Journey Beyond has introduced its Aurora and Australis Suites as part of its Australian luxury rail offering. The suites debuted on April 4 aboard the Indian Pacific, departing Perth, and were scheduled to arrive in Sydney on April 8, 2026.
Representing the evolution of Journey Beyond’s onboard rail offering, the Australis Suite and Aurora Suite introduce an unprecedented level of space, design and service to Australia’s iconic rail journeys.
Chris Tallent, CEO of Journey Beyond, said the launch marks a defining moment for Australian experiential travel.
“The debut of the Aurora Australis Suites represents a new chapter for Journey Beyond and for luxury travel in Australia. Our iconic trains have long connected guests with some of the country’s most extraordinary landscapes, and these suites elevate that experience to an entirely new level. They offer guests a private sanctuary on board, a place to unwind and fully immerse themselves in the journey across this remarkable continent,” Tallent said.
Traveler response for the suites has been exceptional, with 95 percent of departures sold out for the 2026 season, and 2027 departures now open for booking.
The design and interiors were created by the global design firm Woods Bagot, blending Art Deco rail heritage with materials inspired by the Australian landscape.
Woods Bagot Director Rosina Di Maria said the design references Australia’s pastoral history, acknowledging the contributions of wool and leather merchants. “The luxury interiors are characterised by an artisanal, heritage-driven approach to detail and meticulous craftsmanship,” said Di Maria. “Featuring a palette of decorative timber, stone surfaces, and accents of sheepskin and leather, the interiors create a rich and layered experience that reflects both heritage and landscape.”
(Journey Beyond)
Guests traveling in the Aurora Australis Suites will enjoy personalized butler service, private in-suite dining, a curated in-room bar tailored to guest preferences and Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année served throughout the journey. On their first evening aboard, suite guests will be welcomed with an indulgent dining experience, showcasing Australian ingredients including tuna tartare, Kangaroo Island lobster tail and premium Wagyu beef.
Suite guests will also enjoy elevated Off Train Experiences designed exclusively for the Australis and Aurora Suites.
On the Indian Pacific, guests traveling eastbound will experience Kalgoorlie Golden Horizons, combining a visit to historic Paddy Hannan’s Mine with a flight over the vast Super Pit. Westbound guests will enjoy Mount Lofty Sips and Summits, an evening in the Adelaide Hills featuring South Australian wines and a dinner at Hardy’s Verandah restaurant.
On The Ghan, suite guests traveling northbound will experience a Katherine Gorge Grand Flight in a helicopter above all 13 gorges of Nitmiluk National Park before landing for a private champagne moment in the outback. Guests travelling on the southbound Ghan will journey by charter flight to Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park for a private champagne lunch and guided exploration of sites including Mutitjulu Waterhole.
Following their debut on the Indian Pacific, the Aurora Australis Suites will also join The Ghan and Great Southern during their seasonal journeys.
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