The Great Southern returns this December 2023 for the 2023/24 summer season, marking the rail journey’s fifth season exploring Australia’s east coast by train.
Each season brings an opportunity to showcase the best of the region and Journey Beyond, operator of the Great Southern, has created three new Off Train Experiences: Fallen Giants Vineyard in the Grampians, the Hunter Valley Helicopter optional upgrade experience; and the National Gallery of Victoria.
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The Great Southern’s route along the east coast between Adelaide and Brisbane reflects the best of Australia, from charming coastal towns to cosmopolitan cities, verdant green hills, and exceptional food and wine. The three new Off Train Experiences are designed to highlight the special places along the route, joining a curated selection of favoured existing experiences.
On the journey from Adelaide to Brisbane, guests visit the Grampians (Gariwerd). Known for beautiful landscapes, rugged sandstone escarpments (above), high rocky plateaus and sheltered gullies, the Grampians have inspired works by Australian writers, poets, photographers and painters.
The new Off Train Experience here is a visit to Fallen Giant Wines, a family-owned winery and vineyard producing award-winning cool-climate wines. Here, guests will take a guided tour and sample local produce and the best organic wines in the region in an alfresco venue framed by vines and mountains. Fallen Giant Wines joins a selection of previous experiences, including the Venus Baths Walk, the Boroka Lookout, or a visit to Pomonal Estate.
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Two new Off Train Experiences are being introduced on the reverse journey from Brisbane to Adelaide. The first is in the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s major wine regions, with a viticultural history dating back to the early 1800s.
Guests wanting to elevate their Hunter Valley visit can do so with the new Hunter Valley Helicopter experience. The afternoon begins with a cellar-door tasting at Brokenwood Wines, from where guests are transferred to Twine Restaurant in preparation for the spectacular 15-minute helicopter flight.
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Within minutes, guests take to the skies and soar over Broken Back Range to see Pokolbin State Forest, Hunter Valley Gardens and the rolling green hills of the valley. The Hunter Valley Helicopter experience is an optional upgrade for AU$180 (US$114) per person.
The second new Off Train Experience on this route is in Melbourne, Australia’s cultural capital. Here, guests can now choose to visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), the oldest and most-visited gallery in Australia, to take a private tour with an expert guide and learn about the current exhibitions and permanent collection, which houses works by Rembrandt, Picasso, Dali, Degas and more.
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Finish the tour on the banks of the Yarra River with a long lunch above Melbourne’s skyline at Eureka 89 (above), featuring a curated menu showcasing local and seasonal produce.
The fifth season also sees a unique route running on the Great Southern departing January 5th, with the train journeying from Adelaide to Brisbane on a special four-day itinerary. From the mountains to rural country towns, this one-time departure is an exceptional summer experience, with Off Train Experiences in the Grampians; Orange in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales; and the historic country towns of Gulgong and Mudgee
For more Experiences click here.
