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In an age where travel influencers flood social feeds with drone shots of infinity pools and carbon-copy beach swings, it’s refreshing—nay, downright exhilarating—to see a travel initiative that ditches the hype and dusts off the compass. Enter ARRIVAL, a bold, immersive travel platform launched by Australia’s favourite larrikins-turned-luminaries, The Inspired Unemployed.

Yes, Jack Steele and Matt Ford—the two tradies-turned-social-media-comedians who made bogan banter go global—have swapped ring lights for rucksacks, launching a travel brand with as much heart as humour.

But don’t mistake this for another celebrity cash-in. With a laser-sharp eye for adventure and a nose for what today’s traveller craves—authenticity, connection, and some off-grid magic—ARRIVAL is the real deal.

Ditching Package Holidays for Pack-Your-Bags Journeys

Launched today with a lineup of more than 50 off-the-beaten-path experiences, ARRIVAL is set to rattle the gilded cage of predictable tourism.

Forget the beige hotel buffets and ‘grammable’ group tours. ARRIVAL’s smorgasbord of adventures spans surf camps in Costa Rica, motorbike rallies in Kyrgyzstan, Kilimanjaro summits, Amalfi rock climbing and even a riotous rally through the Balkans.

Prices start at an eyebrow-raising $999 AUD—a tantalising figure in an era where budget travel means “hostel dorm with no curtains” or “You’ll pay for that carry-on, mate.”

“ARRIVAL has been years in the making,” said co-founder Jack Steele, reflecting on their bumpy road from comedy sketches to curated journeys. “We’ve gone skiing in Hakuba, desert camping in Morocco, and surfing The Mentawais—just to make sure this is something different. And it is.”

It’s a travel brand built old-fashioned—by doing the hard yards. Or in this case, the high-altitude hikes, hard-won wipeouts, and hilarious missteps in tuktuks.

Authenticity, Not Algorithms

“We’re so excited that it’s out in the world now,” chimed in Matt Ford, co-founder and equal parts mischief-maker. “Travel should make your heart race—and give you something ridiculous to laugh about over beers later. That’s what ARRIVAL is all about.”

True to its promise, ARRIVAL is equal to culture, nature, wellness and fun. It’s less ‘spa retreat’ and more “Namaste then surf the next set”. From surf and yoga retreats in Indonesia to snow adventures in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan, it’s clear the goal is immersion, not itinerary fatigue.

For the cynics among us (and in this industry, who could blame you?), ARRIVAL isn’t just two blokes having a punt. Behind the scenes is a deeply experienced executive team that puts the “business” into this show.

Snow Machine’s Mastermind Takes the Helm

Enter Quentin Nolan, ARRIVAL’s co-founder and CEO. With over 20,000 annual ski travellers under his belt through MountainWatch and global festival Snow Machine, Nolan’s no stranger to high-stakes logistics. He’s the kind of operator who could organise a ski trip on the back of a coaster—and often has.

“I started selling ski trips on MySpace over 20 years ago,” he quipped, “so there’s something full circle about working with the boys and building ARRIVAL. This isn’t just another booking site—it’s a curated world of experience.”

Adding to the horsepower is Trent Ellen, ARRIVAL’s General Manager, who brings a hard-earned pedigree from Luxury Escapes and TripADeal. If you’re wondering whether ARRIVAL can deliver on its grand promise, this duo answers emphatically, “Watch us.”

Book Now, Adventure Later—Or Right Now, If You Can’t Wait

While ARRIVAL will continue to roll out more trips as the months unfold, early adopters can already book a wide range of adventures. Just a few examples from the launch menu include:

Sri Lanka Tuk Tuk Challenge – $3,999
Everest Base Camp Takeover – $3,499
Mentawai Surf Retreat – $3,999
Kyrgyzstan Motorcycle Odyssey – $5,399
Costa Rica Surf & Yoga Jungle Escape – $999
Rio Carnival Blowout – $4,899
Moroccan Surf-ari and Atlas Mountains – $1,600
Iceland Vanlife Adventure – $3,499

Each experience can be booked standalone or bundled with flights, making it ideal for free-spirited soloists and mates planning the next milestone birthday—or the next big mistake they’ll laugh about for years.

ARRIVAL’s Not Just a Platform—It’s a Movement

Its soul makes ARRIVAL stand out in a cluttered landscape of lookalike tour sites and algorithm-fed ‘personalised’ recommendations. This isn’t about ticking off landmarks—it’s about discovering new perspectives, forging friendships, and collecting yarns worthy of any campfire.

And perhaps most importantly, it revives the romance of travel. Not the over-stylised, hyper-edited version—real travel. The sort with dodgy wifi, accidental epiphanies, delayed buses, and locals who change your worldview.

A Homegrown Revolution with Global Reach

Though proudly Aussie at heart, ARRIVAL is no small backyard gig. The platform is globally ambitious, with adventures spread across five continents and counting. The brand’s visual identity, too, is refreshingly raw—evoking hand-sketched maps, nostalgic postcards, and the irrepressible joy of discovery.

And for those wondering how this all began? Jack Steele puts it with characteristic understatement: “We were trying to plan a mate’s birthday trip back in 2023, and it hit us. Why not make a tool that takes the hassle out of travel planning—and makes it actually fun?”

Two years later, ARRIVAL is the answer. And, judging by the early response, it’s arrived right on time.

For more details or to book your ARRIVAL experience, visit: www.arrival.travel.