Great Southern: Brisbane to Melbourne

Overview

Summer deserves a celebration – and what better celebration than travelling the east coast of Australia by train? Departing Brisbane, the Great Southern takes you south into the rolling hills of New South Wales before stopping for a signature beachside dining experience in Coffs Harbour. You’ll have time to meander through the historic vineyards of the Hunter Valley or explore beautiful Port Stephens by land or sea, before heading towards Victoria and ending your journey with a day of activities in Melbourne.

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Inclusions

2 nights aboard the Great Southern, travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne

A regionally-inspired menu paired with a selection of local wines

All-inclusive meals, fine wines and beverages

Off Train Experiences at Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley Region and Melbourne

Itinerary

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Day 1 Brisbane & Coffs Harbour

Your East Coast journey begins at Hanworth House in East Brisbane, where you’ll check in and be welcomed at a celebratory gathering. After setting off from Brisbane on the Great Southern, savour lunch on board and spend a relaxing afternoon settling into your cabin before arriving at the coastal town of Coffs Harbour. As the sun dips beneath the horizon, enjoy drinks and canapes on the beach at Charlesworth Bay before a unique outdoor dinner – as long as the weather allows – where you’ll feast on local produce and fresh seafood paired with fine wines. Listen to the waves lapping at the nearby shore as the backing track for a live band playing the classics. 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

Coffs Harbour

Day 2 Hunter Valley Port Stephens or Newcastle

Start the day with a hearty breakfast on board before setting off on your choice of Off Train Experiences. You may choose to meander through the picturesque, historic vineyards of the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region. Known for Semillon and Shiraz, here you’ll spend the day amongst the vines, visiting Tulloch and Brokenwood Wines. After your wine tastings, you’ll sit down for a platter-style lunch featuring local produce at Twine Restaurant. If you’d prefer to take to the skies, treat yourself to an optional upgrade with a Hunter Valley helicopter flight that soars over the rolling green hills, showcasing the best of the wine region and beyond.

Other options include exploring Port Stephens by land or sea. On the land tour, you’ll drive along and into the largest mobile sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, in a 4WD vehicle. You’ll stop to admire your surrounds and drive to the top of a dune to take in the incredible views – you may even choose to sandboard down. On the water tour, you’ll be dazzled by the turquoise water as you soak up the stunning coastline from a relaxed boat cruise. You may be lucky enough to spot dolphins along the way. Whether by land or sea, after your Port Stephens adventure, you’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch at Nelson Bay Golf Club before returning to the train in the afternoon.

Alternatively, explore Newcastle and discover the vibrant mix of old and new in the beautiful coastal city with a fun and insightful guided walking tour. After lunch at Scratchleys on the Wharf, spend an hour at your leisure embracing everything Newcastle has to offer, and 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.

_{Note that all Off Train Experiences are subject to change and minimum and maximum capacity limits apply.}

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Port Stephens

Day 3 Melbourne

Enjoy your last breakfast on board as you travel through Victoria’s high country, arriving you’ll again have a choice of Off Train Experiences.

Today you’ll disembark in cosmopolitan Melbourne and get to explore why it’s considered the cultural and sporting capital of Australia. Enjoy the highlights of the Ian Potter Centre at NGV Australia, home of Australian art or opt to check out the “Cats & Dogs” exhibition featuring more than 250 works of art and design exploring humanity’s deep connection to these animals. Visit the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on an insightful tour with an Melbourne Cricket Club member, where you’ll be regaled with the highs and lows of sporting history. If you’re a history buff, head to the Old Melbourne Gaol, which, from 1842 until its closure in 1929, was the scene of 133 hangings, including Australia’s most infamous citizen, Bushranger Ned Kelly.

Having worked up an appetite, visit Melbourne Skydeck, taking in the soaring views 88 floors above sea level, and then ascend one more floor to Eureka 89, where you’ll dine on a beautifully curated menu showcasing local and seasonal produce. After lunch, your journey concludes on the Great Southern.

Breakfast, Lunch

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.

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).

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

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

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.

Great Southern: Brisbane to Melbourne (Tour code: 14945)

Highlights

Overview

Inclusions