"Southern Cross created the perfect three-week itinerary for our family of five, balancing adventure with relaxation across four states. The highlight was our time with Aboriginal guides in Kakadu, where our children learned traditional fishing techniques and Dreamtime stories. Every accommodation perfectly suited our needs, and when unexpected weather threatened our Great Barrier Reef excursion, our consultant quickly rearranged our schedule with no hassle. This wasn't just a vacation – it was an education and an adventure that has changed how our family sees the world."
Discover Australia's Hidden Treasures
Customized journeys through the land down under
From vibrant city escapes to remote natural wonders, our expert consultants craft unforgettable Australian adventures tailored to your dreams.
Our Travel Packages
Customized adventures for every type of traveler
City Escapes
Immerse yourself in Australia's vibrant urban centers with our city escape packages. From Sydney's iconic harbor to Melbourne's celebrated food scene, you'll experience the best of Australian metropolitan life. Our expert guides navigate you through hidden laneways, architectural marvels, and local cultural hotspots that typical tourists never discover. Each city package includes luxury accommodation, personalized itineraries, and exclusive access to events that showcase authentic Australian urban culture.
Cultural Immersion
Outback Adventures
Venture into Australia's vast interior with our carefully crafted outback expeditions. Experience the spiritual heart of Australia at Uluru, explore ancient gorges in the Kimberley, and witness spectacular night skies untouched by light pollution. Our outback guides have decades of combined experience navigating these remote regions, ensuring both safety and profound connection to the land. Each journey includes comfortable accommodations that blend with the natural environment, authentic bush cuisine, and opportunities to learn from indigenous knowledge keepers.
Adventure Level
Coastal Discoveries
Australia boasts over 25,000km of stunning coastline, and our coastal packages let you experience the very best of it. From snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef to exploring the pristine beaches of the Whitsundays, these journeys highlight Australia's extraordinary marine environments. Our marine biologists and local guides reveal underwater worlds teeming with life and coastal ecosystems found nowhere else on Earth. Each package includes eco-friendly accommodations, sustainable ocean activities, and gourmet seafood dining experiences that celebrate Australia's relationship with the sea.
Natural Beauty
Food & Wine Tours
Australia's culinary landscape is as diverse as its natural one, and our food and wine tours showcase this delicious diversity. From the world-renowned wineries of the Barossa Valley to Tasmania's farm-to-table experiences, these journeys delight all your senses. Our culinary experts arrange private tastings, cooking classes with celebrated chefs, and dining experiences in locations ranging from urban hotspots to remote beachside feasts. Each tour balances iconic destinations with hidden gems, ensuring you taste authentic Australian flavors that reflect the country's multicultural heritage and abundant natural produce.
Culinary Excellence
Cultural Immersion
Connect with the world's oldest living culture through our Aboriginal cultural immersion experiences. These respectful, authentic journeys provide insights into Indigenous Australian perspectives, art, and connection to country. Led by Aboriginal guides and knowledge holders, you'll learn about bush foods, traditional medicines, dreamtime stories, and contemporary Indigenous culture. These experiences take place on country with full permission and participation of traditional owners, ensuring cultural protocols are observed and that your visit contributes positively to indigenous communities.
Authentic Experience
Luxury Retreats
Our luxury retreat packages combine world-class comfort with Australia's spectacular natural settings. From private island getaways in the Whitsundays to exclusive bush lodges in the Blue Mountains, these experiences redefine indulgence. Each retreat features exceptional accommodation with thoughtful design that complements the surrounding environment, personalized service from dedicated staff, and curated activities that balance adventure with relaxation. Enjoy private chefs preparing regional delicacies, spa treatments incorporating native ingredients, and exclusive access to natural wonders without the crowds.
Comfort Level
Our Journey Through Australia
Southern Cross Travel began in 1994 when two passionate Australian backpackers, Emma and Jack, returned from their global adventures determined to showcase their homeland's extraordinary landscapes and cultures to international visitors. What started as a small operation in Melbourne's CBD quickly grew as their personalized approach and intimate knowledge of Australia's hidden gems gained recognition among travelers seeking authentic experiences beyond typical tourist routes.
Throughout the late 1990s, Southern Cross pioneered sustainable tourism practices in Australia, developing relationships with Indigenous communities and establishing eco-friendly tour protocols that are now industry standards. By 2005, we had expanded to include specialized divisions focused on luxury experiences, adventure tourism, and cultural immersion, always maintaining our commitment to responsible travel that benefits local communities and preserves natural environments.
The 2010s saw Southern Cross Travel embrace digital transformation while maintaining our human touch. We integrated advanced booking systems and virtual tour previews while expanding our network of local experts across every Australian state and territory. Today, our team of over 50 travel specialists combines decades of on-the-ground experience with cutting-edge travel technology to craft journeys that showcase Australia's diversity, from ancient rainforests to cosmopolitan cities.
Our company name pays homage to the Southern Cross constellation, which has guided travelers across the Southern Hemisphere for centuries and features prominently in Australian cultural identity. Just as these stars provide orientation in the night sky, our team provides guidance through Australia's vast and varied landscapes, ensuring our clients discover the perfect path through this extraordinary continent.
Our Impact
15,000+
Happy Travelers
Since 2020
All Time
98%
Customer Satisfaction
2023
5-Year Avg
35
Indigenous Partnerships
Active
Total
75%
Repeat Customers
Direct
+ Referrals
Our Approach to Travel
Personalized Consultation
Every Southern Cross journey begins with an in-depth consultation where we learn about your travel dreams, preferences, and special requirements. Rather than offering standard packages, we build each itinerary from the ground up, considering your unique interests, pace of travel, and desired experiences. Our consultants have personally visited every destination we recommend, allowing for authentic insights beyond what you'll find in guidebooks.
Local Expertise
We maintain relationships with a network of local experts across Australia – from Indigenous guides in Kakadu to marine biologists on the Great Barrier Reef and fourth-generation farmers in Tasmania. These connections ensure you experience each destination through knowledgeable local perspectives, accessing places and stories that remain hidden to most visitors.
Responsible Travel
Every itinerary we design incorporates principles of sustainable tourism, supporting local communities and minimizing environmental impact. We carefully select accommodation partners committed to sustainability, prioritize low-impact transportation options when possible, and ensure cultural experiences are conducted with appropriate permissions and respect for traditional owners.
Seamless Support
Throughout your journey, our concierge team remains available to handle any adjustments, answer questions, or address concerns. This dedicated support ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the experience without worrying about logistics, while maintaining flexibility to embrace unexpected discoveries along the way.
Our Trusted Partners
Luxury Accommodations
We partner with Australia's finest boutique properties and luxury lodges, selecting accommodations that blend exceptional comfort with authentic character and sustainable practices. From cliff-top eco-retreats to historic homesteads converted into luxury hotels, our accommodation partners enhance your connection to each destination while providing world-class service and amenities.
Indigenous Tourism
Our Indigenous tourism partners are 100% Aboriginal-owned and operated, ensuring authentic cultural experiences that benefit traditional owners. These partnerships have been developed through years of relationship building and mutual respect, providing our travelers with genuine insights into the world's oldest living culture while supporting Indigenous employment and cultural preservation.
Conservation Organizations
We actively collaborate with leading conservation organizations working to protect Australia's unique ecosystems and wildlife. These partnerships allow our travelers to participate in meaningful conservation activities, from citizen science projects on the Great Barrier Reef to tree planting in threatened habitats. A portion of every booking supports these conservation efforts, creating a positive impact from your travel experience.
Helpful Resources
Cultural Insights
Natural Wonders
Traveler Experiences
Sarah Johnson
Family Adventure, April 2025
Robert and Julia Chen
Luxury Retreat, January 2025
"For our 40th anniversary, we wanted something truly special, and Southern Cross exceeded all expectations. Their team created a luxury journey that perfectly balanced our interests in wildlife, food, and culture. The exclusive vineyard tours in Margaret River included meetings with winemakers not typically open to the public, and our guide in the Kimberley was incredibly knowledgeable about both the landscape and photography – helping us capture stunning images. Throughout the month-long journey, every detail was handled with precision and care, allowing us to simply immerse ourselves in the experience."
Miguel Sanchez
Adventure Tour, November 2024
"As an experienced solo traveler, I'm not easily impressed by tour operators, but Southern Cross genuinely changed how I think about organized travel. My consultant took the time to understand exactly what kinds of adventures I was seeking, then designed an itinerary that pushed my boundaries while never feeling formulaic. The highlight was a three-day mountain biking expedition in Tasmania led by a former competitive rider who knew every trail and vista. I connected with like-minded adventurers during parts of my journey, but also had the perfect amount of solitude in spectacular settings."
Emma and Kate Williams
Cultural Journey, March 2025
"We approached Southern Cross wanting to understand Australia beyond tourist clichés, and they delivered a profound cultural experience. Our journey connected us with artists, chefs, winemakers, and Indigenous knowledge holders who shared their perspectives on Australian identity. In Adelaide, we participated in a private masterclass with a renowned Aboriginal chef, learning about native ingredients while preparing a meal together. In Melbourne, our architecture tour was led by a heritage conservation specialist who brought the city's history to life. Every experience felt personal and authentic – never staged for tourists."
Our Innovations
At Southern Cross Travel, innovation drives our approach to creating exceptional Australian journeys. We've pioneered several industry-leading practices that enhance the travel experience while supporting sustainable tourism development across the continent.
Virtual Pre-Trip Experiences
We've developed immersive virtual reality previews that allow travelers to "sample" destinations and experiences before finalizing their itineraries. These VR experiences, filmed with local guides at each location, provide a genuine sense of place and help clients make informed decisions about their journey priorities. For travelers with accessibility concerns, these previews also help determine which experiences will best accommodate their needs.
Carbon-Conscious Travel Planning
Our proprietary itinerary planning software calculates the carbon footprint of different travel options, allowing clients to make informed choices about transportation and accommodation. For each journey, we present alternatives that reduce environmental impact without compromising the quality of experience. Additionally, we partner with Australian conservation projects that offer meaningful carbon offset programs, where travelers can directly support habitat restoration in the regions they visit.
Indigenous Employment Pathways
Our industry-first training program, developed in consultation with Aboriginal elders and tourism organizations, creates pathways for Indigenous Australians to build careers in tourism. This initiative includes paid internships, mentoring relationships, and business development support for emerging Indigenous tourism enterprises. Many of our most popular experiences are led by guides who began in this program and now operate their own successful tourism businesses.
Join Our Team
Southern Cross Travel is always seeking passionate individuals who share our commitment to showcasing Australia's extraordinary destinations while advancing sustainable tourism practices. Our team combines seasoned travel professionals with specialists from diverse backgrounds including ecology, indigenous cultural studies, hospitality, and digital technology.
Working at Southern Cross means joining a company that values deep local knowledge, creative thinking, and genuine care for both travelers and destinations. We invest significantly in professional development, including field experiences that allow team members to regularly explore new regions and experiences firsthand. Many of our consultants spend up to six weeks each year conducting research trips throughout Australia, ensuring their recommendations come from personal experience.
We offer competitive compensation, flexible work arrangements, and a collaborative culture where innovation is encouraged. Our Melbourne headquarters features a sustainable design with native gardens, solar power, and spaces designed to inspire travel planning. We also maintain regional offices in Sydney, Cairns, and Perth, with remote work options for roles suited to distributed teams.
Current Opportunities:
- Senior Travel Consultant - Indigenous Experiences
- Destination Researcher - Tasmania and Victoria
- Digital Experience Designer
- Sustainability Program Coordinator
Start Your Australian Journey
Visit Our Office
Address: 92 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm | Saturday: 10am-4pm
Contact Details
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 3 9045 1186
International Inquiries: +61 3 9045 1187
