Great Southern (train)

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Great Southern
The Great Southern passing through the Cullerin Ranges in 2023.
Overview
Service typeTranscontinental passenger rail
StatusRunning
LocaleAustralia
First service6 December 2019
Current operator(s)Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions
Route
TerminiAdelaide Parklands Terminal
Brisbane Acacia Ridge Rail Terminal
On-board services
Seating arrangementsNo
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Technical
Rolling stockCommonwealth Railways stainless steel carriage stock
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
NR30 and NR31 pulling Great Southern at Greenbank QLD, 4th Dec 2022

The Great Southern is an Australian experiential tourism train operated by Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions between Adelaide and Brisbane both ways. The inaugural journey departed from Adelaide on 6 December 2019.[1][2] While Roma Street station handles all other long-distance rail services to and from Brisbane, the Great Southern does not operate to Roma Street due to the length of the train. Instead, the service terminates at a freight terminal located in the southern suburb of Acacia Ridge.[3]

Similar to Journey Beyond's other luxury rail holidays on The Ghan and the Indian Pacific, the Great Southern is a slow journey across the country with a series of off-train guided tours along the route. The Adelaide to Brisbane service takes three days and features guided tours of the Grampians National Park in Victoria, Canberra and beaches along the northern coast of New South Wales, while the Brisbane to Adelaide service takes four days with beachside dining in northern New South Wales, a guided tour of the Hunter Valley and Newcastle, and a stop at the Twelve Apostles.[1][4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Great Southern explores new territory". Great Southern Rail. 23 November 2018. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  2. ^ Siebert, Bension (20 November 2018). "Great Southern Rail to launch Adelaide-Brisbane service". InDaily. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  3. ^ Dennis, Anthony (10 February 2020). "The new Great Southern train service links Adelaide and Brisbane". Traveller. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  4. ^ Meacham, Steve (24 November 2018). "Great Southern train from Adelaide to Brisbane: Australia's new luxury train unveiled". Traveller. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.