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AAT Kings vs Grand Pacific
Compare the travel styles, pricing, destinations and popularity of AAT Kings and Grand Pacific.The Low Down
AAT Kings have partnered with Global Journeys since our inception, and as a result we have an in-depth understanding of all their trips, through both Australia and New Zealand. Our team have journeyed with them on 9 tours through New Zealand, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. That close relationship also means we can deliver fantastic savings throughout the year. AAT King's core multi-day coach tours cater mainly for those over 55+, whilst their short breaks in the Northern Territory tend to attract a more diverse range of ages. All coaches are first class, and AAT Kings pride themselves on their tour guides - many of which have been with them for decades!
Grand Pacific are a little bit different - and enjoy sending more groups to New Zealand than any other Operator. Based in Melbourne, Grand Pacific's focus is solely on New Zealand, and it's this focus that allows them to massage their itineraries each season to continually improve and innovate. Grand Pacific were the first to introduce luxury small group tours (using specially designed business class coaches) as well as combined coach and cruise itineraries to New Zealand. In that regard many of the other Operators are in catch up mode. Catering for premium, affordable and luxury travellers there is something for everyone. At least one member of our team here at Global Journeys experiences touring with Grand Pacific first-hand every year, so just ask if you have any queries.
Stats
No. of Trips
91
No. of Departures
4,657
Avg. Trip Length
9 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$408
Accommodation
3.5 - 4.5 Star
Budget
Affordable & Premium
No. of Trips
26
No. of Departures
317
Avg. Trip Length
14 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$421
Accommodation
3.5 - 4 Star
Budget
Affordable & Premium
Regions Explored
New Zealand
In Their Own Words We asked the travel companies themselves why you should travel with them
Choosing AAT Kings for your Australia or New Zealand holiday guarantees you’ll benefit from the insider secrets, off-the-beaten-path destinations and authentic interactions with local characters that only 100 years of experience can provide. With over a hundred years’ experience in sharing Australia with our guests, AAT Kings holds exclusive access to some truly unique locations, secret trails and roads less travelled that add so much value to the overall travel experience.
At AAT Kings, our on-road staff are best in class. Our Travel Directors, Driver Guides and Drivers are hand-picked for their passion, experience, and enthusiasm for the spectacular countries we live in. There is truly no one better to share with you the best destinations across Australia and New Zealand. We have been perfecting our itineraries and products for over 100 years, so the benefits gained from travelling with us are unrivalled. With over 150 expertly crafted holiday itineraries to choose from, we offer something for everyone.
Grand Pacific Tours, the New Zealand Coach Holiday Specialist, provide a comprehensive range of all inclusive, value for money holidays offering a highly professional and personalised service to thousands of travellers every year. Taking a coach tour is the best way to make your holiday an unforgettable experience. From the time you arrive in New Zealand a friendly smile awaits.
As the market leader for New Zealand Coach Holidays, we have something for everyone! Travel in style on our Ultimate Small Group Touring series (maximum of 20 travellers) or our Signature Touring series (premium economy comfort on a full size coach with smaller group size of 32.) with itineraries to suit all budgets and interests. Choose from Signature; Cruise & Coach and Special Interest Tours, with over 200 guaranteed departures per year. We take care of it all leaving you to get on with creating incredible holiday memories!
Recent Reviews
4.5
Tour through the South of New Zealand 0
Southern Wonders
Leonardo and Francesca, Italy, Italy, Dec 2025
Booking on line with Global Journeys has been easy and very efficient, thanks to Tracey Standing helping us at every step of the procedure. The travel with AAT Kings has been enjoyable and well organized, inlcuded the comfort of the bus and the management of the bags, trhanks to the Travel Director Hope Horsley and the bus driver David. Lovely travellers. read more Good accomodations. Perhaps desirable some more stops to admire the scenery. We have appreciated vey much the option activities offered. We recommend the journey without any doubt.
I have done many bus tours in Australia and this was one of the best. I have also visited SA many times but had not spent a lot of time on the Eyre Peninsula. The, scenery, the places we visited, the experiences from Murphy's Haystack to visiting oyster farms, to having mouth watering food, were simply the best. The accommodation was good, the particular read more stand out was the hotel at Port Lincoln located on the waterfront. Liz our Tour Director was very professional in her management and organisational, along with her enthusiasm for the country side. Anthony the coach driver was as good as they come, there were no uneasy moments. Kings always do a great job. Well done.
Our Untamed Kimberley tour with AAT Kings was wonderful. Global Journeys made all the arrangements for us and responded quickly to all our enquiries.
Untamed Kimberley and West Coast with AAT Kings 1
Untamed Kimberley & West Coast Tour
John and Susan, FL, United States, Aug 2025
This was an incredible trip, a trip of a lifetime. It was a great time of year to go, leaving Darwin on 12 August 2025. We were lucky to have a very experienced Tour Manager as our guide the whole way. Carolyn was very familiar with the entire area, and knew many of the local guides and hotel managers personally. This was helpful for our optional trips. read more Our coach driver, Macca, was excellent. He washed the coach every day and kept our windows clean for great viewing from the coach. Everyone on this trip got on well with each other and we felt like a big family, helping each other if needed. The accommodations were excellent (even in remote areas), and the food delicious. Group dinners, when provided, were delicious and we could select from a few options for each course. Carolyn also made sure that those with special dietary needs were catered for each day. I was lucky to have Grace as my travel advisor at Global Journeys, and she kept on top of my bookings and transfers. It was a pleasure to work with her. Other travel agencies could not get me the AAT Kings discounts (like being a previous traveler with AAT Kings), so luckily I found Grace and she got them for me!
The tour was organised exceptionally well, I had a fantastic time. Thank you Georgie for all your help, you made it stress free. Loved the trip. A bit rushed. Too many early mornings and long days. Great way to see Central Australia. Coach driver and travel director were great, very knowledgeable. Thanks again Georgie.
Both tour guide and driver were great. Tour guide had great knowledge of everywhere we went. We saw amazing country and the billabong cruise was are highlight. The culture experiences were very interesting. The days were packed and a few of the walks were a bit difficult for some on the tour.
4.7
Awesome tour seeing key sites, worry free, knowledgeable friendly driver, steady itinerary 0
Ultimate South Island
CLWA, WA, Australia, Jan 2026
We booked this tour after a friend recommended Grand Pacific tours. Global Journeys and another vendor came up as the nominated booking agents, I reached out to both. I am so pleased I booked with Global Journeys. From my first interaction with Grace everything was effortless. Grace took the time to understand my travelling needs, my family composition read more and was upfront with what was included as well as what to expect. I live in regionally WA and Grace even arranged for our tour information and paperwork to arrive early given it was over the festive season and mail is slow where I live. It arrived in perfect time!
The tour Ultimate South Island of NZ was brilliant. We saw key highlights in all the areas, and had time to explore as well as plenty of optional tours available if we chose. We booked the helicopter flight over the glaciers and had the opportunity to land in and spend time in fresh snow. We also were lucky enough to see Mt Cook, the weather was favourable. The glow worm caves were another highlight, as was the jet boat experience. Our tour guide Dave was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. He grew up in Dunedin so was well versed in everything the South Island had to offer. The coach was incredibly comfortable and , and the hotels on point, everything was organised and effortless for us. Highly recommend Global Journeys and Grand Pacific, cannot wait to book our next trip!
The tour Ultimate South Island of NZ was brilliant. We saw key highlights in all the areas, and had time to explore as well as plenty of optional tours available if we chose. We booked the helicopter flight over the glaciers and had the opportunity to land in and spend time in fresh snow. We also were lucky enough to see Mt Cook, the weather was favourable. The glow worm caves were another highlight, as was the jet boat experience. Our tour guide Dave was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. He grew up in Dunedin so was well versed in everything the South Island had to offer. The coach was incredibly comfortable and , and the hotels on point, everything was organised and effortless for us. Highly recommend Global Journeys and Grand Pacific, cannot wait to book our next trip!
Our tour leader/driver Todd was fantastic. He had a great sense of humour who was able to entertain a bus full of Aussies. Todd made every effort to ensure everybody was able to visit the additional attractions they had nominated. The comfort on the coach was exceptional. Well paced covering both the North and South Island. Lots to see and do. All hotels read more were of a high standard and all meals provided allowed for every bodies diet requirements. Delicious! Highlight of the tour for us was landing in the snow.
Although this holiday was advertised as " luxury" I didn't expect too much. Boy! Was I wrong. All of the hotels were beautiful and had good rooms. The coach was luxurious. A full size coach but with 20 single seats each with its own console. Extra touches like a water bottle, headphones and mints. In addition to a toilet, a cold filtered water tap! read more Our cachdriver and tour guide (Chris) was friendly and knowledgeable. Travelling through the beautiful landscape was effortless, even the longer days. A well organised tour with a few minor Irritations( arriving at 8:30 am to find the museum closed). I would have loved to stay 2 nights in all the stops overs! A beautiful holiday.
Started with the wonderful smile of the meet and great at the Christchurch Airport at 12 am to the bag pick up and drop off, the well organized tours. The mazing tour Director- Vicki and our bus driver - Ben, Thank you. The helicopter landing on Franz Joseph Glacier. WOW. the crazy number of waterfalls in Milford Sound, the beautiful blue water and read more lakes, the buffet breakfast everyday and dinners, the great group of people and hospitality of the New Zealand people. OMG..
We absolutely loved our New Zealand holiday. The tour guide and leader were wonderful. A very comfortable coach. High quality hotels and meals right throughout the tour. We visited so many beautiful places. We highly recommend this tour.
Ultimate New Zealand tour was fantastic 1
Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach
Karen and Steven, Maryland, United States, Nov 2025
This tour was an excellent way to experience the amazing sights and features of New Zealand. The itinerary was a good balance of popular attractions and lesser-known areas. The coach was very comfortable, and our “coach captain” (driver/guide) was superb.
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