Great Southern luxury: Adelaide to Brisbane by rail

Enjoy VIP lounge access at the airport before your flight to Australia.

On arrival in Adelaide you'll collect your hire car and head to the Barossa Valley, South Australia's wine-producing capital. During your stay, you'll have the chance to sample world-class wines and enjoy fresh, local cuisine in some of the region's finest restaurants. A visit to the Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park offers hiking opportunities with panoramic views over the Barossa, myriad native birds and the chance to spot an iconic kangaroo in the open grasslands.

Stay: Barossa Shiraz Estate (Superior)

You'll return to Adelaide to drop off your hire car and check in to the Adina Treasury, located in the heart of the vibrant CBD. You'll have two days to explore this charming city, home to some of Australia's best restaurants and bursting with culture and entertainment. A visit to the Art Gallery of South Australia will uncover 38,000 pieces from around the world, while the South Australian Museum will immerse you in Adelaide's rich history. If you head to the beach you might even spot dolphins and sea lions playing in the swells. 

Today you'll transfer to the station to board the Great Southern. As the train leaves Adelaide, take your time to settle in and get familiar with your cabin. You'll be served morning tea and then savour a relaxed lunch on board while watching the ever-changing landscape glide by. In the late afternoon, the train will arrive in the rugged mountains of the Grampians. Enjoy an outdoor dining experience, surrounded by nature and native wildlife and featuring local food and wine. You'll have the option to take a guided walk, drive to a lookout or simply sit back and relax among the scenery.

Today you'll speed through the countryside on the way to Australia's unique capital city. Once in Canberra, enjoy a visit to Parliament House and lunch before your choice of tours at the the National War Memorial, Parliament House, National Gallery of Australia or the National Museum of Australia. Or, if you prefer, you can spend a relaxed day wine tasting and dining in the Murrumbateman Food and Wine region before returning to the Great Southern. Come evening, you'll enjoy a delicious dinner and drinks in the lounge car before settling down for the night.

Today you can choose your own adventure with a variety of options to suit your fitness level and interests. The Boardwalk to Beach excursion pauses at Urunga to take in spectacular coastline views and the Great Dividing Range before returning for a stroll around the Harbourside Markets and historic jetty. Alternatively, the Coffs Explorer excursion will take you to Sealy Lookout, offering views from the Forest Sky Pier, before travelling back to Coffs for time to relax by the beach. Otherwise, make the most of Coffs Harbour with an entire morning spent seaside. Finally, if you're a keen golfer, there is also an option to enjoy nine holes at the Bonville Golf Resort*, one of the world’s most beautiful golf courses. You will enjoy a final gourmet lunch on board before arriving into Brisbane, transferring to the CBD and checking into your hotel for the evening.

*Availability – strictly limited for Bonville Golf Resort. If interested in participating, please request more information at the time of enquiry. Note that all excursions are subject to change and capacity limits apply. Itineraries will vary for Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day tours.

You'll have time to really explore Brisbane today, a buzzing city flanked by the ocean and stunning national parks. There are hip cafés on every corner, waterfront eateries and great shopping. The white sandy beaches of Moreton Bay are the perfect place to get some sun as whales, turtles and dolphins frolic out at sea. If you're a foodie, finish a day of sightseeing with dinner at one of Brisbane's finest restaurants, or sip a cocktail with a view of the city at one of the many rooftop bars.

You'll collect your hire car and head to Spicers Hidden Vale, a charming retreat just an hour's drive from Brisbane. Your stay here is designed around fresh air and nature-based activities, among the surrounding 12,000 acres of Australian bushland. Staying in a traditional Queenslander cottage, you can add on excursions such as mountain bike rides, ATV drives, helicopter tours and more. Or, simply soak up your surroundings with plenty of cheese, wine, and delicious food at some of the local hotspots.

You'll return your hire car and head to the airport to catch your flight home to the UK.