Great Southern
with Journey Beyond
- Luxury dining, fine wines and beverages all included
- Immersive Off Train Experiences included
- Members save 5% off Everyday Fares^
The Great Southern journeys between Adelaide and Brisbane (or vice versa), showcasing spectacular coastal and inland scenery and stopping along the way for guests to embark on memorable Off Train Experiences. This is a true summer journey of discovery, from the rugged eastern coastline to buzzing cities and everything in-between.
Great Southern
Step aboard the newest rail experience in Australia and prepare to explore a very special region in unparalleled style. Be among the first to experience this sensational all-new adventure, taking in buzzing cities, diverse landscapes and natural marvels, all in the renowned comfort and style of a Journey Beyond rail expedition.
With its rugged coastline, sun-kissed beaches, unique outback, and exhilarating capital cities, the stunningly diverse southeast feels like nowhere else in Australia. We take you there.
Operating 16 departures between December and January, the Great Southern invites you on a breathtaking journey. With its decades-old sister trains, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific, the Great Southern introduces a new journey for anyone with a taste for adventure.
Gold Service inclusions:
- For Gold Twin, a comfortable sleeper cabin featuring private en suite and upper and lower berths that convert to a three-seater lounge by day
- For 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
- 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 Experiences
- Luggage allowance is 60kg per guest
Gold Premium Twin inclusions:
- A newly designed, contemporary cabin that converts from a lounge by day into sleeping berths at night
- 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
Platinum Service inclusions:
- 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)
Adelaide to Brisbane (3 days / 2 nights)
Day 1: Adelaide and The Great Southern
As the train leaves Adelaide, take your time to settle in and get familiar with your cabin. Enjoy morning tea and then savour a relaxed lunch on board while watching the ever-changing landscape glide by. In the afternoon, the train will arrive in regional Victoria where you’ll have a chance to experience the spectacular wilderness of the Grampians region. Choose from a range of Off Train Experiences (final experiences to be confirmed).
Day 2: Canberra
Today is yours to spend in Australia’s political and cultural capital, Canberra. After breakfast on board, enjoy a scenic coach ride to Canberra to experience a truly memorable lunch and immersive touring at your pick of cultural institutions, including the National War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House, before returning to the train in time for dinner. Enjoy another sumptuous dinner on board before retiring to the lounge for a nightcap.
Day 3: Coffs Harbour and Surrounds
Choose your own adventure today with a variety of options to suit your fitness level and interests. The Urunga Boardwalk excursions starts from the small station of Urunga, where a local Indigenous guide will meet you. Stroll the boardwalk, look for stingrays and herons as your guide interprets this unique ecosystem, highlighting local wildlife and bush tucker. After the boardwalk, immersive yourself in the rich cultural history of the Gumbaynggirr people, with a demonstration of traditional tools and weaponry, and the opportunity to see and taste bush tucker.
The Coffs Explorer experience travels up to Sealy Lookout offering views for miles from the Forest Sky Pier. After drinking in the sights, travel to the North Coast Regional Botanical Garden to explore this green oasis in the heart of Coffs Harbour. The botanic garden features a range of self-guided discovery walks amongst natural forests, planted garden areas including Australian plants, rainforests, sensory garden, international plants from seven regions, a tropical glasshouse and shadehouse, ponds and lakes.
After your Coffs Harbour morning, enjoy a final lunch on board with your fellow travellers before arriving into Brisbane.
Brisbane to Adelaide (4 days / 3 nights)
Day 1: Brisbane and Coffs Harbour
After setting off from Brisbane, enjoy lunch on board and a relaxing afternoon settling in to your private cabin before arriving at the coastal town of Coffs Harbour. As the sun dips beneath the horizon, enjoy a unique beachside dinner where you’ll feast on local produce and fresh seafood matched with fine wines, while the waves lap at the shore nearby. After a few leisurely hours, you’ll reboard the train and set off for the night.
Day 2: Hunter Valley, Newcastle or Port Stephens
Start the day with a hearty breakfast on board before setting off for a full day of Off Train Experiences. Today you get to choose your own adventure with your choice of the Hunter Valley, Newcastle or Port Stephens.
Hunter Valley Wine Region: Meander through the picturesque and historic vineyards of the Hunter Valley, where you can sample wines from both world-renowned brands and boutique cellar doors. Your day will include cellar door experiences and a sumptuous lunch (low intensity).
Port Stephens by Land: Experience the impressive Stockton Bight Sand Dunes and beach by 4WD van, stopping to hunt for pipis and driving to the top of a sand dune to take in the incredible views. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed lunch before heading back to the train in the afternoon (low intensity).
Port Stephens by Sea: Enjoy the stunning views of Port Stephens with a relaxed morning of sailing on the water and the chance to spot dolphins along the way. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed lunch before heading back to the train in the afternoon (low intensity).
Newcastle Explorer: Discover the vibrant mix of old and new in the beautiful coastal city of Newcastle with a fun and informative two-hour guided walking tour before lunch. In the afternoon enjoy an hour of free time by the beach or in town (moderate intensity). In the evening, return to the train to enjoy a regionally inspired meal prepared on board before retiring for the night.
Day 3: Regional Victoria or Melbourne
After enjoying breakfast on board as you travel through Victoria’s high country, you’ll have a choice of Off Train Experiences. Discover regional Victoria with options including wine touring and gourmet delights, visits to natural sights and charming towns. Or opt to visit cosmopolitan Melbourne and take in the soaring views from Melbourne Skydeck and a tour of the National Gallery of Victoria or free time to explore the city yourself.
Day 4: Arrive Adelaide
As the train rolls into Adelaide, enjoy your last breakfast on board and the end of your Great Southern train journey.
Note that all 'Off Train Experiences' are subject to change and minimum and maximum capacity limits apply.
Departs Adelaide on Fridays and arrives to Brisbane on Sundays
Departs Brisbane on Mondays and arrives to Adelaide on Thursdays
The Great Southern only operates during January, February and December.
2025 Fares and Timetable
| Cabin type | Fare Type | Adelaide to Brisbane (3 days / 2 nights) |
Brisbane to Adelaide (4 days / 3 nights) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Service Twin | Advance Purchase | $2490 | $3590 |
| RAC Member Fare | $2650 | $3885 | |
| Everyday Fare | $2790 | $4090 | |
| Fully Flexible | $3190 | $4590 | |
| Gold Service Single | Advance Purchase | $2190 | $3190 |
| RAC Member Fare | $2365 | $3505 | |
| Everyday Fare | $2490 | $3690 | |
| Fully Flexible | $2890 | $4190 | |
| Gold Premium Twin | Advance Purchase | $2990 | $4290 |
| RAC Member Fare | $3220 | $4645 | |
| Everyday Fare | $3390 | $4890 | |
| Fully Flexible | $3790 | $5590 | |
| Platinum Service | Everyday Fare | $5390 | $6990 |
| Fully Flexible | $6190 | $8090 |
Prices are per person, one way.
Advance Purchase: Are you booking at least 6 months in advance? Please enquire about the Advance Purchase Fare to get the lowest price! For Advance Purchase Rail Journeys, full payment will be required at the time of booking and a stricter cancellation and amendment policy applies.
Everyday Fare: For Everyday Rail Journeys, you may pay in two parts, a deposit at time of booking and the balance no later than 45 days prior to departure. Everyday Fares are generally a bit more expensive than Advance Purchase Fares but offer more flexible cancellation and amendment policy.
RAC Member Fare: The RAC Member Fare is based on the Everyday Fare. The same terms and conditions apply but as a RAC member you save 5% off the Everyday Fare.
Flexible Fare: For Flexible Rail Journeys, full payment will be required at the time of booking, however the fare is fully refundable if cancelled 1 or more days prior to departure.
For detailed terms and conditions please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant.
Departs Adelaide on Fridays and arrives to Brisbane on Sundays
Departs Brisbane on Mondays and arrives to Adelaide on Thursdays
The Great Southern only operates during January, February and December.
2026 Fares and Timetable
| Cabin type | Fare Type | Adelaide to Brisbane (3 days / 2 nights) |
Brisbane to Adelaide (4 days / 3 nights) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Service Twin | Advance Purchase | $2490 | $3690 |
| RAC Member Fare | $2745 | $3980 | |
| Everyday Fare | $2890 | $4190 | |
| Fully Flexible | $3290 | $4690 | |
| Gold Service Single | Advance Purchase | $2190 | $3290 |
| RAC Member Fare | $2460 | $3600 | |
| Everyday Fare | $2590 | $3790 | |
| Fully Flexible | $2990 | $4290 | |
| Gold Premium Twin | Advance Purchase | $2990 | $4390 |
| RAC Member Fare | $3315 | $4740 | |
| Everyday Fare | $3490 | $4990 | |
| Fully Flexible | $3890 | $5490 | |
| Platinum Service | Everyday Fare | $5790 | $7790 |
| Fully Flexible | $6590 | $8890 |
Prices are per person, one way.
Advance Purchase: Are you booking at least 6 months in advance? Please enquire about the Advance Purchase Fare to get the lowest price! For Advance Purchase Rail Journeys, full payment will be required at the time of booking and a stricter cancellation and amendment policy applies.
Everyday Fare: For Everyday Rail Journeys, you may pay in two parts, a deposit at time of booking and the balance no later than 45 days prior to departure. Everyday Fares are generally a bit more expensive than Advance Purchase Fares but offer more flexible cancellation and amendment policy.
RAC Member Fare: The RAC Member Fare is based on the Everyday Fare. The same terms and conditions apply but as a RAC member you save 5% off the Everyday Fare.
Flexible Fare: For Flexible Rail Journeys, full payment will be required at the time of booking, however the fare is fully refundable if cancelled 1 or more days prior to departure.
For detailed terms and conditions please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant.
*Advertised price is per person based on Advance Purchase Fare in a Gold Single Cabin for travel in January 2025 in Adelaide to Brisbane direction. Other travel dates available at seasonal surcharge as per dates and prices tab. For the Advance Purchase Fare full payment is required at time of booking. 100% cancellation fees apply 14 days after booking. RAC member discount applies to Gold Twin and Single Cabins as well as Gold Premium Twin Cabins booked on Everyday Fare only and is not combinable with any other discount. For the Everyday Fare a non-refundable 25% deposit is required at time of booking, balance due 45 days prior departure. Timetables and Off Train Experiences are subject to change without notice. Standard Journey Beyond terms and conditions apply. Credit card fees may apply to your booking.
Other terms and conditions apply, for full terms and conditions please visit RAC Travel general terms and conditions
