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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 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 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
84
No. of Departures
3,195
Avg. Trip Length
9 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$551
Accommodation
3.5 - 4 Star
Budget
Affordable & Premium
Trip Styles Coach ToursShort BreaksCity Breaks
Regions Explored AustraliaNew Zealand
No. of Trips
26
No. of Departures
188
Avg. Trip Length
13 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$544
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

AAT Kings
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
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

Loved the NZ experience     0 , NSW, Australia, Mar 2024
Loved the NZ experience. This Marvel tour includes lengthy periods of coach travel that I found more difficult than I expected. You are not provided with a detailed itinerary. Our stop at Arrowtown was for 30 minutes, 10 of those queued for the toilet. I had made a couple of bookings (one non transferable ) in Queenstown. The day before we were told ...read more of change of schedule. So free time is at their discretion. Other free time works around their optional experiences. Excellent driver with intelligent commentary. Tour director was hard to understand at times and talked to much about herself. We were given a one bed room in Auckland despite all other nights were twin ( as per booking ). Consider the additional costs of the optional recommended gratuity that you are reminded about.
Great Trip   0 , WA, Australia, Feb 2024
Enjoyed the trip. The planning with Georgie was easy. Our travel director and driver were excellent - the commentary gave so much detail about the history of Tasmania and the trip allowed enough time to explore the places we stopped in. I always felt very safe with our driver at the wheel even over the steepest, winding roads. My only complaint was ...read more that not enough spaces were allowed on the night animal spotting tour so most of us missed out.
South island 101   0 , New Zealand, Jan 2024
Maisie from Global Journeys made this trip possible in a very short time as I couldn't finalise things with the Operator quickly. This tour is great if you want a quick glance at all top spots of South island so that you can plan an extensive trip later to spots you liked.
Wonderful Tour   0 , QLD, Australia, Jan 2024
Very pleased with Hannah's service from wo to go organising the trip. The coach tour with AAT Kings was very enjoyable and value for money. The Tour Director and Driver were amazing and so helpful and knowledgeable. Accommodation was excellent although we were a bit disappointed in Launceston as the service wasn't quite up to Hobart's standard. Highlights ...read more of the trip were: Russell Falls, Strahan and Gordon River Cruise, Cradle Mountain, cable car at Cataract Gorge, lunch at Joseph Chromy winery, Bicheno, views at Freycinet National Park and of course the Cruise and lunch at Wineglass Bay and Port Arthur. There were too many highlights to mention as Tassie has so much beautiful scenery and photo opportunities.
The perfect getaway.     0 , NSW, Australia, Jan 2024
I enjoyed this trip so much. It was so easy as always dealing with Global Journeys. I have been on a few trips through them now and will certainly use them again. I always feel in good hands with Georgie. The trip was well paced, amazing places visited, the scenery stunning. The Trans Alpine train and Milford Sound cruise were my highlights. Great group ...read more of like minded people, good weather. If you are considering visiting NZ South Island just go! You won't regret it.
New Zealand Coach Tour   2 , AZ, United States, Nov 2023
Global Journeys handled our every need and question! This trip was one of the best I've experienced. AAT Kings provided an excellent tour guide, and I couldn't believe the skills of the bus drivers. Accommodations were perfect. I had a few suggestions for AAT Kings for future journeys: providing more information on the terrain on specific excursions; ...read more perhaps offering headphones for the hard of hearing; and providing name tags to ease getting acquainted with our fellow travelers.
Paying extra to do the Ultimate was well worth while.   2 , WA, Australia, Jan 2024
I’ve been back just over a week from my wonderful trip to NZ - & promised I’d let you know how my tour with Grand Pacific went. I think the words “amazing & fantastic” would cover it & I highly recommend this tour to anyone. Paying extra to do the Ultimate Tour was well worth while. Our driver & tour leader Lyndsay was excellent, very knowledgeable, ...read more organised & funny, & we knew exactly what we were doing & when we were doing it. His driving skills with that big, magnificent coach were superb!

Our hotels were of a very high standard (the best of them all being “Distinction Dunedin” - where we each had a suite of 3 rooms & our own washing machine & dryer!). The only complaint heard re our hotels was that a couple of the showers were over baths - which for access & safety reasons, were not favoured by some of the older travellers in our group. Our meals & choice of courses was wonderful - from our buffet breakfasts to our 3 course dinners each night, there was always a wonderful choice that showcased the very best of NZ food. I’m sure we all put on weight (& I’m very glad I packed some elastic waisted pants!!).

The itinerary was well paced & thought out, with so many of NZ’s main attractions & stunning scenery included & there was plenty of opportunity to do optional extras during free time. Having two night stays in some places was great & we always had regular opportunities to stretch our legs & use the loos when travelling. As with all group tours, I imagine the people you’re travelling with can make a huge difference to your enjoyment of it - & I was lucky to be blessed with a fantastic group of 19 other travellers from all around the globe. Everyone mixed, we all got on well, had many laughs & all watched out for each other, & as a first time older solo traveller (I lost my husband 2 years ago) - this really made my trip.

I do remember telling my husband some years back that you’d never ever find me on one of those “geriatric coach tours” - but things change, & I’ve now done it & absolutely loved it!! Only problem is that this tour has set the bar very high for any future tours I may do! Thanks so much for organising it for me Georgie.
Brilliant tour and exceptional company to book through   0 , SA, Australia, Jan 2024
Our coach catering for 32 passengers was the perfect size enabling true comfort throughout the tour. An enjoyable group of travelling companions. Hotels were comfortable but we were disappointed to encounter non stand-alone showers on a number of occasions. Standing inside a bath did not feel safe. We struck the lottery having Brenda as our tour guide ...read more and Alex as our driver. Nothing was too much effort and they are certainly wonderful ambassadors for the Company. We hope to travel with Global Journeys again and look forward to Tracey once again being our booking agent.
Fabulous Trip!     0 , CA, United States, Jan 2024
Everything about this trip was fabulous. The tour operator (Linda with Grand Pacific), the accommodations, the food, and that amazing luxury coach! All of the locations were breathtaking. We met some wonderful people -- we all got along so well that we are all still in touch. We would love to tour with this company again. (GJ. Fantastic photo Pamela ...read more and Craig!)
Ultimate Highlights   0 , VIC, Australia, Sep 2023
Excellent trip, well looked after by Global Journeys then could not fault Grand Pacific Tours for our tour. All that was mapped out for us happened without any issues. Would recommend to any persons wishing to holiday, especially to New Zealand.
Holiday of a life time   1 , WA, Australia, Sep 2023
We booked a tour with Grad Pacific tours through Hannah at Global Journeys and it was luxury all the way on an ultimate New Zealand small group touring coach and it was the best holiday we have ever had. We did not want to come home and We will be going again next year as All the people we travelled with were great to get along with and every person ...read more organizing the tours were very professional.
19 Day Signature tour New Zealand   1 , QLD, Australia, Apr 2023
I travelled with my friend to NZ for this tour of both the North and South islands. It was a wonderful holiday and very well organised. The Tour Leader Jo Moore and Coach Captain Andrew Brown were exceptional. The inclusion of two day stays scattered through the tour was welcomed. I was getting a bit over the daily pack/unpack/wake-up calls and bags ...read more out. The accommodation was very good. All in all it was a fabulous holiday and I would thoroughly recommend Grand Pacific Tours.

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