Unique tourism deal sees sites returned to Indigenous owners
A landmark agreement between South Australian travel company Journey Beyond and the Federal Government will see huge parcels of land returned to Traditional Owners, and half a billion dollars’ worth of rent paid.
Adelaide-based tourism operator Journey Beyond has acquired the operational assets of Ayers Rock Resort in Central Australia and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Far North Queensland in a deal that will see the land returned to Traditional Owners.
Journey Beyond acquired the Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia assets from the Australian Government’s Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC). Once completed, the transaction will formalise the transfer of land and buildings to the traditional owners: Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara of Yulara and the Kuku Yalanji of Mossman Gorge.
ILSC CEO Joe Morrison said the organisation’s focus was “on maximising indigenous benefit”, and claimed the transfer at Yulara would “mark the largest single return of land to Traditional Owners in the ILSC’s history in terms of both value and area”.
He said more than $500 million in benefits would flow to First Nations Community as a direct result of the agreement with Journey Beyond.
Established in 2016, Journey Beyond is the operator of 20 travel brands, and its portfolio includes The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Monarto Safari Resort, Cruise Whitsundays, Melbourne Skydeck and more.
It employs more than 2000 people across Australia and will add just the operational assets of Voyages to its portfolio.
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This includes the Ayers Rock Resort – a significant asset located in close proximity to Uluru Kata Tjuṯa National Park, which is a renowned World Heritage dual-listed cultural and natural landmark at the heart of Australia.
That site includes six styles of accommodation offerings ranging from a luxury hotel to camp sites. The Resort is the largest employer of First Nations peoples in the Australian tourism sector and attracts 300,000 visitors annually, Voyages claimed.
The deal also includes the operational assets of Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre – an ecotourism destination on the doorstep of the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk in Tropical North Queensland.
The agreement involves the sale of shares in Voyages to Journey Beyond. Following the transfer of land to First Nations owners, both communities would be paid rent from Journey Beyond’s leasing of the sites under 90- and 10-year leases respectively.
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The return of land was supported by community representatives of both Traditional Owners groups.
“The Anangu Traditional Owners of Yulara are very happy with the decision by ILSC to hand back the land that was originally excised from the National Park in 1976,” the Yulara Anangu Corporation board said in a statement.
“This divestment has been a long time coming and whilst it won’t be finalised until the end of 2026, returning Yulara to Anangu control is an investment in our future that will bring benefits in employment, education and support for Anangu enterprises.
“We look forward to working closely with Journey Beyond in the development of world-class Indigenous tourism experiences that will share our language, our culture and our rich landscapes with visitors from all over Australia and around the world.”
Voyages would continue to be led by the existing management team under Journey Beyond’s stewardship post-transaction, expected to be finalised in early 2026.
“Journey Beyond is thrilled to be working with ILSC, Anangu of Yulara, Kuku Yalanji of Mossman Gorge and the Voyages team,” Journey Beyond CEO Chris Tallent said.
“This marks an exciting expansion and perfectly aligns with Journey Beyond’s central purpose of creating amazing iconic experiences, that are immersive, authentic and uniquely Australian.”
Voyages CEO Matt Cameron-Smith said he was excited for the next stage in the company’s journey.
“We’re proud of what we’ve built, and we’re excited about what comes next,” Cameron-Smith said.
“This partnership allows us to grow our footprint while staying true to our foundations – delivering world class cultural tourism experiences in partnership with the communities we work with.”
