Grand Pacific Tour Reviews
The 253 Grand Pacific Tour reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have traveled with Grand Pacific. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
The 253 Grand Pacific Tour reviews listed below are from past clients of Global Journeys that have traveled with Grand Pacific. Each review has been individually verified by our team.
A trip of two halves, I dont mean the Islands 5
Signature Showcase
Peter & Helen, NSW, Australia, Nov 2019
Kauri Museum, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, optional trip to Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach, Lord of the Rings Movie set and dinner at Walter Peak Station would be the highlights. We missed going to Milford Sound the road was closed due to snow fall and possible avalanche. The drivers provided information about New Zealand which was different. Kev our North read more Island driver did a great job, he enjoyed a chat. The South Island driver was informative but lacked a bit of the personal touch. He didn’t mix with us much at all, he handled the coach OK. The coach was not cleaned while travelling in the South Island. Some stops were very rushed, others were longer than needed. We did not have much opportunity to appreciate some of the beautiful scenery i.e. no photo stops.
The accommodation was great, although a couple of the places were a bit tired and some up to three kilometres from town e.g. Queenstown. Showers over the bath make it difficult for people with limited mobility. The quality of meals generally were of a good standard although a little repetitive, being a roast meal most nights, everyone really looked forward to the nights we had a-la-carte menus. The coach was not equipped with Wi-Fi. Would suggest future travellers to New Zealand thoroughly research other operators before signing with Grand Pacific. Thanks to Yvonne for professionally organising our travel yet again with Global Journeys.
The accommodation was great, although a couple of the places were a bit tired and some up to three kilometres from town e.g. Queenstown. Showers over the bath make it difficult for people with limited mobility. The quality of meals generally were of a good standard although a little repetitive, being a roast meal most nights, everyone really looked forward to the nights we had a-la-carte menus. The coach was not equipped with Wi-Fi. Would suggest future travellers to New Zealand thoroughly research other operators before signing with Grand Pacific. Thanks to Yvonne for professionally organising our travel yet again with Global Journeys.
I booked my tour with Hannah from Global Journeys. This is my third tour that I have booked with them and Hannah. Hannah is brilliant. Always professional and nothing is too much trouble. Hannah communicated with me throughout the entire booking process and ensured that I had everything in order to ensure smooth travelling. Everything was so well organised read more and I cannot recommend Hannah and Global Journeys enough.
The tour started in Christchurch and I was met by a host from Grand Pacific at the airport to transfer me to the hotel. That was probably the last time that I handled my bag for any great length of time because throughout the tour bags were picked up from outside your room on day of departure and delivered to your rooms on arrival at your next destination. Being a small group tour was so nice as you actually got to know individuals well throughout the tour. The group was amazing and everyone really got along well. I was the only solo traveller on this tour but was made to feel very much part of the group. Everyone was so welcoming - wouldn't hesitate to go on another tour with this amazing group again.
Our coach driver and tour captain Linda was brilliant. Always felt very safe with Linda at the helm. Driving and commentating didn't appear to phase Linda and her stories were always informative and set the scene for the next stop on the tour. All this with a warm and engaging personality. Linda is a real treasure. The coach is state of the art! Everyone had their own seat with a private side table to plug in your electronic devices etc and with full view windows which made for very comfortable touring.
The tour itself was pretty fast paced particularly when you consider that in 16 days we did the South and North islands. The South Island is so scenic - the landscape is breathtaking and awe inspiring. You would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world like the South Island of New Zealand. The North Island appears to have a more cultural feel with most of the Maori population residing there. What beautiful stories they have about how New Zealand evolved - so rich in history. Some more two night stays on the South Island would have been great!
The hotels we stayed in were mostly of a very very high standard with only two hotels if I am honest not in keeping with the standard that the others provided or would be expected from a tour such as this, but with little time spent in the room this was manageable. Food on the tour was plentiful - oh how plentiful. No one went hungry and with buffet breakfasts and several selections to choose from when dining at the hotels in the evening everyone was catered for. The meals were always very nice. The special dinners included which were not provided by the hotels were fantastic.
The optional extras on the tour was a little lacking in some ways. There was little in the way of physical exercise - for eg: hiking, bicycle riding! There were many optional extras whereby scenic flights/helicopter rides were offered. Speed boat trips also. The other optional extras were less inspiring and could be reviewed. Overall this tour was the entree to a main meal! We just got a taste of New Zealand and I'm sure many of us will be back.
The tour started in Christchurch and I was met by a host from Grand Pacific at the airport to transfer me to the hotel. That was probably the last time that I handled my bag for any great length of time because throughout the tour bags were picked up from outside your room on day of departure and delivered to your rooms on arrival at your next destination. Being a small group tour was so nice as you actually got to know individuals well throughout the tour. The group was amazing and everyone really got along well. I was the only solo traveller on this tour but was made to feel very much part of the group. Everyone was so welcoming - wouldn't hesitate to go on another tour with this amazing group again.
Our coach driver and tour captain Linda was brilliant. Always felt very safe with Linda at the helm. Driving and commentating didn't appear to phase Linda and her stories were always informative and set the scene for the next stop on the tour. All this with a warm and engaging personality. Linda is a real treasure. The coach is state of the art! Everyone had their own seat with a private side table to plug in your electronic devices etc and with full view windows which made for very comfortable touring.
The tour itself was pretty fast paced particularly when you consider that in 16 days we did the South and North islands. The South Island is so scenic - the landscape is breathtaking and awe inspiring. You would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world like the South Island of New Zealand. The North Island appears to have a more cultural feel with most of the Maori population residing there. What beautiful stories they have about how New Zealand evolved - so rich in history. Some more two night stays on the South Island would have been great!
The hotels we stayed in were mostly of a very very high standard with only two hotels if I am honest not in keeping with the standard that the others provided or would be expected from a tour such as this, but with little time spent in the room this was manageable. Food on the tour was plentiful - oh how plentiful. No one went hungry and with buffet breakfasts and several selections to choose from when dining at the hotels in the evening everyone was catered for. The meals were always very nice. The special dinners included which were not provided by the hotels were fantastic.
The optional extras on the tour was a little lacking in some ways. There was little in the way of physical exercise - for eg: hiking, bicycle riding! There were many optional extras whereby scenic flights/helicopter rides were offered. Speed boat trips also. The other optional extras were less inspiring and could be reviewed. Overall this tour was the entree to a main meal! We just got a taste of New Zealand and I'm sure many of us will be back.
NZ Cruise and Coach 2
Neil & Florence, WA, Australia, Oct 2019
Generally speaking very good but could improve. Some suggestions would be: 1. Have the coach trip first followed by a cruise to Sydney. The daily exercise of getting up early, breakfast, board bus, becomes exhausting after a while and it would be nice to relax on the ship to recover. 2. The farewell dinner (called an SD) was probably the worst dinner read more of the trip. That hotel needs to lift its game. 3. On the included flight from Auckland to Perth it would be nice to have the option to fly business class. We were lucky and there was 2 seats left so we upgraded but having spare capacity is not assured on all flights. 4. For some unknown reason the ship food was of poor quality at first but then improved significantly after leaving Hobart. Was there a crew change?
South and North Island New Zealand 3
Signature South Island Solo Travellers
Veronica, QLD, Australia, Oct 2019
Jodie at Global Journeys helped book my tour - 16 days in New Zealand. I joined other solo travellers and we all chatted and shared experiences - you never felt alone yet were able to often do your own thing as well. A totally amazing trip - every day an experience never to be forgotten. The South Island was just a WOW experience - I took a fixed wing read more flight over the Southern Alps and flew over Mount Cook, an awesome flight. We were blessed with the weather and even enjoyed snow on the trip to Milford Sound. Kerrie the Grand Pacific tour guide ensured we had a fun trip as did both the drivers Geoff and John - and all gave interesting information. The North Island was gorgeous as well. The hotel staff looked after us at each place. You will never go hungry as the food was very good and plentiful - I still dream of the ice cream! If you have never been to New Zealand join a Grand Pacific Tour and go - and if you have been go again!
We would happily travel with Grand Pacific again and would definitely recommend them highly. Our coach driver did the commentary and he was extremely knowledgeable and humourous too. Our tour guide worked tirelessly organising us all and rounding us up when required. We were very lucky to have a small group of 23 passengers on a 48 seater coach which read more made it very comfortable for travelling with room to spread out. My only complaints about the trip was that perhaps the company tried to actually cram in too many inclusions. It made our moments of free time quite limited. The only thing I didn't really enjoy was the Agrodome which I found very circus like and amateurish, but that is just an opinion. The scenery was beautiful everywhere we went and the weather was ideal.
I would highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a great tour of New Zealand. Our tour guide and drivers were amazing, with a great deal of knowledge about all the places we visited. This is the third trip I have booked through Global Journeys and have had the same fantastic service every time. Georgie has been great every time and nothing has been too much trouble.
It was a very well organised holiday by Grand Pacific, I would recommend this operator. It was good weather most of the places, only in Milford Sound it was raining and we missed stunning views of the fiordland. Our Tour Guide, Raewyn Moors, was very friendly and took care of everyone. Coach Captains Andrew Brown and Kavin O'connell were good at driving read more as well as in their commentary. About accommodations it could have been a little better in Bay of Islands (facing the sea was better as we stayed 2 nights). Food was good for non vegetarians, for me as vegetarian I had problems in Ibis, Wellington, Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua. Passengers were very nice and cooperative. Overall it was a very nice and memorable holiday we had.
Excellent tour through New Zealand by Coach, Train and Boat 1
Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach
Bruce, VIC, Australia, Oct 2019
Booked our Grand Pacific 19 day tour through Global Journeys (a first for us who usually like to do it ourselves)! The whole experience from booking through to the holiday and return was simple and worry free. Amazing job by Global Journeys who never once balked at all my questions!! (Joke, they were excellent). The Grand Pacific tour was excellent, read more well run with great food and accommodation. While the pace was full on we loved every minute of our trip. Our highlight being the helicopter flight to land on the Glacier from Franz Josef. Blessed with a great morning.
Loved it! 10 days on the South Island and 6 days on the North Island, all done with Grand Pacific Tours. Our coach driver, Chris, was a gem - an experienced driver with a conversational style of narrative that made the journey fun. A couple of days were on the longish side but overall, it was a well-paced coach tour. Meals were great, accommodation read more was great, and the included excursions were good too. The Gallipoli Exhibit at the museum, in particular, was an eye-opener. We missed out on optional helicopter flight at Fox Glacier due to weather but did one over the Bay Of Islands later on to make up for it. Everywhere you look is beautiful in terms of scenery. Try the Thunder Trike ride (350 Chev V8 motor in it) at Bay of Islands; it's a real hoot!
Very happy with booking the trip with Global Journeys. No hitches at all. Too easy... We enjoyed the New Zealand trip very much. Very professional tour company. Comfortable coach, good crew. Accommodation super and food very well catered. Plenty of sightseeing options and much included in package.
19 Day Ultimate Small Group New Zealand Trip 3
Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach
Joy & Ed, QLD, Australia, Oct 2019
We have just returned from a Business Class on Wheels NZ holiday which was fantastic. The coach was extremely comfortable. Accommodation was very good but do tell them on booking that you want a separate shower as many of the hotels just have a shower over the bath and no hand rails. Highlight was certainly Doubtful Sound. Unfortunately we were rained read more out in Bay of Islands and didn't get to see the Hole in the Rock. Having only 20 on the trip made the whole experience great. Would certainly recommend.
Comfortable coach while travelling beautiful New Zealand 2
Ultimate Highlights
Carleen & Russell, TAS, Australia, Sep 2019
Accommodation was very good, especially The George in Christchurch. Te Anau is a long way out of the way, but was a peaceful spot and I had a wonderful, much needed massage there. Fantastic landscape in the South Island. Rotorua was fantastic... great local guides and the luge ride is a must. The cultural evening was terrific. Bay of Islands - a long read more awaited treat. Time in Auckland was limited. Very early starts every day; long days on the coach mostly. Pace was a bit fast. 4,000 kms over 14 days. Itinerary - it would be very helpful if the hotels with laundry facilities were outlined. Driver had to be tour director as well, which was a lot of work for him to cover.
A well organised, well paced comprehensive tour of both the north and south islands of New Zealand. The tour included a lot of highlights and opportunity to do a number of optional tours. We had a great tour.
Grand Pacific Tour of North and South New Zealand 2
Signature Highlights
Margaret Booker, VIC, Australia, Sep 2019
Wally & I have thoroughly enjoyed our Grand Pacific Tour of the North & South Island of New Zealand. We have seen so many beautiful places. The snow capped mountains of the South Island were amazing. We enjoyed our trip to Milford Sound. The snow capped Remarkables in Queenstown were so incredible. We enjoyed the gondola ride to the restaurant and viewing read more area. We watched the paragliders working their way through the thermals. It looked fantastic. In Rotorua we enjoyed a Maori hangi feast and concert. I was asked to go up on stage and get involved with the Maori ladies. It was a fun time for all. A good cross cultural experience. We also went to a Maori museum. Our tour guide was a very knowledgeable lady who told us a lot about her culture. The geysers were very active at the time of our visit. We had 2 very good coach drivers. One in the North Island and the other in the South Island. Our tour guide was the best. We have lovely photos and great memories.
Fantastic trip all around. From the easy booking with Jemma at Global Journeys, no question was too stupid! The bus tour with Grand Pacific Tours was exceptional. The care & consideration of all of their staff was A1. The bus drivers Murray & John were the best you could ask for, their expertise and driving skills were second to none & their local knowledge read more and entertaining banter was great. Tour guide Kerrie was fantastic & she went over & beyond what was expected to make sure everyone was looked after & happy, always had “plan b, c & d" ready in case they were needed. The accommodation was first rate & the meals provided were all good. I would travel with Grand Pacific again without any hesitation. Loved, loved, loved the whole trip.
The North Island delighted and informed us with visits to Auckland, the Geysers near Rotorua, the Maori cultural centre there, the site of the signing of the Waitangi Treaty, the Bay of Isles, Napier and Wellington. Driving through varied and beautiful countryside, all interesting. The South Island was impressive with its snow peaked mountains, the read more difference between west and east coasts, Queenstown, a cruise on Milford Sound in the rain, snow leaving the mountains near Mt Cook, a jet boat tour of Haast River. Wonderful memories. We had packed warm clothing and wet weather gear and needed it. We were early in the season, a month later might have been better. But then we would not have seen all those spring lambs and calves.
Grand Pacific Ultimate Journey of New Zealand 1
Ultimate Showcase
Kenneth , QLD, Australia, Sep 2019
An excellent way to see New Zealand in business class comfort. Grand Pacific Tours 20 seat touring coach was very easy to use and provided excellent viewing of the passing countryside. Their seat rotation policy worked very well. Be aware that some time was taken visiting sites that were a waste of time such as Fox Glacier. There was nothing to see read more as the glacier itself has retreated so far that you need a high power telescope to see it. However, the overall mix of activities suited the majority of the 20 people on this tour. We travelled 4120 km and saw both the North and South Islands of NZ.
Tour was well planned. Bus was very good. Hotel accommodation and food was very nice. Overall good value for money.
Thoroughly enjoyable Affordable South Island 1
Signature South Island
Sharyn & Sam, SA, Australia, May 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable tour. Tour guide Peter organised us really well, everyone was on time for early morning departures and back on the coach at prearranged times when we stopped to see the sights. Our coach driver Peter was excellent, did an amazing job around all those windy roads! He was a local and had great knowledge of the South Island and pointed read more out the sights as we travelled. No hesitation in recommending Grand Pacific Tours.
Global Journeys booked my tour of New Zealand and I travelled with Grand Pacific Tours. Excellent drivers for South and North Islands and one continuous tour guide. Drivers were full of information about their country and were willing to detour if time and weather permitted. The tour guide was available to any request and obliged where practical, no read more complaints whatsoever about Grand Pacific Tours (GPT). No hiccups with my booking including airfares, transfers, all was great. Would definitely recommend and use for the future.
I had wanted to travel New Zealand for many years, but my husband wasn't interested, so I took the plunge and booked as a solo traveller and found it very easy and would not hesitate to travel like this again. Had a wonderful time, met some lovely and interesting people. Great holiday.
I had wanted to travel New Zealand for many years, but my husband wasn't interested, so I took the plunge and booked as a solo traveller and found it very easy and would not hesitate to travel like this again. Had a wonderful time, met some lovely and interesting people. Great holiday.
