Great Southern Escape 22 December 2025

Includes:

• 3 nights aboard the Great Southern, Brisbane to Adelaide, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley region and Melbourne or regional Victoria3 nights’ accommodation in Adelaide, including breakfast and Christmas Day lunch including a welcome cocktail or glass of Pommery Champagne on arrival.
• Transfer from Adelaide Parklands Terminal to hotel
• 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Itinerary

DAY 1 – BOARD THE GREAT SOUTHERN IN BRISBANE (L,D)

Today, you’ll set off from Brisbane on your week-long adventure covering Australia’s East Coast. Settle into your cabin and prepare to savour lunch on board and spend a relaxing afternoon admiring the views before arriving in Coffs Harbour. As the sun dips beneath the horizon, enjoy drinks and canapes on the beach at Charlesworth Bay before a unique outdoor dinner, where you’ll feast on local produce and fresh seafood paired with fine wines. After a few leisurely hours, you’ll reboard the train and set off for your first night on board. OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Great Southern

DAY 2 – GREAT SOUTHERN, HUNTER REGION (B,L,D)

Start the day with breakfast on board before setting off on your choice of Off Train Experiences. You may choose to meander through the picturesque vineyards of the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine regions, or explore Port Stephens by land or sea. Alternatively, explore Newcastle and discover the vibrant mix of old and new in the beautiful coastal city. Late afternoon, return to the train along with the rest of the guests to enjoy a regionally inspired meal and relaxing time on board before retiring for the night.

DAY 3 – GREAT SOUTHERN, MELBOURNE OR REGIONAL VICTORIA (B,L,D)

After enjoying a delicious breakfast on board and a relaxing start to the day travelling through Victoria’s high country, you’ll have a choice of Off Train Experiences. Victoria is wellknown for its excellent food and wine scene, which is on show at Clyde Park, a beautiful vineyard in the Moorabool Valley. Here, you’ll enjoy a long lunch and sample coolclimate wines.

Alternatively, opt to visit cosmopolitan Melbourne to find out why it’s considered the cultural and sporting capital of Australia. Explore the oldest and most-visited art collection in Australia at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) or visit the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). If you’re a history buff, head to the Old Melbourne Gaol. Lunch is at Eureka 89, where you’ll dine on a beautifully curated menu showcasing local and seasonal produce with spectacular views over the city. After lunch, you’ll make your way back to the train to continue your journey south.

DAY 4 – GREAT SOUTHERN, CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH ADELAIDE (B,L)

Merry Christmas! Today, the Great Southern delivers you to Adelaide, where the celebrations continue in style. After transferring to your city accommodation, savour an unforgettable Christmas Day lunch at Penny Blue, Adelaide Marriott’s signature restaurant. Expect a decadent menu of festive favourites with a contemporary twist, paired with the warm hospitality this season deserves.

The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure – perhaps take a twilight stroll through the city lights before returning to your hotel for a restful night, filled with memories of a truly special Christmas Day. OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Adelaide Marriott Hotel

DAY 5 – ADELAIDE (B)

Today is yours to discover Adelaide at your own pace. Wander through leafy boulevards and vibrant markets, explore the city’s thriving arts and cultural precincts, or indulge in its renowned food and wine scene. From boutique shopping to picturesque parklands, the laid-back charm of South Australia’s capital is yours to enjoy.

DAY 6 – ADELAIDE (B)

Explore more of Adelaide or if you’d like to get to the source of that gourmet experience by visiting another wine growing region, McLaren Vale is the perfect option.

DAY 7 – FAREWELL (B)

After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time to check out of your accommodation and bid farewell to Adelaide. Your festive journey comes to a close today, leaving you with lasting memories of shared moments, indulgent dining, and the magic of travelling through some of Australia’s most captivating landscapes.

WE RECOMMEND: McLaren Vale Winery Experience $225 per person
A tour to McLaren Vale along the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula includes four cellar door experiences and a delicious restaurant lunch. The region is best known for its Shiraz, but expert vignerons will explain why Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes also thrive in this unique microclimate.

Monarto Safari Resort Festive Stay 2025

Includes:

• Private vehicle transfer from Adelaide CBD Hotel or Adelaide Airport to Monarto Safari Resort
• 3 nights’ accommodation at Monarto Safari Resort, including breakfast daily
• Sunset Wildlife Safari to see Africa’s wildest animal’s roam
• Christmas Eve special sundowner experience with canapes and festive drinks
• Lavish Christmas Day festive lunch with a traditional carvery
• Transfer from Monarto Safari Resort to Murray Bridge Railway Station
• 2 nights aboard the Great Southern, Murray Bridge to Brisbane, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in the Grampians, Canberra and the Northern New South Wales Coast
• 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

Itinerary

DAY 1 – ARRIVE MONARTO SAFARI RESORT (B)

Arrive in Adelaide and enjoy a private transfer to Monarto Safari Resort, just 50 minutes from the city yet worlds away. Nestled in South Australia’s Murraylands, this unique retreat combines premium accommodation with immersive wildlife experiences, placing you amid the sights and sounds of Africa’s most iconic animals.

Settle into your beautifully appointed accommodation, then choose how to spend the afternoon – unwind at the luxurious Marula Day Spa, soak up the serenity by one of two stunning pools, or savour regionally inspired dining at the resort’s signature restaurant.

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Monarto Safari Resort

DAY 2 – MONARTO SAFARI RESORT (B)

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure, surrounded by the magic of Monarto Safari Resort. Indulge in a soothing treatment at Marula Day Spa, lounge by the sparkling pools, or step into the wild at Monarto Safari Park. For something truly unforgettable, upgrade to a close-up Lemur Experience or the thrilling Lions 360 encounter. Please contact reception to book general admission to Monarto Safari Park, experiences will need to be booked directly with the team at Monarto Safari Park and booking in advance is recommended.

Prepare for a Christmas Eve like no other. Step aboard a custom-built safari vehicle for a guided Sunset Wildlife Safari and exclusive after-hours access to Monarto Safari Park’s Wild Africa precinct. Traverse 550 hectares of vast parklands as giraffes, Southern White Rhinos, zebras, ostriches, and cheetahs roam freely. Enjoy ample photo opportunities while your expert guide shares insights into these incredible species. As the sun dips below the horizon, raise a glass and savour canapés and festive drinks to an unforgettable evening in the heart of nature.

DAY 3 – MONARTO SAFARI RESORT CHRISTMAS BUFFET LUNCH (B,L)

Merry Christmas! Begin the day with a relaxed festive breakfast before settling in for a truly unforgettable celebration. Christmas Day lunch at Monarto Safari Resort is a feast for the senses where freshly shucked oysters, prawns, antipasto, and smoked salmon lead into a traditional carvery of tender turkey and glazed ham, complemented by seasonal hot dishes. Indulge in a decadent dessert buffet to complete this lavish dining experience. Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of Monarto and the sounds of the wild, this is Christmas done differently – joyful, indulgent, and utterly unique.

DAY 4 – BOARD THE GREAT SOUTHERN IN MURRAY BRIDGE (B,L,D)

This morning it is it time to farewell Monarto Safari Resort and be transferred to Murray Bridge Railway Station. You’ll leave with a connection to the picturesque Murraylands and the animals that make Monarto Safari Resort iconic.

Board the Great Southern for your memorable two-night journey to Brisbane. Enjoy morning tea and savour a relaxed lunch on board while watching the ever-changing landscape through the windows. In the afternoon, the train will arrive in regional Victoria for your first Off Train Experience. A million years in the making, the Grampians region is celebrated for its wild and spectacular scenery.

Explore the beauty of the Grampians at your own pace. Join a guided coach tour through the picturesque town of Halls Gap, taking in breathtaking vistas, including the stunning Boroka Lookout, or connect with nature on a guided walk to the tranquil Venus Baths. Prefer something indulgent? Spend the afternoon sampling regional wines at Pomonal Estate with a cellar door experience or at Fallen Giants, where you’ll taste and learn about the winery’s 50-year heritage. For something new, visit WAMA Environmental Arts & Garden, a world-class destination blending environmental art and botanical gardens on the edge of Grampians National Park.

Return to the train and continue travelling up the east coast, with a delectable dinner on board. OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Great Southern

DAY 5 – GREAT SOUTHERN, CANBERRA (B,L,D)

After breakfast on board, today is yours to explore Australia’s political capital, Canberra. After breakfast on board, enjoy a coach ride to Canberra city centre to experience a memorable lunch at Old Parliament House before an afternoon of insightful guided tours at your pick of iconic institutions, whether it’s the National War Memorial, Parliament House or the National Portrait Gallery. As afternoon turns to evening, return to the train in time for another gourmet dinner on board. After dinner, retire to the lounge for a nightcap with your fellow travellers as the Great Southern rolls north.

DAY 6 – GREAT SOUTHERN, COFFS HARBOUR AND BRISBANE (B,L)

Linger over breakfast on board before departing on your choice of Off Train Experience around Coffs Harbour. The Coffs Explorer travels up to Sealy Lookout, offering views for miles from the Forest Sky Pier, before heading to the spectacular North Coast Regional Botanical Garden.

Alternatively, join a guided walking tour at the Urunga Wetlands and learn about the rich cultural history of Urunga itself as well as the ecological importance of the wetlands and how it came to be. Then you’ll be met by an Indigenous guide, who will teach about the history of the Gumbaynggirr people, with a demonstration of traditional tools and weaponry and the opportunity to see and taste bush tucker.

After your Coffs Harbour morning, indulge in a final lunch on board before arriving in Brisbane, where your Monarto Safari Stay by train concludes.

Please note, itineraries are subject to change.