Journey Beyond’s new Aurora and Australis suites are now on track in Australia
Earlier this week Journey Beyond debuted its all-inclusive Aurora and Australis Suites, redefining luxury rail travel in Australia. The suites officially took to the tracks for the first time on April 4th aboard the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney. The new suites represent the most significant evolution of Journey Beyond’s onboard rail offering.
“The debut of the Aurora Australis Suites represents a new chapter for Journey Beyond and for luxury travel in Australia,” said Chris Tallent, CEO of Journey Beyond. “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.”
Notably, traveller response for the suites has already been beyond strong, with 95 per cent of departures sold out for the 2026 season, and 2027 departures now open for booking. The design and interiors were created by global design firm Woods Bagot, blending the elegance of Art Deco rail heritage with materials inspired by the Australian landscape.
“The luxury interiors are characterized by an artisanal, heritage-driven approach to detail and meticulous craftsmanship,” says Woods Bagot director Rosina 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.”
Clients travelling in the Aurora and Australis suites can expect 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.
Beyond the train, suite guests will also experience elevated Off Train Experiences designed exclusively for the Australis and Aurora suites. On the Indian Pacific, guests travelling eastbound will experience Kalgoorlie Golden Horizons, combining a visit to historic Paddy Hannan’s Mine with a scenic flight over the vast Super Pit. Westbound guests will enjoy Mount Lofty Sips and Summits, an elegant evening in the Adelaide Hills featuring South Australian wines and a dinner at the acclaimed Hardy’s Verandah restaurant.
On The Ghan, suite guests travelling northbound will experience a Katherine Gorge Grand Flight, soaring 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 iconic sites including Mutitjulu Waterhole.
Following their debut on the Indian Pacific, the Aurora and Australis suites will also join The Ghan and Great Southern during their seasonal journeys.
To experience the Aurora Australis Suites, fares start from US$11,700 p.p. for the Australis Suite and US$7,800 p.p. for the Aurora Suite for a three-day journey on The Indian Pacific.
