Luxury upgrades to some of Australia’s most iconic trains could not have come at a better time. There’s currently a rail boom among younger travelers, who are increasingly considering luxury train experiences.
According to Railbookers, a leading company offering independent rail vacations, travelers are increasingly opting for immersive experiences such as luxury train rides. The company saw a 2025 bookings increase, and there seems to be no slowing down, especially among travelers under 60.
“Rail travel has been growing in popularity over the last several years, and is increasingly seen as not just a mode of transportation, but as an integral part of the vacation,” Frank Marini, president and CEO of Railbookers, said. “More and more of our customers and travel agents are drawn to the flexibility and customization available with independent travel as they plan their vacations.”
Luxury Upgrades To Australia’s Bucket List Train Rides
For nearly a century, The Ghan has delivered an incredible train ride, offering an unmatched vacation experience that’s accessible only to its guests. A trip on The Ghan is legendary. Regarded as one of the world’s greatest train journeys, The Ghan carries passengers from the outskirts of Adelaide north into the raw silence of Australia’s Red Centre.
As for the Indian Pacific, this rail experience crosses the full width of the continent between Perth and Sydney. And aboard The Great Southern, train riders explore the eastern seaboard between Adelaide and Brisbane. All three journeys have long been considered among the finest ways to see Australia, and things just got even better with their upgrade to top-tier luxurious experiences.
Journey Beyond Rail, Australia’s leading experiential travel operator, has officially launched the Aurora Australis Suites, the most significant onboard upgrade in the company’s history. The suites arrived in Sydney aboard the Indian Pacific on April 8th, marking the first time this level of accommodation has been offered on that route.
Two Suites, One Standard Of Exceptional
Guests can choose from two tiers, each with upgrades. The Australis Suite is the most luxurious suite on Australian trains. At three times the size of a Platinum cabin, it features a separate bedroom with a fixed, custom-sized bed, a full lounge set, a personal bar, and an en suite with a double vanity and premium Jurlique amenities. This Suite also has a writing desk, a wardrobe, and ample room to stretch your legs or host friends and family. This is as close as guests will get to experiencing what feels like a hotel room on a train.
The Aurora Suite is the slightly more compact offering, featuring a fixed queen-sized bed, a lounge set, a closet, and an ensuite with premium Jurlique amenities.
Both suites were designed in collaboration with award-winning studio Woods Bagot and crafted in South Australia. The interiors draw on Art Deco influences while paying homage to Australia’s landscapes and heritage, so think warm timbers and materials that feel rooted in the destination.
Both suites include access to private in-suite dining, with menus that lean into Australia’s best produce: tuna tartare, Kangaroo Island lobster tail, and premium Wagyu beef. There is butler service, access to the Platinum Club lounge and dining carriage, exclusive off-train experiences at key stops, and a private chauffeur for arrival and departure.
What’s Coming In 2027
The suites are available now, but more are coming in the 2027 season to consider. The Ghan’s northbound itinerary is being extended for the first time, from two nights to three nights and four days, adding a full day in Australia’s ancient Flinders Ranges.
“The Ghan holds a special place in the story of Australian travel, and guests have been asking for more time to experience its remarkable landscapes,” said David Donald, executive general manager of Rail at Journey Beyond. “By extending the northbound journey, we’re allowing travelers to slow down, deepen their connection to Country, and discover Outback Australia in a way that is both immersive and unforgettable.”
There are also new holiday packages on the Great Southern, thanks to a partnership with small-group touring brand Outback Spirit. This will allow extensions into the Queensland hinterland and out to Kangaroo Island.
Journeys can be booked at journeybeyondrail.com.au.
