Home > Compare Tour & Adventure Operators > AAT Kings vs Grand Pacific
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
76
No. of Departures
4,249
Avg. Trip Length
9 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$523
Accommodation
3.5 - 4 Star
Budget
Affordable & Premium
Trip Styles Coach ToursShort BreaksCity Breaks
No. of Trips
28
No. of Departures
316
Avg. Trip Length
14 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$571
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
Chose this tour specifically for Floriade but was so much more. Our driver/director was marvelous. Really enjoyed this short break to Canberra and surrounds. Great accomodation in great location. Have done a few trips with AAT Kings now and would recommend. Georgie from Global Journeys was helpful as ever.
The trip was very well organised with some many and varied places to see that we never heard of. Lots of kms - 4,831 but we had many of stops and in house commentary and documentaries by tour leader Carolyn - she really knew her stuff and has a sense of humor. Coach driver Rhys was a great asset and lots of fun. Could not fault the whole trip - accommodation ...read more was very good, some better than others considering some motels were mainly used for workers - we were comfortable at all times. Meals that were supplied were very good - would recommend this trip to anyone - and we are in our 70's! Hannah did a great job in organising the tour and was always there to answer initial questions - thank you!
Carolyn is excellent host with a wealth of knowledge who makes everyone comfortable yet brings home reality of Australia history. She entertained us with information and data on places and people. Carolyn is an excellent “people person’ and credit to the company. We especially appreciated birthday acknowledgement. One suggestion for future is Busselton ...read more jetty - would be good to do train on the jetty, or have enough time to take it.
Wow..what a great trip we have just enjoyed with AAT Kings, thanks to Hannah and her colleagues at Global Journeys. We met some wonderful people and were in the capable hands of two lovely young ladies..Anna and Ash. Too many highlights to mention, but on a very personal level, travelling along the Stuart Highway past the stations our son worked on ...read more as a teenager in 1998 comes to mind. Thanks for all your help. The trip of a lifetime.
Loved the trip. A bit rushed. Too many early mornings and long days. Would love it if it was more spread out. The accommodation was excellent. Food and drinks were great. Fellow travellers were exceptionally friendly. NT is one place you must see. We went from 16 deg to 35 deg. Tour director and bus driver kept everyone upbeat with funny ditties and ...read more jokes. Yes - I would recommend AAT Kings.
Itinerary was good. Accommodations and included meals were good. We had a knowledgeable tour director and a safe driver. This trip covered two UNESCO sites namely Kakadu National Park and Uluru National Park. I enjoyed the Field of Lights and the natural wonder of sunrise over Uluru.
4.6
The title of a well known song ‘Trains, and Boats and Planes’ has one missing element - Coach. Travelling the length of the North Island, across the strait, then the length of the South Island in a 20 seat Premium Coach was certainly an awesome and beautiful experience. Looking out with almost a 360 deg view enabled each passenger the opportunity to ...read more capture the natural, pristine and occasional rugged beauty of NZ. Coupled with a very efficient capable Coach Driver and Tour Guide made the journey an everlasting memorable adventure. We would certainly recommend this means of a NZ holiday offered by GPT that did include all modes of transport - planes, trains, boats and coach, and even walking/strolling. Booking the holiday through Global Journeys was a trouble free and efficient experience which comes highly recommended. All in all an EXCELLENT and everlasting holiday experience - thank you GJ and GPT.
This was our third coach trip with Grand Pacific having previously done both Islands on what was then called the mid range tour. Last year we completed the Ultimate Tour of the South Island and followed with the Ultimate Tour of the North Island this year. We have nothing but good to say in relation to our trips with Grand Pacific and would highly ...read more recommend either of the Ultimate Tours with a slight leaning towards the South Island. Having said that, our driver / guide (Megan Forrest) was outstanding and very professional & knowledgeable in all aspects. All included meals were of a very high standard. We as a group of 20 mixed very well with no complaints. The standard of vehicles for our pick up in Auckland and drop off in Wellington was 5 star. Our booking experience with Global Journeys was without a hitch and we would certainly use them again.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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