Journey Beyond Expands Across Australia With Voyages Acquisition and SeaLink Tourism Deal
The experiential travel company adds Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre while signing an agreement to acquire SeaLink’s tourism operations across Australia.
Photo: Courtesy of Journey Beyond
Australia-based experiential travel company Journey Beyond has completed its acquisition of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia and separately entered into an agreement to acquire Kelsian Group’s SeaLink tourism portfolio, significantly expanding the company’s footprint across key destinations in Australia.
The completed Voyages acquisition brings two major operations into the Journey Beyond portfolio: Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara, located near Uluru in the Northern Territory, and the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Far North Queensland. Both properties are well-established gateways to some of Australia’s most visited natural and cultural landmarks.
The transaction follows a consultation process led by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) with Traditional Owners, including the Anangu of Yulara and the Kuku Yalanji of Mossman Gorge. The agreement forms part of a broader process aimed at returning the land at both sites to Community ownership.
For Journey Beyond, the addition introduces two culturally significant tourism assets into a portfolio already centered on destination-led experiences across Australia and New Zealand. The Adelaide-headquartered company operates a range of rail journeys, lodges, cruises, and adventure touring brands, including The Ghan, Indian Pacific, and Great Southern rail expeditions.
“This is an incredibly important and exciting moment for Journey Beyond. Voyages aligns perfectly with our purpose—to create amazing, connected and authentic experiences. Our ambition continues to bring together the most distinctive, experience-led brands that celebrate the very best of Australia’s and New Zealand’s landscapes and cultures,” said Chris Tallent, the CEO of Journey Beyond.
As part of the sale conditions, the Voyages corporate name will change to Voyages Tourism Australia. The update reflects the transition from ILSC ownership, although the company stated that its existing partnerships with First Nations communities and its focus on cultural tourism initiatives will continue. The National Indigenous Training Academy, which provides education and employment pathways in tourism for Indigenous Australians, will remain in operation.
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At the same time, Journey Beyond has also signed an agreement with Kelsian Group to acquire SeaLink’s tourism portfolio, which includes marine tourism and hospitality operations across several Australian destinations.
The proposed acquisition includes SeaLink and Captain Cook tourism operations in locations such as Sydney Harbour, Perth and the Swan River, the Whitsundays, Bruny Island in Tasmania, and Darwin. The portfolio also includes the Murray Princess river cruise operation in South Australia, Adelaide Sightseeing tours, and the Kingfisher Bay Resort and K’gari Beach Resort on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) in Queensland.
“This agreement marks an exciting step forward for Journey Beyond. We are proud to broaden our portfolio with a collection of highly respected tourism businesses that share our commitment to delivering extraordinary guest experiences,” Tallent said.
“Importantly, they are highly complementary to our existing brands. They create new opportunities for guests to seamlessly extend their journeys across Australia—whether that’s transitioning from rail to reef, river to resort, or city to sea—and further cements Journey Beyond’s leadership in experiential tourism.”
