The Aurora Australis Suites

The experiential train travel offered by The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern have long been one of the most immersive ways to explore Australia, rolling through vast deserts, lush vineyards, and rugged coastlines with a front-row seat to the country’s rugged and remote landscapes. Now, with the arrival of the Aurora Australis Suites, the journey reaches a new height of luxury.

This is Australian rail, reimagined. A seamless blend of space, design, craftsmanship and comfort, the Australis and Aurora Suites represent the gold standard on board our iconic trains. Every detail has been considered, from the curated furniture and custom finishes to the sweeping panoramic windows that frame Australia’s wild and varied beauty. It’s not simply a suite, it’s your own private sanctuary on wheels.

The journey begins before you even step aboard. A private chauffeur transfer whisks you to the station, where you’re welcomed by your personal butler. Forget queues or check-ins, your luggage is handled, your preferences known, and a glass of Bollinger La Grande Année in hand as you’re guided to your suite.

Inside, the design is unmistakably Australian. Crafted in collaboration with acclaimed design studio Woods Bagot, the suites are inspired by the landscape outside your window, red ochres and warm timbers in the Australis Suite, soft emeralds and rich velvets in the Aurora Suite. Every material tells a story. Corrugated timber nods to the bush architecture of rural homesteads, while sheepskin throws, and saddle leather accents evoke the pastoral heartland the train travels through.

But the real luxury? Space. With higher ceilings, expanded floorplans, and full-sized queen beds permanently positioned for uninterrupted rest, this is a level of comfort never before seen on Australia’s train tracks. Each suite features a private ensuite with double vanities, premium Jurlique amenities, and ambient lighting that shifts with the day.

Your experience extends beyond the suite. Guests of the Aurora Australis Suites are invited to relax in the exclusive Platinum Club, a dedicated space for dining and socialising that echoes the refined intimacy of a private members’ lounge. Here, menus shift with the regions you traverse, think Margaret River lamb, Barossa cheeses, and freshly shucked oysters paired with fine Australian wines and sparkling conversation.

Throughout the journey, every detail is thoughtfully considered, from the moment you return from an Off Train Experience to a glass of chilled champagne, to the quiet comfort of your suite as the landscape rolls by. Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely in-room meal or simply unwinding with a view, this is luxury defined by ease, space, and the freedom to fully relax.

Built entirely in Journey Beyond’s South Australian railyards, these new suites are as much about heritage as they are about innovation. Created with care by local artisans and metalworkers, they are a testament to the quiet confidence of Australian luxury: authentic, considered, and deeply connected to place.

This is not just travel, it’s Australia redefined. And there is no finer way to see it than from the comfort of your Australis or Aurora suite.

Words: Ella Chronowski