The Best Self Drive Tours in the Pacific

the Pacific

If you're headed to the Pacific and are looking for the best options for self drive tours, then you've come to the right place. We have done an extensive analysis of all available guided tour packages in the Pacific based on price, guest ratings, service, amenities, activities, and value. We've done the groundwork for you, meticulously analyzing the holiday packages and organized tours based on these key criteria in order to find the best self drive tours. Whether you're dreaming of a vacation filled with relaxation, adventure, or a perfect blend of both, we've found the ideal journeys to make your holiday to the Pacific unforgettable. We have lots of details below on what these multi-day tours and trips are like, where they visit, how much you can expect to pay, and more. So, let's dig in.


The Top 3 Tours:

  • 15 Days, $2757.95

  • 18 Days, $3511.48

  • 6 Days, $1201.53
Pacific
The Best Self Drive Tours through the Pacific

Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.

All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.

Organized by Journaway 15 Days Brisbane to Sydney 14 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for self drive tours in the Pacific.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Independence: immerse yourself in the culture with self guided travel.

Great for:
  • Undersea Explorers
  • Nature Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 99 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 15
Price per Day: $117

This tour visits Brisbane, Cairns, Rainbow Beach, Sydney, Noosa, Fraser Island, Bundaberg Central, Rockhampton, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Whitsunday Islands, Magnetic Island, Townsville, Kuranda, and Great Barrier Reef.

  • Snorkelling
  • Sightseeing
  • Beach
  • Family
  • Camping
  • Self Drive
  • Self-Guided
  • Island Hopping

By Journaway



$1,753
on TourRadar

Organized by Journaway 18 Days Christchurch to Auckland 10 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for self drive tours in the Pacific.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Independence: immerse yourself in the culture with self guided travel.

Great for:
  • Nature Lovers
  • Hiking Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 1 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 15
Price per Day: $128

This tour visits Christchurch, Orte, Auer, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Fall, Queenstown, Namur, Mount Aspiring National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, Wülflingen (Kreis 6) / Insel, Havelock, Tal, Berg, Wellington, Sand, Napier, Coromandel, and Auckland.

  • Sightseeing
  • Family
  • Camping
  • Self Drive
  • Self-Guided
  • Wildlife Trekking

By Journaway



$2,301
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 6 Days Start/End in Christchurch 6 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.

Great for:
  • Animal Lovers
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.5 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $200

This tour visits Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, and Greymouth.

  • Wildlife
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$1,202
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 9 Days Start/End in Christchurch 8 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Great for Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.5 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $231

This tour visits Christchurch, Mount Cook, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, and Greymouth.

  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$2,077
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 7 Days Queenstown to Wellington 6 Destinations
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.

Great for:
  • Animal Lovers
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $224

This tour visits Queenstown, Mount Cook, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Picton, and Wellington.

  • Wildlife
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$1,569
on TourRadar

Organized by Discover New Zealand 9 Days Auckland to Christchurch 5 Destinations
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Independence: immerse yourself in the culture with self guided travel.

Great for:
  • Animal Lovers
  • Culture Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 2 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $224

This tour visits Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, and Christchurch.

  • Wildlife
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Self-Guided

By Discover New Zealand
Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.



$2,017
on TourRadar

Organized by Australia and New Zealand Travel Company 14 Days Queenstown to Auckland 7 Destinations
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Great for History Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 8 to 74
Maximum Group Size: 45
Price per Day: $212

This tour visits Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef, Greymouth, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland.

  • Historical
  • Self Drive
  • Partially Guided

By Australia and New Zealand Travel Company
Focusing on Australia and New Zealand, Australia and New Zealand Travel Company is a smaller tour company providing a more personal service to customers. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.



$2,967
on TourRadar

Why does the Pacific appeal to self-driving visitors?

The Pacific's scenic routes and varied attractions make it a perfect destination for self-drive tours. Exploring at your own pace allows stops at charming towns, wilderness areas, and smaller interesting spots that you come across along the way. Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is known for its natural beauty and its spiritual and sacred significance in the Anangu culture. Queenstown, Gold Coast, and Cairns are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. The well-maintained roads and breathtaking landscapes create an unforgettable driving experience.

Pacific


How much do self drive tours in the Pacific cost?

The average daily price of Self Drive Tours in the Pacific is $191 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Self Drive Tours in the Pacific here.


We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.




$191
Average Price Per Day
7
Tours Analyzed
4.3
Average Rating
3
Tour Companies
16
Average Group Size

Which Tour Companies Offer Self Drive Tours?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer self drive tours in the Pacific. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.

Discover New Zealand

Discover New Zealand is a smaller tour company that focuses on New Zealand. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.

See All Tours from Discover New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand Travel Company

Focusing on Australia and New Zealand, Australia and New Zealand Travel Company is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.

See All Tours from Australia and New Zealand Travel Company


Self Drive Destinations in the Pacific

Wondering where self drive tours visit in the Pacific? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand's South Island. It's a nice city with amazing hikes and biking trails. There are beautiful outdoor spaces, parks, and gardens. Many visitors enjoy the city's rich English heritage, and punting along the Avon River is a favorite activity.

Queenstown

Queenstown is located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu near the Southern Alps in New Zealand. It is a high adventure destination with many activities for thrill seekers. There are also vineyards in the area, bungee jumping, and world class hikes. Whether you want to enjoy skiing in the winter or boating in the summer, there is no shortage of activities here.

Wellington

Wellington is the small and vibrant capital city of New Zealand. It's located on the southern end of the North Island, and many visitors pass through it on their way from one island to the other. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and there are many beaches in the area.

Auckland

Auckland is a waterfront city that is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand. It's spread out between the Manukau Harbour and the Waitemata Harbour, and there's a compact city centre with a number of landmarks and attractions. For many visitors, it's the point of arrival or departure to the country.

More

Other popular destinations for self drive tours through the Pacific include Greymouth, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Townsville, and Rainbow Beach.


Which is cheaper?

Are guided self drive tours more expensive than independent travel? It depends. Tours typically bundle accommodations, transportation, meals, tickets, guides, and activities into one price, while independent travel requires paying for these elements separately. To understand the cost difference, compare the total price of a tour with the estimated cost of handling all arrangements yourself. Personal preferences, like staying in budget accommodations or dining at upscale restaurants, could tip the balance either way. Always check what's covered in the tour to make an informed comparison.

Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.

More Tour Options

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to the Pacific, The Best Wildlife Tours to the Pacific, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in the Pacific, The Best Historical Tours in the Pacific, The Best 10-Day Tours in the Pacific, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in the Pacific, The Best 3-Day Tours in the Pacific, The Best 2-Week Tours in the Pacific, The Best 3-Week Tours in the Pacific, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in the Pacific, The Best Extended Trip Tours in the Pacific, One Month or Longer, The Best Bicycle Tours in the Pacific, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in the Pacific, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in the Pacific, The Best Overlanding Trips in the Pacific, The Best Coach Bus Tours in the Pacific, The Best Adventure Tours to the Pacific, The Best Eco Tours in the Pacific, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in the Pacific, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in the Pacific, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in the Pacific, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in the Pacific, The Best Sightseeing Tours in the Pacific, The Best Cultural Tours in the Pacific, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in the Pacific, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in the Pacific, The Tours for Animal Lovers in the Pacific, The Best Volunteering Tours in the Pacific, The Best Photography Tours in the Pacific, The Best Camping Tours in the Pacific, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in the Pacific, The Best Safaris in the Pacific, The Best Walking Tours in the Pacific, The Best Honeymoon Tours in the Pacific, The Best Tours Under $1000 in the Pacific, The Best Luxury Tours to the Pacific, The Best Budget Tours to the Pacific, The Best Tours for Seniors to the Pacific, The Best Contiki Tours to the Pacific, or The Best G Adventures Tours to the Pacific for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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