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Great Southern: Barossa & Kangaroo Island Escape
Thumbnails
Great Southern
Couple on board The Great Southern
Barossa Valley
City of Adelaide view on Adelaide Convention Centre
Great Southern On Board Meal
Kangaroo Spotted at Flinders Chase National Park
Melbourne
Penfolds Magill Estate
Mclaren Vale
Seal Bay Beach in Seal Bay Conservation Park
Australia

Great Southern: Barossa & Kangaroo Island Escape (Tour code: 14946)

Starts and Ends
Brisbane to
Adelaide
Travel Periods
Mondays (Jan, Feb and Dec 2026)
Experience
Travel Style
Rail Journeys
Explore South Australia's wildlife and wine, from Kangaroo Island to Barossa, after a scenic Great Southern rail journey.

Highlights

Enjoy a special beachside dining experience in Coffs Harbour

Savour the flavours and sights of the picturesque Hunter Region

Immerse yourself in cosmopolitan Melbourne or regional Victoria

Visit the original Grange Cottage at Penfolds and see Penfolds' underground cellars

Explore Flinders Chase National Park, Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks`

Discover the history of the Barossa Valley

Enjoy cellar door tastings, and a delicious lunch with a glass of wine to accompany

Wildlife experience at Seal Bay Conservation Park

10 days
From
AUD 7,660
per person, twin share
Travelling with kids? Read more 
All services are subject to availability.

Overview

Embark on a spectacular journey from Brisbane to Adelaide aboard the Great Southern, passing through Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley, and vibrant Melbourne. Then, discover South Australia's best—rugged Kangaroo Island and the vine-covered hills of the Barossa Valley. This wine and wildlife adventure blends breathtaking landscapes with local produce, fine wines, and unforgettable experiences, offering the perfect combination of coastal beauty, culinary indulgence and outback charm.

Inclusions

3 nights aboard the Great Southern, Brisbane to Adelaide, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley region and regional Victoria
4 nights’ accommodation in Adelaide, including breakfast daily
Return flights from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
Return hotel to airport transfers in Adelaide to meet the return flight
2 nights Kangaroo Island in Style tour, including flights to and from the Island, accommodation, most meals and personalised touring
9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 dinners
Northern Barossa Valley Voyager tour, including lunch
Transfer from Adelaide Parklands Terminal to hotel

Day 1 Board The Great Southern in Brisbane

Today, you’ll set off from Brisbane on your week-long adventure covering Australia’s south-east. Settle into your cabin and prepare to savour lunch on board and spend a relaxing afternoon admiring the views before arriving in Coffs Harbour. As the sun dips beneath the horizon, enjoy drinks and canapes on the beach at Charlesworth Bay before a unique outdoor dinner, where you’ll feast on local produce and fresh seafood paired with fine wines. After a few leisurely hours, you’ll reboard the train and set off for your first night on board.

Overnight stay aboard the Great Southern.

Lunch, Dinner
Board The Great Southern in Brisbane
Coffs Harbour

Day 2 Great Southern, Hunter Region

Start the day with breakfast on board before setting off on your choice of Off Train Experiences. You may choose to meander through the picturesque vineyards of the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine regions, or explore Port Stephens by land or sea. Alternatively, explore Newcastle and discover the vibrant mix of old and new in the beautiful coastal city.

Late afternoon, return to the train along with the rest of the guests to enjoy a regionally inspired meal and relaxing time on board before retiring for the night.

Overnight stay aboard the Great Southern.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Great Southern, Hunter Region
Port Stephens by Sea

Day 3 Great Southern, Melbourne or Regional Victoria

After enjoying a delicious breakfast on board and a relaxing start to the day travelling through Victoria's high country, you'll have a choice of Off Train Experiences. Victoria is well-known for its excellent food and wine scene, which is on show at Clyde Park, a beautiful vineyard in the Moorabool Valley. Here, you’ll enjoy a long lunch and sample cool-climate wines.

Alternatively, opt to visit cosmopolitan Melbourne to find out why it’s considered the cultural and sporting capital of Australia. Explore the oldest and most-visited art collection in Australia at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) or visit the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). If you’re a history buff, head to the Old Melbourne Gaol. Lunch is at Eureka 89, where you’ll dine on a beautifully curated menu showcasing local and seasonal produce with spectacular views over the city.

After lunch, you’ll make your way back to the train to continue your journey south.

Overnight stay aboard the Great Southern.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Great Southern, Melbourne or Regional Victoria
Old Melbourne Gaol

Day 4 Great Southern, Adelaide

Upon arrival into Adelaide, you will be transferred to your accommodation. The day is yours to explore the city. Home to over 900 restaurants, pubs and cafes, and a lively food and wine scene, you'll be spoilt for choice.

Overnight stay at Pullman Adelaide (or similar)

Breakfast
Great Southern, Adelaide
Adelaide

Day 5 Penfolds Magill Estate

As far as gourmet experiences go, today you are about to indulge in one of Australia’s best. The legendary Penfolds Magill Estate, where some of the world’s great wines are produced, is your venue for an epicurean adventure you’ll never forget.

Make your way from the hotel to Penfolds Magill Estate by your own arrangements, ready to enjoy tastings, including Grange, in the Estate’s private rooms, before heading to the Magill Estate Cellar Door for a sumptuous lunch. 

Overnight stay at Pullman Adelaide (or similar)

Breakfast, Lunch
Penfolds Magill Estate
Penfold Magill Estate

Day 6 Adelaide to Kangaroo Island

Please note: Day 6 and 7 may be interchanged. 

Depart from Adelaide Airport for your flight to magical Kangaroo Island, where you will be met by your guide and begin your ‘Island Life’ tour. Island Life provides a taste of the way of life in this bucolic spot, where things take time, drivers wave as they go by, and passers-by stop for a chat.

Have a cuppa with some home-made treats before taking a walk down a country track through towering Eucalyptus trees, where koalas snooze overhead or chew languidly on leaves. You’ll travel through the island’s most productive countryside to the north coast and walk through the bush with your guide, learning what makes that noise and whose tracks those are. Watch for small wallabies, a kangaroo found only on Kangaroo Island, and a variety of other birds, plants and animals.

Lunch is at a private bush camp, where you’ll enjoy a delicious meal featuring King George whiting – a local sea fish, fresh salads and fine South Australian wines. At Seal Bay Conservation Park, take a private tour with your guide among Australian sea lions on a beautiful sandy beach. Watch pups nursing or playing in the surf and old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology.

After a day of touring, you will return to your accommodation, with dinner included at your hotel.

Overnight stay at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
Seal Spotted at Seal Bay Conservation Park

Day 7 Kangaroo Island

Begin the day travelling through some of the regenerating landscapes of Kangaroo Island. Learn about fire ecology and how nature deals with this natural hazard. Some of the native flora species only flower following fire. 

Travel into Flinders Chase National Park and explore the massive shapes of Remarkable Rocks, a natural sculpture perched impossibly on top a granite dome plunging into the ocean. Then you’ll break for an elegant picnic lunch in the bush, or if weather permits, on a spectacular clifftop. Evidence of the power of the Southern Ocean swell continues at Admirals Arch – a coastal grotto that provides a haul out for a large colony of Long-nosed Fur Seals, which swim effortlessly through the crashing waves.

After your last day of touring, you will return to your accommodation, with dinner included at your hotel.

Overnight stay at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo at Kangaroo Island

Day 8 Kangaroo Island Adelaide

This morning, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Adelaide. Arriving in Adelaide, you will be transferred to your city accommodation to leave your bags and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. The evening is free to explore some of Adelaide’s many dining and entertainment precincts. 

Overnight stay at Pullman Adelaide.

Breakfast
Kangaroo Island→ Adelaide
Adelaide Night Life

Day 9 Barossa Valley

Today, delight your senses with boutique wine and food touring to the historic Barossa Valley, with its 80 cellar doors. You’ll even visit one of the oldest vineyards in the world, where Shiraz vines were planted in 1843. Enjoy running commentary from your driver as you make your way towards the world-renowned wine region and be guided though some of the best wines South Australia has to offer. Tours are small groups up to 8 people only to ensure a relaxed and unhurried day. Whether you prefer red or white, there will be something to tantalise and delight with tastings at three wineries throughout the day, and a delicious lunch with an accompanying glass of wine included in your tour.

Overnight stay at Pullman Adelaide.

Breakfast, Lunch
Barossa Valley
Barossa Valley

Day 10 Farewell

After breakfast, check out of your accommodation, bringing your epicurean adventure to an end.

Breakfast

Accommodation

Great Southern

Upgrade available

GOLD

Immerse yourself in the world of romance that epitomises rail travel with Gold Service. 

Choose between Gold Twin or Single cabins, both of which provide the perfect place to relax and recharge after a day’s journey. Spend hours deep in conversation with new friends in the shared Outback Explorer Lounge, sipping on barista made coffee, or a glass of white wine. Later make your way to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant to dine.

Gold includes hearty breakfasts, two-course lunches and three-course dinners. You may also choose to complement your meal with our selection of premium wines and beverages, all included in your fare.

Gold Twin Cabins

Gold Twin offers a comfortable sleeper cabin featuring private ensuite and upper and lower berths that convert to a three-seater lounge by day.

Great Southern
  • Power outlets in cabin
  • In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary available
  • All-inclusive dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant
  • All-inclusive Australian wines, beers, base spirits and non-alcoholic beverages
  • All-inclusive Off Train Excursions
  • Luggage allowance is 60kg per guest
  • Complimentary Shuttle bus transfers available in Darwin to selected hotels in the city centre

Room Upgrades

Gold Single Cabin

Your stylish and ultra-modern cabin cleverly accommodates your belongings with a series of compartments and shelving options incorporated into the compact design. Your comfortable seat with full leg extension bench seat by day converts to a cosy bed by night.

The soulful, reflective and contemplative nature of moving across the continent by train is ideally suited to travelling solo but you can be as quiet or as social as you wish and with your included choice of Off Train Experiences allows you to join fellow guests as you experience the amazing places you visit together.

Inside your cabin, choose from six music and journey commentary channels to add background ambience to your travels, and you have numerous power supply outlets to keep your devices charged.  Complimentary shuttle bus transfers are available between Darwin Terminal and the city centre, with a checked luggage allowance of 60 kg per guest (2 pieces at 30 kg each).

Gold Single Cabin

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Gold Premium

For travellers who want that little bit more, Gold Premium delivers an enhanced journey experience. Accommodated in newly designed, contemporary cabins, guests have exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge and Gold Premium Restaurant for meals and socialising. Enjoy delicious breakfasts, two-course, regionally inspired lunches and delectable four-course dinners in beautiful surrounds, accompanied by a selection of premium beverages.

Gold Premium offers some special touches to make the journey special, like priority check-in and an increased luggage allowance, a private ensuite, LaGaia amenities, tour preferencing and more.

Choose between a Gold Premium Twin cabin or Gold Premium Suite, which has a little more space. Whichever cabin you choose, Gold Premium offers a step up to a whole new style of train travel.

Gold Premium Twin cabin

A newly designed, contemporary cabin that converts from a lounge by day into sleeping berths at night.

Gold Premium Suite

The Gold Premium Suite has a three-quarter-size double bed plus a fold-down upper berth and a lounge area, with extra room to relax.

Gold Premium (Twin & Suite) service includes:

  • Private en suite with LaGaia amenities, luxuriously soft linen and satin eye masks
  • Exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge and Gold Premium Dining carriage
  • Two-course, regionally inspired lunches and four-course dinners
  • All-inclusive premium Australian wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages
  • All-inclusive Off Train Experiences and preferences on tour selections
  • 75kg checked luggage allowance per guest (3 x 25 kg each)
  • Priority luggage check-in
  • Power outlets in cabin
  • In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary
  • Complimentary shuttle bus transfers available in Darwin and Brisbane to selected hotels in the city centre
Gold Premium

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Platinum

Tailored for the discerning traveller, Platinum sets a refined and elegant tone throughout your journey. Stylishly appointed and spacious cabins provide comfort after a day’s exploring, while the Platinum Club carriage offers a sophisticated setting for meals, relaxation and socialising. As you’d expect, the food and wine is of the highest standard. Enjoy hearty breakfasts, two-course lunches and five-course dinners, all regionally inspired and paired with champagne and premium wines.

And it all begins before you’ve even stepped aboard. Platinum guests receive private transfers before and after your journey, beginning the adventure in style. Platinum cabins offer luxe extras, such as a full-size ensuite, expansive window views from the train. Add to that the luxurious linen, Champagne Bollinger, premium Jurlique amenities, Bracegirdle’s chocolates, a nightcap at turndown and more, and you’re in for an exceptional experience.

Platinum service includes:

  • Spacious Double or Twin cabin almost twice the size of a Gold Premium Twin or Gold Twin cabin
  • All-inclusive dining, beverages and Off Train Experiences
  • By day, cabins are set up lounge-style with a moveable table and two ottomans
  • By night, lounges are converted to double or twin beds
  • Luxuriously soft linen and satin eye masks
  • Ensuite equipped with separate shower, vanity with cupboard space, and toilet
  • Premium Jurlique amenities
  • Power outlets and in-cabin safe
  • In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary
  • Panoramic windows offering views from both sides of the train
  • Access to the exclusive Platinum Club for dining and socialising
  • Freshly prepared continental breakfasts served upon request in-cabin
  • Refreshments served in-cabin
  • Transfers at the start and end of your journey available for guests within 60 km of the terminal (Platinum transfers in Alice Springs, Darwin and Brisbane are provided in shared vehicles)
  • 90 kg checked luggage allowance per guest (3 x 30 kg each)
  • Priority luggage check-in
Platinum

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Additional information

Excluded

  • International airfares and taxes
  • Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
  • Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
  • Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
  • Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
  • Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
  • Or any other travel expense that has not been included or mentioned in our holiday package 

FAQs

Can I request a forward-facing seat?

Yes, you are able to request forward facing-cabins aboard Great Southern at the time of booking; however, as approximately half the cabins face forward, we are unable to guarantee a forward facing cabin depending on the number of requests received for any given departure.

Can someone with mobility limitations travel on the Great Southern?

The Great Southern has a Gold Access Cabin available for wheelchair bound/physically impaired guests travelling in Gold Service. This cabin is subject to availability and assessment of the guest’s Fitness to Travel. Please ask us for more information.

What are the meal times onboard the train?

In your cabin when you first board the train, you will find a card with the breakfast, lunch and dinner meal times for your journey. Your On-Board Attendant will advise you of the process. If you have any special requests regarding meal times, please speak with a member of the On-Board team when travelling.

Does the train have Wi-Fi?

Limited Wi-Fi is available in the Outback Explorer Lounges and Platinum Club carriages.

Please note that Wi-Fi availability is dependent on mobile network coverage, and as we travel through some remote locations it may not always be available.

What special dietary requirements can be accommodated on board the train?

Most special dietary requirements can be accommodated – including vegetarian, gluten free, lactose free and vegan. Please ensure this is advised at the time of booking.

Is there a dress code when onboard Great Southern?

It’s your holiday and we want you to be comfortable so smart casual attire is recommended.

We also recommend:

  • Warm clothes for Outback Experiences as mornings and evenings in the Outback can be cool
  • Hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes for your Off Train Experiences.

Can I smoke onboard?

No, smoking is not permitted onboard Great Southern.

Do I need to check-in prior to arrival?

Check in opens approximately 2 hours prior to your scheduled departure time.

We ask all guests to check in at least 60 minutes prior to departure to be welcomed onboard. Please bring your travel itinerary and Photo I.D.

Are there luggage restrictions?

Luggage limits apply for both carry on and checked luggage. These limits vary depending on the level of service you are travelling in and by train.

While on board Great Southern, you can access one piece of hand luggage plus a garment bag, cabin bag or briefcase per person, and store this within your cabin.

Checked luggage cannot be accessed during your rail journey, and will be stored on a separate part of the train.

Will I need travel insurance?

As with all holidays and trips abroad, we strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. Please consult with our agents at time of booking and we can assist you with this.

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