Journey Beyond highlights luxury train travel through Australia

The lure of train travel during a vacation is strong for many Canadians, and they can now consider some new rail tour options in Australia.

Those that want to maximize their train journey experience can choose from amongst three rail tour services that crisscross the nation. These are the east-to-west Indian Pacific, the coastal north-to-south Great Southern and the famous north-to-south continental interior Ghan. The Ghan explores the centre of the country on a journey between Darwin and Adelaide, with a mid-way stop in Alice Springs.

The Great Southern operates along Australia’s east and southern coast between Brisbane and Adelaide, visiting Sydney and Melbourne enroute. And the Indian Pacific traverses the nation from Perth to Sydney, with a side trip option to Adelaide in South Australia.

Get to know Journey Beyond

Top tier Australian vacation supplier Journey Beyond came to Vancouver recently for an exclusive lunch with a chosen few local Australia travel retail specialists. Journey Beyond’s business development manager for the Americas, Josh Basir was joined by Ernst Flach, regional director Americas for the South Australian Tourism Commission; and Gustavo Inciarte, the western Canada account manager for Tourism Australia, for the meeting with the local travel advisors.

 Journey Beyond markets the three rail-based journeys, and Basir told the agents about a luxurious option that will soon be available for booking on any of those train services. 

That is, those with a generous travel budget can consider booking an Australis Suite, which is called “the most luxurious suite in Australian train travel.” It features a separate bedroom with a fixed queen-sized bed, full lounge set, personal bar, an en suite with double vanity and premium amenities, plus a writing desk, wardrobe and lots of room to host friends and family. It also comes with a range of exclusive off-train experiences, private chauffeur for arrival and departure and unlimited luggage allowance

Only slightly less opulent is the Aurora Suite, which has many of the same features but is just a bit smaller. The two suites fit one rail car, and these will go into service in April 2026. 

Monarto Safari Resort 

Once off the train of their choice, guests can consider accommodation options such as a new resort that is set open in a giant safari park near Adelaide, housing hundreds of creatures.

The Monarto Safari Resort will soon open in the Monarto Safari Park, located about 70 km. from Adelaide. It is the largest zoo in Australia and the largest safari park for wild animals outside of Africa. It provides roaming space (1,500 hectares) for over 500 animals, representing more than 50 species, and focusing on native African creatures. Visitors can expect to see some of the world’s most iconic species, such as southern white rhinos, cheetahs, hippos, zebras and giraffes.

 Journey Beyond will manage and operate the Monarto Safari Resort, which will open its doors to the public on May 28 this year. Guests will be able to view native and exotic animals within metres of their rooms at the luxury resort. The property features 78 hotel guest rooms and 20 luxury tents in the safari lodge, a world-class spa, two swimming pools as well as conference, function and restaurant spaces. 

Visitors will also be able to enjoy unique and private tours, including bespoke experiences onboard custom-made safari vehicles, and sundowner drinks/canapes while watching the free roaming animals.

Underwater accommodations

 A more unusual room with a view of nature can be booked in the Whitsundays, a sub-tropical group of islands on the Great Barrier Reef. There, the Reefworld Pontoon by Cruise Whitsundays offers stays in rooms that reside below the surface of the sea. These two refurbished Reefsuites on the Hardy Reef have panoramic picture windows for walls, allowing guests to observe the abundant marine life at their leisure in the comfort of their under seas quarters.

Highlights of a visit include a scenic cruise through the Whitsunday Islands, two full days of activities on the Reefworld Pontoon, one night of luxury underwater accommodations, all meals, including morning and afternoon teas and all drinks including beer and wine. journeybeyond.com