Great Southern 2026
Overview
You’re invited!
Australia’s Great Rail Journeys 2026 Season Release
Uncover exciting 2026 departures & unbeatable last-minute deals for 2024/2025!
Thursday 5th December 2024
From 10:30am | Adelaide Parklands Terminal
Adelaide Parkland Terminal, Richmond Rd, Keswick SA 5035
Showcasing an unrivalled summer experience, both on and off-train!
The Great Southern journeys from Adelaide and Brisbane, showcasing spectacular coastal and inland landscapes and providing an unrivalled summer experience, both on and off the train.
Adelaide to Brisbane
Adelaide to Brisbane
3 days, 2 nights
Departs Fridays between January, February & December 2026
Gold Single From $2,190pp
Gold Twin From $2,490pp twin share
Gold Premium Twin From $2,990pp twin share
Platinum From $5,790pp twin share
Inclusions
- 3 days / 2 nights aboard the Great Southern, travelling from Adelaide to Brisbane
- All-inclusive meals, fine wines, and beverages
- A regionally-inspired menu paired with a selection of local wines
- Off Train Experiences in the Grampians, Canberra and Coffs Harbour
- Discover the Grampians, walk through the Venus Baths over Stoney Creek, or enjoy wine tastings with a view
- Explore Canberra, visiting Parliament House, Australian War Memorial, or the National Portrait Gallery
- Explore the coastal town of Coffs Harbour, or walk the Urunga Boardwalk
Itinerary
DAY 1 - ADELAIDE AND THE GRAMPIANS
Your journey of exploration along the east coast begins as the Great Southern’s bright orange locomotive leaves Adelaide on its epicurean adventure. Settle into life on the train and get familiar with your cabin and the lounge, the social hub. Enjoy morning tea and savour a relaxed lunch on board while watching the ever-changing landscape through the windows. In the afternoon, the train will arrive in regional Victoria for your first Off Train Experience.
Explore The Grampians at your own pace. Enjoy a guided coach tour through the scenic town of Halls Gap, taking in the spectacular views, including the incredible Boroka Lookout, or embrace Mother Nature and stretch your legs with a guided walk to the Venus Baths. Alternatively, spend the afternoon tasting regional wines at Pomonal Estate with a cellar door experience paired with artisanal chocolates or Fallen Giants, where you’ll taste and learn about the winery’s 50-year history. You may choose to upgrade your Grampians’ experience with a helicopter flight that soars across the National Park.
Return to the train and continue travelling up the east coast, with a delectable dinner on board.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 - CANBERRA AND SURROUNDS
After breakfast on board, today is yours to explore Australia’s political capital, Canberra. After breakfast on board, enjoy a coach ride to Canberra City Centre to experience a memorable lunch at Old Parliament House before an afternoon of insightful guided tours at your pick of iconic institutions, whether it’s the National War Memorial, Parliament House or the National Portrait Gallery.
As afternoon turns to evening, return to the train in time for another gourmet dinner on board. After dinner, retire to the lounge for a nightcap with your fellow travellers as the Great Southern rolls north.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - COFFS HARBOUR AND SURROUNDS
Linger over breakfast on board before departing on your choice of Off Train Experience around Coffs Harbour. The Coffs Explorer travels up to Sealy Lookout, offering views for miles from the Forest Sky Pier, before heading to the spectacular North Coast Regional Botanical Garden. Alternatively, take a stroll from the Urunga Boardwalk to the Beach with a local Indigenous guide, who will help you spot native wildlife through the walk and teach about the history of the Gumbaynggirr people, with a demonstration of traditional tools and weaponry and the opportunity to see and taste bush tucker. If you’d prefer to take to the skies, treat yourself to an optional upgrade with a hinterland helicopter flight that soars over the Great Diving Range and Coffs Harbour coastline.
After your Coffs Harbour morning, indulge in a final lunch on board before arriving into Brisbane, completing your coastal train journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Advertised price is based on per person twin share and subject to change, pricing is based on advanced purchase fare. Correct as of 13 November 2024.
Brisbane to Adelaide
Brisbane to Adelaide
4 days, 3 nights
Departs Mondays between January, February & December 2025
Gold Single From $3,290pp
Gold Twin From $3,690pp twin share
Gold Premium From $4,390pp twin share
Platinum From $7,790pp twin share
Inclusions:
- 3 nights aboard the Great Southern, travelling from Brisbane to Adelaide
- All-inclusive meals, fine wines and beverages
- A regionally-inspired menu paired with a selection of local wines
- Off Train Experiences at Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley Region, regional Victoria and Melbourne
- Enjoy a unique beachside dinner at Coffs Harbour, feasting on local produce and fresh seafood matched with fine wines
- Taste wines from the Hunter Valley, explore Port Stephens’ sun-soaked beaches and beautiful waterways, or take a walk through Newcastle
- Venture into Melbourne for a day spent exploring the city, or wine and dine in the beautiful Moorabool Valley
Itinerary
DAY 1 - BRISBANE AND 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.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2 - HUNTER VALLEY, NEWCASTLE OR PORT STEPHENS
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 some of the region’s finest wineries and enjoying generous tasting times, allowing you to savour the full range of Hunter Valley offerings. Between wine tastings, you’ll sit down for a platter-style lunch featuring local produce.
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 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, 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 - REGIONAL VICTORIA OR MELBOURNE
After a leisurely breakfast on board as you travel through Victoria’s high country, you’ll again 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 in the Moorabool Valley. Clyde Park is a beautiful vineyard, cellar door and bistro set among rolling hills. Here, you’ll enjoy a long lunch and sample cool-climate wines while being entertained on the glorious lawns.
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) on a private tour with a knowledgeable NGV Guide, or 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, you’ll make your way back to the train to continue your journey south.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 - ARRIVE ADELAIDE
Catch the morning light over regional South Australia. Sit back and enjoy your final breakfast on board before arriving into Adelaide.
Meals: Breakfast
Advertised price is based on per person twin share and subject to change, pricing is based on advanced purchase fare. Correct as of 13 November 2024.
Cabins
GOLD SINGLE CABIN
Australia’s iconic rail journeys offer purpose-built carriages to do it in superb style. Our Gold Single is a comfortable sleeper cabin option that offers all the luxurious inclusions of the Gold 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.
- All-inclusive dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant
- Off Train Experiences
- Access to the Outback Explorer Lounge for beverages and socialising
- All-inclusive Australian wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages
- 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
- Power outlets and in-cabin safe
- In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary
- Complimentary Australian bathroom amenities
- 60 kg checked luggage allowance per guest (2 x 30 kg each, to be checked in to the luggage car) plus one small carry-on bag / piece of hand luggage (stored in your cabin)
GOLD TWIN CABIN
The moment you step into your cabin, you'll be immersed into a world of romance that epitomises rail travel. The most popular choice of accommodation, Gold Twin and Single Cabins have everything you need to feel right at home for the amazing experience that lies ahead.
- All-inclusive dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant
- Off Train Experiences
- Access to the Outback Explorer Lounge for beverages and socialising
- All-inclusive Australian wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages
- A comfortable sleeper cabin featuring upper and lower sleeping berths that converts to a three-seater lounge by day
- Private compact en suite featuring a shower and toilet
- Power outlets and in-cabin safe
- In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary
- Complimentary bathroom essentials from Appelles Apothecary
- 60 kg checked luggage allowance per guest (2 x 30 kg each, to be checked in to the luggage car) plus one small carry-on bag / piece of hand luggage (stored in your cabin)
GOLD PREMIUM TWIN CABIN
Gold Premium is a new style of travel, featuring newly designed, contemporary cabins that take inspiration from the Australian outback, featuring walnut timber and polished brass, along with Indigenous prints or relax in your cabin as you admire the colours and contours of the passing landscape, you’ll enjoy special moments throughout the journey and a range of enhanced benefit on the upholstery. It’s designed to cocoon guests in comfort and comes with exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge and Gold Premium Dining carriage. Whether you want to share the highlights of your day with fellow guests over an aperitif in the Gold Premium Lounges, along with all-inclusive dining, premium beverages and fascinating Off Train Experiences along the way.
*Advertised price based on this cabin category
- Newly designed, contemporary cabins
- 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
*Advertised price based on this cabin category
PLATINUM SERVICE
For the discerning traveller, Platinum adds an enhanced level of sophistication to your journey. Stylishly appointed, spacious suites complemented by discreet, personalised service and world-class food and wine make this a very special travel experience.
- 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
- Ensuite 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 (Platinum transfers in Darwin are provided in multi-passenger vehicles)
- 90 kg checked luggage allowance per guest (3 x 30 kg each).
