Itinerary
Intro Map
The Great Southern - Southern Wine & Wildlife
Day 1 Board The Great Southern in Brisbane
Today, you’ll set off from Brisbane on your adventure covering Australia’s south-east. Settle into your cabin and prepare for your first meal on train before arriving into Coffs Harbour for a spectacular beachside dining experience in the evening.
Overnight stay aboard the Great Southern.
Day 2 Great Southern, Hunter Region
After your first night on the train, wake up to a sumptuous breakfast that will set you up for a day of exploring. Choose from wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, exploring Port Stephens by sea or by land, or perhaps opt for a walking tour in Newcastle, discovering its history, vibrancy and stunning coastal views.
Overnight stay aboard the Great Southern.
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. Discover regional Victoria or visit cosmopolitan Melbourne. See the city from high above at Melbourne Skydeck, take a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground or Old Melbourne Gaol, or enjoy free time to explore the city yourself.
Overnight stay aboard the Great Southern.
Day 4 Great Southern, Adelaide
Upon arrival into Adelaide, you will be transferred to your hotel. 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 Sofitel Adelaide.
Day 5 Barossa Valley
Today, your boutique wine and food touring continues with a visit to the historic Northern Barossa, with its 80 cellar doors. Enjoy running commentary from your driver as you make your way towards the fabulous Barossa Valley region and prepare to visit one of the oldest vineyards in the world, where Shiraz vines were planted in 1843.
Throughout the day, you will be guided through 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 and a delicious lunch with an accompanying glass of wine.
Overnight stay at Sofitel Adelaide.
Day 6 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 Sofitel Adelaide.
Day 7 Day at leisure
Explore more of Adelaide at your leisure. If you’d like to get to the source of that gourmet experience by visiting another wine growing region, McLaren Vale is one that is recommended – and can be arranged (additional costs apply).
Overnight stay at Sofitel Adelaide.
Day 8 Adelaide – Kangaroo Island
Depart from Adelaide Airport for your flight to magical Kangaroo Island, where you will be met by your guide. Then, begin your two days on Kangaroo Island enjoying the ‘Island Life’ tour. 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.
After a day of touring, you will return to your accommodation, with dinner included at your hotel.
Overnight stay at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge.
Day 9 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.
Day 10 Kangaroo Island to 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 Sofitel Adelaide.
Day 11 Farewell
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation, bringing your epicurean adventure to an end.
Accommodation
Great Southern
Upgrade availableThe Great Southern journeying between Adelaide and Brisbane showcasing spectacular scenery and an unrivalled experience both on and off the train. With a new route travelling through South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, the Great Southern is a truly unforgettable journey just waiting to be discovered. With its rugged coastline, sun-kissed beaches, forested peaks, and exhilarating capital cities, the stunning journey between Brisbane and Adelaide feels like nowhere else in Australia.
Gold Service (TWIN)
Gold Twin offers a comfortable sleeper cabin featuring private en suite and upper and lower berths that convert to a three-seater lounge by day
Features include
- 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 and Short Stops
- Luggage allowance is 60kg per guest
Single cabins available – or upgrade to the highest level of service onboard, Platinum Service.
Room Upgrades
Gold Single Cabin
A compact sleeper cabin featuring a bed that converts to a seat by day, private vanity, with shared shower/toilet facilities located at the end of the carriage.
Australia’s iconic rail journeys offer purpose-built carriages to do it in superb style. Our Gold Service Single is a comfortable sleeper cabin option that offers all the luxurious inclusions of the Gold Service Twin such as fully inclusive dining with three gourmet meals per day, all-inclusive Australian wines, beers, base spirits and non-alcoholic beverages, and your choice of Off Train Experiences as you travel.
Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.
Gold Premium
Gold Premium is a new style of travel for 2024 – For travellers who want that little bit more. Accommodated in newly designed, contemporary cabins, guests have exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge and Gold Premium Dining carriage for meals and socialising.
The Gold Premium Lounge is your social hub. Think luxe leather banquettes and swivel chairs made for sinking into, and mood lighting creating an elegant ambiance that references the romance inherent in train travel.
Gold Premium Dining is a feast in multiple ways, with a contemporary design that respects Art Deco as the setting for carefully curated meals, from hearty breakfasts to two-course regionally inspired lunches and delectable four-course dinners, featuring the finest ingredients from local suppliers, farmers and providores. Naturally, this is accompanied by a selection of premium Australian wines.
Gold Premium Twin
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:
- Premium amenities, luxuriously soft linen and silk 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
Nothing enhances the romance of rail travel quite like Platinum Service. Tailored for the discerning traveller, our Platinum Service adds a new level of sophistication to your journey. Stylishly appointed and spacious cabins are complemented by discreet, personalised service and access to the exclusive Platinum Club carriage for meals, relaxation and socialising. As you’d expect, the food and wine are of the highest standard. Enjoy hearty breakfasts, two-course lunches and four-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 premium extras, like a full-size en suite, expansive window views from the train, and exclusive use of the Platinum Club carriage. Add to that the luxurious linen, French Champagne, Bracegirdle’s chocolates, a nightcap at turndown and more, and you’re in for an exceptional experience.
Platinum service includes:
- All-inclusive dining, beverages, and Off Train Experiences
- Spacious Double or Twin cabin almost twice the size of a Gold Service Twin cabin
- 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
- En suite equipped with separate shower, vanity with cupboard space, toilet and Australian bathroom 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
- 90 kg checked luggage allowance per guest (3 x 30 kg each).
Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.