What It’s Like To Travel On The Luxury Great Southern Train

Thinking about travelling onboard The Great Southern? Here’s everything you need to know.

“The Great Southern is certainly the best train route for scenery." Says The Great Southern’s general manager, Bruce Smith. And he would certainly know; Bruce has been working on trains for 28 years – including The Ghan and Indian Pacific, the sister routes to The Great Southern (all three operate under the Journey Beyond umbrella). Of all Australia’s epic train journeys, The Great Southern is Bruce’s favourite. It’s not hard to see why – the countryside from Brisbane to Adelaide is painterly and picturesque all the way through, from the emerald tones of the Byron Hinterland to the golden wheatfields of regional Victoria.

Most people are familiar with The Ghan, the 100-year-old cameleer route turned bucket-list experience by the luxury train. But when outback Australia gets too hot in the summer, The Ghan transforms into The Great Southern, travelling between Brisbane and Adelaide for the season. It’s a new route, relatively speaking, beginning its inaugural journey in 2019. However, it’s already on track to be another bucket-list Aussie experience.

So if you’re thinking of hopping onboard, here’s the lowdown on what to expect when you travel between Brisbane and Adelaide with The Great Southern.

The Great Southern passing through Boambee Creek — *The Great Southern* traces the country from coast to bush.

Adelaide to Brisbane, or Brisbane to Adelaide?

Depending on your direction of travel, you’ll experience a completely different journey.

I travelled from Brisbane to Adelaide, which was a total of 4 days and 3 nights onboard. On this journey, the train stops at Coffs Harbour first. The next stop is Newcastle – where you’ll have the choice to tour Newcastle City, visit Port Stephens or sample wine in the Hunter Valley. The final stop is in Greater Melbourne or Regional Victoria, depending on your choice of off-train experience.

Port Stephens 4WD Tours on Stockton Beach — *The Great Southern* stops at Port Stephens en route from Brisbane to Adelaide.

Alternatively, the journey from Adelaide to Brisbane is spread over 3 days, with 2 nights onboard. The train stops in the Grampians, Canberra and Coffs Harbour.

an aerial view of the Great Southern train passing through Coffs Harbour — The 700-metre-plus Great Southern train passes through Coffs Harbour on NSW’s North Coast.

Accommodation and categories

There are three accommodation categories onboard The Great Southern – Gold, Platinum, and as of the upcoming 2024/25 season, a new Gold Premium category will be introduced. Each category also has separate lounge and dining cars – which we’ll delve into in the next section. Here’s the rundown of each accommodation category.

Gold

Gold Twin

I stayed in the spacious gold twin room, the most popular choice of accommodation onboard The Great Southern. In the daytime, the room is set up as a comfortable couch, where you can spread out and while away the day by the window. There’s a table, mirror, and convenient space for storage.

At night, you’ll return to your cabin to find it miraculously converted into a comfortable single-bed bed with a mattress that folds down. There are upper and lower berths to accommodate two passengers. This room comes with its own private bathroom. It’s a great option for a couple, friends, or a single person seeking more space and privacy.

There is also an access-friendly version of Gold Twin, which has handrails and a shower chair in the bathroom and converts into two lower berth beds at night.

Gold Twin Great Southern Cabin Night — Gold Twin Cabins have upper and lower single berths.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Gold Single

Gold singles are cosy cabins with just enough room to comfortably fit a single bed. By day, the room is set up with an armchair and a fold-down table. There are shared bathrooms and showers for this room type. There is plenty of room to spread out in the bar car if you’re seeking more space, and the cabin itself makes for a lovely reading nook to tuck yourself away and watch the world roll past.

Platinum

If you want to travel in ultimate style and comfort, then a Platinum cabin is the way to go. These cabins have nearly double the space of the gold twin cabins, as well as double windows so you can catch the absolute best views as you kick back.

You can choose either a twin or double bed configuration, making this a perfect choice for either couples or friends (or a single person who likes their space!). A Platinum cabin is set up by day with two plush ottomans. At night, the cabin comfortably contains a double or twin bed. You’ll have your own ensuite bathroom, complete with upscale amenities.

Platinum Great Southern Cabin at Night — The spacious Platinum cabin is configured for sleeping. You can enjoy a continental breakfast in bed the next morning.

Gold Premium

This brand-new room category puts a more contemporary spin on the Gold class cabins, perfect for those seeking an extra touch of luxury. These cabins are similarly configured to the Gold Twin cabins, but with chic, modern design touches. Guests will also receive exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge. Gold Premium is available to book for the upcoming 2024/25 summer season.

Food

On The Great Southern, you’ll embark on a culinary journey as well as a physical one. The Great Southern is certainly a trip that foodies will love – think picturesque mornings lingering over a three-course breakfast or savoring the sunset with dessert in the dining car. The onboard dining is one of the highlights of the experience. The menus are thoughtfully and expertly curated, with service that is equal parts formal, knowledgeable and friendly. Each meal features an ingredient from the region the train traverses, like lemon myrtle, beetroot and Native quangdong. In a nutshell, it’s fantastic and quintessentially Aussie hospitality.

Gold passengers dine in the Art Deco-inspired Queen Adelaide restaurant, chock-full of character and resplendent with crimson dining booths and detailing that conjures an old-world feel.

queen adelaide restaurant great southern — Gold class passengers dine in the Art Deco-inspired Queen Adelaide Restaurant onboard.

Platinum passengers have a combined bar and dining car, which sports a more contemporary, elegant style. The carriage is full of thoughtful touches, like fresh flowers on each dining table.|

platinum great southern — Platinum passengers have access to the upscale Platinum Lounge and Dining Carriage.

Similar to the Queen Adelaide restaurant in Gold class, The Gold Premium restaurant is configured with booth-style seating, but dressed in a sleek, pared-back palette that evokes a more modern feel.

gold premium restaurant Great Southern — Dine in the elegant new Gold Premium restaurant.

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Lounge and onboard vibes

The lounge is the social heart of the train. This is where passengers go to soak in the views, sip a cocktail at the bar and chat to fellow passengers. There is a live musician onboard to provide entertainment, and passengers are encouraged to give song requests and sing along, too! The lounge definitely provides a communal element to the journey, meaning that even if you’re travelling solo, you won’t be travelling alone.

In keeping with the Queen Adelaide restaurant, the Gold Lounge is dressed in rich reds and Art Deco style. Sitting in a crimson armchair with a glass of sparkling wine in hand feels like stepping back in time to the golden age of rail travel.

gold lounge Great Southern — The lounge is the social hub of the train.

Platinum passengers have access to a modern, upscale and intimate dining and lounge carriage, although they are welcome to wander into the Gold Lounge, too.

Gold Premium passengers also have access to an exclusive lounge. Airy, chic and modern, thoughtful design touches take inspiration from the colours of the terrain you’re passing through.

gold premium lounge — Watch the scenery pass by from the Gold Premium Lounge.

Off-train experiences

The Great Southern has a great range of off-train experiences, with something to suit every kind of traveller. Food and wine aficionados can enjoy a variety of wine tasting experiences. I joined the adventurous passengers in a 4WD of Stockton sand dunes during the stop at Port Stephens. It was the least popular tour, but a personal highlight for me. And if you can’t decide between adventure and gastronomy, don’t worry. Each excursion is always bookended with a sumptuous lunch with drinks.

al fresco dining in Coffs Harbour — Dine al fresco in Coffs Harbour on an off-train experience.

What’s included in the fare?

Fare includes accommodation, all onboard meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and off-train experiences. The only exception to this is the few optional off-train experiences which require an extra fee, such as the helicopter tours.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery. Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda, and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines.

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk, one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines, where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala. Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie, right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk, an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park. Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast, a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery, where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm. Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal, which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores, between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch. Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong. A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery, which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen. It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

What it’s like to travel on the luxury Great Southern train

Thinking about travelling onboard The Great Southern? Here’s everything you need to know.

Adelaide to Brisbane, or Brisbane to Adelaide?

Accommodation and categories