Humpback whales, wildebeest herds, flurries of monarch butterflies, and the Great Southern. Just some of the things that migrate in summer. While riding a humpback whale down the Australian east coast is out of the question, hopping aboard the Great Southern train is not! Taking discerning guests from Brisbane to Adelaide, it’s an epic journey of show-stopping scenery, exhilarating Off Train Experiences, and outstanding culinary fare.
In the world of railway experiences, Journey Beyond has captured the hearts and minds of travellers worldwide. This is thanks to their legendary Ghan, iconic Indian Pacific, and – the newest to their fleet – their Great Southern rail journey.
Launching in 2019, the Great Southern travels across more than 2,000 km of tracks between Brisbane and Adelaide. The journey connects two incredible states and the wealth of attractions on offer, as well as those in-between.
Join us as we explore Great Southern’s 2022/23 season offerings.
The Great Southern Migration
Wild animals migrate from one habitat to another in search of alternative shelter, food, and better weather. Wild Australians (AKA Aussie travellers) migrate for alternative shelter, food, and better weather. Same-same, right? Well, not quite: we’re not seeking to survive; we’re seeking to thrive. To expand our horizons, to discover anew, to satiate our tastebuds. In this, travelling with Great Southern truly hits the mark.
The shelter! Okay, so we’re not a herd of caribou seeking alternative refuge from the harsh North American climate. However, we humans do seem to have something in our DNA that makes us crave alternative shelter from our own four walls. And what’s more alternative than switching out the solid foundations of your home for a romantic cabin aboard the Great Southern?
Discerning travellers should book Platinum Service for the spacious, stylish suites and personalised service. Gold class offers comfortable sleeper cabins featuring private ensuite bathrooms, power outlets, in-cabin music, and route-tailored audio commentary.
The food! While we’re not travelling 2,000 km searching for our next meal, we are a food-driven collective that loves to have our tastebuds tantalised. Aboard the Great Southern, regionally inspired gourmet meals use fresh local ingredients, accompanied by all-inclusive fine wines. It’s all enjoyed among the lively company of your 213 new best friends.
The climate! Travellers can’t strictly use a ‘better weather’ reason to travel from Brisbane to Adelaide during the Australian summer. However, the temps in Adelaide are so on-point from December to February that it’s no surprise Great Southern’s matches this season.
Leave the chance of Queensland storms behind and migrate south towards the glorious sun-dappled views across Adelaide’s lush wineries and expansive beaches. Plus, across the mind-expanding scenery of Kangaroo Island. The summer climes of the Off Train Experiences in Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley, and regional Victoria are as sublime.
The Best
In the wild, migrations go at a rapid pace for safety reasons; on the Great Southern, the journey is best enjoyed at the slowest pace possible. This is why Journey Beyond offer attractive extended stay packages into Adelaide and Kangaroo Island – a welcome addition to the train-only itinerary. From December 2022 through to February 2023, there are four packages – Adelaide Delight, Gourmet Escape, Southern Discovery, and the newly curated Southern Wines and Wildlife – to encourage an extended vacations at the beginning or end of your journey.
Here are our top two package picks.
Southern Wines & Wildlife
Journey Beyond’s brand new 11-day Southern Wines and Wildlife package gives the perfect blend of adventure for the mind, soul, and tastebuds. It’s a truly outstanding escapade.
Travelling from Brisbane aboard the Great Southern, you’ll journey southeast down the coast, stopping in vibrant Coffs Harbour, the verdant Hunter Valley region, and enjoy a city stop in Melbourne. Once in Adelaide, the vine-clad Barossa Valley awaits, as does the spectacular scenery of Kangaroo Island. The journey is complemented from start to finish with the best regional wines and freshest local produce.
- 11 days, 10 nights
- 3 nights aboard the Great Southern from Brisbane to Adelaide, including all meals and beverages
- Off Train Experiences in Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley, and regional Victoria
- 5 nights’ accommodation in Adelaide, including breakfast
- Full day Northern Barossa Valley Voyager tour, including tastings and lunch
- Sublime Penfolds Experience tour, including 3-course lunch and matching wines
- Return flights from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
- 2 nights’ Kangaroo Island In Style tour, including return flights, accommodation, most meals, and personalised touring
- Transfers in Adelaide
- From $6,760 per person twin share (advance purchase)
Adelaide Delight
How does a week-long journey for the senses sound? Pretty epic, we think! Witness the iconic scenery of Australia’s southeast aboard the Great Southern with their Adelaide Delight package. You’ll also experience the attention to detail that the chefs and sommeliers apply to your culinary experiences onboard and in the Off Train Experiences en-route.
The sumptuous treats don’t end once you’re in Adelaide. With four nights in South Australia’s capital, you’ll explore (and feast) the delectable delights of the North Barossa Valley and sample the famed Adelaide Central Market fare. Like the end result of any great migration, you’ll return home sated and enriched, with a renewed sense of connection to our land and all it offers us.
- 8 days, 7 nights
- 3 nights aboard the Great Southern Brisbane to Adelaide, including all meals and beverages
- Off Train Experiences in Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley, and regional Victoria
- 4 nights’ accommodation in Adelaide, including breakfast
- Delicious Adelaide Central Market lunch tour
- Northern Barossa Valley Voyager Tour, including lunch
- Transfers from Adelaide Parklands Rail Terminal to hotel
- From $4,305 per person twin share (advance purchase)
Agents: Get All the Deets
Book early to secure your clients’ Great Southern cabins and packages for the 2022/23 season by heading to Journey Beyond’s online booking engine. You can also call the reservations team on 1800 703 357, but we recommend booking via the booking engine as the Reservations Team are experiencing high call volumes and there may be wait times.
To promote Great Southern via your socials, website or in-store, visit the Journey Beyond Experience Hub. Here, you’ll find campaign A4 flyers, Social media tiles, EDM headers, images and more.
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