Southern Crossings

What Southern Crossings does

Southern Crossings is a privately held boutique luxury travel agency founded in 1985 and headquartered across Sydney, Australia (primary operational office) and Auckland, New Zealand. The company specializes in bespoke, commission-based travel planning and curation for affluent travelers seeking exclusive experiences in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Its service offering is human-delivered: Travel Design teams consult with clients directly to design and book high-touch itineraries spanning luxury lodges (e.g., Huka Lodge, Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers), boutique and country stays, private villas, island resorts, private jet and air safaris, rail journeys, superyacht charters, self-drive itineraries, and themed journeys covering honeymoons, family travel, food and wine, indigenous culture, nature and wildlife, and conservation engagement. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on standard travel industry software, reservation systems, and communication tools.

The company earns revenue through commissions negotiated with premium hospitality providers, tour operators, and experience suppliers across the three destinations. Pricing is entirely quote-based and bespoke — no standard tiers or published rates exist. Distribution is split between direct-to-consumer engagement (website, phone, email) and a heavily cultivated B2B channel: Southern Crossings holds preferred partner, ambassador, or member status across at least nine luxury travel advisor networks, including Virtuoso (Preferred OnSite and Ultraluxe), Signature Travel Network, Traveller Made Serandipians, Brownell Travel, Pure Life Experiences, XO Private, Further East, Select Travel, and Internova. The end customer base is fragmented across ultra-luxury travelers, honeymooners, multi-generational families, and special-interest groups, with a documented skew toward US-based clients routed through American travel advisors.

Southern Crossings is owned and led by Stuart Rigg and Sarah Farag, who have been named on the Condé Nast Traveller Top Travel Specialist list for 15 consecutive years and are individually credited as the public face of the firm. The business carries no disclosed institutional investors, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity, and operates as a founder-controlled lifestyle enterprise. Brand strength is reinforced by multiple industry accolades (Travel+Leisure A-List 2026, Wendy Perrin WOW List 2026, Robb Report Masters of Luxury 2025, Virtuoso Best OnSite 2023) and by a portfolio of conservation and community partnerships (Aussie Ark, Kakapo Recovery, Reforest Now, Trees That Count, Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, Woven Earth) that support a 'Travel with Purpose' product vertical.

Name

Southern Crossings

Legal name

Southern Crossings

Website

https://southern-crossings.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southern Crossings is a boutique, privately held luxury travel agency (founded 1985) that designs and books bespoke itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji for affluent travelers, primarily via US luxury travel advisor networks, earning commissions from premium hospitality providers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Travel Agency Commissions: Earns commissions from luxury accommodations, tour operators, lodges, and experience providers across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Acts as an intermediary between travelers and local suppliers, earning revenue through negotiated commission arrangements with premium hospitality providers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Southern Crossings is a luxury travel advisory that designs and books bespoke itineraries for affluent travelers to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. The company curates end-to-end journeys covering accommodations, private transfers, exclusive experiences, and in-destination support, delivered through dedicated Travel Design teams in Sydney and Auckland in partnership with luxury lodges, tour operators, and experience providers.

Product overview

Southern Crossings is a bespoke luxury travel specialist offering personalised travel planning and curation services for Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. The company operates as a service-based offering rather than a software product, providing luxury travel design through human consultation. Their portfolio includes accommodation categories (Boutique Stays, City Hotels, Country Stays, Golf Resorts, Island Resorts, Luxury Lodges, Luxury Private Villas), journey types (Private Jet & Air Safaris, Rail Journeys, Self-Drive, Super Yachts & Luxury Cruising), and travel styles (Active, Family, Food & Wine, Honeymoon, Indigenous Culture, Nature & Wildlife, Travel with Purpose, Ultraluxe). They also offer destination-specific travel information resources and culinary guides. The company has been operating for 40 years and is recognised as a leading luxury travel specialist with accolades including Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist and Travel+Leisure A-List.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Luxury Travel Planning and Curation Bespoke luxury travel planning and itinerary design for discerning travelers to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, featuring personalized journey curation with local expertise and exclusive access to premium accommodations and experiences.
• Ultraluxe Travel Experiences Premium tier luxury travel experiences including private jet tours, air safaris, super yachts and luxury cruising for the most discerning travelers seeking exclusive, high-end access.
• Luxury Lodge Bookings Premium luxury lodge accommodations including renowned properties like Huka Lodge, Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and other iconic New Zealand and Australian luxury lodges.
• Luxury Private Villas Ultra-premium private villa accommodations offering exclusive-use luxury for families, groups and individuals seeking complete privacy and bespoke services.
• Private Jet and Air Safaris Exclusive air travel experiences including private jet charters and helicopter safaris for seamless luxury travel across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
• Super Yachts and Luxury Cruising Exclusive super yacht charters and luxury cruise experiences for bespoke maritime travel in the South Pacific and surrounding waters.
• Rail Journeys Luxury train travel experiences including famous rail journeys such as the Ghan, Indian Pacific, and other scenic rail routes across Australia.
• Self-Drive Itineraries Curated self-drive luxury travel itineraries with premium vehicle rentals and handpicked accommodations along scenic routes.
• Honeymoon Travel Romantic luxury honeymoon experiences including secluded island retreats, private villas and romantic destinations across the South Pacific.
• Family Travel Multi-generational family luxury travel experiences tailored for families with children of all ages.
• Food and Wine Travel Gourmet culinary travel experiences including wine tasting, fine dining, cooking classes and culinary tours across Australia and New Zealand's premier wine regions.
• Indigenous Culture Experiences Cultural immersion experiences connecting travelers with Aboriginal Australian and Maori cultural traditions, including authentic encounters and indigenous-guided experiences.
• Nature and Wildlife Travel Eco-luxury travel experiences focused on wildlife encounters, conservation experiences, and visits to pristine natural environments including rainforests, reefs, and wilderness areas.
• Active Holidays Adventure-focused luxury travel experiences including hiking, walking, golf and active pursuits in spectacular natural settings.
• Travel with Purpose Responsible and transformative luxury travel experiences with meaningful impact, including conservation volunteering and community engagement.
• Australia Destination Travel Luxury travel experiences across Australia spanning iconic destinations from Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef to Uluru, the Outback, and Tasmania.
• New Zealand Destination Travel Luxury travel experiences across New Zealand featuring dramatic landscapes, luxury lodges, Maori culture, and destinations from the Bay of Islands to Queenstown.
• Fiji Destination Travel Luxury travel experiences across Fiji's idyllic islands including tropical resorts, private island retreats, and South Pacific luxury escapes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Exceptional client satisfaction evidenced by extensive testimonials and repeat travelers

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• VirtuosocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred OnSite partner and Ultraluxe partner with Virtuoso, one of the world's leading luxury travel networks. Virtuoso travel advisors worldwide refer clients to Southern Crossings for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji travel experiences.
• Condé Nast TravellercoreOthersSouthern Crossings' directors Stuart Rigg and Sarah Farag are featured as Top Travel Specialists in Condé Nast Traveller, a prestigious luxury travel publication. This recognition provides credibility and access to high-net-worth readers.
• Travel+LeisurecoreOthersFeatured on Travel+Leisure's A-List of luxury travel specialists, providing credibility and brand recognition among affluent American travelers.
• Signature Travel NetworkmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred partner with Signature Travel Network, connecting with their network of luxury travel advisors.
• Wendy PerrincoreOthersFeatured on Wendy Perrin's WOW List, a trusted recommendation platform for discerning travelers seeking expert travel specialists.
• Robb ReportcoreOthersRecognized as Masters of Luxury by Robb Report, enhancing credibility among ultra-high-net-worth readers interested in luxury experiences.
• Traveller Made (Serandipians)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDMC Partner designation through Serandipians by Traveller Made network, connecting with European luxury travel advisors.
• Brownell TravelmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecipient of Brownell's MVP Excellence award, indicating strong partnership with this historic American luxury travel agency.
• Pure Life ExperiencesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner network connection with Pure Life Experiences, a luxury travel network.
• XO PrivateminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember of XO Private travel network, providing additional distribution reach.
• Further EastminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmbassador status with Further East luxury travel network.
• Select TravelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSelect Country Partner designation with Select Travel network.
• InternovaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember of Internova travel network.
• Aussie ArkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partnership supporting Aussie Ark's wildlife conservation efforts in Australia. Southern Crossings connects travelers with immersive wildlife conservation opportunities.
• Kakapo RecoveryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting New Zealand's Kakapo Recovery program. Provides opportunities for travelers to meet conservation teams caring for these endangered birds.
• Reforest NowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian reforestation initiative that Southern Crossings supports, helping restore rainforests and providing travelers with meaningful conservation engagement.
• Trees That CountminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Zealand forest restoration partnership supporting indigenous forest regeneration.
• Citizens of the Great Barrier ReefminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting people-powered reef conservation efforts for the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem.
• Woven EarthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots charity partnership supporting family violence survivors in Auckland. Southern Crossings provides financial and awareness support for this community initiative.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Abercrombie & Kent: Global luxury DMC and tour operator offering bespoke, high-touch itineraries worldwide with 24/7 concierge support – a closely analogous model to Southern Crossings but at global scale.
• Audley Travel: Bespoke luxury travel agency selling tailor-made itineraries through country-specialist travel designers – same service-based, commission-funded model targeting affluent Western travelers.
• Scott Dunn: Luxury tour operator specializing in tailor-made and family luxury travel across long-haul destinations with private guides and exclusive access – directly comparable to Southern Crossings' bespoke proposition.
• Black Tomato: Boutique experiential luxury travel company curating high-end, once-in-a-lifetime itineraries with a focus on access and storytelling – a similar high-touch, values-led DMC niche.
• Micato Safaris: Award-winning luxury DMC specializing in safaris but mirroring the Southern Crossings model of personalized travel design, repeat clientele and prestigious industry recognition.
• Jacada Travel: Luxury tailormade travel company selling curated, high-touch itineraries to Latin America, Asia and the Polar Regions – same B2C-via-advisor model with a strong destination-expert positioning.
• Lightfoot Travel: Luxury DMC focused on Asia-Pacific and beyond with private guides and exclusive experiences – highly comparable destination-specialist boutique DMC model.
• Remote Lands: Bespoke luxury DMC specializing in Asia with a similar mix of private access, curated itineraries and high-touch consultant-led planning – mirror of the Southern Crossings operating model.
• Cazenove+Loyd: Long-established UK-based luxury travel company designing bespoke itineraries worldwide for HNW clients – directly comparable in service ethos, customer profile and exclusive supplier relationships.

Emerging players

• Quasar Expeditions: Luxury small-ship and adventure DMC focused on the Galápagos and Patagonia with high-touch service – demonstrates the regional-specialist luxury DMC archetype relevant to Oceania destination focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SouthernCrossingsTravel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southern-crossings
• Instagraminstagram.com/southerncrossings
• Xx.com/stherncrossings

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southern Crossings