Australia – Travel experience Journey Beyond is bringing the iconic experience of The Ghan to the heart of Melbourne this summer, with an immersive activation and accompanying integrated campaign from creative agency Town Square.
As a broadcast sponsor across Nine’s summer of tennis and the first Grand Slam of the year, Journey Beyond is inviting tennis fans visiting Melbourne to step inside a reimagined Ghan train carriage and embark on a sensory journey through the legendary landscapes of Australia’s outback.
Taking advantage of one of Melbourne’s busiest times during the Australian Open, the activation recreates the magic of The Ghan, one of the world’s most revered train journeys. Outside, visitors will be greeted by a façade inspired by The Ghan’s iconic exterior. Inside, a two-minute experience, crafted in collaboration with Boom Studios and Finch, offers a captivating taste of the three-day adventure that takes guests from Darwin to Adelaide.
Going beyond just visuals of the train, it replicates real elements of The Ghan, from the window-framed walls, to the all-encompassing rockface of Nitmiluk Gorge and the scents and crunch of the red desert dirt.
The film also invites the audience in through POV cinematography, creating a first-person perspective of the journey and the sensation of being a traveller embarking on this adventure for the first time.
The activation is the centrepiece of a broader integrated media campaign, developed by Town Square, that launches Journey Beyond’s 2026 season. In addition to its broadcast sponsorship, Journey Beyond will leverage metro and regional TV with 30- 15- and 10-second spots, including an in-show sponsorship and live cross with the Today Show, outside broadcast and competition with 3AW, BVOD, OOH, print, radio, digital, social media, and live event coverage to connect with Australian and international visitors alike.
Brendan Day, executive creative director at Town Square, said, “Everyone has heard of The Ghan, but few have experienced it firsthand. This activation invites people to literally hop onboard and feel what it’s like as this legendary journey travels north to south across our iconic Australian landscape.”
Meanwhile, Justine Lally, executive general manager, marketing at Journey Beyond, commented, “This activation is more than just a glimpse into a train journey – it’s a celebration of Australia’s breathtaking landscapes and The Ghan’s enduring appeal. We’re thrilled to bring a taste of this iconic experience to Melbourne as part of our broader campaign to capture the hearts and imaginations of travellers worldwide.”
