Great Southern Rail

My husband and I went on GSR on 27 Dec from ADL to BNE. 3 days and 2 nights. It was a fantastic experience and extremely organised. One price and everything is included. All the drinks and amazing food. Tours were excellent and extremely well organised.

Day 1, We arrived at Adelaide Parklands Terminal to GSR own terminal. Were you are greeted by staff that open the door of your cab. You are escorted into the terminal with music playing and food and wine and tea and coffee. You check in and then talk to other passengers before boarding the very long train. Once you find you carriage, staff members are there to tick you off. They shut doors 20 min before departure time. Then off you go…..

We had an amazing lunch then in the afternoon we got off the train Stawell and were coached to Halls Gap at the bottom or the Grampians to a function area for more drinks from local wineries and nibbles before we headed off to Boroka look out. There were a number of other excursions you could do. Then back to the Marquee for dinner. Then we were coached back to Ararat to get on the train.

Day 2, had a lovely breakfast and then got off at Yass and coached to Canberra. Where we had a private tour of Parliament house and then and very special lunch in Members Dining Room, very privileged to have this experience.   The meals was amazing. Then off to the War Museum.Back on the coach on to Goulburn station. Had lots of drinks and once again impressive dinner.

Day 3, Arrived in Coffs Harbour and coached to the beach, where set up was a marquee with fruit, cold drinks and best of all Gelato. The Market was also on. There were towel available to use if you wanted to have a swim. Then we got the coach to Sealy lookout for view over Coffs Harbour.

Then back on the train for another lovely lunch and a few wines. I had a little rest before heading back to the lounge car for farewell drinks before arriving in Brisbane.  The train cannot come into Roma Street station because it is too long and you disembark at Acacia Ridge cargo and then get coaches into town, station or airport.

Fun facts about the train.

• Total 57 hours trip.
• Average train speed 85km max 115km.
• Train length 711 metres length and weight 1626 tonnes.
• 39 Crew.
• 42 Platinum, 154 Gold and 39 Crew beds.
• 28 Carriages.
• 2 power vans with 180kVa generators.
• 2 Locomotives.