Journey Beyond has completed its acquisition of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, taking operational control of Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Far North Queensland in a deal reported to be worth around $300 million.
The settlement follows extensive consultation led by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) with the Traditional Owners of both sites, the Anangu of Yulara and the Kuku Yalanji of Mossman Gorge.
The deal, first announced in late 2025, is structured to return the land at both sites to Community ownership, a step the ILSC has described as the largest single return of land to Traditional Owners in its history in terms of both value and area.
What does the deal mean for Traditional Owners?
The acquisition is not a simple change of operator. According to the ILSC, the land and buildings at both Yulara and Mossman Gorge will be legally transferred to Community corporations representing the Anangu and Kuku Yalanji respectively.
Journey Beyond will then lease the sites from those Community owners under long-term arrangements: 90 years at Yulara and 10 years at Mossman Gorge, according to the ILSC.
The ILSC has estimated that more than $500 million in benefits will flow to First Nations communities as a result of the agreement and related arrangements. The full legal transfer of the land at Yulara is expected to be finalised later in 2026.
Ayers Rock Resort, which attracts around 300,000 visitors annually according to Voyages, is reported to be the largest employer of First Nations peoples in the Australian tourism sector.
What’s changing with the Voyages brand?
As a condition of the sale, Journey Beyond says it has committed to removing the word “Indigenous” from the Voyages corporate name, reflecting that the business is no longer owned by the ILSC. The entity will now operate as Voyages Tourism Australia.
Journey Beyond says the name change does not diminish its commitment to First Nations partnerships and outcomes across the group.
The company says the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) at Ayers Rock Resort will continue to operate, maintaining its role in developing education and employment pathways for First Nations Australians. NITA has been a cornerstone of the Voyages operation, with 35 students graduating in a recent cohort at Uluru.
How does Voyages fit into Journey Beyond’s portfolio?
Journey Beyond, headquartered in Adelaide, now operates 20 brands across Australia and New Zealand. The company, which is owned by New York-based private equity firm Crestview Partners, has been on a sustained acquisition run in recent years, adding New Zealand’s Grand Pacific Tours and striking a deal for SeaLink’s tourism portfolio to complement its existing rail, lodge and cruise operations.
The group’s portfolio includes The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern and The Overland rail journeys, eco-lodge Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, Outback Spirit touring, Cruise Whitsundays, Rottnest Express and Monarto Safari Resort in South Australia.
With the addition of Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, Journey Beyond now spans rail, road, sea and resort accommodation across two countries.
Chris Tallent, CEO of Journey Beyond, said: “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.”
Journey Beyond says it brings existing First Nations partnerships through its Outback Spirit network, rail expeditions and wilderness lodges, and that it will continue Voyages’ approach to cultural tourism.
KARRYON UNPACKS: For travel advisors, the settlement means continuity at two of Australia’s most in-demand tourism assets. Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge will continue under existing management; NITA stays in place; and Journey Beyond’s growing portfolio creates potential for multi-product packaging across rail, resort, and touring. The land returning to Traditional Owners also strengthens the cultural tourism story that advisors can tell clients booking these experiences.
