Journey Beyond Expands Across the Tasman With Grand Pacific Tours Acquisition
The acquisition gives advisors a one-stop shop for Australia–New Zealand itineraries.
Photo: Courtesy of Journey Beyond
Piecing together seamless Australia–New Zealand itineraries has long meant juggling multiple suppliers. That equation may soon change, as Journey Beyond has announced its plan to acquire Grand Pacific Tours, giving the operator its first foothold outside Australia and opening the door to cross-Tasman packaging under one umbrella.
Grand Pacific, founded in 1996 by Peter Harding, has become a market leader in inclusive New Zealand holidays. Its tours are structured around two clear tiers: the “Ultimate” program, capped at 20 travelers on business-class style coaches, and the “Signature” line, which uses 32-seat premium economy vehicles. More than 230 departures are already scheduled for the upcoming season.
The acquisition may open opportunities to package clients into a seamless Australasian experience under one umbrella. Journey Beyond already operates Australia’s flagship rail journeys—the Ghan, Indian Pacific, and Great Southern—alongside small-group expeditions through Outback Spirit. Adding New Zealand to the mix creates a potential one-stop shop for advisors piecing together extended itineraries across both countries, a perennial request among long-haul travelers.
“Like Grand Pacific Tours, Journey Beyond embodies an unwavering commitment to providing their customers with the very best experiences,” Harding said in a release, confirming he will stay on as executive general manager during the transition. His continuity, along with general manager Stacia Morris and the existing team, should reassure advisors that product knowledge and service standards remain intact.
From Journey Beyond’s perspective, the deal shores up its credentials as a broader experiential travel platform, not just a rail operator. “This marks an exciting next phase of growth for us—further expanding our offerings of immersive, authentic and unique tourism experiences into New Zealand,” said CEO Chris Tallent.
The acquisition also reflects a wider market trend: premium coach touring continues to hold its place even as FIT, private drivers, and bespoke small groups have gained ground. Clients who prefer structured, inclusive travel—especially retirees seeking comfort with minimal planning—will find the Grand Pacific product an easy match.
The challenge, and opportunity, will be in integration: Whether Journey Beyond positions its rail, outback, and now New Zealand touring businesses as a cohesive portfolio for trade partners, or keeps them siloed by brand. Either way, advisors can expect the cross-selling potential to grow as the group leans into a truly Australasian footprint.
