The AAT Kings Difference
Since 1912, AAT Kings as a tour operator has been helping people from all over the world discover and explore Australia and New Zealand from top to bottom. With a broad range of holiday options including Guided Tours, Short Breaks and Day Tours, AAT Kings are the holiday experts. You can relax in the comfort of knowing you’re in the best of hands. We've got over 100 years of experience in taking care of absolutely everything so that you can get on with creating great new memories.
At AAT Kings we strive to represent the very best that Australia and New Zealand have to offer. Our people are warm, friendly, engaged and enthusiastic. We love a laugh and a good story. We celebrate our great characters and our authentic personalities. We are always respectful, we deliver brilliant service and we are proud of our heritage and culture.
Our goal every day is to share Australia and New Zealand with our guests and to bring these two amazing countries to life.
Come and see Australia and New Zealand with us!
The AAT Kings Experience
Groups
If you’re planning a holiday with your local club, sporting team or just with a group of friends, AAT Kings and our specialist Group Sales team can help. Learn More
Convenient Hotel Pick-Ups
AAT Kings offers FREE pick-ups from a wide range of selected hotels when travelling on our Day Tours and Short Breaks. Refer to your chosen tour for all the details. Learn More
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
AAT Kings has a number of vehicles with wheelchair friendly fittings. Contact us to find out which locations and vehicles can be made available. Learn More
AAT Kings Cares
We encourages the sustainable development of tourism in partnership with the Treadright Foundation – a not-for-profit organisation established by The Travel Corporation. Learn More
AAT Kings Awards
2017 Tourism NT Brolga Award - Major Tour and Transport Operator
2017 Tourism NT Brolga Award – Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
2016 NSW Tourism Awards - Major Tour and Transport Operators - Hall of Fame
AAT Kings journey timeline
The AAT Kings family pioneered coach touring in Australia. Starting with self-drive car-hire in 7 seater vehicles in Sydney, we expanded to guided sightseeing tours. By the 1960s, the company, then known as AAT, had become Sydney’s largest tour operator and in the 1980s we teamed up with pioneering adventurer Bill King’s Northern Safaris, which ultimately led to the creation of what we know today as AAT Kings.
Pyke family, led by Colonel Pyke began the first daily route from Sydney to Blue Mountains.
1920s: Due to the success of this daily Blue Mountains venture, the Government intervened and the first bus tour operator license (Touring Vehicle 001) was assigned – this license is still held by AAT Kings.
1920s: Pyke family expanded, offering guided tours to Katoomba and Jenolan Caves in seven seater cars.
Pykes introduced 14 seater coaches to Katoomba & Jenolan Caves tours.
Grenda’s Bus service founded in October when George Grenda purchased four routes from Shaves Bus services in Dandenong.
Bill King launched Bill King’s Northern Safaris.
1973: Grenda’s Bus service purchased Blue Line Tourist Coaches Sydney.
1975: AAT Coachlines was formed in July by a TAA & Mayne Nickless joint venture with the purchase and amalgamation of Pykes Tours, Grenda's Melbourne coach operations & Grenda’s Blue Line Tourist Coaches Sydney.
1980: AAT Coachlines purchased Bill King's Northern Safaris in December & tours were operated as Bill King’s Australian Adventure Tours.
1983: AAT Coachlines was purchased by Mayer Page and Geoff McGeary, proprietors of Australian Pacific Touring (APT).
1984: AAT Kings was formed with amalgamation of Grand Central Tours, Bill King’s Australian Adventure Tours & AAT Coachlines (formed in 1975).
1985: Bill King parted ways with Page & McGeary in September.
1993: AAT & APT split in June, with Page taking control of AAT Kings and McGeary Australian Pacific Touring.
1997: AAT Kings was purchased by The Travel Corporation.
1999: AAT Kings began operations in New Zealand.
2012: AAT Kings purchased APT’s Day Tours & Short Breaks.
2013: AAT Kings in October undergoes significant rebranding, launching new focus and tagline “Bringing Australia & New Zealand to life”.
2014 (Aug): AAT Kings announced strategic investment in Down Under Tours, Cairns, opening a significant footprint in northern Queensland.
2014 (Nov): Off the back of a launch of first-of-their-kind glass roof coaches in Sydney, AAT Kings launches double decker ‘Sydney Sightseeing’ product in Sydney, the vehicles can cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge due to an innovative see-through roof.
Partnerships
Tread Right Foundation
Within Australia and New Zealand AAT Kings is proud to support a number of important projects with a particular focus on wildlife conservation.
The Travel Corportaion
AAT Kings is part of the family-run company The Travel Corporation, a highly successful international travel group with more than 25 award-winning brands.
Australia Zoo Hospital
AAT Kings, along with the TreadRight Foundation, partners with Australia Zoo to provide hundreds of koalas each year with a second chance at life in the wild.