write and say a massive thank you for arranging this fabulous 9 days in New Zealand. Your choice of motels and lodges was excellent...
Read moreJust wanted to write and say a massive thank you for arranging this fabulous 9 days in New Zealand. Your choice of motels and lodges was excellent and in an ideal location. Exactly what we needed and could not have been any better! New Zealand is so beautiful and so are the people.Thanks again.
Amran & Zain Ridzuan, Pei Min & Pei Fen Qiu, 9 Day Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 5 January 2019
Excellent trip, very well organised for the short time we had. Coach drivers were all excellent and the information they relayed to us, couldn't...
Read moreExcellent trip, very well organised for the short time we had. Coach drivers were all excellent and the information they relayed to us, couldn't fault them at all. Accommodation was all good .
Nicholas and Sandra Barnard (booked by Rebecca Choularton), The Customised Southern Scenes, Travelled on 4 January 2019
We really enjoyed our New Zealand holiday including all activities. A big thank you to Abby, she's done a great job customising our itinerary, and...
Read moreWe really enjoyed our New Zealand holiday including all activities. A big thank you to Abby, she's done a great job customising our itinerary, and ensured our driving time was not over 2.5 hours. All our accommodations were good, except for one, The Sudima lake Rotorua, the bathroom does not look clean and smells a bit. Everything else was really good holiday experience. I will definitely contact Abby again on our next holiday to South Island.
Alzul Family, 8 Day Northern Highlights, Travelled on 3 January 2019
Hi Laura, Thank you for customizing and arranging this fantastic tour for us. We thoroughly enjoyed it and are very happy that we have chosen...
Read moreHi Laura, Thank you for customizing and arranging this fantastic tour for us. We thoroughly enjoyed it and are very happy that we have chosen Discover New Zealand. We have benefited significantly from your local New Zealand experience and are really satisfied with your selection of accommodation providers and the experience/adventure partners that you have selected. Your documentation pack was super and contained everything that we needed and more. On the accommodation side you delivered exactly what we wanted - more budget style accommodation but with very good locations and facilities. We also liked the mix of accommodation.
Nico, Esta, Hanno & Nita De Jager, Customised New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 2 January 2019
I just wanted to say a big thank you for organising our recent road trip to the south island. Everything happened the way it was planned. The motel...
Read moreI just wanted to say a big thank you for organising our recent road trip to the south island. Everything happened the way it was planned. The motel accommodation was excellent and in terrific locations. The ‘greeters’ were always on time and very welcoming. They offer a great service. My only disappointment was that the day we went to Milford Sound, the weather was terrible which made the day not quite as good as it could have been but I’m glad we still went there. The weather for most of the trip was very good. I was very glad that we booked a RAV 4. As you know there was a lot of driving involved and it was a good car to have to manage the different roads and road surfaces that we encountered. I have now ticked another item off my bucket list so thanks again for making it all so easy.
Anne & Alyssa Sandler, Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 1 January 2019
We thoroughly enjoyed our customised tour. It was well put together. Checking in at booked sites was seamless. Absolutely no hiccups. Our document...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our customised tour. It was well put together. Checking in at booked sites was seamless. Absolutely no hiccups. Our document pack was invaluable and the 24 hour support was very reassuring. I would highly recommend these tours. It took the guesswork out of trying to book everything ourselves and it could not have been easier especially with travelling with three kids. thank you especially to Sarah Baumanis for putting it together for us .
Shaliza Khan-Ali & Khalid Ali, Customsied 14 Day New Zealand Grand Tour, Travelled on 30 December 2018
Our trip to New Zealand was amazing. The accommodations Jane arranged for us, were superb. The extra information package provided was also really...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand was amazing. The accommodations Jane arranged for us, were superb. The extra information package provided was also really helpful. So thanks to Discover New Zealand for making all this possible!
Victor van der Steen & Esther de Kok, New Zealand Explorer, Travelled on 29 December 2018
Thank you so much for organising our holiday. We had a fantastic time . All the accommodation was great and the activities were amazing. I would...
Read moreThank you so much for organising our holiday. We had a fantastic time . All the accommodation was great and the activities were amazing. I would highly recommend this type of holiday if you really want to see the beautiful country side. We got the best of the country and seaside everything was timed perfectly. Much appreciated would go threw you again anytime. A must do trip.
Cathy Wilson & Family, Auckland to Queenstown Customised 14 Day Tour, Travelled on 27 December 2018
We have the most amazing holiday thanks to Heather. The itinerary was prepared after understanding our requirements. The bookings, tickets etc were...
Read moreWe have the most amazing holiday thanks to Heather. The itinerary was prepared after understanding our requirements. The bookings, tickets etc were as per the itinerary and we had the best holiday so far.
Magesh Mannargudi Sambasivan, Hema Magesh & Aditi Magesh, Your Customised Auckland to Queenstown Highlights Tour, Travelled on 26 December 2018
The tour has fully met our expectations!!!! We had really the possibility to visit the country despite the limited time available. Everything was...
Read moreThe tour has fully met our expectations!!!! We had really the possibility to visit the country despite the limited time available. Everything was arranged and we really didn't have to worry about anything. I highly recommend this journey.
Barbara La Ferla, Andrea, Stefania & Jacopo Russo, Your Customised New Zealand Vista Tour, Travelled on 22 December 2018
Overall the tour was amazing. It was really well organised and the itinerary well laid out and followed to a tee. We just had to turn up and...
Read moreOverall the tour was amazing. It was really well organised and the itinerary well laid out and followed to a tee. We just had to turn up and everything was done for us to get us from a to b and see all the things we wanted to see. NZ is breathtaking. Zipline forestry canopy tour was brilliant and major highlight. Mount Cook for Xmas was great. Left the Spa without an ache in our bodies.
Paul & Palida Wyatt, Your New Zealand Discovery Tour, Travelled on 18 December 2018
This tour was amazing! Not only did we get to see the south island but the detail to everything was amazing. Having the ability to get up in the...
Read moreThis tour was amazing! Not only did we get to see the south island but the detail to everything was amazing. Having the ability to get up in the morning look at the planner and start our tour without having to decide on what to do each day was a blessing. No stress, all relaxing. Wonderful and would recommend it to all.
Nathaniel Sanders & Mark Eisbrenner, Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 15 December 2018
Thank you Narissa. We enjoyed our trip that you arranged. Especially the hotel in Queenstown that you choose was very nice. We could walk from the...
Read moreThank you Narissa. We enjoyed our trip that you arranged. Especially the hotel in Queenstown that you choose was very nice. We could walk from the hotel to the city centre and we were not bothered by traffic jams in the city. I wanna use your service when we look at booking a trip next time. Many thanks
Atsushi Yonezawa & Family, Queenstown and Milford Sound Short Break, Travelled on 31 December 2018
The trip was fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed our NZ experience. Your organisation was excellent. We were disappointed at missing out on the...
Read moreThe trip was fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed our NZ experience. Your organisation was excellent. We were disappointed at missing out on the glacier trip. The accommodation was really good. Would have liked a king bed in Christchurch, however. The car was great. The breakfasts were great. Really appreciated the laundry facilities being available in the room.
Susan, Craig and Emma Herron, 7 Day Magnificent South Tour, Travelled on 29 December 2018
Our holiday to New Zealand was during Christmas period 25th December 2018 until 6th January 2019. We never feel tired of New Zealand, such a...
Read moreOur holiday to New Zealand was during Christmas period 25th December 2018 until 6th January 2019. We never feel tired of New Zealand, such a beautiful place to visit. Especially when we had our journey properly planned by New Zealand Fine Touring. We had such great time, everything was properly arranged from airport pickup, transport, hotels, activities, until we were dropped off at the airport back to our home country. It was a memorable and enjoyable journey thanks to NZFT.
Adikusuma Nurwono and Friends, Southern Highlights 13 Day Tour, Travelled on 25 December 2018
We always organised trips ourselves before. This trip was the first time we relied on an expert travel agent. We weren't disappointed! First, I was...
Read moreWe always organised trips ourselves before. This trip was the first time we relied on an expert travel agent. We weren't disappointed! First, I was very happy to see detailed printed copy of the entire itinerary with clear instructions for the connections and what was going to happen on that day. All connections worked perfectly (really, perfectly!) and all inclusions/excursions were thoroughly enjoyable and of high quality. I was particularly impressed by the selection of chosen accommodations. All the places we stayed were comfortable, located centrally, provided a great service ... It just made the whole trip more enjoyable and memorable. We will never forget having a balcony view out to the New Year's fireworks at Napier. Thank you Chelsea for giving us a wonderful holiday experience in NZ. We look forward to planning a trip around the south island with you next time :-)
Helen Paik and John Shepherd, North Island 10 Day Waitomo, Rotorua and Napier Experience, Travelled on 27 December 2018
Had an amazing time. Most accommodations met our needs and level of standards. Queenstown location was bit further from town than we would have...
Read moreHad an amazing time. Most accommodations met our needs and level of standards. Queenstown location was bit further from town than we would have preferred. The estimated travel times posted were a bit optimistic in most cases and left little time for side journeys/excursions/take-in-the-moment stops along the way and/or time to spend at end destinations. This was particularly the case with the one day stop-overs (Wellington for example would have been nice to have more time to experience city and surroundings). Weather could have been more co-operative but hey, that's out of our control :) . Highlights: Mt. Cook, Queenstown, Wanaka (although was not on itinerary we did make side excursion there and it was beautiful), Arrowtown, glaciers, Antarctic Centre, Museum of New Zealand, cool districts of Auckland, Koura Bay Lodge (Christmas dinner was out of this world!), Waiheke Island, and all the wineries and people we met along the way!!! And a big thank-you to Jane. She was fantastic in arranging everything and working with us on creating this once-in-a-lifetime, amazing, well-packed, tour.
Barry Gula & Noel Houtteman, Custom 15 Day Christchurch to Auckland Must Do Tour, Travelled on 17 December 2018
We absolutely loved the New Zealand trip that you planned for us. Excellent lodging facilities that had great views, were clean and were in desirable...
Read moreWe absolutely loved the New Zealand trip that you planned for us. Excellent lodging facilities that had great views, were clean and were in desirable locations (e.g. in Dunedin we were just a block away from the Octagon). All scheduled busses, private transfers, etc. occurred just as planned. Activities that you suggested were excellent (e.g. overnight cruise at Milford Sound, train trip from Greymouth to Christchurch) were great. Everyone that we encountered at the various facilities that you recommended (e.g., busses, private transfers, lodging) were extremely helpful and friendly. Thank you for planning a wonderful vacation for us. Our best vacation ever!
Lyle & Marlys Polson, Lyle & Marlys' Incredible 15 Day South Island Getaway, Travelled on 10 December 2018
We had the BEST time on our New Zealand adventure over Christmas & New Years! Narissa clearly listened to our wants/needs, and every activity we...
Read moreWe had the BEST time on our New Zealand adventure over Christmas & New Years! Narissa clearly listened to our wants/needs, and every activity we did was fantastic, and it was so nice to not have to worry about any of our reservations and bookings. I only wish we could have stayed in New Zealand longer. Thanks for a fantastic vacation... truly one that will be hard to replicate!
Kari Onweller and Kathleen O'Linn, The Customised Active, Luxurious and Wine Fuelled Adventure, Travelled on 19 December 2018
We just had a fantastic time. Nichole organised a brilliant itinerary and everything went precisely according to her plan. We didn't have time to...
Read moreWe just had a fantastic time. Nichole organised a brilliant itinerary and everything went precisely according to her plan. We didn't have time to give the trip much thought before hand but we didn't have to - it was all done for us. We also asked Nichole to organise a couple of activities 'off plan' (golf in Christchurch for example on Boxing Day!) which she did brilliantly. An unforgettable holiday not least because New Zealand is a breathtakingly beautiful country.
Geoffrey Parks & Caroline Bradley, Ultimate South Island Adventure With Included Activities, Travelled on 15 December 2018
The plan was excellent. We enjoyed and learned a lot. We were disappointed to miss our heli-hike as it made the stop at Mount Cook and the bus ride...
Read moreThe plan was excellent. We enjoyed and learned a lot. We were disappointed to miss our heli-hike as it made the stop at Mount Cook and the bus ride tiring. Of course, you could not change the weather. I took many pictures so anytime I miss it, I will go through my New Zealand album. Thanks again and for sure I would recommend your service to any of my friends who are interested in visiting NZ.
Javad and Pam Taheri, Contrasts of New Zealand, Travelled on 10 December 2018
My family and I had an amazing time touring Queenstown to Christchurch over the holidays and the support from both you and Discover New Zealand was...
Read moreMy family and I had an amazing time touring Queenstown to Christchurch over the holidays and the support from both you and Discover New Zealand was flawless. Your attention to detail is really appreciated – it was so nice to not have to worry about anything, just relax and enjoy ourselves. As if that wasn’t enough, it was incredible that you were able to make this trip happen so quickly and so close to the upcoming holidays – when pretty much all the accommodations were full. I am still not sure how you managed it but am very happy you did. There were a lot of highlights – just to name a few: Milford Sound flight & cruise (saw both dolphins & seals), jet boat on the Dart river, Bungy jumping off the Kawarau Bridge, helicopter ride to the glaciers and the TranzAlpine train. Simply awesome and something we’ll never forget. Thank you so much for setting us up and patiently answering all my questions. I would certainly highly recommend you – just as my friend recommended you to me.
Jeff, Michelle & Kevin Sweet, South Island Highlights Adventure, traelled on 22nd December 2018
We had a fabulous experience of visiting New Zealand last month from 25th December till 31st December. We would like to thank Jess Pearson for...
Read moreWe had a fabulous experience of visiting New Zealand last month from 25th December till 31st December. We would like to thank Jess Pearson for arranging such a marvelous trip. Everything was well coordinated. Thanks a lot.
Joshi Family, Summertime South Island Getaway, Travelled on 25 December 2018
Thephil, Christopher, Ava, Isaac Roby, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 25 December 2018
Thank you to Discover New Zealand and especially to Miss Laura Davidson for the well planned tour. It was indeed a memorable experience. North Island...
Read moreThank you to Discover New Zealand and especially to Miss Laura Davidson for the well planned tour. It was indeed a memorable experience. North Island is truly spectacular with its scenic views and natural surroundings. Laura had planned it so well that we did not face any hitches at any point of our tour. Bravo to Laura and the team.
Gangatharam & Vimala Nair, Bay of Islands and Rotorua Combo, Travelled on 18 December 2018
It is a pleasure to provide feedback. Everything was perfect and according to our expectations and as described in the itinerary, from the quality of...
Read moreIt is a pleasure to provide feedback. Everything was perfect and according to our expectations and as described in the itinerary, from the quality of hotels, punctuality of transfer from/to airports/train station and the tours. I am very please with the quality of your service and Discover New Zealand´s. My only recommendation for improvement is around bus drivers. They were excellent safe drivers, very polite and in general they tried to do their best' but the quality of explanations and comments during bus tours differed greatly from one driver to the other. We did not have problems with that but I saw others tourists with great difficulties with this. I understand that these services are provided by another company but I believe is something to consider. Thanks for the little book with photographs of NZ, I love it!
Alfredo Nara & Claudia Damonte, 6 Day Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 14 December 2018
Thank you Jess for arranging this well planned trip. We really enjoyed our holiday. The itinerary was not very busy. There was still some flexibility...
Read moreThank you Jess for arranging this well planned trip. We really enjoyed our holiday. The itinerary was not very busy. There was still some flexibility to travel the city at our own pace and visiting the popular highlights of the Southern Island. The transportation from the airport reduced much hassle and the drivers were really friendly. The documents that she provided us on arrival were really appreciated and helpful on our trip in the South Island. All in all, Jess was really helpful and recommended us some really nice place to visit. We highly recommend her and Discover New Zealand.
Kevin, Jesselyn, Agustina & Sany, Customized Scenic South Island, Travelled on 19 December 2018
Jordan Bennett & Camille Alen, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 17 December 2018
Everything was great! The accommodation, the transportation, the tours, sights. We love them all. Except our helihike at Franc Josef was cancelled...
Read moreEverything was great! The accommodation, the transportation, the tours, sights. We love them all. Except our helihike at Franc Josef was cancelled due to weather conditions....All else was great. Shelley has been very helpful in all my requests, accommodating our special needs. Thank you Shelley!
Tammy Lai Yee Toh & Ricky Lip Keng Hwan, 8 Day Southern Discovery, Travelled on 8 December 2018
In the UK you were very responsive. Excellent customer service. Documents were delivered as promised although there was a small problem updating...
Read moreIn the UK you were very responsive. Excellent customer service. Documents were delivered as promised although there was a small problem updating details and with the voucher for the hot pools in Franz Josef. Bay of Islands trip was very good.
William John & Lorraine Hughes, South Island Tour, travelled on 15th December 2018.
We had a really nice time exploring the South Island. It was nice having all connections arranged so we didn’t have to worry about how to get...
Read moreWe had a really nice time exploring the South Island. It was nice having all connections arranged so we didn’t have to worry about how to get from each location.
katrine, Anne, Jaor Bengaard, 7 Day Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes, Travelled on 15 December 2018
I had a fantastic trip.. everything went well. A great experience. Fine motels, great drivers who were always on time and knew my name and so on. I...
Read moreI had a fantastic trip.. everything went well. A great experience. Fine motels, great drivers who were always on time and knew my name and so on. I give you five stars out of five 😊 ***** Kind regards
Connie Dyrlund, Customised 7 Day Southern Spotlight, Travelled on 13 December 2018
I cannot recommend this company enough! From the start, Nisse was thoroughly patient and helpful with all my enquiries. She did an amazing job...
Read moreI cannot recommend this company enough! From the start, Nisse was thoroughly patient and helpful with all my enquiries. She did an amazing job arranging the itinerary. Everything was smooth sailing from the day we arrived up until the day we left. Rental car, various pickups, flights, tour bookings... you name it. Our family had a truly memorable time in NZ. Thank you very much!
Siang Ping Chai and Family, Siang Ping's Incredible New Zealand Getaway, Travelled on 11 December 2018
David & Becky Patten, New Zealand Southbound Explorer, Travelled on 5 December 2018
Thank you so much for putting together this AMAZING trip! It was better than we ever expected. Every day was so thoughtfully organized, from each...
Read moreThank you so much for putting together this AMAZING trip! It was better than we ever expected. Every day was so thoughtfully organized, from each tour to the accommodations for that night. We never felt overwhelmed or exhausted. The pace every day was really well planned. And we appreciated the mix of the Lord of the Rings-focused activities (Hobbiton, the Weta Workshop) with other more general sightseeing (Dart river tour.) Our only regret is that the whole trip went by too quickly. We cannot wait to come back to visit! Thank you!
Giselle Chang and Guy Rodgers, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 2 December 2018
Allan & Sue Hudson, Customised South Island Adventure, Travelled on 14 October 2018
We had the time of our lives! The trip was amazing, fabulous, outstanding and beyond our expectations. I only contacted a travel agent because my...
Read moreWe had the time of our lives! The trip was amazing, fabulous, outstanding and beyond our expectations. I only contacted a travel agent because my husband didn't think we could do both islands during our 2 week stay nor drive a car around. Ben convinced me both were possible! I am so glad to have taken advantage of his expertise. I told him I wanted to see and do as much as possible and we did! There were no spare moments :). We saw fauna that looked like the time of the dinosaurs, climbed mountains, took boat and train trips, visited Hobbiton and stayed in a hobbit hole, jumped off the sky tower, went to a hot yoga class, got our picture taken in front of a glacier, saw AQUAMARINE lakes and rivers, spotted 2 kiwi birds in the wild, saw seals off the side of the road, had a romantic lunch at a winery, and more. Having Ben arrange everything was an incredibly good decision on our part. Recommended side trips on the way to our next destination were spot on! New Zealand is a fabulous place to visit for anyone who values the outdoors. Spotless.
Karen Stanley and David Crocker, Updated Christchurch to Auckland Must Do Tour, Travelled on 1 December 2018
This is the first time we have engaged with a local ground tour arrangement for one of our vacations and it is certainly going to be the first of...
Read moreThis is the first time we have engaged with a local ground tour arrangement for one of our vacations and it is certainly going to be the first of many more to come! It has been a pleasant and hassle free experience, from the initial itinerary discussions to the tour journey itself. We were worried about our transportation choice and the schedule as it was our first time visiting New Zealand and we have children but it turned out so well with Jane’s well thought out arrangements that ensured not only the adults but also the children had an enjoyable and memorable holiday in New Zealand.
Kok Sin Tee, Chze Seong Quah & Sik Peng Teoh with families, Outstanding New Zealand, Travelled on 1 December 2018
Tours were great. Everything worked out well. Doubtful Sound trip was great. Got to see whale, seals, dolphins, and supposedly penguins, though I...
Read moreTours were great. Everything worked out well. Doubtful Sound trip was great. Got to see whale, seals, dolphins, and supposedly penguins, though I really did not see them. Rafting trip to glacier was wonderful at Mt Cook. Disappointed we could not get to fly to glacier because of low clouds, but we took the walk to base of Mt Selton and that was great-- and didn't cost any extra. Food was fantastic at Hermitage Hotel.
Laurie Lerner & Hillary Handweger, Mountains, Fiords and Glaciers, Travelled on 24 November 2018
Great tour, thoroughly enjoyed our time in NZ. Two points of note. Firstly Monday 19th Nov, drive from Auckland to Paihia was a bit tight to make the...
Read moreGreat tour, thoroughly enjoyed our time in NZ. Two points of note. Firstly Monday 19th Nov, drive from Auckland to Paihia was a bit tight to make the dolphin eco tour. We made it, but only just. Would suggest longer required to drive, especially due to the roadworks. Secondly, Monday 26th Nov, after crossing to the south island, the drive to the kayaking tour was also a bit tight. Luckily, we were the only ones booked and they didn't mind that we were about 20 minutes late. My daughter had an absolute ball and loved Hobbiton (as did I). Thank you once again for a fabulous itinerary.
Andrea Kelley and Eliana Kinninmont, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 17 November 2018
We had a really marvelous holiday in your amazingly, staggeringly beautiful country . Everything was so efficiently organised; we were met only with...
Read moreWe had a really marvelous holiday in your amazingly, staggeringly beautiful country . Everything was so efficiently organised; we were met only with helpful and very friendly people; the accommodation was very good - all was totally hassle free and laid back. Thank you. I would just say that a warning about the sand flies around Milford would have been appreciated - prevention of bites would have been much better than the lengthy cure ;-)
Ian & Patricia Beveridge, Custom Southern Highlights 10 Day Tour, Travelled on 21 November 2018
Chelsea thank you for preparing our itinerary for our trip to New Zealand. What a beautiful country, we enjoyed seeing the rolling hills, vineyards...
Read moreChelsea thank you for preparing our itinerary for our trip to New Zealand. What a beautiful country, we enjoyed seeing the rolling hills, vineyards and the ocean. Our activities where all well planned and very interesting. We especially enjoyed Hobbiton and our quading experience. Also our time in Queenstown was great, the cruise to Walter Peak and meal there was excellent. We would definitely recommend your company to our friends.
Jan and Gerry Mammel, Auckland to Christchurch Ultimate Explorer, Travelled on 19 November 2018
Great trip, we enjoyed all destinations and planned activities. The people of NZ were great hosts and made us feel at home everywhere we went. The...
Read moreGreat trip, we enjoyed all destinations and planned activities. The people of NZ were great hosts and made us feel at home everywhere we went. The scenery in all parts of NZ was exceptional and some of the best we seen any where in the world. DNZ did an outstanding job planning our trip as all lodging, activities and travel bookings were completed without issue (whale watching was canceled, but no fault of DNZ and we were issued a full refund). Our favorite activities was the "Treetop Canopy" and Argodome Farm tour in Rotorua, the Queenstown area and the drive of the South Island. If we were doing the trip again, we would pick a different hotel in Rotorua (sulfur from lake) and Te Anau as both could use a little refreshing. We would also spend more time on the drive from Queenstown to Fox Glacier as the scenery in the area was extraordinary and not do the Fox Glacier tour as it was just a short hike with a view of the glacier from a distance. We have recommended DNZ and a trip NZ to several of our friends.
Bobby & Patricia Mohon, Customised Classic New Zealand Driving Tour, Travelled on 11 October 2018
This is a wonderful tour, especially if your only have a couple of days in North New Zealand. Every sight was a unbelievable experience! It is well...
Read moreThis is a wonderful tour, especially if your only have a couple of days in North New Zealand. Every sight was a unbelievable experience! It is well organized and the bus drive, Rachel, was knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting facts about New Zealand as we drove to each location on the first day of our tour. This is one you don't want to miss!!
Kathy and Stephen Roy, Waitomo Caves and Rotorua Experience, Travelled on 15 November 2018
Our trip was great! All the arrangements that you made for us went off without a hitch. The hotels you selected were well situated and easy walking...
Read moreOur trip was great! All the arrangements that you made for us went off without a hitch. The hotels you selected were well situated and easy walking distances to the various attractions. They all met or exceeded our expectations. The itinerary you helped us with worked out well and gave us enough time each day to explore the sights of New Zealand at our own pace without feeling too rushed although we knew going into the trip that the itinerary was full of things to see and do. The weather was great with only a few days that had showers but nothing to put a damper on our exploration of your beautiful country. We would and will highly recommend you and your company to friends and family looking to visit New Zealand. Take care and thanks!
Terry & Linda McGuire, 15 Day Explorer Tour of New Zealand, Travelled on 15 November 2018
Laura was most helpful in putting together our trip to NZ. The choices for excursions for the day where really what we wanted and there was no...
Read moreLaura was most helpful in putting together our trip to NZ. The choices for excursions for the day where really what we wanted and there was no repetition of experience. It is as if she knows us personally. It was important too that she was available for any questions or feedback as we were in NZ. Simply amazing!
Rodel & Gertrudes Batocabe, Contrasts of New Zealand, Travelled on 19 November 2018
Sorry we missed you when we passed through Wanaka. As far as our Southern Coast Nature Tour that you arranged for us, we had a great time, thoroughly...
Read moreSorry we missed you when we passed through Wanaka. As far as our Southern Coast Nature Tour that you arranged for us, we had a great time, thoroughly enjoyed it with our highlight being our tour and overnight stay on Doubtful Sound on the Southern Secret, it was second to none !!! All your bookings were spot on and pre-arrangements were excellent. Thanks again Louise and we would recommend your company to any of our friends should they travel to the South Island !!!
Jan & Brett Martin, Southern Coast Nature Tour, Travelled on 20 November 2018
Thank you, Alarna, for all your patience working with me to customize our tour--you were great!! All the arrangements worked beautifully which helped...
Read moreThank you, Alarna, for all your patience working with me to customize our tour--you were great!! All the arrangements worked beautifully which helped make our NZ trip a truly incredible experience. I will definitely recommend Discover New Zealand and you to anyone I know traveling to NZ because I'm sure they would receive the same high level of service we experienced. maha whakawhetai--many thanks!
Betsy Jordan, Customised Southern Explorer, Travelled on 17 November 2018
We had a great time. Very well organised for each day and we are picked up by the coach bus almost the exact time as stated on the itinerary....
Read moreWe had a great time. Very well organised for each day and we are picked up by the coach bus almost the exact time as stated on the itinerary. Although the weather changed very quickly and we had snowing, pouring rain, sunny situation during the trip, once we reach the destinations, the weather turned out great. 5 days are really to short to experience south island and we end up almost taking coach bus everyday and the breaks are too short. However the magnificent views of south island really are worth the drive.
Yu Che Lin & Chiao Yun Lee, 5 Day Southern Highlights including Milford Sound, Travelled on 19 November 2018
Yes the holiday was great, with 11 pick ups on time, you did a great job ,planning our holiday. The seats on The Coastal Express was what I wanted,...
Read moreYes the holiday was great, with 11 pick ups on time, you did a great job ,planning our holiday. The seats on The Coastal Express was what I wanted, as I've traveled on the Trans Siberion Railway so i am a railway fan. Thank you very much for the holiday itinerary folder, and the picture book, which was a lovely gift which we did not expect. On British television last week was a program called Mighty Trains, channel 37 Quest and the tourist trains of New Zealand was shown for an hour, so it was great to relive our holiday. I can certainly recommend you for the excellent service that you gave us and making it a wonderful holiday that I will always remember. Best wishes
Rod Ellway & Angie Pegutter, Customised 12 Day Southern Scenic Wonders, Travelled on 21 November 2018
We had an absolutely wonderful time. Far beyond our expectations. We're so glad that we followed through with Natalie's suggested changes to our...
Read moreWe had an absolutely wonderful time. Far beyond our expectations. We're so glad that we followed through with Natalie's suggested changes to our original provisional itinerary. That advice was invaluable. All the arrangements and bookings went very smoothly (eg airport transfers, pre-booked activities). From our initial enquiry back in December 2017 through to the flight back to UK, NZFT (especially Natalie) were outstanding in quick response, friendly service, good advice, comprehensive information, etc. The Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise was excellent in every way. Lovely crew, great food and accommodation. And we saw an estimated 15 humpback whales!
Geoffrey and Mary Norridge, Explore the North and South Islands, Travelled on 4 November 2018
This was an amazing trip! The people of New Zealand are one of a kind and the country is absolutely beautiful. We cannot wait to take another trip...
Read moreThis was an amazing trip! The people of New Zealand are one of a kind and the country is absolutely beautiful. We cannot wait to take another trip here in our future. The only thing we would strongly discourage staying at the "Hobbit Hotel", this was just a gimmick. The only thing that was "Hobbit" like was the circular front door. The place smelled terrible and the location wasn't ideal either. Erynn was amazing to work with and I found their customer service to be amazing. Every tour/activity was informative and a lot of fun!
Justin & Sylwia Willis, Lord of the Rings Scenic Honeymoon Explorer, Travelled on 13 November 2018
We just wanted to say thank you for organizing such a wonderful holiday for us. Everything went seamlessly - from pick ups, car rental, boat rides,...
Read moreWe just wanted to say thank you for organizing such a wonderful holiday for us. Everything went seamlessly - from pick ups, car rental, boat rides, train journeys and accommodations. It was fabulous and we have had a memorable time. A very big thank you!
Ruth & Clive Knights, Southern Highlights 12 Day Tour, travelled on 29 November 2018.
Hi Kelly, We absolutely loved our New Zealand trip! You did an awesome job of putting together experiences that continuously kept us in awe. New...
Read moreHi Kelly, We absolutely loved our New Zealand trip! You did an awesome job of putting together experiences that continuously kept us in awe. New Zealand is so beautiful and there is so much to enjoy both culturally and geographically. We especially enjoyed our time in Queenstown, and it was a fitting place to culminate our trip. Discover New Zealand was also very accommodating throughout the tour. For example, our boat ride at Mount Cook was canceled due to weather and a quick phone call allowed me to credit that amount toward a four wheeler tour of Lord of the Rings sites at a later location (which, by the way, was also so fun). Another time when we were going to meet our coach and were unsure which one to look for, again someone was available by phone to assist us. The amount of coordination it takes to put these trips together is not lost on me, and it all went off without a hitch. I would be remiss not to also mention that everywhere we went people were so warm and friendly. What a great place to visit and you made it a trip that exceeded our expectations! Thank you so much. I also sent some photos to your site. Hope you are doing well! Best, Patty
Patricia and Dennis Pike, Customised Ultimate Explorer Tour of New Zealand, Travelled on 15 November 2018
We had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Everything went according to plan. The scenery was beautiful. The hotel and motels were comfortable. We...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Everything went according to plan. The scenery was beautiful. The hotel and motels were comfortable. We especially liked the one at Franz Joseph. The day trip to Milford sound from Queenstown was a little tiring because of the long coach ride to and fro. Other than that, the rest of the travels was good. We would definitely consider a trip to the north island another time .
Dinesh Kumar, Gale Lim and Natania Dinesh, 9 Day Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, travelled on 20 November 2018
Thank you for organising such a great itinerary for us. You made our first ever visit to New Zealand so memorable. Each experience was perfect for us...
Read moreThank you for organising such a great itinerary for us. You made our first ever visit to New Zealand so memorable. Each experience was perfect for us - we loved every day we were there and couldn’t wait for the next! From the hotel bookings to the actives you booked and even the detailed driving instructions, everything was so easy to access- all we had to do was turn up! A fantastic trip- many thanks to you!
Stephen and Karen Reasbeck, Best of New Zealands North and South Islands, Travelled on 7 November 2018
Thanks for the great organisation of our trip, everything ran smoothly, the accommodation was great for our needs. In particular, the people at...
Read moreThanks for the great organisation of our trip, everything ran smoothly, the accommodation was great for our needs. In particular, the people at Heli-line at Franz Josef got us onto a flight the next day when weather prevented our original flight, and even gave us the upgraded flight. The quad bike tour was fantastic, best one I’ve ever done. I would rate the Taieri gorge train in Dunedin over the Arthur’s pass train for its beauty, even though the latter was very relaxing. Our Hollyford walk was a highlight and can thoroughly recommend it. Thanks again, we will definitely recommend your company for anyone travelling independently to NZ.
Yvonne Bailey & Carol Rodger, Customised Taste of the South Tour, travelled on 16th November 2018
Fantastic trip! Everything was well thought out and made it easy for us to just relax and enjoy our time in New Zealand. Our bus driver Kenny was fun...
Read moreFantastic trip! Everything was well thought out and made it easy for us to just relax and enjoy our time in New Zealand. Our bus driver Kenny was fun and informative, and the different activities we stopped at were excellent. Feeding alpacas at the Agrodome was a highlight, and paying a little extra for the relaxing Polynesian spas was definitely worthwhile. Jane was excellent in assisting us book our mini holiday, and we would definitely book with her again. Thank you!
Chris Johinke, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 2 Day Experience, Travelled on 23 November 2018
Jane helped us plan the perfect itinerary for our free days in New Zealand and we weren't prepared for how breathtaking it would be. The whole trip...
Read moreJane helped us plan the perfect itinerary for our free days in New Zealand and we weren't prepared for how breathtaking it would be. The whole trip was organised so well, everything worked out smoothly (which is a first in history for a holiday IMO!) and everyone we met was helpful and lovely. I would go back in a heartbeat! Thank you.
Rachael Bartholomew, Rotorua and Hobbiton 2 Day Experience, Travelled on 23 November 2018
We were very happy with the tour package, all the accommodation and tour inclusions were great. We had no difficulties getting around with the gps,...
Read moreWe were very happy with the tour package, all the accommodation and tour inclusions were great. We had no difficulties getting around with the gps, tour guide and hire car. NZ is a wonderful and very friendly place to visit. We will have no hesitation in recommending your company to anyone wishing to visit your great country.
D'Arcy Jones and Jenny and Nathan Brown, Custom Northern Highlights, Travelled on 18 November 2018
The whole process from beginning to end was very impressive. The drives and activities recommended were wonderful and the customer service was over...
Read moreThe whole process from beginning to end was very impressive. The drives and activities recommended were wonderful and the customer service was over the top. Every detail was spot on. Our vacation to New Zealand was a trip we planned for years and we could not of been more pleased with the service and ease that Discover New Zealand provided us. Highly recommend and will most differently go this way in our next visit.
Vickie and Daniel Bicknell, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 8 November 2018
We had am amazing trip and it was all made possible by Jane and the rest of the Discover New Zealand team. The motels were great and we loved having...
Read moreWe had am amazing trip and it was all made possible by Jane and the rest of the Discover New Zealand team. The motels were great and we loved having access to washers and dryers for our clothing.We were so pleased at the way the details of the trip were handled. All we had to do was arrive at our destination and all was taken care of, every time. So easy! We loved the design of the trip, it enabled us to get in as much hiking as we wanted and it gave us a great overview of New Zealand. So much so in fact, that we plan to return! Jane was also super helpful to resolve a couple small problems we had with the rental car but she really exceeded expectations when we, on very short notice, requested the ability to join the Glacier Boat tour at Mt Cook. Bookings were very tight, but she managed to get us on a boat for a trip that turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The only change we would make in the trip would be to add 1 more day to Kaikoura and take one day away from Christchurch. So many great memories, and such great service and support from Jane and the rest of Discover New Zealand team. We will recommend Discover New Zealand and Jane to any of friends who want to go to New Zealand, and we have many who want to go. Thanks for everything!
Al & Cristi Musser, 21 Day Natural Encounter New Zealand, Travelled on 5 November 2018
It was a pleasure to work with you. We are very satisfied with the organization of the trip. Everything went very well. The adventures helicopter,...
Read moreIt was a pleasure to work with you. We are very satisfied with the organization of the trip. Everything went very well. The adventures helicopter, Huka jet, canopy generated a lot of fun. And we loved the NZ people, food, landscape. Thank you for your work. We will come back to NZ. And if then we will organize everything with you again.
Uwe & Hildegard Geiger and Michael & Elsbeth Pares, Great Northern Adventure, travelled on 12th November 2018
Wow, what an awesome trip. Everything you organised fell into place beautifully. Hertz care hire were fantastic. All the accommodation you arranged...
Read moreWow, what an awesome trip. Everything you organised fell into place beautifully. Hertz care hire were fantastic. All the accommodation you arranged was great, clean, friendly and over-the-top helpful. This was our first holiday in 15 years and it was well worth the wait. Thank you so much for your fantastic efforts. My highlight of the trip was discovering 'cronuts', and not just any cronut but Cromwell bakery 'cromnuts', they are mouth-watering delicious beyond words. Scott's highlight was the Fox Glacier helicopter trip. Again, my sincere thanks for organising a drama-free and memorable holiday for us.
Amanda Woollam & Scott Antcliff, Queenstown to Christchurch Road Trip!, Travelled on 10 November 2018
Lydia Lee and friends, 2 Day Tranz Alpine and West Coast Glaciers to Queenstown, Travelled on 15 November 2018
Our family returned to U.S. WE HAD THE BEST NEW ZEALAND VACATION, EVER !!! ...In all of the events and Itinerary YOU lined up for us. I intend to...
Read moreOur family returned to U.S. WE HAD THE BEST NEW ZEALAND VACATION, EVER !!! ...In all of the events and Itinerary YOU lined up for us. I intend to provide feed back on the Trip advisor sights as well. but no doubt, YOU planned a 9.7 (out of 10) rating vacation for us. WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL TO YOU !!! The accommodations and its operators, bus drivers were wonderful, transportation, the optional events such as multiple boat rides and Kaikoura cray fish vendors were fabulous ! We got to experience warm summer days and rain that turned into lovely snowfall within one day. I wish I could re-do the Glacier explorer ride again. We could not get enough of those Glacier & mountain views and lake waters. Our trip was packed, yet manageable in keeping to a schedule to catch the transportation to the next town and event. WE TRULY THANK YOU and have already told many friends about our wonderful NZ times. The South Island itself is SOOO BEAUTIFUL. The local people are the warmest , kindest . Our New Zealand photos will provide countless , happy memories for a lifetime, that we will never forget. One of the best decisions I made regarding the NZ trip was contacting you, Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank you very much).
Angela & Dennis Toba, Crayfish and Whales Tour!, Travelled on 15 November 2018
The tour went smoothly and we all had a very wonderful time! Every experience was special and memorable.The guides and drivers were great and...
Read moreThe tour went smoothly and we all had a very wonderful time! Every experience was special and memorable.The guides and drivers were great and professional. Chelsea, the lady who helped us arrange our itinerary was also very kind and accommodating to our requests, and she always replied promptly. Would recommend this tour and Discover New Zealand to others! 5 stars!!!
Jessica, Sio Keng, Myrl Alyza and Merlin, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 2 Day experience, Travelled on 10 November 2018
Norman Candler & Carol Appleby, Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 21 October 2018
Chelsea took the headache out of our trip by organising all accommodation, car hire and activities. Everything went smoothly and as promised she had...
Read moreChelsea took the headache out of our trip by organising all accommodation, car hire and activities. Everything went smoothly and as promised she had a left a printed itinerary and atlas at our first hotel. I would definitely recommend Discover New Zealand to anyone traveling to this beautiful country for the first time. We really enjoyed our trip, the people and the divine scenery - so much lush green countryside. We will be back!
Claire and Macleay Connelly, South Island Travelling, Travelled on 6 November 2018
The trip excellent, places we stayed were varied and lovely, felt we had a good overview of the North Island. Still areas that we would like to see,...
Read moreThe trip excellent, places we stayed were varied and lovely, felt we had a good overview of the North Island. Still areas that we would like to see, mainly bay of islands, that’s for another time. Car choice was fortuitous with the price of fuel, that was a bit of a shock. A small negative was the car parking, there were very limited parks available. Other than that the whole trip was well organised and everything fitted together well. Highly recommend to anyone.
Donald & Patricia Clausen, North Island 9 Day Highlights with Northern Explorer, Travelled on 6 November 2018
Jess was great in all correspondence. All excursions were great....Auckland harbor cruise, Hobbit town, Maori Show....unfortunately the whale...
Read moreJess was great in all correspondence. All excursions were great....Auckland harbor cruise, Hobbit town, Maori Show....unfortunately the whale watching was cancelled twice. Overall the experience was excellent and we have many great memories Thank for all. Lee
Lee and Jean Schmidt, Queenstown to Auckland Highlights, Travelled on 30 October 2018
We started our search few months ago and decided to plan through Discover New Zealand the very first time we talked to Brigett Turner. We' have...
Read moreWe started our search few months ago and decided to plan through Discover New Zealand the very first time we talked to Brigett Turner. We' have traveled a lot internationally and she is the one of best travel agents we've worked with. She was always ready to answer all our questions and accommodate all our needs in spite of time difference between US and NZ. She was always professional and courteous. Everything was planned as per our requests and went smoothly. In spite of a few rainy days, we had a great time in this beautiful country. Lot of our friends and family members are looking forward to work with Discover New Zealand to plan their future tours to NZ
Varsha & Yogesh Patel, Anilkumar & Jyoti Parikh, Bansi & Varsha Parekh, 15 Day New Zealand Grand Tour, Travelled on 30 October 2018
Traveling with Discover New Zealand travel agency had truly saved our holiday this year. We were extremely late in planning and had a lot of ideas on...
Read moreTraveling with Discover New Zealand travel agency had truly saved our holiday this year. We were extremely late in planning and had a lot of ideas on what we wanted to see. By working long hours, it was not possible for us to organize a car trip through the south island - so I Googled and came up your amazing and so easy to use website. The very next day, Brigett called me directly (overseas) and offered future assistance - wow what a customer service. I kept her a little busy with a few back and forths on things to do and what not (sorry Brigett :)) but she handled it all with such care and love for her country, which truly impressed me. So, thank you for everything you have done! Going through the tour it was absolutely stunning, and had all what we were looking for. I could write a full book on how amazing this holiday had been, but I know for fact long reviews nobody reads - so I leave it with that - Brigett, I can assure you we will be back and next time the north island will be ours! Thank you for everything.
Ellen Franke, Mattia & Milo Salussoglia, Our custom New Zealand Family Adventure, Travelled on 25 October 2018
We had a fabulous trip. We were a bit worried about the pacing and if everything as far as meeting buses and connections would work out but everyone...
Read moreWe had a fabulous trip. We were a bit worried about the pacing and if everything as far as meeting buses and connections would work out but everyone was exactly where they were supposed to be every single time. Every reservation was well documented and we never had a problem, everyone we dealt with new who we were and where we were going. The Milford sound tour was outstanding, even with the weather we had that day it was a great day. 4. The cruise and BBQ dinner at the sheep ranch was a truly memorable experience, best meal we had in NZ. That was a hands down winner. 5. Everyone should do the Hobbiton tour, it was a hoot and a half. Great day. 6. Breakfast, I was a little surprised that breakfast was always included with the rooms, I assumed that this was a bit of price padding but I have changed my opinion. With every start time being as early as it was breakfast at the hotel, a buffet, was a God send. It was the only way to go. Overall we had a great trip and a wonderful experience and left with the feeling that we got good value for our money. We have already recommended the trip to several others. Thank you again for setting it up for us.
Steven M Lee, 10 Day Contrasts of New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 31 October 2018
Thank you for organising my New Zealand short stay. My friend Kaye and I had a great time going from Auckland to Wellington. We enjoyed all the...
Read moreThank you for organising my New Zealand short stay. My friend Kaye and I had a great time going from Auckland to Wellington. We enjoyed all the events you suggested and found plenty to do and see in our free time. Everything went to plan and all drivers, hotels, etc were friendly and efficient as were the locals who were willing to share their knowledge of their regions. The cake decorating seminar was wonderful and we have learnt some new tricks of the trade. Thank you for all your organising.
Gloria Johnson & Kaye Burton, North Island Getaway, travelled on 26 October 2018
We got to do everything we wanted to do. Laura was very helpful in getting our tour together. We hadn't anticipated so much travel time on the South...
Read moreWe got to do everything we wanted to do. Laura was very helpful in getting our tour together. We hadn't anticipated so much travel time on the South Island. It made for some long days. All of the drivers and guides were great.
Jim & Julie Prestwood, Contrasts of New Zealand, Travelled on 19 October 2018
We had a wonderful trip in New Zealand! It was very convenient and the fast pace of movement throughout NZ was well organized! All our stays and...
Read moreWe had a wonderful trip in New Zealand! It was very convenient and the fast pace of movement throughout NZ was well organized! All our stays and activities that were planned were thoroughly enjoyed! I loved Rotorua and Queenstown the best. We loved the people in every city as everyone from the Great Sights drivers to the people at any shop/café were pleasantly friendly. Left a wonderful impression on us. We were also able to collect some wonderful mementos throughout our trip at multiple shopping opportunities. We did also enjoy the free time that we had in Queenstown as I was able to bungy jump! Everyone in our family had a great time and experienced New Zealand to, what we believe to be, the fullest!
Rahul, Rethy & Revathy Ravindranath, & Ravindranath Balakrishnan, Customised Majestic Tour of New Zealand, Travelled on 13 October 2018
While planning any trip i believe that the key aspect is good communication with the tour operator. I really appreciate the swift responses by Louise...
Read moreWhile planning any trip i believe that the key aspect is good communication with the tour operator. I really appreciate the swift responses by Louise to all my enquiries. She was great at the planning stage even though i had requested numerous changes to my itinerary many times. She handled all my queries very patiently and promptly. All the arrangements were spot on and all the details and instructions were provided very clearly. The accommodations booked were of excellent quality and we were very happy with the arrangements. I highly recommend their services and hope to use it for my future travels to New Zealand.
Tabish, Rubina, Zaynah and Zayaan Khan, Southern Circuit of New Zealand, Travelled on 22 October 2018
Udai & Manju Singh, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 21 October 2018
Wai Yin (Michael) Hau and Che Luen Tam, The Customised 11 Day New Zealand Highlights, Travelled on 15 October 2018
Words can’t express how grateful we are! We found Discover New Zealand last minute and Brigett truly saved our trip! If not for Discover New...
Read moreWords can’t express how grateful we are! We found Discover New Zealand last minute and Brigett truly saved our trip! If not for Discover New Zealand, we wouldn't have had such a wonderful visit in New Zealand! Brigett responded super quick and was always helpful. After I sent my first enquiry she called me within an hour and gave us the first draft itinerary that same day! The itinerary she provided us was very flexible and we just added the attractions we wanted to visit. These guys will really help you make the perfect plan! I highly recommend Discover New Zealand and I already introduced Brigett to some of my colleagues!
Ching Chan, Pui Ying Hung, Kei Lee Kate, Wildlife Experience Tour, travelled on 12 October 2018
First of all thanks for all your efforts and for what was an amazing tour of our now favourite country in the World with, without doubt, the...
Read moreFirst of all thanks for all your efforts and for what was an amazing tour of our now favourite country in the World with, without doubt, the friendliest and most welcoming people in the World. We are so glad we have visited this wonderful country. I think we assumed that we would be travelling more as part of a group rather than totally independently. Thanks for all you did in making it a memorable trip.
Stephen Jenkins, 10 Day Contrasts of New Zealand Tour, travelled on 11th October 2018
Using Discover New Zealand (DNZ) was a great decision for us. We didn't know anything about New Zealand and we hate trying to pick hotels. DNZ helped...
Read moreUsing Discover New Zealand (DNZ) was a great decision for us. We didn't know anything about New Zealand and we hate trying to pick hotels. DNZ helped us plan a great trip that was wonderfully active with built in relax days and reasonable amounts of driving. All the places we stayed were great and all the tours were awesome. Would absolutely recommend.
Carly Alter & Andrew Golboro, New Zealand Honeymoon Adventure, Travelled on 10 October 2018
Hi Shelley, thanks so much for organising our Northland tour at such short notice. We had such a great time that we wanted to become NZ citizens. We...
Read moreHi Shelley, thanks so much for organising our Northland tour at such short notice. We had such a great time that we wanted to become NZ citizens. We really enjoyed our 3 x night stay at Russell in our Duke apartment which we could have easily stayed in for the week. Perhaps next time. Once again thank you and we would highly recommend Discover New Zealand.
Russell and Debra Bartlett, 8 Day Boutique Northland Tour, Travelled on 6 October 2018
I want to thank Amanda Dalgleish for the planning of my tour, everything was perfect regarding all the hotel bookings, airline reservations, bus...
Read moreI want to thank Amanda Dalgleish for the planning of my tour, everything was perfect regarding all the hotel bookings, airline reservations, bus schedules, as well as the different activities. You can tell she has the experience and handled everything very well. I very much enjoyed the independent tour because it was meticulously planned and all details taken care of. Highly recommend them!
Bernado Leites Sueur, Fabulous New Zealand, Travelled on 4 October 2018
We (my daughter & I) had truly enjoyed this trip! The bus ride was comfy & the places we visited provided great experience & memories for...
Read moreWe (my daughter & I) had truly enjoyed this trip! The bus ride was comfy & the places we visited provided great experience & memories for us. Racheal, the bus driver was very informative & entertaining. Good job!
Muk Wai May, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 2 Day Experience, Travelled on 30 September 2018
We enjoyed our tour very much. It included all that we wanted to do and we we very happy with the accommodation and all the arrangements that had...
Read moreWe enjoyed our tour very much. It included all that we wanted to do and we we very happy with the accommodation and all the arrangements that had been made on our behalf. Everything ran smoothly with no problems. We would also like to thank you and the staff at Discover New Zealand for being there to help when we did need assistance. Many thanks
Beatrix & Wayne Smith, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 5 Day Experience, Travelled on 30 September 2018
This was an absolutely amazing trip, my mother and I had a wonderful time. The south island is just so beautiful and every place we stopped at was so...
Read moreThis was an absolutely amazing trip, my mother and I had a wonderful time. The south island is just so beautiful and every place we stopped at was so different and just as beautiful as the last. Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook were stunning to start the trip and it just got better from there. Had lots of rain in Milford Sound but made the experience so much more worthwhile seeing all the waterfalls. Would recommend this trip highly to anyone considering it. Big thanks to Narissa for organising this trip.
Renee Bradford and Ina Bailey, The Customised Southern Highlights 9 Day Tour, Travelled on 30 September 2018
We had a very enjoyable holiday in NZ thanks to the excellent organisation of our tour. All the transfers met us on time and the motels were very...
Read moreWe had a very enjoyable holiday in NZ thanks to the excellent organisation of our tour. All the transfers met us on time and the motels were very comfortable. The Southern Highlights tour provides a good look at the south island and the included and optional extras we chose added to the enjoyment and experience. We had a very good car (a Mitsubishi ASX) which was brand new, easy to drive and very comfortable. Because we covered a fair bit of the south island in 9 days we did find that after a week the driving was tiring as, although the distances weren't that far (by Australian standards), it was taking us longer than expected to get to some destinations. Thanks again for your excellent service and organisation.
Jeffrey Knight, Southern Highlights 10 Day Tour, Travelled on 30 September 2018
Hi Jane, Thank you so much for organising my trip, I had an amazing time! Having you take care of all the details for me made the planning so simple...
Read moreHi Jane, Thank you so much for organising my trip, I had an amazing time! Having you take care of all the details for me made the planning so simple and stress-free. The hotel locations were convenient and the optional tour recommendations were great! Rhiannon
Rhiannon Jones, Auckland to Wellington 7 Day Highlights, Travelled on 26 September 2018
In love with the great job of Amanda, in love with the agency and the country. We have already recommended you to friends who are traveling to NZ...
Read moreIn love with the great job of Amanda, in love with the agency and the country. We have already recommended you to friends who are traveling to NZ soon. It's impressive how everything is coordinated and organised. Congratulations!!! THANK YOU!!!!
Débora Bernardo da Silva Marquez and Paulo Marquez, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 2 Day Experience, Travelled on 21 September 2018
Just wanted to say what a great job Shelley Ryder did on organising our itinerary for our 12 day self drive tour of the South Island. Everything from...
Read moreJust wanted to say what a great job Shelley Ryder did on organising our itinerary for our 12 day self drive tour of the South Island. Everything from the hire car to all the accommodation was excellent. The optional activities she suggested were very fitting for our family group. I would not hesitate in recommending her to friends and family.
Robert, Paulette, Tania Pizzari & Tyson Greagen, Dunedin to Christchurch - Southern Highlights 12 Day Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 14 September 2018
Thanks to Discover New Zealand for a wonderful trip in South Island! The train and bus rides as well as the commentaries from the drivers were great!...
Read moreThanks to Discover New Zealand for a wonderful trip in South Island! The train and bus rides as well as the commentaries from the drivers were great! We definitely recommend Discover New Zealand.
Catherine & Bo-An Chang, 4 Day Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights, Travelled on 13 September 2018
Thanks Shelley our tour was perfectly arranged. From the flights to the pickups, motels and coach tours. We were given an upgrade at our motel in...
Read moreThanks Shelley our tour was perfectly arranged. From the flights to the pickups, motels and coach tours. We were given an upgrade at our motel in Christchurch which was unexpected but very well received. Our drivers to and from the airport and train station were friendly, informative, professional and punctual. The scenery was marvelous and even more impressive than we were led to believe.
Bill and Karen Burgess, 7 Day Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 12 September 2018
We couldn't be happier with the level of service we received from Natalie and Discover New Zealand. The trip was planned flawlessly. Every where we...
Read moreWe couldn't be happier with the level of service we received from Natalie and Discover New Zealand. The trip was planned flawlessly. Every where we went, the reservation was ready for us and we had no hassles. We didn't have a single hotel we weren't absolutely thrilled with. The plan was well thought out with plenty of time to get from one place to the next. And the welcome package was thorough with an atlas and details on itinerary and locations. We've already recommended to all of our friends: if you're planning a trip to New Zealand, do it through Discover New Zealand. Thank you for making our honeymoon perfect!
Jonathan and Sara Bartel, Lord of the Rings Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 7 September 2018
Very systematic & enjoyable tour. Great scenery & beautiful country. We felt safe & comfortable like at home with all the friendly &...
Read moreVery systematic & enjoyable tour. Great scenery & beautiful country. We felt safe & comfortable like at home with all the friendly & caring tour guides & drivers. Priceless experiences & memories to be cherished for a life time.
Linda Tang, Daniel Tan & Chi Kei Tan, 5 Day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 3 September 2018
We have now made it back to the US and I wanted to let you know how much we appreciated the travel plans you arranged. We were always met on time by...
Read moreWe have now made it back to the US and I wanted to let you know how much we appreciated the travel plans you arranged. We were always met on time by nice folks that knew were we needed to be. The sights and tours were great!
Patrick & Joan Devine and Dave, Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 1 September 2018
I really enjoyed my first visit to NZ thanks on my Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Tour. All the places in the tour were amazing. Thank you very...
Read moreI really enjoyed my first visit to NZ thanks on my Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Tour. All the places in the tour were amazing. Thank you very much! Because it was beyond my expectations, now I’m thinking about going to South Island next time.
Aya Morimoto, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 30 August 2018 - 1 September 2018
Christina Brockie has been really helpful for us throughout the entire booking process of our trip! She sent us recommendations, and also asked...
Read moreChristina Brockie has been really helpful for us throughout the entire booking process of our trip! She sent us recommendations, and also asked questions we never would have thought we’ll encounter during our trip. Our trip went smoothly and perfectly as planned. Our busses and shuttles arrived at the given time, and we didn’t had any problems with our reservations and bookings. Christina has been a huge blessing throughout our New Zealand trip booking process. She made our plans so easy. If I were to travel to South Island, I would contact Christina again for help! Definitely going to recommend DiscoverNewZealand! Thank you so much!
Christian Galano & Ashlee Lyles, 5 Day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 29 August 2018
Maria Ana C Knizner & John Mayer, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day tour, Travelled on 28 August 2018
We had an amazing time in New Zealand and cant praise Heather Mullett at Discover New Zealand enough. She was very professional and did a great job...
Read moreWe had an amazing time in New Zealand and cant praise Heather Mullett at Discover New Zealand enough. She was very professional and did a great job of organising everything and answering all our questions. The pre booked tours all worked out perfectly and efficiently. The accommodation during the trip was excellent with the exception of Lochiel Estate Bed & Breakfast. Lochiel was just not up to the standard of the other accommodation. We would definitely use Discover New Zealand again and highly recommend them. Thank you
Karen & Georgia Croshaw, 7 Day Boutique Northland Tour + additional arrangements, Travelled on 19 August 2018
Sally Dela Cruz, Celestino Aquilizan, Fe Portacio, Carmelita Marron, A Taste of the South Island, Travelled on 19 August 2018
My family and I would like to first of all thank Chelsea Lodge for her excellent communications and relationship management skills in helping us from...
Read moreMy family and I would like to first of all thank Chelsea Lodge for her excellent communications and relationship management skills in helping us from the very start - and at considerable short notice - in planing our South Island trip. She is to be commended on her rapid response to my queries and patience in answering my questions. Secondly, we would like to say that this was among one of our most memorable holidays - New Zealand is simply an amazing country - lots of mesmerizing landscapes, lovely and friendly people and good food. The team at Discover New Zealand and all the others that worked with you have been amazing - drivers are always on time and among the most knowledgeable people; ready to not only interpret the trip but also very happy to answer our questions. We always felt in very safe hands on the road. We want to especially mention one of our drivers, Mr Alan, who drove us from Mt Cook to Dunedin. He was simply fantastic, so cheerful, knowledgeable, full of anecdotes made us laugh so much. The 11 Days we spent on this trip was worth every dollar. Being Lord of the Rings fans, this trip was also especially interesting to us. New Zealand hasn't seen the last of us - we will be back surely for yet another fantastic holiday, possibly this time to the North Island. Thank you once again to Discover New Zealand. Sincerely, Dionysius, Sheila, Joshua and Jaedon
Dionysius, Joshua & Jaedon Sharma & Sheila Ramachandran, 10 Day Southern Icons, Travelled on 14 August 2018
We enjoyed a great holiday in New Zealand! Thanks to Chelsea! She is helpful and professional! It is the most memorable trip of our life. We also...
Read moreWe enjoyed a great holiday in New Zealand! Thanks to Chelsea! She is helpful and professional! It is the most memorable trip of our life. We also recommend to book Punga Grove motel & Suites. It is convenient, and Sam is very helpful and nice!
Sindy Yiu and Yiu Wa Leung, West Coast Glaciers and Tranz Alpine to Christchurch, Travelled on 4 August 2018
Dear Brigett, I hope you are well. There is certainly a reason for you to be a proud and helpful travel organizer. Thankyou for the meticulously...
Read moreDear Brigett, I hope you are well. There is certainly a reason for you to be a proud and helpful travel organizer. Thankyou for the meticulously planned trip every bit of the trip was excellent. The motel was good, clean and the staff were very helpful and friendly. It is very close to the hot water pools which was at walking distance and of course even the market was at walking distance. The icing on the cake was the Maori cultural village, the hangi dinner and above all the Waitapu tour to the Geysers. It was amazing. Thank you for the great trip I enjoyed every bit of it.
Ms Mukulika Kavirajs custom Waitomo, Hobbiton experience 6 - 10 August 2018
Christina Brockie did a fantastic job working with my cousin and I to craft a one-week North Island self-drive tour. I was able to experience just...
Read moreChristina Brockie did a fantastic job working with my cousin and I to craft a one-week North Island self-drive tour. I was able to experience just about everything I hoped I would over that span — plenty of Lord of the Rings geekery — and other natural attractions that blew me away as well. The singular highlight for me was the Wellington Rover tour, featuring Waiwai the tour guide. Can't say enough about how that made the trip special (as well as the Hobbiton set tour that I know many experience). It's only a matter of time until I'll want to come back, likely to visit the South Island. Thanks again for helping make some lasting memories.
Brian & Todd McInnis, A North Island Explorer - Napier, Travelled on 18 July 2018
Hi Ben, Thank you for your email. It is my great opportunity to know you via Discover New Zealand. Your professional advise and planning on my trip...
Read moreHi Ben, Thank you for your email. It is my great opportunity to know you via Discover New Zealand. Your professional advise and planning on my trip to NZ is wonderful and unforgettable.
TAI KING TOMMY TANG and MEE LING LINDA CHENG, Customised 8 Day Tour of the South Island including Milford Sound, Travelled on 2 July 2018
The trip was very well organized. The benefit of organizing it with Discover New Zealand was that I did not have to worry about anything, the team...
Read moreThe trip was very well organized. The benefit of organizing it with Discover New Zealand was that I did not have to worry about anything, the team was very helpful to customize the trip according to my needs and there was never any kind of confusion throughout the trip and I could really focus on enjoying New Zealand!
Talha Masood, Queenstown to Auckland 14 Day Highlights, Travelled on 19 June 2018
Shelley! We had such an amazing time in New Zealand that I wanted to reach out to you one more time and give you my thanks. Everything was absolutely...
Read moreShelley! We had such an amazing time in New Zealand that I wanted to reach out to you one more time and give you my thanks. Everything was absolutely wonderful, there were hardly any bumps in the road (I did lose my passport for a whole day, though a very nice Kiwi made sure that I got it back). It was more than I could've ever asked for! And it was truly all thanks to you. I would have been so lost without you and your company's help. Attached (Hopefully) are some of my favorite pictures I took in Rotorua, Kaikoura, and Milford for your viewing pleasure as proof of how absolutely beautiful I found New Zealand.
Megan Anderson & Briana Young, Auckland to Christchurch Highlights, Travelled 20 June 2018
Where do I start...well first of all Sarah i just wanted to say a massive thank you to you personally, i know this is your job, however there are...
Read moreWhere do I start...well first of all Sarah i just wanted to say a massive thank you to you personally, i know this is your job, however there are people who go to work finish for the day and then repeat, and then, there are people like you who must truly love their job because it shows in the level of attention and assistance you gave to us and making our holiday one of the best we ever had.
Right from the moment we sent a generic email asking for further information, you were amazing. By calling us first and getting to know both my husband and I in order to customise a travel package that was perfect just for us was beyond exceptional. Not only did you take the time to go over everything for us, nothing was too hard and no question was too stupid. Everything was done for me, all i had to do was sit back and enjoy my holiday.
Rebecca & Gary McIntosh, South Island Highlights Tour, Travelled 2nd - 11th June 2018
It was a treat to return to New Zealand as our previous visit was outstanding. I still find the South Island the best as it aligns with smaller towns...
Read moreIt was a treat to return to New Zealand as our previous visit was outstanding. I still find the South Island the best as it aligns with smaller towns and has a more friendly atmosphere. Christchurch and Queenstown are still my favourites. The trip we embarked on was full on as we seemed to be on the move most of the time. The time we spent walking around Christchurch was a bonus. Revisiting places on the south island was great as I could remember each of these. The drivers on the tour buses were all good some much more friendly. My favourite was Auntie Hanna in Rotorua – she was full on life and made everyone laugh and smile – that made the journey even more enjoyable. The trip was well planned and we saw many places and local tours. Being picked up at the hotel is a real advantage and makes life on holiday so much simpler as the shuttle buses or tour buses come to your hotel. The breakfasts were all good and hotels very comfortable. Overall I would rate this trip as excellent – but then again New Zealand does spoil the tourist as it is a great place. I will return. Christina was an excellent tour organizer as she maintained contact with me, tracked our itinerary and offered assistance when our tour party lost items on buses and at hotels. Christina kept us totally informed and provided all the information to ensure we had a great holiday – Thank you Christina.
Theresa, Madelon & Nenette Salcedo, Graham Robert Staunton & Marciditas Kril, A Reversed Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 7 June 2018
It was an amazing trip! At some point booking from the other side of the Earth we were a little hesitant whether all will be fine with this journey,...
Read moreIt was an amazing trip! At some point booking from the other side of the Earth we were a little hesitant whether all will be fine with this journey, but hey, it started excellent from the beginning! We were met at the airport and taken to the hotel in a comfy Mercedes, the driver was a nice man with good tips on New Zealand. While on the topic of drivers, all bus drivers were big fun, but professional all the time. Hotel accommodations were smooth, logistics were working as smooth as a new German car. We did pick a personalised trip, but we decided to add a few things on the run, which happened smoothly with two calls to the agency. Our contact Alarna was very helpful and helped us book everything with as little hassle as possible. So, to wrap up, we still have a lot to see from New Zealand on another trip, but we do know who are we booking it with. Cheers from Bulgaria, Tzetzi and Ivo
Ivaylo Penev & Tsetsa Voynova-Peneva, 7 Day North Island Adventure, Travelled on 19 March 2018
The trip was amazing. Our travel specialist Joanna was on the ball and did a great job organising everything for us. I loved that everything ran on...
Read moreThe trip was amazing. Our travel specialist Joanna was on the ball and did a great job organising everything for us. I loved that everything ran on time and everyone was so professional. Sudima Lake Rotorua was a great hotel, in a great location, just down the road from town. And everyone, from the staff at the Waitomo Caves to the Mitai Maori Village, were so friendly. The food on this tour was amazing, notably the hangi dinner at the Mitai Maori Village. I've already recommended Discover New Zealand and tour to my friends and colleagues.
Charnel Henaway, Sharon Peter & Marsellina Mutagubya, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Tour, Travelled on 5 April 2018
We had a wonderful time on this tour! Sarah did a fantastic job working with us to set the itinerary that fit into other legs of our vacation. Highly...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time on this tour! Sarah did a fantastic job working with us to set the itinerary that fit into other legs of our vacation. Highly recommend their service.
Doug, Valerija & Grace Peterson, Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights, Travelled on 3 June 2018
Thank you for such a wonderful trip. Everything was perfectly arranged and the accommodation was excellent. Christina was always helpful and...
Read moreThank you for such a wonderful trip. Everything was perfectly arranged and the accommodation was excellent. Christina was always helpful and organized the itinerary with great care. Everyday and every location was amazing and beautiful makes it hard to choose a favorite. We can only recommend Discover New Zealand to anyone looking for a perfect vacation.
Ratchanee Tubjitra, Siwawate Hongnakorn & Thira Thirasan, A Customised Milford Sound Highlights Tour, Travelled on 26 May 2018
Sarah was a fantastic help when organising my tour and everything ran smoothly - a huge thank you. My favourite part of the trip was the Dart...
Read moreSarah was a fantastic help when organising my tour and everything ran smoothly - a huge thank you. My favourite part of the trip was the Dart Wilderness trip, highly recommended. All accommodation was very central and the Blue Peaks Lodge staff in Queenstown very helpful. They even gave me an extra heater as I was cold. Looking forward to returning to New Zealand and booking more with Sarah in the future.
Danielle Rackstraw, 9 Day Southern Scenic Wonders Tour!, Travelled on 12 May 2018
Dear Brigett, I can not thank you enough for organizing this trip so perfectly and flawlessly like you did. New Zealand is the most beautiful...
Read moreDear Brigett, I can not thank you enough for organizing this trip so perfectly and flawlessly like you did. New Zealand is the most beautiful country I have ever been! The culture, the respect for nature, the authentic and genuine people, the outstanding food, and specially the safety in every single city was extraordinary. Additionally, I was extremely lucky with the weather, every single activity was incredible. Will send you some pics! Thank you again for putting this itinerary together, with all your knowledge the timing, transportation, and activities were impeccable, I felt I experienced everything I wanted. It has been really a treat for me and will always be grateful for such a fantastic experience in my life. Will definitely recommend Discover New Zealand and specially you to all my friends!
Maria Fernanda Fosca, Whirlwind New Zealand Tour, Travelled on 3 May 2018
Emma was fantastic from the moment I got on the online chat querying about the tour. She called me and we were able to go through the itinerary and...
Read moreEmma was fantastic from the moment I got on the online chat querying about the tour. She called me and we were able to go through the itinerary and discuss everything. We made sure that it was all how I wanted and then she confirmed everything, letting me know when everything was confirmed for me and sending out a full and detailed itinerary. It was an amazing experience and I had such an incredible time! When I get back out to New Zealand, hopefully doing the South Island I will definitely be giving Emma a call!
Katherine (Katie) Dawson, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 2 Day Experience, Travelled on 3 May 2018
Thank you for a wonderful trip! Logistics (payment, hotels, buses) were effortless and ran like clock work. This was a great way to explore the key...
Read moreThank you for a wonderful trip! Logistics (payment, hotels, buses) were effortless and ran like clock work. This was a great way to explore the key sites of the South Island in such a short time. Would recommend a longer trip if you can swing it for there is a lot to see and do! Every turn of the drive offered stunning views. Beautiful country.
Michelle Nassar and Lori Brenner, 5 Day Southern Highlights Including Milford Sound, Travelled on 29 April 2018
Hi Erynn. Thank you for organising our North Island 9 Day Highlights with Northern Explorer holiday, we had an absolute ball visiting and...
Read moreHi Erynn. Thank you for organising our North Island 9 Day Highlights with Northern Explorer holiday, we had an absolute ball visiting and experiencing the North Island. We only wish we could have stayed a lot longer. Overall, things ran very smoothly. The transfers were all on time and were excellent, with very polite and courteous drivers. The hire car was hassle free and easily the best way to see it all. The journey from Wellington back to Auckland by train was awesome. Aotearoa is a beautiful place worthy of taking the time to appreciate its beauty. The train with its open-air carriage and panoramic windows in the passenger cars provides breathtaking views at every turn. A big thumbs up to you and Discover New Zealand tours. We will recommend you to our friends. We will come back in the future. Next time we want to see the South Island to complete the experience. Paul and Colleen
Paul Butler & Colleen Hodgson, North Island 9 Day Highlights with Northern Explorer, Travelled on 6 May 2018
Jane, thank you so much for all your help with our recent custom tour of the South Island. The whole trip was seamless, documentation exceptional...
Read moreJane, thank you so much for all your help with our recent custom tour of the South Island. The whole trip was seamless, documentation exceptional and everything was as stated. New Zealand is such a special and beautiful place and we are so glad that we used Discover New Zealand to plan our visit. Suzanne
Suzanne & Herb Goldstein, Shannon Glass and Zak Silvernail, Customised 7 Day Alpine Express, Travelled on 19 April 2018
Dear Laura, thank you so much to you and all the team at Discover New Zealand for a wonderful holiday in your beautiful country. You were all...
Read moreDear Laura, thank you so much to you and all the team at Discover New Zealand for a wonderful holiday in your beautiful country. You were all tremendous to work with right from the planning stage, all the way through our time in NZ. The itinerary was fantastic and the suggested activities and sightseeing points were very valuable. The Discover NZ team were very responsive and helpful, particularly on the day of the storm where we had to consider alternatives to our planned travel. It was reassuring and helped our holiday so much to know we were able to contact someone and work through alternatives if plans had to change. To have someone make a change happen when you are travelling in a different country is wonderful. We can't recommend Discover New Zealand highly enough for their expertise, promptness and thorough organisation. Stephen and Elizabeth Dale
Stephen & Elizabeth Dale, 30th Wedding Anniversary in NZ, Travelled on 28 March 2018
Jane, Steven, Davidient and Chelssea Tansy, Customised Coast to Coast Family Adventure, Travelled on 7 July 2017
Overall, Discover New Zealand and Erynn Bell did an amazing job arranging our vacation trip in New Zealand. All of the transfers and pick ups were...
Read moreOverall, Discover New Zealand and Erynn Bell did an amazing job arranging our vacation trip in New Zealand. All of the transfers and pick ups were properly accounted for and are always on time. The tours we joined are all of the must sees in the country. Erynn was also able to easily accommodate and make last minute changes to our itinerary due to additional tours to be added before our holidays started. One recommendation is to schedule the cruises during day time since the views would be more spectacular during the day versus nighttime (i.e. TSS Earnslaw and Auckland cruise).
Glynnys Chua, Michelle Sy & Jennifer Hilario, Customised 12 Day New Zealand Vista, Travelled on 9 April 2018
Hi Sarah, I've been meaning to email you to let you know that we had a wonderful trip, we all had such a great time. I just wanted to say we really...
Read moreHi Sarah, I've been meaning to email you to let you know that we had a wonderful trip, we all had such a great time. I just wanted to say we really appreciate all the hard work you did to put it all together in such a short space of time, everything went so smoothly! The activities were fantastic and even though we didn't get to do the glacier tour, we saw snow! That was amazing and a first for us and the children, they had a blast throwing snowballs at each other and at Mum and Dad. The accommodation at the bulk of the places we stayed was just lovely, stand outs were Mt Cook and Te Anau - both brilliant! We feel very blessed that we found you and we've been telling everyone what a wonderful time we had and how well organized and hassle free the trip was, thanks to Discover New Zealand.
Kym & Daniel Wieland, Southern Highlights 10 Day Tour, Travelled on 8 April 2018
Sue and Greg Fisher, Custom 7 Day Highlights, Travelled on 29 March 2018
We had a wonderful tour. Hit many of the highlights of this beautiful country. The accommodations were very nice. The bus rides were quite long but...
Read moreWe had a wonderful tour. Hit many of the highlights of this beautiful country. The accommodations were very nice. The bus rides were quite long but went fairly quickly as the passing scenery was so lovely. The only glitch was our last bus to catch the Trans Alpine train was delayed due to a fallen tree so we missed the train. The bus driver really tried his best to get to the train station in time but to no avail.
Carl & Mutsumi Kawauchi, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 26 March 2018
Hi Laura Ruth, John, Rob and I just want to say thank you for an amazing holiday. We can't quite believe how much we did and saw in our three weeks....
Read moreHi Laura Ruth, John, Rob and I just want to say thank you for an amazing holiday. We can't quite believe how much we did and saw in our three weeks. The holiday was very well organised, everything went very smoothly and it was great to just stand outside the motel and be picked up and taken to where ever we were going! All the accommodation was very good, very clean and comfortable and the locations ideal. All the tour guides and coach drivers were very knowledgeable and helpful. We felt we had a good overview of New Zealand, it's people, history as well as the scenery. Watching the sunset on Mt Cook from our hotel window was a particular highlight. The balance of LOTR'S tours with everything else was perfect. We had the most amazing holiday and will certainly recommend your company to anyone thinking of going. Kind regards Helen
Helen & Rob Henry and John & Ruth Pollard, Tailored NZ Ultimate Must Do Adventure, Travelled on 6 March 2018
Dear Emma, We returned home to Vermont, USA last Tuesday April 9. We traveled 26 straight hours getting home so we've been suffering from jet lag...
Read moreDear Emma, We returned home to Vermont, USA last Tuesday April 9. We traveled 26 straight hours getting home so we've been suffering from jet lag and are just now getting around to writing you this letter. I wanted to thank you for all your efforts in arranging our trip to New Zealand. As you can imagine, I was a little anxious about hiring someone half way around the world to arrange our trip. If Discover New Zealand turned out to be dishonest, I would have little recourse. Those worries were completely unfounded. Our trip was wonderful! All of our accommodations were ready and waiting for us when we arrived, all we had to do was tell the desk clerk that we were Terry and Cindy AmRhein and our room was ready.
Terry & Cindy AmRhein, Customised Discover Tour, Travelled on 4 March 2018
Thank You for a wonderful trip. Everything went as planned and we had a great trip with many awesome memories. We will be in contact soon for our...
Read moreThank You for a wonderful trip. Everything went as planned and we had a great trip with many awesome memories. We will be in contact soon for our next New Zealand adventure. Respectfully, Scott and Rachel.
Scott & Rachel LaFevre, 5 Day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 19 March 2018
Shelley provided us with a individualised self drive itinerary for the 11 days we had in the South Island. Everything as outlined on the itinerary...
Read moreShelley provided us with a individualised self drive itinerary for the 11 days we had in the South Island. Everything as outlined on the itinerary was spot on and we found the accommodation to be excellent. Cannot express our delight with this trip adequately enough and will certainly recommend you to our friends. Stephen and Dianne, Australia
Stephen Gough & Dianne Burns, Customised Auckland to Auckland Southern Explorer, Travelled on 17 March 2018
Hi Jane Thanks for arranging this. We found the arrangements well-paced and the directions were perfect. I would like to provide feedback on...
Read moreHi Jane Thanks for arranging this. We found the arrangements well-paced and the directions were perfect. I would like to provide feedback on 2 of the accommodations for consideration. The Te Anau Distinction Luxmore Hotel was not up to scratch, it was old & dated. It was clean and right in the middle of town but it was a disappointment compared to the previous accommodation. The main issue was the shower was just awful, it could barely get the shampoo out of my hair (I don’t have much), the wife had much more trouble. The Rainforest Retreat in Franz Josef we approached with trepidation given it was the other altered accommodation, on arrival we were advised we had been upgraded to the deluxe lodges. These were by far the best accommodation we had on the trip. In summary we had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the beauty of the south island. I would have no hesitation recommending your organisation to anyone looking for a similar holiday. Brad
Bradley & Vivian Motbey, 9 Day Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 12 March 2018
Hi Jane Just letting you know we had a great time on our holiday in North Island. Everything went well and even the weather was kind to us with...
Read moreHi Jane Just letting you know we had a great time on our holiday in North Island. Everything went well and even the weather was kind to us with just a wet day at the beginning and end of our trip. The accommodation was fine with Quest in Rotorua and City Life in Wellington getting 5 stars from us.
Janet & Lawrie Carr, North Island 13 Day Highlights, Travelled on 12 March 2018
I can't say enough about the trip we planned together & the care you took of us while we visited your stunning country. All of the special...
Read moreI can't say enough about the trip we planned together & the care you took of us while we visited your stunning country. All of the special "tours" you included were perfect. You went out of your way when we needed you. Thank you Discover New Zealand!
Kay & Michael Payan, Queenstown to Auckland Ultimate Explorer, Travelled on 8 March 2018
Just to thank Shelley for her assistance in providing a great self drive tour. Excellent detailed information provided and GPS very handy. Lots of...
Read moreJust to thank Shelley for her assistance in providing a great self drive tour. Excellent detailed information provided and GPS very handy. Lots of great memories from both Islands with the South Island being the most scenic. Best activity was the helicopter flight onto the glacier as we had a hot sunny day and when up in our tee shirts. Closely followed by Milford Sound despite the weather. We chose to fly from Christchurch to Wellington, which proved to be best way to link to the North island. The only one thing we would have changed is to instead travelled from Rotorua via Hobbiton direct to Auckland and not to Whiianga on the Coromandel. Peninsula. This would left us a day to travel to a resort North of Auckland before flying back to Australia.
Stephen & Moira Ford, Northbound Christchurch to Auckland 18 Day Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 6 March 2018
Hi Christina Brockie, Everard, Ivy, Bridget and myself would love to thank you for giving us a well planned 2 and half week holiday. From the time...
Read moreHi Christina Brockie, Everard, Ivy, Bridget and myself would love to thank you for giving us a well planned 2 and half week holiday. From the time I discussed this holiday with you, you knew straight away what our requirements were and you delivered it. We are so grateful that your support, expertise, guidance, and your good nature as made it possible for us to have the best of New Zealand. The North Island we were inspired with the Maori culture, people their excellent attitude and my golly they know how to tell a story. The South Island was also very interesting and beautiful. We had an excellent standard of accommodation Every aspect of our itinerary went smoothly. The private transfers, connections, accommodation and even bus drivers we experienced in NZ were exceptional and exemplary. All in all it was a great vacation and again we like to express out thanks to you Christina for a job well done.
Felicia & Everard La Faber, Bridget Bernadus & Ivy Edwards, A Customised North to South Island Explorer, Travelled on 5 March 2018
Hi Shelley. Home from what we kept describing as our amazing "trip of a lifetime". When I used that phrase for our holiday it there are a...
Read moreHi Shelley. Home from what we kept describing as our amazing "trip of a lifetime". When I used that phrase for our holiday it there are a few factors implicit in it - never done this before; its bigger/longer/better than before; its more expensive than before; probably never do it again etc. Each of these were fulfilled 'in spades' so I could say that it is mission accomplished in every one of the factors - except the last one !!! We enjoyed NZ so much that I am sure that "we will be back". I must congratulate and thank you because your recommended locations, motels, timings and activities were spot on and suited us perfectly.
Jonathan & Shirley Thomas, Customised Northbound Explorer Christchurch to Auckland Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 4 March 2018
Most everything was just fine. The GPS with the car needed to be updated for some new road. Fortunately, we also use Google maps which knew about the...
Read moreMost everything was just fine. The GPS with the car needed to be updated for some new road. Fortunately, we also use Google maps which knew about the new road. (Google maps also takes traffic into account. We got stuck in a jam outside Rotorua by following the GPS instead of Google maps.) It was good to have the same type car on both islands. Less figuring things out. We could find the Ibis in Wellington, but it is not at all clear how to get into it. Fortunately, we found a street space right outside and walked in. Also, weather in Wellington was awful. Not your fault, but quite a mess. We checked about laundry before we left. Turns out that most of the places we stayed had laundry facilities, so we didn't have to plan so carefully. Overall, well planned and a great trip.
John Turner & Nancy Stanford, Auckland to Queenstown 15 Day Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 1 March 2018
We had an amazing vacation! Our tour adviser was easy to work with and so helpful. Favorites from our itinerary were Kaikoura whale watching and...
Read moreWe had an amazing vacation! Our tour adviser was easy to work with and so helpful. Favorites from our itinerary were Kaikoura whale watching and the TranzAlpine train. The driving is exhausting, but it's the best way to see the real New Zealand. Be aware the helicopter flights out to the glaciers in Franz Josef only truly go about 50% of the time. We lost an entire day trying to make flight after flight only to be cancelled each time. By the time our last flight was cancelled there wasn't enough time to hike if, and if we would have known that most flights don't happen, we would have just gone ahead and walked it and then had more time to do other things. Live and learn! New Zealand was such a great experience, and we appreciate all the help we received from Kelly planning our trip.
Jeanne and Robert Carl, North to South Explorer Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 28 February 2018
Kia Ora Jane. The whole holiday was pretty much perfect. Your organisation (verb not noun) made it so for us. Even when the weather was lousy, (the...
Read moreKia Ora Jane. The whole holiday was pretty much perfect. Your organisation (verb not noun) made it so for us. Even when the weather was lousy, (the day of the Milford Sound tour) it was perfect. Gale force winds pelting rain that forced other companies boats to turn back only made the waterfalls that much more spectacular. The sun came out once we turned around so we got the best of everything. How do you organise the weather so well? The spacing between accommodations was spot on. Plenty of time to reach the next day's place. Split Apple Lodge was the pick of all the accommodation. Cannot speak highly enough of it. Being greeted at our car as we arrived by the owner, freshly homemade morning and afternoon tea laid on, really made to feel at home, even with a full lodge of guests. Nothing was too much trouble.
Daryl & Rosemary Wilkinson, Ultimate New Zealand Extravaganza, Travelled on 25 February 2018
Erynn, Some "out loud thoughts" that I thought might be useful as you advise other Americans in our age range (65-70). Don't expect...
Read moreErynn, Some "out loud thoughts" that I thought might be useful as you advise other Americans in our age range (65-70). Don't expect complaints from us. First, and foremost, your country is spectacular and the people very hospitable. We loved our visit and appreciate your assistance in planning and coordinating it! Some other thoughts ... We loved the "skycouch" on Air NZ! On our previous trips to Australia we've gotten little sleep and have arrived in a mental fog. This time we both got 7-8 hrs. sleep. The skycouch was worth every extra penny, and it wasn't dear at all. If we hadn't done that, we would've needed a die to decompress before beginning the tour. The Vodafone sim card would've been a nice touch, but as we discussed by email, we should've worked that out with our US carrier ahead of time. When we were on Wifi (and, as you know, most buses and the train had it, as did the hotels and most restaurants) and used airplane mode, we could make Wifi calls and texts and not have to pay exorbitant international rates.
Edwin Keith, Custom 6 Day Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights, Travelled on 28 February 2018
We had a great holiday in New Zealand. We had discussed with Louise what we were hoping to see and do and she put together an itinerary that exceeded...
Read moreWe had a great holiday in New Zealand. We had discussed with Louise what we were hoping to see and do and she put together an itinerary that exceeded our expectations. We were able to see and experience so much, as well as meeting lots of interesting people. I particularly enjoyed the hotels that were selected for us, they were all high quality but each one had something special which just added to the vacation. All the arrangements worked like clockwork so we could just focus on enjoying and experiencing this amazing country.
Graham & Barbara Valentine, 21 Day Northbound Encounter, Travelled on 26 February 2018
Erynn,I hope you're well and that you have a relaxing weekend. Since we arrived in Australia on Monday, I have been intending to...
Read moreErynn,I hope you're well and that you have a relaxing weekend. Since we arrived in Australia on Monday, I have been intending to send you an email with some feedback and thoughts on our trip to New Zealand ... just "out loud thoughts" that I thought might be useful as you advise other Americans in our age range (65-70). Don't expect complaints from us. First, and foremost, your country is spectacular and the people very hospitable. We loved our visit and appreciate your assistance in planning and coordinating it! Some other thoughts ..
Eddie & Susan Keith, Custom 6 day Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound highlights, Travelled on 28th February 2018
Hi Erynn, I just wanted to let you know that our vacation was incredible. What a beautiful country. We would go back in a heartbeat. I...
Read moreHi Erynn, I just wanted to let you know that our vacation was incredible. What a beautiful country. We would go back in a heartbeat. I changed the batteries in my camera four times in ten days. Our guide, Marty, was absolutely wonderful. How he kept 48 people entertained all day, everyday for 10 days, is beyond me. When we come back, we want Marty again. We loved every inch of your country. It was a vacation of a lifetime. Thank you again, Erynn. Peggy Panichelli
Peggy Panichelli, 10 Day Contrast Tour, Travelled 22nd February 2018
We worked with Narissa to put together a package which would work for us, she did an excellent job making suggestions and working with our thoughts....
Read moreWe worked with Narissa to put together a package which would work for us, she did an excellent job making suggestions and working with our thoughts. The package we received on arrival was also excellent, giving both an overview and detail. We felt this was a great company to work with in visiting New Zealand, no concerns about "where will we stay tonight or will it be OK" strongly recommend to anyone else wanting to make a self drive visit to NZ. John & Philippa.
John and Philippa Fitch, The Customised Grand New Zealand Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 9 February 2018
Hi Louise, thanks for organizing a great trip. We really enjoyed it. Everything was very well organized. We appreciated all the transfers being...
Read moreHi Louise, thanks for organizing a great trip. We really enjoyed it. Everything was very well organized. We appreciated all the transfers being handled so well. The buses and drivers were great. The individual who drove us from Mt Cook to Dunedin was an excellent guide.
Jennifer & Gerasime Monopolis, 11 Day Southern Icons, Travelled on 8 February 2018
We would like to thank Emma for organising such a fantastic and unique trip for us. The activities she provided covered everything that we asked for...
Read moreWe would like to thank Emma for organising such a fantastic and unique trip for us. The activities she provided covered everything that we asked for and more, it was great to experience Maori culture and it isn't something we would've necessarily thought of unless suggested. Accomodation was located perfectly to suit our needs, as our primary mode of transport was on foot. We wish we could've had more time to explore your rich and cultured country.
Georgia Radford & Liam Carter, New Zealand Adventure, Travelled on 4 February 2018
Last fall I decided to make a dream trip to New Zealand become a reality. While researching online for a tour, I came across Discover New Zealand....
Read moreLast fall I decided to make a dream trip to New Zealand become a reality. While researching online for a tour, I came across Discover New Zealand. Emma Bradley replied to my inquiry and was extremely helpful in answering my questions and customizing a tour. After explaining what I wanted to experience, she created a Middle Earth tour that went beyond my expectations. Arranging for personal meet and greet drivers alleviated stress about traveling from place to place. I would say that each driver was friendly yet laid-back. Each driver certainly made me feel welcome.
Susan Ricketts, Customised Middle Earth Discovered, Travelled on 1 February 2018
Well, after 8 weeks of absolute heaven, here we are back in cold and grey England!. I just had to write to you, to say a huge thank you from...
Read moreWell, after 8 weeks of absolute heaven, here we are back in cold and grey England!. I just had to write to you, to say a huge thank you from Carole and I, for the absolutely stunning tour you arranged for us. The whole tour was perfectly planned, and it was a pleasure to follow the routes you had laid out. Every hotel was stunning in it's own way (with the exception of Ponsonby, as we know), and everyone was so friendly and helpful. We enjoyed every day of driving that was planned, with each distance being perfect for an enjoyable drive on you beautiful roads. We could never have planned anything as good as you did, from here in U.K.,many,many thanks. Every event that you planned for us was a joy. After the lugeing in Queenstown, I was hooked, and had to do it all again in Rotorua.
Stuart and Carole Haxton, New Zealand Luxury Experience, Travelled on 24th January 2018
Hi Joanna, Well, after 8 weeks of absolute heaven, here we are back in cold and grey England!. I just had to write to you, to say a huge...
Read moreHi Joanna, Well, after 8 weeks of absolute heaven, here we are back in cold and grey England!. I just had to write to you, to say a huge thank you from Carole and I, for the absolutely stunning tour you arranged for us. The whole tour was perfectly planned, and it was a pleasure to follow the routes you had laid out. Every hotel was stunning in it's own way (with the exception of Ponsonby, as we know), and everyone was so friendly and helpful. We enjoyed every day of driving that was planned, with each distance being perfect for an enjoyable drive on you beautiful roads. We could never have planned anything as good as you did, from here in U.K.,many,many thanks. Every event that you planned for us was a joy.
Stuart & Carole Haxton, New Zealand Luxury Experience, Travelled on 24 January 2018
The holiday was great. Prior to booking, I just specified my requirements and Emma did the rest. We got maps (may no longer be as useful now we have...
Read moreThe holiday was great. Prior to booking, I just specified my requirements and Emma did the rest. We got maps (may no longer be as useful now we have Google maps etc) and detailed directions to get from one place to another. The personalised booklet was very helpful. The service was great! Just a couple of minor things where improvement is needed. The information in the booklet is not up to date (e.g. it tells us to wait somewhere for a bus pickup, but the bus was somewhere else), or sometimes confusing (one email says something which is then contradicted by something else). Also, the 2 bedroom serviced apartments we booked did not have separate beds in 1 of the bedroom - even though I had requested for it (My husband and I were travelling with my adult son and adult daughter). The hotels were happy to rectify the situation by supplying us a roll away bed. These are just minor annoyances. I would happily recommend Discover New Zealand to anyone.
Ai Cheen Kang, Customised Auckland to Wellington Tour, Travelled on 5 January 2018
We thoroughly enjoyed our Discover New Zealand Tour. Natalie was extremely helpful and we were very pleased with the accommodations and the tours. ...
Read moreWe thoroughly enjoyed our Discover New Zealand Tour. Natalie was extremely helpful and we were very pleased with the accommodations and the tours. We would highly recommend Discovery New Zealand to our friends.
Theresa and Ken Bergsman, Lilly and Jeff Huth, Customized Discover New Zealand Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 23 February 2018
Our trip to New Zealand's south island was wonderful. It is a beautiful country, the people were very nice and the sights were amazing...mountains,...
Read moreOur trip to New Zealand's south island was wonderful. It is a beautiful country, the people were very nice and the sights were amazing...mountains, lakes, glaciers. So happy Christina recommended an extra day in Queenstown, there is so much to see and do. Thank you, Christina, for making our vacation one to remember!
Karen & Kieran O'Dwyer, A Customised Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 21 February 2018
Well done Narissa - We would like to thank you for arranging our wonderful holiday in New Zealand. Every booking went according to plan, with an...
Read moreWell done Narissa - We would like to thank you for arranging our wonderful holiday in New Zealand. Every booking went according to plan, with an excellent standard of accommodation , and activities. New Zealand is a lovely country, far quieter than the UK, with fantastic scenery. We would definitely recommend to our friends and others New Zealand for a holiday, and you, Discover New Zealand to make the arrangements. Best wishes - Martin and Hilary Gibbons
Martin and Hilary Gibbons, The Wonders of the South Tour, Travelled on 4 February 2018
Kelly, was an awesome representative to work with. We procrastinated so long in making plans that I contacted Discover New Zealand and over the chat...
Read moreKelly, was an awesome representative to work with. We procrastinated so long in making plans that I contacted Discover New Zealand and over the chat line we were introduced to Kelly. We were going to arrive in New Zealand in three weeks--that's pressure. She put together an itinerary of the places we had time to visit in the matter of a couple days and it could not have worked more smoothly. All pertinent information was in a packet and then we just walked up to the booked events and advised we had a reservation and we were on our way. We especially enjoyed Milford Sound with the cascading waterfalls and a special treat of yellow crested penguins on a rock. Some of the side trips such as the blue pools and the beach after crossing the longest swinging bridge in New Zealand were a joy. I don't like bridges but I made it!! Everything had it's own joy and beauty. Thank you Kelly.
Stanley and Lynnette Griffith, Classic New Zealand Driving Tour, Travelled on 8 February 2018
Thank you Shelley Ryder for helping us to arrange our (16) day self drive holiday to both the North & South Islands of New Zealand. We found...
Read moreThank you Shelley Ryder for helping us to arrange our (16) day self drive holiday to both the North & South Islands of New Zealand. We found Shelley to be fun to deal with & very professional, adapting our tour to meet our requirements. With a mix of accommodation including special evenings in spa rooms and B&B with us looking forward to every new town to experience. We are still talking & laughing about the night that Cyclone Gita stuffed up our night in Kaikoura by blocking State Highway 1, then having to sleep in McDonalds car park until we could find alternate accommodation around 4:00am in Christchurch. Our highlights were Mitai Maori Village, Christchurch Gondola, Waitomo Glow-worm caves & a cruise on Milford Sound. We would highly recommend "Discover New Zealand". Well done & Thanks again Shelley. From David & Rainy
David & Lorraine Allen, Customised North to South Explorer Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 16 February 2018
Hello, Narissa! Just wanted to send a note to tell you how much we appreciated all the arrangements you made for our trip to New Zealand. ...
Read moreHello, Narissa! Just wanted to send a note to tell you how much we appreciated all the arrangements you made for our trip to New Zealand. Everything went without a hitch! All the pickups and transfers, and the drivers were all so congenial and informative. It made everything so easy, knowing all was taken care of. We could truly spend our time enjoying the country and learning the traditions. We especially enjoyed the Elm Wildlife tour in Dunedin. Spectacular! Highly recommend! All the hotel accommodations worked out fine too. The walk from the Bella Vista Christchurch into town centre provided a chance to see things on the way, that we might have otherwise missed. And to think you booked everything for the first week and then booked the very end of our 2nd week with hotel & transportation to the airport, around a bike tour in between! Again, thank you so much for all the arrangements. If we have friends traveling your way, we will definitely recommend!
Marilyn and Roger Kruger, Christchurch to Queenstown Explorer, Travelled on 5 February 2018
We would like to thank everyone at Discover New Zealand for making our holiday so good. Every day we were met and had a wonderful tour of this...
Read moreWe would like to thank everyone at Discover New Zealand for making our holiday so good. Every day we were met and had a wonderful tour of this amazing country. The organisation of our tour was as good as it gets. Coaches were comfortable and the chatty drivers so informative. New Zealand people were so friendly. A great experience. Thank you. John and Sue
Kath & Peter Gribben and John Beattie & Sue Rouse, 11 Day Explore New Zealand, Travelled on 31 January 2018
Hi Jane, arrived home yesterday after a fabulous time and thank you for a very well organised trip. The accommodation was fabulous and within walking...
Read moreHi Jane, arrived home yesterday after a fabulous time and thank you for a very well organised trip. The accommodation was fabulous and within walking distance of great restaurants. Chen was very helpful and friendly at Amore in Christchurch and allowed us to stay until we were picked up. Just a brilliant time and we are already planning for the North Island with you next March. Thank you for making our experience so wonderful. Mick, Zlata, Steven & Jaruska
Michael Newman & Zlata, Stevan and Jaruska Komaromi, 9 Day Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 6 February 2018
Hi Natalie, We really wish we were back in NZ! We've received snow every day since our return and have received over 18" this past week. In...
Read moreHi Natalie, We really wish we were back in NZ! We've received snow every day since our return and have received over 18" this past week. In all seriousness though, we wanted to let you know that we had a fantastic time on our New Zealand adventure. We know things ended rather chaotically with Cyclone Fehi and we appreciate you trying to navigate some challenging logistics for us to make our return flight home! We cannot say enough good things about Pete and Sue from Aspen Court. Their accommodations were quite comfortable, impeccably clean, but it was their generator that was a HUGE hit! They made a difficult situation easy and did it with calm and confidence. Hopefully, one day we can return and actually do the hikes we planned, although we were very fortunate to hike to the glacier the night before the cyclone hit. Naturally, we were taken by all the stunningly beautiful landscape, but even more impressive was the welcoming feeling from the Kiwis. Having a friendly face greet us in each location really set the tone for the stay. So kudos to you for lining up some great drivers! So despite a couple of travel hiccups (diversions due to the cyclone and a driver that didn't pick us up), everything went off without a hitch. So thanks for coordinating a great adventure! Thanks again, Natalie! Best regards, Janet
Janet and Bob Bianchetta, Customized North and South Island Adventure, Travelled on 22 January 2018
Hi, We have returned home from a holiday put together initially by Laura, and followed through by Dionne. We just want to say what a great time...
Read moreHi, We have returned home from a holiday put together initially by Laura, and followed through by Dionne. We just want to say what a great time we have had, and especially the services you booked on our behalf, (as first time travelers, very appreciated) which have done you and New Zealand proud. From our airport transfers, to accommodations, to coach captains and tour guides, all were very friendly, knowledgeable and a pleasure to travel with. One thing that we would like to raise is the difference we found between the Intercity / Great Sights coaches and the Real Journeys Coach to Milford Sound. They were all luxurious, but we found the Real Journeys coach configuration a little constricting in the leg room area. Apart from this, once again we enjoyed all aspects of our holiday, and will be coming back for an extended period when we are able to. Once again, thank you, and please pass on our thanks to all parties involved. Kind Regards, . . Rita Angus
Rita & David Angus, Customised Queenstown, Milford Sound and Glacier Highlights, Travelled on 20 January 2018
We are now back home in England with snow and freezing temperatures. What a change from the Sydney and Melbourne temperatures we were having just...
Read moreWe are now back home in England with snow and freezing temperatures. What a change from the Sydney and Melbourne temperatures we were having just before we flew home. Alarna, we thoroughly enjoyed our New Zealand trip. What made it especially good was that the itinerary you made for us showed the South Island at its best. Our only mistake was not to asking for an extra day in Dunedin. All your arrangements went like clockwork. Not a single hitch and escorts always on time. All the bookings just as you itemised. So thank you for your hard work making our holiday go so smoothly. We have already recommended you to two other people planning individual tours. Yours, Alison Lawrence
Alison & John Lawrence, Customised South Island Explorer, Travelled on 6 January 2018
Our feedback is a little late but we'd like to thank Emma Bradley and the people at Discover New Zealand for making awesome holiday itineraries! We...
Read moreOur feedback is a little late but we'd like to thank Emma Bradley and the people at Discover New Zealand for making awesome holiday itineraries! We traveled to the South Island for 9 days and we literally just packed our bags and flew to Christchurch. The rest of the trip went smoothly and our itinerary allowed us to enjoy good weather (there was a typhoon but our itinerary was reversed so we avoided the rain until our last day). We had enough time to explore each city and even got a chance to do some hiking. All the accommodations they booked are great and saved us from going crazy trying to book last minute. We would definitely recommend this to friends and family visiting New Zealand!
Christian Bulalacao & Raquel Cabatac, 9 Day Southern Scenic Wonders, Travelled on 3 January 2018
Other than Mother Nature giving us a hard time, our trip to New Zealand was wonderful. The help that we got from everyone at Discover New Zealand...
Read moreOther than Mother Nature giving us a hard time, our trip to New Zealand was wonderful. The help that we got from everyone at Discover New Zealand was excellent. Our trip was arranged by Annelise (who is no longer with the company) she was so sweet & informative and helped to give us everything we wanted to do in only a week. After she left, we dealt with Kelly, who was equally sweet & helpful! My husband, daughter & I were trying to see and do as much as we could in a weeks time & told Annalise that we didn't care as much about the accommodations as we did about what we got to see & do. We were pleasantly surprised at the wonderful accommodations that we had. Every place was clean, close to where we wanted to be, and had very helpful & friendly staff. They were all happy to provide us with anything we possibly needed as well as pointing us to some very great restaurants & sightseeing! Kelly was very accommodating when our dolphin trip was cancelled because of weather & booked us into another activity. She also helped to calm us when mother nature struck again cancelling our trans alpine train ride because of a rock slide. We are very pleased with our entire trip and met some very nice people & have made some incredible memories. We would happily recommend Discover New Zealand! Thanks for the great time! The Orlando's
Cindy, Michael, Morgan Orlando, Customised South Island Highlights Tour, Travelled on 5 January 2018
Thank you Lauren for organising our holiday. We had an amazing time and we plan to come back and spend more time in a number of places. Having...
Read moreThank you Lauren for organising our holiday. We had an amazing time and we plan to come back and spend more time in a number of places. Having everything pre-booked and paid for made our holiday very relaxing. We were even able to transfer our helicopter flight to Queenstown, when the weather stopped flights in Franz Joseph. The accommodation was amazing and luxurious and we enjoyed meeting the hosts and many international guests. There was only one hotel that we feel did not come up to the standard of all the others- The Country Hotel in Napier. The staff were lovely but the bathroom needed some maintenance and the bed was not comfortable. The Budget rental cars were great and the pick up and drop offs are very convenient. Thanks again, Alison and Craig Jennings
Alison and Craig Jennings, 14 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 3 January 2018
When we were considering booking this 9 days South Island tour package with Discover New Zealand, we were filled with worries and doubts. As...
Read moreWhen we were considering booking this 9 days South Island tour package with Discover New Zealand, we were filled with worries and doubts. As everything were done on-line, we kept asking if this is a scam websites !! After few on-line chats (and probably one telephone conversation) with the agent Salli Smith we felt better and proceeded with the booking. Honestly, we felt we were so lucky to have Salli as our agent. She took every effort to ensure our needs and expectation were met. As our excitement grew closer to the tour dates, we kept her busy with questions and questions. On reflection we have to say a big "Thank You" to Salli for answering all our questions and seeing to our needs being met with a mountain of patience. We received top-grade service ! Unfortunately, on day of arrival at CHC airport, we waited for quite awhile to be picked up. The driver had a playcard displaying a name so wrongly that we were not able to identify him and went in and out of the airport looking for our driver. Fortunately, he was a great gentleman ! Overall, we have great fun and looking forward to another booking with Discover New Zealand !!
Jason, Michael, Margaret, Yew Thor, Yew Buay, Catherine, Yiu Huat and Amanda Tan, Alice Toh and Audrey Lee, A Customised 9 Day Southern Scenic Wonders Tour, Travelled on 16 December 2017
The organisation of this lovely tour by Natalie was perfect. Everything ran smoothly because of detail in the organising. We booked quite close to...
Read moreThe organisation of this lovely tour by Natalie was perfect. Everything ran smoothly because of detail in the organising. We booked quite close to the holiday period , but despite this we had good accommodation everywhere. The last night in the Ibis was the only little let down. It was adequate and the room was clean, but parking was off site and people at desk not very helpful, and aesthetically I reported to desk on leaving that there was blocked putrid drain on veranda outside our room with socks floating about! The rest was great!
Cynthia and Anthony Atkinson, Milford Sound Spectacular, Travelled on 22 December 2017
Spent a wonderful nine days in and around South Island of New Zealand last month. The tour was very organized and we were both impressed with the...
Read moreSpent a wonderful nine days in and around South Island of New Zealand last month. The tour was very organized and we were both impressed with the work done behind the scene by our great organizer Salli Smith. Milford Sound was one particular highlight of our trip to NZ and mustn't be missed. That aspect of our holiday was a fantastic experience and one that we will remember for years to come. The private transfers, connections, accommodation and even bus drivers we experienced in NZ were exceptional and exemplary. Well done Discover New Zealand team and thank you for our great holiday. Gary and Penny Mansell. South Australia.
Gary and Penny Mansell, Lakes, Mountains and Glaciers Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 22 December 2017
We had a wonderful tour. Every aspect of our itinerary went smoothly. From first pick, up we were greeted warmly by our driver who gave us a...
Read moreWe had a wonderful tour. Every aspect of our itinerary went smoothly. From first pick, up we were greeted warmly by our driver who gave us a booklet with our schedule and multiple pamphlets for information. Everyone we came into contact with was helpful and excited to talk about their town. Even the bus drivers on the intercity coaches shared tons of information about the sights we were seeing and their country. We liked this itinerary because we were kept busy without feeling rushed. There was a reasonable balance of early morning rises for transfers and activities and mornings where we could sleep in and take it easy. All of our accommodations were modern, comfortable, and within walking distance to downtown restaurants and shops. Our tour activities allowed us to see some beautiful sights. We particularly liked the Lake at Te Anau and the boat ride through Milford Sound. Queenstown was a fun town with tons of life. Make sure you do the jet boat tours and funyaks. It is a one-of-a-kind experience. The highlight had to be the Franz Joseph Glacier and the Helihike. We had some amazing views and pictures. It is a must see! We enjoyed the last leg of our trip on the Trans-Alpine Railway. It was very comfortable we enjoyed the views as we made our way back to Christchurch. Narissa was very helpful to us every step of the way. She answered our questions and put together our package even though we were a bit late in the planning process. We highly recommend Discover New Zealand. Thank you, Joe and Andrea
Joseph OConnor and Andrea Petz, The Customised Coast to Coast Adventure, Travelled on 19 December 2017
Thanks to Shelley R's help we truly enjoyed our independent week in the South Island in late November. All of her recommendations were great and all...
Read moreThanks to Shelley R's help we truly enjoyed our independent week in the South Island in late November. All of her recommendations were great and all accommodations were comfortable and conveniently located. While we had some concerns regarding dropping off a rental car in Christchurch and picking up another in Greymouth, these were for naught. The arrangements worked perfectly. Of course, the scenery was beautiful and the museums were terrific! We particularly enjoyed two meals during the week; lunch at Fleur's Place near the Moraki Boulders and dinner at the Curator's Cottage which is walking distance from the Orari B and B in Christchurch. The best breakfast choice during our three weeks in NZ was the carmelized bananna pancakes at the Run 76 Cafe at Lake Tekapo. We highly recommend the Bubbly Grape Wine Tour in the Blenheim area. Our group of six visited five or six very different wineries, tasting some wonderful wines, plus a chocolate factory with truffles to die for. We offer a couple of comments regarding the driving part of our trip. The roads on the south island are basically good two lane roads and the winding mountain roads are what you would expect in any mountain area. There was a fair amount of construction on the drive from Greymouth to Blenheim and this slowed our progress. We would suggest allowing more driving time than the GPS indicates. A note to persons accustomed to driving on the right with the driver on the left, try to pick up your car when you are headed out of the city. Finally, if you are an AAA member in the US and contact the NZ AA when you arrive, you are eligible for the gas price discount afforded to NZ AA members
Bob & Sue Bidwell, South Island Scenic Explorer, Travelled on 24 November 2017
Hello Kelly, We completed a three day tour in the central part of the North Island just before Christmas 2017. The coach tour was very well...
Read moreHello Kelly, We completed a three day tour in the central part of the North Island just before Christmas 2017. The coach tour was very well organized and the different coach drivers were familiar with the natural and cultural histories of places along the route and provided interesting commentaries on the points of interest along the coach routes. The holel accommodation in Rotorua was good. The glow worms in the cave at Waitomo were impressive. It was also very interesting to learn something about the Maori culture during our stay in Rotorua and to visit a few of New Zealand's famous geothermal areas. Thank you for helping us organize this three day tour of the central part of the North Island and a five day tour of the South Island on very short notice. All in all it was a great vacation. In summary I would like to say THANK YOU for a job well done. Marcel Durocher
Marcel Durocher, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 day tour, Travelled on 22 December 2017
Everything was very well organized and went very smoothly. We had a really good tour. The motel accommodations were good. All of the coach tours were...
Read moreEverything was very well organized and went very smoothly. We had a really good tour. The motel accommodations were good. All of the coach tours were very interesting.The drivers were quite knowledgeable about the natural and cultural history of places along the coach route. The scenery in the south island was spectacular especially in the Milford Sound area. The dramatic change in the vegetation on both sides of the divide in the Southern Alps was also amazing.The only thing that was somewhat disappointing was not being able to see the Franz Josef glacier up close. After a 1 hour hike we could only get to within~800 meters of the glacier. Thank you very much for helping us organize this tour. Marcel Durocher
Marcel Durocher, 5 Day Southern Highlights Including Milford Sound, Travelled on 16 December 2017
Itinerary prepared by You showed us fascinating diversity of NZ All of us enjoyed all accomodations and addditional atractions. We are very...
Read moreItinerary prepared by You showed us fascinating diversity of NZ All of us enjoyed all accomodations and addditional atractions. We are very impressed of NZ people their opening and hospitality. Ofcourse we missed fantastic nature meetings with penguins, kiwi and dolphins We hope to beback very soon in Your homeland. And of course You and Your company will be always first option for us and our friends to preapre unforgettable KIWI EXPERIENCE Thank You for best ever holidays Przemyslaw Samolewski
Samolewski Przemyslaw, Updated Customized New Zealand Driving Tour, Travelled on 5 November 2017
Many thanks from us for arranging this wonderful driving holiday combining the North and South Island. Everything was arranged with a clockwork like...
Read moreMany thanks from us for arranging this wonderful driving holiday combining the North and South Island. Everything was arranged with a clockwork like precision, and every accomodation was so good and as expected. Highly recommended and I will definitely recommend you/your organisation for any NZ trip to our friends/relatives in future. Thanking you, Regards Somnath & Mohuya
Somnath and Mohuya Gupta, The Customised 15 Day New Zealand Grand, Travelled on 27 December 2017
Thank you Shelley for organising our family fun North Island Tour. Your friendly approach, great communication skills and professionalism made...
Read moreThank you Shelley for organising our family fun North Island Tour. Your friendly approach, great communication skills and professionalism made booking our first overseas family holiday very easy. It was wonderful to be able to adapt the tour to suit us and to catch up with friends in Tauranga while we were there. The accommodation was fabulous and very comfortable for the four of us during the trip. Similarly the hire car was very comfortable and the Navman made finding our way around very easy.
James Kenny, Andrea Hurley, Rhys & Hannah Kenny, Family Fun North Island Tour, Travelled on 1 January 2018
We had a great time in New Zealand for the trip arranged by Natalie DeCaro for the Christmas. Though we started planning in September, we...
Read moreWe had a great time in New Zealand for the trip arranged by Natalie DeCaro for the Christmas. Though we started planning in September, we underestimated the peak time for December in New Zealand with many hotel / accommodation already quite full. With great support from Natalie, we managed to visit and stay in all the cities and towns we wanted. All the activities were so well organized that we have full program every day but not exhausted. Natalie even arranged an additional xmas dinner in Mt. Cook that marked the highlight of the trip. It was such a wonderful travel experience. Thank you Natalie. We will definitely recommend you and Discover New Zeland to others who want to visit New Zealand.
Raymond and Barbara, New Zealand Highlights, Travelled on 20 December 2017
Mick and I would like to thank you for organising our wonderful holiday. You have a beautiful country and with your well planned Self Drive...
Read moreMick and I would like to thank you for organising our wonderful holiday. You have a beautiful country and with your well planned Self Drive Itinerary, we were able to explore this with comfort and ease. Your provided list of optional extra activities allowed us to find adventure or just travel at our own leisure throughout our 15 day visit.
Ruth Conroy and Mick McDonald, Natural Wonders Tour, Travelled on 17 December 2017
We had a wonderful time in NZ: saying that your country is amazing is not enough, there are no words to describe the fantastic experiences and...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time in NZ: saying that your country is amazing is not enough, there are no words to describe the fantastic experiences and landscapes we witnessed. Thanks for all the great service from you and the company that you two represent, and the guidance and help to make our vacations such an incredible experience!!! Now we can fully understand what Kia Ora means, seeing from its true meaning in such a beautiful country and wonderful people. Best regards, Miguel Barboza and María José Kim Pura Vida!
Miguel Barboza & Maria Kim, Land of the Hobbit Meets Bay of Islands, Travelled on 5 October 2017
I recently got back from a 2-week trip to New Zealand, organized by Joanna. I was very impressed with the service! She took the time to call me and...
Read moreI recently got back from a 2-week trip to New Zealand, organized by Joanna. I was very impressed with the service! She took the time to call me and ask about my preferences, made sure I had plenty of time to review the package she created for me, and answered all my questions through email. From the minute my plane landed to the day I left, everything was planned for me; accomodations were fantastic and well situated, the tours were interesting and the sights were incredible! She really knows her stuff. I had an amazing time in New Zealand, and I definitely recommend Discover New Zealand to anyone who is looking for a great time without the stress. I hope I can come back some day, and visit the South Island! Vicky, Canada
Vicky Tremblay, Best of the North, Travelled on 7 October 2017
We are starting to settle into our family routines again and Anne goes back to work at our church in 2 weeks time. I wanted to write to say again a...
Read moreWe are starting to settle into our family routines again and Anne goes back to work at our church in 2 weeks time. I wanted to write to say again a big thank you for organising our trip to New Zealand. In particular your delivery of a carefully planned itinerary to meet our needs of longer stop overs at each leg of the journey and selection not only of wonderful places to stay but also managing to secure the best rooms available to fit our desire for comfort and views. Surely a demonstration of extensive knowledge, contacts and prepared to make the extra effort to ensure our well being. We also enjoyed meeting up with you in Wanaka.
Jeremy and Anne Cooper, The Length & Breadth North to South, Travelled on 21 September 2017
The North and South Island tour that I had was really awesome. My travel specialist Laura Havill did indeed make my holiday a memorable one. She...
Read moreThe North and South Island tour that I had was really awesome. My travel specialist Laura Havill did indeed make my holiday a memorable one. She organized it just the way that I like it. I was very much comfortable and relaxed on the accommodations that I have, it was just like I was at home. I was able to explore most of what New Zealand has to offer in just a limited time frame. The sights are really fantastic. The activities, all worthwhile. Will definitely do this tour again. To Laura and the whole staff of Discover New Zealand, thank you very much for this wonderful holiday. Looking forward to arranging another adventure in New Zealand with you guys.
Jocelyn Ramos, Customised Fabulous New Zealand, Travelled on 5 November 2017
We are so thankful we found Discover New Zealand! We had an absolutely wonderful trip. You took care of the small details:breakfast, hotel pickups...
Read moreWe are so thankful we found Discover New Zealand! We had an absolutely wonderful trip. You took care of the small details:breakfast, hotel pickups and delivers ) and the large: airplane flights, Great Sites tours, Hobbiton, Rotorua Canopy tour, Bay of Islands, Milford Sound, Tranzalpine Train, car rentals and so much else. Every day was filled with new surprises and beautiful scenery. Thank you for helping us create an amazing adventure. (And a shout out to our Great Sites drivers Stuart (Christchurch to Queenstown) and Kenny (Milford Sound). Judy and Butch
Judy West and Butch Harviston, Highlights of Both the North and South Islands, Travelled on 20 October 2017
Thank you for your help arranging my trip here in NZ. It was an enjoyable experience & journey. The whole scenery during our roadtrip &...
Read moreThank you for your help arranging my trip here in NZ. It was an enjoyable experience & journey. The whole scenery during our roadtrip & accomodation was superb. I would love to come back again and recommend my friends and family to book this awesome package. 110% satisfied!
Muhammad Amir Bin Abas, Yusof Zainol, Siti Nurhudah Abdull Rahim, Customised Fiords, Glaciers and Mountains Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 1 November 2017
Thank you so much for all your work in putting together our travel plans. Bonnie and I had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Everything went perfectly...
Read moreThank you so much for all your work in putting together our travel plans. Bonnie and I had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Everything went perfectly smoothly with friendly and knowledgable drivers arriving promptly at each location. Our tour guides and bus drivers were outstanding. I’m a frequent traveller and this was one of the best holidays of my life. You live in a beautiful country and your expert planning allowed us to see and experience as much of New Zealand as possible in the brief two weeks that we visited. I will be sharing my experience with Discover New Zealand on Trip Advisor, along with recommending your services to everyone I talk with about our fantastic journey. It’s been wonderful working with you. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the East coast of the United States, I hope that you’ll stop by Chapel Hill, North Carolina for a visit. Blessings, Sharon Cook
Sharon Cook & Bonnie Schlank, Outstanding New Zealand, Travelled on 5 November 2017
The tour was amazing. We didn't want to leave New Zealand. Kids had a great time too. The experience was pleasant and no hassles. Thank you Discover...
Read moreThe tour was amazing. We didn't want to leave New Zealand. Kids had a great time too. The experience was pleasant and no hassles. Thank you Discover New Zealand and Joanna for arranging everything. We will come back next year to discover south island :)
Venkat Srikanth, Auckland and Wellington Tour, Travelled on 11 November 2017
We had a wonderful time on our 3 week honeymoon organized by Discover New Zealand and did not want to come home! One of the main reasons we picked...
Read moreWe had a wonderful time on our 3 week honeymoon organized by Discover New Zealand and did not want to come home! One of the main reasons we picked this itinerary was to see as much Lord of the Rings locations and tours as possible. Hobbiton was one of our favorite places! We enjoyed every tour included but we did add on a lot of activities because we wanted to see as much as possible.
Ms Emma Donnelly, Kiwi Elves, Travelled on 1 November 2017
Natalie Many thanks for all your help with the wonderful holiday we had recently in your beautiful country. Your organisation was perfect from...
Read moreNatalie Many thanks for all your help with the wonderful holiday we had recently in your beautiful country. Your organisation was perfect from start to finish with your paperwork, maps and leaflets making it so easy for us. We were happy with all our accommodation. It is very hard to pick out a highlight as everywhere offered something different. We seemed to cram so much in that the time flew! We are now in Australia and will be spending Christmas in Adelaide at friends after travelling around the country. I forgot to mention that you even managed to organise lovely weather for us. Thanks again Bryn, Pam, Pete and Elizabeth
Brinley and Pamela Jones & Peter and Elizabeth Maddern, North to South 19 Day Explorer Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 16 November 2017
Fabulous holiday in a beautiful country. All pre booked arrangements worked faultlessly and accommodation was of the highest standards. Specific...
Read moreFabulous holiday in a beautiful country. All pre booked arrangements worked faultlessly and accommodation was of the highest standards. Specific highlights were Bay of Islands (especially ‘hole in the rock’ boat trip), 90 mile beach drive and Gannet tour in Napier. Disappointing were Waitomo and Rotarua as, although they are amazing places, they have become much more commercialised since our first trip there 20 years ago. I would not rush to go back to either place. Overall though a great holiday very well organised by Discover NewZealand.
Nigel & Jane Young, Tailored North Island Spectacular, Travelled on 12 November 2017
Overall, the self-drive tour was as described. The accommodations provided were generally as described and all accommodations and tour providers had...
Read moreOverall, the self-drive tour was as described. The accommodations provided were generally as described and all accommodations and tour providers had our registration information so they all went smoothly. The tours we purchased provided what was promised (whales, penguins, kiwis, etc.). It was a very tight timeframe for all that we saw so we did not have the luxury of a lot of sightseeing in any one city, but we went for an overall view of New Zealand and we certainly got that! Gorgeous scenery and great people! Thanks to all who made are visit so enjoyable!
Karen South and Peggy Daniel, City to Mountains, Auckland to Queenstown 16 Day Tour, Travelled on 13 November 2017
We booked a 10 day South NZ tour through Christina and couldn't be happier with our vacation. Our trip was meticulously planned down to all the...
Read moreWe booked a 10 day South NZ tour through Christina and couldn't be happier with our vacation. Our trip was meticulously planned down to all the hotels, and pick-ups.
Julie & James Runstrom, 12 Day Glaciers and Overnight Fiordland, Travelled on 25 November 2017
I had a wonderful trip organised by Discover New Zealand and will recommend to my friends for their trip to New Zealand. Definitely engage them again...
Read moreI had a wonderful trip organised by Discover New Zealand and will recommend to my friends for their trip to New Zealand. Definitely engage them again for my next trip to New Zealand.
Chay Keng Fai, Foong Kiew Lye & Wei Hong Oliver Chay, 4 Day Glacier, Queenstown and Milford Sound Highlights, Travelled on 22 November 2017
This was a wonderful introduction to a great variety of sites on the South Island of New Zealand! We really appreciated the attention to detail that...
Read moreThis was a wonderful introduction to a great variety of sites on the South Island of New Zealand! We really appreciated the attention to detail that Shelley put into designing this for us. It was challenging to try to see and do as much as we did, but we would not have cut anything out. We certainly have some great ideas where to visit and spend more time when we return!
Tom & Diane Dickinson, Discover the Nature Wonders of the South Island, Travelled on 26 November 2017
I had wonderful time with this tour. Definitely will recommend this team to my family and friends and sure will I use this for my next travel in NZ...
Read moreI had wonderful time with this tour. Definitely will recommend this team to my family and friends and sure will I use this for my next travel in NZ :) The activities were perfect and allows me to meet new people. Since the group is small, it is more enjoyable and we didn't have to wait to loads of people during the tour. Accommodation is also few steps away from the shops and restaurants. Thanks too to Erynn Bell for helping me tailor this tour for me :) Great Job!
Jo Lindsay Aspiras, Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton 3 Day Experience, Travelled on 26 October 2017
Dear Laura Thank you for all of the arrangments, What a lovely place New Zealand is, I have fallen in love with both the country and people. we...
Read moreDear Laura Thank you for all of the arrangments, What a lovely place New Zealand is, I have fallen in love with both the country and people. we stopped at many more places along the way and took in some breathtaking countryside. Two out of the four accommodations were brilliant, with the first one not far behind, I would recommend all of these, especially Waipoua Lodge to anyone.
Duncan & Marina Black, The Winterless North, Travelled on 18 October 2017
Thank you for arranging a great trip. The accommodation, vehicle and recommendations were excellent. Particularly impressed with The Wharf in...
Read moreThank you for arranging a great trip. The accommodation, vehicle and recommendations were excellent. Particularly impressed with The Wharf in Tauranga, The Dome Penthouse in Napier and Vitners Retreat in Blenheim. We were fortunate to have great weather and a trouble free trip. Brilliant service from your attentive staff - Laura H.
Sasha, Ayal, Thayanaigee, Priyanka Naidoo & Carl & Ayla Bufe, Auckland to Christchurch Splendour, Travelled on 15 October 2017
Excellent itinerary arranged for our family of five adults. Catered to our different interests, and provided enough rest & relaxation time...
Read moreExcellent itinerary arranged for our family of five adults. Catered to our different interests, and provided enough rest & relaxation time despite a busy schedule covering both North & South islands in 2 weeks. Accommodation nearly always exceeded our expectations and comfortably suited a family of 5.
Dinesh, Shakila, Chalana, Meshan and Shanil Perera, North to South 14 Day Family Wonder, Travelled on 7 October 2017
The most lovely vacation in the most wonderful country we've ever visited!! We enjoyed our time in New Zealand on every step of our itinerary, which...
Read moreThe most lovely vacation in the most wonderful country we've ever visited!! We enjoyed our time in New Zealand on every step of our itinerary, which was very well organized, we would definitely recommend Discover New Zealand and its excellent staff for an unforgettable journey!!
Miguel Barboza & Maria Kim, Land of the Hobbit Meets Bay of Islands, Travelled on 5 October 2017
I had a magical time in New Zealand. Christina helped me book a great tour that accommodated all my needs as a lone traveler. I stayed in motels, but...
Read moreI had a magical time in New Zealand. Christina helped me book a great tour that accommodated all my needs as a lone traveler. I stayed in motels, but the accommodation was excellent, especially the room I got at Punga Grove Motel in Franz Joseph. The coach tours were extremely comfortable.
Magderie Nel, 7 Day Alpine Express, Travelled on 29 September 2017
I really enjoyed my holiday in New Zealand. Waiheke Island was beautiful and I got to have dinner with friends who lived there. The team at Tawa...
Read moreI really enjoyed my holiday in New Zealand. Waiheke Island was beautiful and I got to have dinner with friends who lived there. The team at Tawa Lodge were ever so friendly and helpful. All my tours and transfers were seamless and easy. I will definitely be contacting you when next I travel to NZ.
Anna Nolan, New Zealand Vista, Travelled on 27 September 2017
Shelley organised an amazing trip for the 4 of us. My husband and I have had many trips to New Zealand before and really thought we had a good idea...
Read moreShelley organised an amazing trip for the 4 of us. My husband and I have had many trips to New Zealand before and really thought we had a good idea of what to expect but we were blown out of the water by the excellence of the accommodation and the attention to detail of the daily guides to driving. The choice of places to visit along with the entrance tickets and suggestions of extra places we might like to see showed a real knowledge of each town we visited.
Sue & Roger and Melanie & Gary, Coast to Coast Family Adventure, Travelled on 25 September 2017
Had a wonderful time all together and felt as though I extensively saw the majority of highlights of the Southeren island. This was my first time...
Read moreHad a wonderful time all together and felt as though I extensively saw the majority of highlights of the Southeren island. This was my first time traveling independently. I felt completely safe and had no confusion as to where to be and when to follow my intinerary!
Sarah Spangler, 10 Day Southern National Parks, Travelled on 16 September 2017
The tour was well organized and made our life a lot easier. Annelise provided excellent customer service. The tour was really fun. Will highly...
Read moreThe tour was well organized and made our life a lot easier. Annelise provided excellent customer service. The tour was really fun. Will highly recommend this tour to my friends.
Lisa Lam and Gordon Ho, Customised Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Experience, Travelled on 17 September 2017
Shelley, It's hard for me to believe how fast it all went as well; nevertheless, Rick and I have taken away wonderful memories of the adventure. I...
Read moreShelley, It's hard for me to believe how fast it all went as well; nevertheless, Rick and I have taken away wonderful memories of the adventure. I really did want to thank you for setting up what amounted to an amazing trip - the arrangements were excellent and your help during the trip - adjustments owing to bad weather and your help on recovery of the lost camera - were so appreciated - and professional.
Michael Gorman & Rick Hawkins, 10 Day Southern Icons, Travelled on 4 September 2017
Lauren has been very helpful prior, during and even after my trip. She's very responsive and quick in her reply. She also has good suggestions on...
Read moreLauren has been very helpful prior, during and even after my trip. She's very responsive and quick in her reply. She also has good suggestions on tour/itinerary. Had an awesome time in NZ! Thank you :)
Karina, Snowy Cendrica, Jesslyn Chance and Riady Lukman, 5 Day Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton, Travelled on 31 August 2017
Excellent arrangements made by Discover New Zealand. From activities planning, to accommodation and transport, the travel agents have all of them...
Read moreExcellent arrangements made by Discover New Zealand. From activities planning, to accommodation and transport, the travel agents have all of them well covered and tailor made. I have had a great time in the South Island for 10 days without any troubles. I had enjoyed my stay very much. Definitely would recommend this travel agency to my friends and family who wish to visit New Zealand!
Wayne Yan, 10 Day Glaciers and Overnight Fiordland, Travelled on 28 August 2017
We started our honeymoon with four days in New Zealand, and wanted help with planning what to do in a short amount of time. Christina asked important...
Read moreWe started our honeymoon with four days in New Zealand, and wanted help with planning what to do in a short amount of time. Christina asked important questions to tailor activities specifically to us. It was clearly not just a cookie-cutter tour. We had an amazing combination of wine tasting, parks, zip lining, and general sightseeing and the price was very reasonable.
Sarah Strand & Gary Dunham, A Customised Waitomo, Rotorua and Hobbiton Experience, Travelled on 12 August 2017
Catherine, Engato, Natividad Uy, 5 Day Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes, Travelled on 9 August 2017
Our experience with Discover New Zealand, especially through Erynn, has been great. Despite having only communicated through emails, the whole trip...
Read moreOur experience with Discover New Zealand, especially through Erynn, has been great. Despite having only communicated through emails, the whole trip has been really smooth with little issues. Even during the trip, Erynn had been responsive with her emails and updated us with new information. The itinerary and driving legs were perfect as it allows time to both travels between destinations and explores the surroundings. We did not have to worry about any bookings since everything was already sorted. Yet, there was plenty of freedom for activities. There's nothing to complain about at all. We had an absolutely amazing time.
Tuan Minh, Thanh Tuan, Kiet Tuan & Phong Tuan To and Thuong Thi Dao, A Customised Southern Circuit Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 3 August 2017
Overall, everything worked out well. Erynn was immaculately patient with answering my gazillion questions throughout the planning and booking...
Read moreOverall, everything worked out well. Erynn was immaculately patient with answering my gazillion questions throughout the planning and booking process, so that was greatly appreciated. The descriptions provided about the various activities in the itinerary were also extremely helpful while planning. Some other companies we initially considered would just list activities, but provide no information beyond that, so the way your company constructed and presented the itinerary was definitely one of the reasons we chose to use your services.
Jason Gaynor & Marissa Baker, 9 Day Southern Scenes, Travelled on 28 July 2017
A trip that was efficiently organised from picking me up from the airport to dropping me back there. Very flexible in adapting to my needs through...
Read moreA trip that was efficiently organised from picking me up from the airport to dropping me back there. Very flexible in adapting to my needs through the bad weather which impacted my trip. Extremely approachable- I could phone and email any time and it felt like chatting to someone I knew and nothing was too much trouble. I recommend this company and would not hesitate to travel with them again.
Megan Nutt, 8 Day Southern Discovery (Fly & Coach from Auckland), Travelled on 11 July 2017
My trip to NZ was one of the best I've done over the last few years. All the trip was well planned and well done. I have no regrets doing business...
Read moreMy trip to NZ was one of the best I've done over the last few years. All the trip was well planned and well done. I have no regrets doing business with Discover New Zealand. I would warmly tell all my friends to to the same and I would redo it again.
Francois Emond, Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga 3 Day Experience, Travelled on 12 July 2017
Hi Jane I cannot explain how amazing our holiday was, what a BEAUTIFUL country!! I have the most incredible photos to look back on (and brag to...
Read moreHi Jane I cannot explain how amazing our holiday was, what a BEAUTIFUL country!! I have the most incredible photos to look back on (and brag to others) and the best memories of unbelievable experiences. We honestly took full advantage and saw so much, we were exhausted by the time we got home after all the sightseeing and experiencing. I have to say that the night at the Hermitage was absolutely stunning! The snow storm was a cherry-on-top of staying in such beautiful surroundings, and learning to put snow chains on will not be forgotten.
Glenda Kraemer, Luke Highfield & Kierra Davies, 9 Day Winter Highlights, Travelled on 10 July 2017
Dear Annalise Thanks to you we had an amazing time, wonderful experiences and gorgeous pictures in every place we visited in New Zealand. Next time...
Read moreDear Annalise Thanks to you we had an amazing time, wonderful experiences and gorgeous pictures in every place we visited in New Zealand. Next time we are Looking forward to exploring the South Island so we will be counting on you to do our next trip to New Zealand !!! Kings regards Kelly
Walter Griao and Kelly Campos Misawa, Customised North Island Highlihgts Tour, Travelled on 8 July 2017
We were utterly impressed with our tour specialist Salli Smith's arrangements and prompt communication with us. The tour was tailored and customized...
Read moreWe were utterly impressed with our tour specialist Salli Smith's arrangements and prompt communication with us. The tour was tailored and customized flawlessly according to our request. The coach drivers, both Intercity and Great Sights were mostly friendly, helpful and enthusiastic in delivering commentaries throughout our journey. Withal to that, all pick-ups were on time without any significant delay in schedule. We had a great time from North Island to South Island. The scenery along the coach rides were certainly breathtaking and spectacular. The accommodation arranged for the entire span of the trip met our expectations.
Mae Yoong Tan, Chin Boon and Yu Wey Lim, Auckland to Christchurch Ultimate Explorer, Travelled on 3 July 2017
Sara has been very helpful prior, during and even after my trip. She's very responsive and quick in her reply. She also has good suggestions on...
Read moreSara has been very helpful prior, during and even after my trip. She's very responsive and quick in her reply. She also has good suggestions on tour/itinerary. Had an awesome time in NZ! Thank you :)
Sherry Wang, Alpine Explorer, Travelled on 27 June 2017
Hi Annelise, Just a quick note to share that my husband and I had the BEST time in New Zealand!! Everything went perfectly!! We have not stopped...
Read moreHi Annelise, Just a quick note to share that my husband and I had the BEST time in New Zealand!! Everything went perfectly!! We have not stopped talking about our trip and now we are huge advocates of traveling to NZ to our family, friends and co-workers. I'm thinking we have convinced a few people already - didn't take much effort though, they saw our pictures on Facebook - ha. Thanks for all the help, I know it was all last minute. Thanks again. Gina
Gina Justice and Kenneth Giuliani, Customised 8 Day Upper North Island Adventure, Travelled on 25 June 2017
This was one of if not the best vacations ever. Erynn and the Discover New Zealand crew took the stress of planning this vacation and allowed us...
Read moreThis was one of if not the best vacations ever. Erynn and the Discover New Zealand crew took the stress of planning this vacation and allowed us just sit back relax and enjoy the time we had in NZ. Erynn took note of what we wanted to do and how we wanted to spend our time and created an itinerary that met every expectation. The accommodations she selected were top notch and out of this world. We are not sure we could of found the luxury accommodations she did. Erynn clearly understood what we were looking for to celebrate 50 years of being alive.
Vincent Camacho & Eugene Santos, Luxury Auckland to Wellington 9 Day Highlights, Travelled on 20 June 2017
I cannot recommend more highly the trip that Kelly planned for my two weeks around both islands. Everything was stunningly beautiful and I was so...
Read moreI cannot recommend more highly the trip that Kelly planned for my two weeks around both islands. Everything was stunningly beautiful and I was so lucky with the weather, literally cloudless blue skies every day. Kelly was able to customize and change the trip to suit my requirements. I found the commentaries on the Inter City coaches most helpful giving me a great background to the country. The motels were excellent so do not worry about accommodation as they all had free wifi and cooking facilities if you didn't want to eat out. Just do not forget a camera and battery charger as you will need one, I also took a laptop so I could download the pictures on a daily basis.
Robin Lush, Your New Zealand Scenic Highlights Tour, Travelled on 23 June 2017
Thanks to Christina, who was exceptionally helpful in putting together our itinerary. She was able to bespoke it to our needs and everything was...
Read moreThanks to Christina, who was exceptionally helpful in putting together our itinerary. She was able to bespoke it to our needs and everything was hassle free. We had a great time in NZ, accommodation was just right and also the driving distances were very manageable. We thoroughly recommend Christina and Discover New Zealand
Mathew Lunec & Katherine Meyer, A Customised 14 Day New Zealand Grand Tour, Travelled on 17 June 2017
Hi Natalie, just a few lines to thank you for the wonderful holiday you put together for me. I knew I would be testing my luck trying to take in all...
Read moreHi Natalie, just a few lines to thank you for the wonderful holiday you put together for me. I knew I would be testing my luck trying to take in all the beautiful sights on offer on the South Island in late June early July but as luck would have it I had terrific clear days to take in all of the magnificent visual sights. All the bookings went very smoothly and I didn't experience any hic-ups which went a long way towards enjoying the holiday. Thank you once again, and I would have no problems in recommending you personally and your company to my friends and family on their trips to beautiful NZ. Regards Bob.
Robert Hargreaves, Auckland to Christchurch Ultimate Explorer, Travelled on 17 June 2017
Hi Kelly Just to give you some feedback which might help other travellers. Bella Vista Rotorua had free wifi has SKY TV Totara Lodge...
Read moreHi Kelly Just to give you some feedback which might help other travellers. Bella Vista Rotorua had free wifi has SKY TV Totara Lodge Trentham had free wifi has SKY TV Aldan Lodge Picton had free wifi but no Sky TV yet Bella Vista Christchurch had free wifi has SKY TV Blue Peaks Lodge Queenstown has free wifi has SKY TV Punga Grove Franz Joseph has free wifi but reception in the area is awful so doesn't matter where you are, has SKY TV I would pick the Ibis for Christchurch as it is a better location in the town centre rather than the Bella Vista which is a 20 minute walk into town. There is only one close restaurant for the Bella Vista, a perfectly good one two blocks away, but there is a lot more choice if you are at the Ibis and the hotel prices are the same. Length of time in each place for purely sightseeing I would suggest Auckland 2 full days Rotorua. For me it worked well the way you had it stopping on the way Wellington 2 full days Christchurch 1 full day Queenstown. If you do not want to do extreme sports like jet boating,ski-ing, bungee jumping then probably 2 days minimum. Walking is a little icy uphill/downhill at the moment. By the way the Ben Lomond walk is a 5 hour round trip and at the moment there is snow and ice on the trail so suggest people wear walking shoes/boots at this time of the year and not trainers. Summer time it will be easier. If they want to do other activities away from the cities than that is extra time. Overall thoughts if there were better motels than Bella Vista I would go for them, they are a bit more basic than the ones in Queenstown, Lower Hutt and Franz Joseph, they have a lot more space in the room. Just another thought, whilst the Trans Alpine was great, it didn't have the same effect at the end of the trip because one had already seen more spectacular scenery. What I would do is reverse the journey from Christchurch so you see it before Queenstown and Mt Cook, if that fits your schedule. Again not sure if the train on Sunday is a good idea, there were 10 middle aged Kiwis who wanted the whole carriage to hear every word for over 4 hours which only got worse with the alcohol. Regardless of that you did a great job, I had a wonderful time. If you want to ask me any questions please feel free to do so. Many thanks Robin
Robin Lush, Your New Zealand Scenic Highlights Tour, Travelled on 23 June 2017
My wife and I spent 10 days on touring the south island and had a wonderful time for our 25th wedding anniversary. The activities were a lot of fun;...
Read moreMy wife and I spent 10 days on touring the south island and had a wonderful time for our 25th wedding anniversary. The activities were a lot of fun; a jeep tour out of Queenstown, a cruise of Doubtful Sound, a spectacular dinner with a view at the Stratosfare Restaurant (Get the premium seating, it is so worth it). The highlight of the trip was the twin glacier helicopter flight in Franz Josef, amazing. The driving was easy, we had a RAV 4 with GPS, perfect for the two of us.
Kurtis Krug, Kurt & Kim's Anniversary Adventure, Travelled on 13 June 2017
Dear Discover New Zealand, I am still talking to family & friends about my wonderful trip to New Zealand, initially I was over for business and...
Read moreDear Discover New Zealand, I am still talking to family & friends about my wonderful trip to New Zealand, initially I was over for business and had two days to spare. I've always wanted to not only visit NZ but learn more about the culture and embrace everything it had to offer. I managed to also get tickets to see The All Blacks play in Auckland. But I knew I needed to try my best to explore a little more. I contacted Discover New Zealand given I was extremely busy and worried I wouldn't have time to plan my trip (being a full time working mother), I also didn't really know what I wanted to experience. But then I was introduced to Joanna Bulluss!! What a star she is. . . after recommending a few options, she really got me excited to the point I wanted to squeeze in more within the two day window I had.
Laura Mcstravick Lyons, Waitomo, Hobbiton and Rotorua Te Puia Evening Experience, Travelled on 15 June 2017
Christina Brockie of Discover New Zealand was a true vacation planning professional. She was knowledgeable about the New Zealand geography, favorite...
Read moreChristina Brockie of Discover New Zealand was a true vacation planning professional. She was knowledgeable about the New Zealand geography, favorite places to visit and fun activities to do. The trip plan she developed for me was well thought out, thorough and meticulous. While we were planning for the trip, she was enthusiastic and patient despite seemingly endless questions and changes from me. She gave me sound advice on potential financial liability on a rental vehicle and how to manage it. I had all the necessary travel information in the documentation which she sent me the first day I arrived at Christchurch.
Danny Li, A Customised Southern Icons Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 13 May 2017
What can I say except what a fantastic place to visit. The South Island of New Zealand is spectacular. Starting from the beginning, booking this trip...
Read moreWhat can I say except what a fantastic place to visit. The South Island of New Zealand is spectacular. Starting from the beginning, booking this trip through Janette at Discover New Zealand was easy, straight forward with excellent correspondence and quick reply with an concerns. Cannot recommend highly enough. The app that you get showing your itinerary, and accommodation made it easy to navigate through NZ, with recommended sight seeing stops and places to visit. The accommodation was good, very clean and in most cases recently renovated. The people are extremely friendly and helpful. Just a few that stuck in my mind Bella Vista Christchurch the young lady and young man were so helpful and friendly. The reception lady at Motel on York Dunedin was a delight and so helpful and the manager/owner Settlers Motel at Hanmer Spring so welcoming and helpful. Did not have one bad experience, New Zealand knows how to cater for tourists and far outshines most other countries. Everyone is friendly, polite and can't do enough for you, loved our holiday. Cannot wait to visit the North Island possibly next year. Finally, the scenery is stunning, recommend a night on a boat on Doubtful Sound, helicopter ride and land on the Fox Glacier and Queenstown for a bit of fun. The whole experience was an absolute pleasure. John
John & Jenny Porter, South Island 21 Day Self Drive Tour, Travelled on 9 Feb 2024
Hello Chris,Just a short message to let you know that our New Zealand holiday was fabulous. Thank you very much for your exemplary...
Read moreHello Chris,Just a short message to let you know that our New Zealand holiday was fabulous. Thank you very much for your exemplary organization. I could not find any fault with it. It was exactly what we wanted. As a travel manager of old I could not have done any better myself. When we tell people about all out meets and greets and how special we were made to feel they are amazed. If we would have driven ourselves I don’t think we would have had the same experience. If our health holds up we plan to go again in a few years and will definitely contact you again.Many thanks and regards to you all. Liv Marcolongo.
Liv Marcolongo - New Zealand Holiday Adventure
I have recently had the pleasure of booking a tour with Heather.I would like to let you know how pleasant she has made the whole experience. She...
Read moreI have recently had the pleasure of booking a tour with Heather.I would like to let you know how pleasant she has made the whole experience. She was efficient, courteous and extremely helpful, despite my occasional obtuseness.I commend her very highly, she is a wonderful asset for your team.If all New Zealanders are similar we are in for a wonderful time when we come touring.RegardsBrett Furniss
Brett & Louise Furniss - Customised Southern Highlights Tour (Incl. Milford Sound)
We have returned from our wonderful vacation in New Zealand. Everything that your company arranged went exactly as planned. We so appreciate all that...
Read moreWe have returned from our wonderful vacation in New Zealand. Everything that your company arranged went exactly as planned. We so appreciate all that you did to make this dream vacation come true. We love New Zealand and hope to return some day. We will be recommending Discover New Zealand to everyone who is interested in travelling to your country. Thanks so much, Kathy Walsh.
Kathy Walsh, Customised Discover New Zealand Tour. Travelled February 2017
I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you and your staff of your company for making excellent arrangements for our holiday trip in the South...
Read moreI just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you and your staff of your company for making excellent arrangements for our holiday trip in the South Island of NZ. We had a great time. Everything was very well organised and we had no problems anywhere. We would visit sometime again and will certainly use your services and recommend you to our friends as they travel to NZ any time. You have a beautiful country and we enjoyed seeing it.
Suren, USA
Susan and Jennifer Towlin, Sweden
Trevor Morris, England
Kaushik Banerjee, India
David and Jean Rawson, Ireland
We had a FABULOUS time, but we're still recovering from the sand flies! Many thanks to the transport to airport on 12/25, as my husband left his...
Read moreWe had a FABULOUS time, but we're still recovering from the sand flies! Many thanks to the transport to airport on 12/25, as my husband left his Australian outback hat in her car. It arrived at our house shortly after we did, and he was very grateful to have it back! I think what we appreciated most was that everywhere we went, all we had to do was give our name at the counter or to the pick-up person; and that everyone was beautifully orchestrated for our 30-year anniversary get away.
Marc & Bonnie Clark, 12 Day New Zealand Highlights, Travelled on 22 December 2018
Charles and Barbara Emerald, USA
Robert Lyon, England
Very well organised, pick up times were spot on. Great stuff all the staff and drivers. I would highly recommend your company to anyone...
Read moreVery well organised, pick up times were spot on. Great stuff all the staff and drivers. I would highly recommend your company to anyone I know coming to New Zealand.
Heather McGrath, Australia
Your delivery of documents and voucher system was great and so well organised – to the very finest detail. A really enjoyable trip that ...
Read moreYour delivery of documents and voucher system was great and so well organised – to the very finest detail. A really enjoyable trip that all went like clock work. Thanks everybody involved!
Amanda Ladide, USA
Briar Benbow, Australia
Mary and Reg Wild, Australia
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