The Great Southern Journey - Brisbane to Adelaide

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    DURATION
    4 days, 3 nights
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    DURATION DAYS
    4 days
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    DURATION NIGHTS
    3 nights
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    DEPARTURE MONTHS
    December 2026 - December 2027
  • Travel aboard The Great Southern cabins on an entirely different summer itinerary
  • A​ll-inclusive with off-train touring, regionally inspired meals and fine wines
  • Solo travellers pay less per person!*

Journeying from Brisbane to Adelaide over four days, immerse in some of Australia’s most spectacular coastal and inland scenery while tucking in to creative menus that showcase premium local food and wine.

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 regional Victoria and Melbourne. Enjoy a mixture of relaxing time on train and immersive Off Train Experiences, before concluding your journey in Adelaide.

Photos

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3-night Brisbane-Adelaide journey map. (Scroll right for the alternative 2-night Adelaide-Brisbane journey, featuring different stops.)

Inclusions/Exclusions

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4 days / 3 nights aboard the Great Southern from Brisbane to Adelaide

  • 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
Your fare excludes:
  • A​irfares
  • Travel Insurance

Itinerary

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Day 1 - BRISBANE AND COFFS HARBOUR

Your East Coast journey begins with a warm welcome at Hanworth House in East Brisbane, where you’ll check in gather with fellow travellers for a celebratory start to your summer journey. After setting off from Brisbane on the Great Southern, life on board begins to unfold. Savour lunch as the train winds south, then settle into the rhythm of your cabin and the passing landscapes.

In the afternoon, the Great Southern arrives in the coastal town of Coffs Harbour. Here, the evening unfolds in true coastal style. As the sun sinks below the horizon, enjoy drinks and canapés on the sand at Charlesworth Bay before a signature outdoor dinner – weather permitting- showcasing fresh seafood and regional produce paired with local wines. The soundtrack is set by a live band and the gentle rhythm of waves on the shore. After a few unhurried hours, reboard the train and settle in for your first night on board. (L,D)

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. Wine lovers can explore the picturesque 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 followed by 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.

Alternatively, discover Port Stephens by land or sea. Venture by 4WD across the vast Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, the largest mobile dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Stop to admire your surrounds and drive to the top of a dune to take in the sweeping views – you may even choose to sandboard down. On the water tour, be dazzled by turquoise seas as you soak up the coastline on a relaxed boat cruise, with the chance to spot dolphins along the way. Whether by land or sea, after your Port Stephens adventure you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch at Nelson Bay Golf Club before returning to the train in the afternoon.

Closer to the city, explore Newcastle on a guided walking tour that reveals its coastal charm, capped with lunch at Scratchleys on the Wharf before returning to the train for a regionally inspired dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - REGIONAL VICTORIA OR MELBOURNE

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board as the Great Southern travels through Victoria’s high country before choosing your next Off Train Experience.

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, spend the day in cosmopolitan Melbourne to discover why it’s considered the cultural and sporting capital of Australia. Highlights include the Ian Potter Centre at NGV Australia, with its remarkable collection of Australian art, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, guided by a club member. History buffs may prefer the Old Melbourne Gaol, where stories of the past, including those of Ned Kelly, come to life.

To complete your Melbourne experience, take in the sweeping views from Melbourne Skydeck before ascending to Eureka 89 for a curated lunch showcasing seasonal local produce. Afterwards, return to the train to continue your journey south. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Arrive in Adelaide

Catch the morning light over regional South Australia, a final reminder of the landscapes you’ve travelled through. Sit back and enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board, savouring the last moments of life on train. Soon, the Great Southern glides into Adelaide, where your journey concludes – leaving you with memories of extraordinary landscapes, shared stories, and experiences that linger long after the train has stopped. (B)

Dates and Prices

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Great Southern departs Mondays from Brisbane to Adelaide

Dec 2026 | Jan, Feb, Dec 2027

  • Gold Single Cabin from $3,490 pp* solo traveller
  • Gold Twin Cabin from $3,990 pp* twin share
  • Gold Premium Twin Cabin from $4,690 pp* twin share
  • Platinum Twin Cabin from $8,290 pp twin share *

Please note that prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and may change without notice. Advance Purchase fares are only available until sold out.

Accommodation

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Gold Twin Cabin, Great Southern

Relax with everything taken care of while onboard including fine dining, premium wines and world-class hospitality, as you’re transported from buzzing cities to diverse landscapes and natural marvels.

Spend hours deep in conversation with a travelling partner or lose yourself in a lifetime of thoughts. And after a day of off-train activities, your cabin provides the perfect place to relax and recharge before heading for the lounge or dining carriage. With room to stretch out and all the comforts of home, Gold Service is the most popular level of service aboard The Ghan, Great Southern, and Indian Pacific. You’ll enjoy private cabin accommodation together with all-inclusive dining, beverages and a range of fascinating Off Train Excursions at key stops.

  • Gold Twin, a comfortable sleeper cabin featuring private ensuite and upper and lower berths that convert to a three-seater lounge by day
  • Gold Single, a compact sleeper cabin featuring a bed that converts to a seat by day and shared shower/toilet facilities located at the end of the carriage
  • Gold Premium is a new style of travel sitting between Platinum and Gold. These contemporary cabins take inspiration from the Australian Outback. Convert from a lounge by day into upper and lower sleeping bugs at night, and have a compact ensuite including a toilet, washbasin and shower.
  • Platinum Twin cabins are almost twice the size of a Gold Twin and features two single beds by night. By day, this cabin is configured as a private lounge with deluxe seating, a table and two ottomans.

FAQs

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Standard of dress onboard the train:

It is your holiday and we want you to be comfortable, so smart casual attire is recommended. Warm clothes are recommended for evenings onboard the train, as the air-conditioning can be cool. It is recommended that guests pack a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes for off-train touring. Sensible shoes are advisable for walking between carriages. 

Cabins onboard the train:

Single Gold Cabins - 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.

Twin Gold Cabins - comfortable sleeper cabin featuring upper and lower sleeping berths that convert to a three-seater lounge by day. Private compact en suite featuring a shower and toilet.

Luggage Allowance:

Guests should bring an overnight bag to their cabin containing everything needed for the journey. Each guest travelling is entitled to checked in luggage, however checked in luggage cannot be accessed during the journey. In Gold Service, guests are allowed 2 bags x 30kg and guests travelling in Platinum Service are allowed 3 bags x 30kg.

T&Cs

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Non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total fare per person is required within 7 days of booking. Balance will be due no later than 95 days prior to departure

Terms and conditions apply. Click here for more details.

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Prices per person from

A$3,990

A$3,490

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Prices per person from

A$3,990

A$3,490