Great Southern & Indian Pacific – Brisbane to Perth 2027

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)

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Great Southern

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)

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)

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. The day is yours to explore the city at leisure. Perhaps stroll North Terrace with the South Australian Museum and Art Gallery or do a spot of shopping in Rundle Mall. Adelaide is also home to over 900 restaurants, pubs and cafes, and a lively food and wine scene, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

This afternoon make your way back to Adelaide Parklands Terminal. Here you will start your Indian Pacific journey with a choice of curated experiences. Savour McLaren Vale wines before dining at the cliffside Star of Greece, or sample gin and cheese in the Adelaide Hills followed by a feast at Haus, a German restaurant showcasing the best of local produce. In the city, Icons of Adelaide includes a behind-the-scenes tour and tasting at Coopers Brewery, a scenic drive, and a teppanyaki dinner at Shiki capped by a twilight stroll to Adelaide Oval. Alternatively, take a guided tour of the Adelaide Central Market, finishing with an exclusive sit-down dinner, in the markets and all to yourself.

After a memorable evening, join the train to commence your westward journey. (B,D)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Indian Pacific 

Today is all about the vast, unforgettable views of the Nullarbor Plain. You’ll journey across this legendary expanse on the world’s longest stretch of straight railway track, with endless horizons unfolding outside your window. Along the way, the train pauses at Cook – once a bustling railway town, now a near-ghost outpost with stories etched into its weathered buildings.

By evening, you’ll reach Rawlinna, on the edge of Australia’s largest sheep station. Here, the outback comes alive as you dine beneath a canopy of stars at a spectacular signature long-table dinner (Sept–May). In the cooler months, gather around a roaring bonfire with drinks and canapés, soaking up the atmosphere of this remarkable setting. (B,L,D)

Wake to the soft light over Western Australia’s Avon Valley, its rolling green hills a fitting finale to your adventure. Savour a leisurely brunch on board as the train makes its final approach into Perth. Soon, you’ll step off the Indian Pacific, farewelling fellow travellers and crew. (B)