Australian operator Journey Beyond is ramping up its UK strategy with new products, acquisitions and activity at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Speaking at a trade event today in London, Executive General Manager Alicia Triggs said the UK has become one of the operator’s most important international markets since the pandemic, with strong support from the travel trade helping the business ‘back to its feet’.
“The UK has really backed us and stuck with us, so we’re really leaning into the UK market,” she said.
UK guest numbers rose from 20,937 in 2023 to 50,986 in 2025. Excluding new products launched since 2023, the operator says UK growth was up 75% over the period, with ‘further opportunity in the market incredibly clear’.
It added it remains fully trade-only in the UK.
CEO Chris Tallent highlighted the ‘incredible support’ from the UK market and pointed to the ‘extraordinary pace of change over the past year.’
Its portfolio includes The Ghan and Indian Pacific railway, touring and experiential travel products across Australia.
New products being promoted by Journey Beyond include the Aurora Australis Suites aboard the Indian Pacific train, which travels between Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, introducing a new top-tier luxury category across its rail journeys.
The new suites, launched last year, boast larger private accommodation, premium interiors and enhanced onboard service, with the operator positioning the product among the world’s leading luxury rail experiences.
Journey Beyond has opened 2027 bookings across all its rail journeys, including the revamped northbound The Ghan, which has been extended from two nights to a new three-night, four-day itinerary. The updated journey includes a new dinner in South Australia wine country and a full day exploring the Flinders Ranges, bringing it in line with the southbound Ghan Expedition experience.
As part of its strategy to grow in the UK, Journey Beyond has created a stand at the Chelsea Flower Show called ‘Journey Beyond the Tracks: From Adelaide to Perth’, designed to showcase Australia to a global audience and highlight the experiences available across the country. Created in partnership with South Australian Tourism Commission and Tourism Western Australia, the garden showcases the iconic Indian Pacific rail journey linking Adelaide and Perth.
“We wanted to show the world why they should come to Australia,” Alicia explained.
The garden will be relocated to Longleat following the show, where it will sit in Koala Creek, home to Europe’s only southern koalas.
Journey Beyond is also investing $30 million to upgrade its Cruise Whitsundays Reefworld pontoon at Hardy Reef, one of the main access points to the Great Barrier Reef. From July 2026, Reefworld will no longer welcome day visitors and will operate exclusively as an overnight product for Reefsleep and Reefsuite guests, giving them sole use of the pontoon once day boats depart. The nearby Heart Pontoon will continue to operate from April 2026 as the dedicated base for day trips to the reef.
