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The Great Southern train traveling past Boambee Creek on the New South Wales north coast
Great Southern · Official Swain partner

The Great Southern, planned into your Australia journey.

Choose the service level and route with Swain, then connect the train with the right city stays, flights and private transfers across Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Plan with SwainCall 1-800-227-9246
Brisbane to Adelaide

Journey Beyond Rail's newest train links Brisbane and Adelaide.

The Great Southern made its first journey from Adelaide to Brisbane on 6 December 2019, joining The Ghan and the Indian Pacific as Journey Beyond Rail's third long-distance Australian train.

The train operates seasonally, with 24 departures between December and February, covering 2,885 kilometers of track through Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia depending on the itinerary.

A Gold Service cabin interior on a Journey Beyond Rail train
01Gold Service, Gold Premium and Platinum Service

Three service levels, each with its own cabins.

The Great Southern carries 132 Gold Service beds, 70 Gold Premium beds and 21 Platinum Service beds across its 28 carriages, alongside crew quarters and dedicated dining and lounge cars for each tier.

Cabin configuration and bedding vary by category and departure, so Swain confirms the exact setup before booking.

The Platinum Club dining carriage on a Journey Beyond Rail train
02Life on board

Each dining carriage has its own character.

Gold Service guests dine in the art deco Queen Adelaide Restaurant or gather in the Outback Explorer Lounge. Gold Premium adds its own Gold Premium Dining and Gold Premium Lounge carriages, while Platinum Club, finished in quartzite, timber and brass, is reserved for Platinum Service travelers.

Menus are regionally inspired, created with local producers along the route, and paired with wines and beverages that are included by fare class.

The Great Southern train crossing the Queensland countryside near Glenapp
03Three seasonal itineraries

The route changes with the departure you choose.

Coastlines & Capital Cities runs Brisbane to Adelaide over 4 days and 3 nights, traveling via Coffs Harbour and the Hunter Valley region before continuing on to Melbourne and the final run into Adelaide.

East Coast Adventure runs Adelaide to Brisbane over 3 days and 2 nights, via the Adelaide Hills, the Grampians and Canberra. Southern Summer runs Brisbane to Melbourne over 3 days and 2 nights, also via Coffs Harbour and the Hunter Valley region. Operating direction and the exact stop sequence are set by the confirmed departure.

The Great Southern train traveling through Nana Glenn on the New South Wales north coast
04Queensland to the New South Wales north coast

The train crosses the border into some of the journey's most photographed scenery.

Leaving greater Brisbane, the Great Southern tracks through Queensland border country around Kagaru and Glenapp before crossing into New South Wales. The line continues down the north coast past Nana Glenn and Boambee Creek toward Coffs Harbour.

The exact route, direction and stop order depend on the confirmed departure.

The Coffs Harbour coastline visited on a Great Southern Off Train Experience
Off Train Experiences

Guests step off the train at some of the route's signature locations.

Traveling toward Brisbane or Melbourne, published Off Train Experiences include a beachside dining experience at Coffs Harbour and visits in the Hunter Valley region. Traveling from Adelaide toward Brisbane, the itinerary adds the Grampians in Victoria and the national capital, Canberra.

Specific excursions, inclusions and operating days vary by departure and are confirmed against the current program before booking.

Scenery near Urunga on the Great Southern route along the New South Wales north coast
05Book through Swain

Swain places the Great Southern inside the wider Australia itinerary.

Swain Destinations is an official Journey Beyond Rail partner across The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern and Spirit of Queensland. A Destination Expert compares service levels and seasonal itineraries, then plans the nights in Brisbane, Adelaide or Melbourne around the departure.

The Great Southern operates only between December and February, and published routes, stops and Off Train Experiences require confirmation closer to departure. Mobility, medical, allergy and dietary requirements need case-by-case confirmation with Journey Beyond before booking.

Planning a Great Southern journey.

What is the difference between Gold Service, Gold Premium and Platinum Service?

Gold Service is the Great Southern's most popular tier, with 132 beds and dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant and Outback Explorer Lounge. Gold Premium adds its own Gold Premium Dining and Gold Premium Lounge carriages across 70 beds. Platinum Service, with 21 beds, dines in the dedicated Platinum Club carriage. Cabin configuration varies by departure, so Swain confirms the exact setup before booking.

What is the Great Southern's route?

The Great Southern runs between Brisbane and Adelaide. Coastlines & Capital Cities travels Brisbane to Adelaide over 4 days and 3 nights, East Coast Adventure travels Adelaide to Brisbane over 3 days and 2 nights, and Southern Summer travels Brisbane to Melbourne over 3 days and 2 nights. The operating direction and stop sequence depend on the confirmed departure.

When does the Great Southern operate?

The Great Southern runs seasonally, with 24 departures between December and February each year. It is not a year-round service. Swain confirms current dates and availability against your travel window.

What are the Off Train Experiences?

Published Off Train Experiences include a beachside dining experience at Coffs Harbour and visits in the Hunter Valley region, with the Grampians and Canberra added on journeys from Adelaide toward Brisbane. Specific excursions and operating days vary by departure and are confirmed against the current program.

What is included in the fare?

Inclusions depend on the service level and departure. Published fares commonly include the cabin, onboard dining, beverages for the booked tier, and listed Off Train Experiences. Flights, pre- and post-train hotels, travel insurance and personal purchases are commonly excluded unless the itinerary says otherwise. Swain confirms current inclusions for your selected departure.

Can mobility, medical or dietary requirements be accommodated?

Suitability must be confirmed case by case with Journey Beyond. Carriage layouts, boarding steps and some Off Train Experiences can present mobility limitations. Dietary requirements, allergies and medical conditions should be disclosed before confirmation so the operator can advise what can be supported.

Can the route or schedule change?

Yes. The Great Southern operates a seasonal program, and track conditions, operating requirements and seasonal factors can affect timing, routing and Off Train Experiences. Swain communicates material updates and adjusts the surrounding itinerary when needed.

Why book the Great Southern through Swain Destinations?

Swain is an official Journey Beyond Rail partner and plans the train as part of the full Australia itinerary. Your Destination Expert can help select the service level and departure, coordinate flights and private transfers, add city stays before or after the journey, and provide support while you travel.

Swain will plan the Great Southern into your Australia itinerary.

Tell Swain which cities, landscapes and travel dates you want to include. A Destination Expert will compare Great Southern service levels and seasonal itineraries, then organize the stays, flights and transfers around the departure.

Talk to a Destination ExpertPrefer to talk? Call 1-800-227-9246