Journey Beyond will significantly invest in its latest acquisition – the Crocodile Hotel in Kakadu – following ACCC approval last week and the final inking of the deal last night, its CEO & managing director Chris Tallent has revealed.
The purchase adds one of the Northern Territory’s most iconic properties to the burgeoning list of tourism resorts in the American private equity-owned company’s portfolio.
“We will bring a very significant investment to this asset,” Tallent told guests gathered at Journey Beyond’s Outback to Ocean last night (Wednesday) to celebrate its participation in the Australian Tourism Exchange 2026 in its hometown of Adelaide.
“We all know it’s an incredible destination,” Tallent said of the Crocodile Hotel. “This maybe needs a little bit more love and a little bit more investment and a little bit more access and a better experience.”
The finalising of the Crocodile Hotel in Kakadu deal follows Journey Beyond’s $300m purchase of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, which includes the iconic Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Far North Queensland.
Journey Beyond’s iconic rail journeys include The Ghan and Indian Pacific, with the highly anticipated luxury Aurora Australis Suites on the tracks for the first time.
Journey Beyond completes acquisition of Voyages, removing Indigenous from name
The Journey Beyond Outback to the Ocean event at The National Wine Centre of Australia opened with several inspiring indigenous performances, including that of Mitch Tambo, where Tallent thanked rail staff who were present, alongside senior executives, singling out executive general manager – Sales & Partnerships, Alicia Triggs.
While Tallent said he couldn’t take everyone to celebrate under the stars at its Outback Telegraph Station, he could bring a virtual train to the venue which he did on a big screen which then parted to reveal a band on stage, firepits, food stations and gin bars.
While it currently has more than 20 assets, Journey Beyond is set to double in size by the end of 2026, with the Crocodile Hotel adding to other recent acquisitions including Sealink, Captain Cooks cruises, Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks and K’Gari & Whitsundays.
More details of the Crocodile Hotel will be released today (Thursday).
Last week Journey Beyond unveiled a new three-division organisational structure and senior leadership team to better manage the business as it continues its period of rapid expansion.
The restructure consolidates the group’s portfolio into three aligned business divisions – Rail & Touring, Resorts & Lodges, and Experiences & Attractions – designed to sharpen accountability and strengthen leadership as the company scales.
Journey Beyond was a presenting partner for Tasting Australia which was also in Adelaide this week, the major food and wine event coinciding with ATE26 presence in the city and Victoria Square being the venue for the tourism exchange’s own opening night celebration.
