Client name: AusJourney
At Planet Media, we love working with passionate startups that make a difference. One of our recent projects was with AusJourney, a youth-focused outdoor adventure company. They specialise in fun, rewarding, and educational overnight hiking expeditions for young people under 25. These journeys aren’t just exciting getaways — they count as an essential component of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, helping young Australians develop resilience, teamwork, and leadership.
But before AusJourney could start empowering young people, they needed to set up their business the right way — with a professional, engaging, and functional eCommerce presence. That’s where we came in.
AusJourney was looking for more than just a website – they needed a complete digital presence that could truly support their vision. They wanted a user-friendly online store that made booking journeys simple, paired with a professional yet approachable design that would appeal to both schools and parents. Behind the scenes, an editable backend system was essential to reduce admin work for their team, while strong branding was needed to reflect their core values of adventure, safety, and personal growth. In short, they needed a digital presence that worked as hard as they do.
We knew this project was about more than just design — it was about building a complete digital foundation for a new business. Our approach combined strategy, audience insight, and ongoing support to ensure every detail aligned with AusJourney’s goals. Through collaborative strategy, we held regular check-ins via Skype, email, and phone to make sure their vision was woven into every step. By understanding the audience, we tailored branding and design to connect with schools, parents, and young participants alike. And with project planning and support, we offered technical advice, content guidance, and hands-on collaboration to transform their concept into a polished, functional reality.
The Solution
Branding & Design
We created AusJourney’s branding from scratch, incorporating calm, natural tones that reflected the beauty of the outdoors. Two logo versions were designed — one for digital platforms and another for print.
The website design was modern, clean, and engaging, balancing vivid photography with professional structure. With parallax scrolling, custom animations, and a forest-green colour scheme, the site communicated both professionalism and adventure.
UX & UI Design
We focused on creating a seamless navigation and effortless booking journey to make the user experience as smooth as possible. The website was designed with an easy-to-navigate site map, ensuring visitors could quickly find what they needed. A smooth purchasing flow was built to work seamlessly across all devices, making bookings convenient for both parents and schools. Interactive header animations added an engaging touch, while the balanced layout with clear fonts and carefully curated imagery ensured the design remained professional, approachable, and visually appealing.
Custom Shopify Development
Once designs were finalised, we built a custom Shopify theme tailored to AusJourney’s unique needs. Key functions included:
- Product structure for Bronze, Silver, and Gold Journeys
- Flexible pathways for individual vs. school bookings
- Clean, minimal layouts to complement photography
Integrations
To streamline admin and enhance user experience, we added:
- Payment gateway for secure transactions
- Custom JotForm integrated with Google Drive to manage participant information
- Client portal for easy access to trip details and forms
- Accounting integrations for smoother business management
Testing & Training
Before launch, the site underwent comprehensive testing across desktop and mobile devices to ensure smooth functionality.
We also provided backend training and a full support document so the AusJourney team could confidently manage bookings, content, and customer data themselves.
Ongoing Support
Our work didn’t stop at launch. We provided two months of ongoing technical support, website maintenance, 24/7 security monitoring, and cloud hosting — ensuring AusJourney had a safe and reliable foundation to grow from.
With a fresh new brand identity and a fully functional Shopify store, AusJourney launched successfully with confidence. Their website now:
- Reduces admin for staff
- Offers an engaging, streamlined booking process
- Appeals to both schools and individual participants
- Reflects their adventurous spirit while maintaining professionalism
At Planet Media, we’re proud to have partnered with AusJourney at the very start of their journey — helping them build a digital platform that supports their mission to empower young Australians.
