The Great Southern - rail journey | Brisbane to Adelaide

Step aboard The Great Southern, one of Australia’s unique and luxurious train journeys. Running exclusively in summer, this rail adventure takes you from Brisbane to Adelaide spanning four days and three nights, offering a stunning mix of coastal views and rolling countryside.

In this video, I take you inside the cabins, show you what they’re like by day and night, and give you a taste of the gourmet dining experience on board. You’ll also see the off-train excursions, including a visit to the Hunter Valley wine region and the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground. Plus, we encounter some extreme weather along the way — proving that no two journeys on the Great Southern are the same. This video is the next best thing to taking this trip.

🌟 Thinking of booking a trip?
This video is your ultimate guide! Whether you’re a train enthusiast, a luxury travel lover, or just curious about slow travel in Australia, you’ll get a first-hand look at what it’s like to ride this seasonal service. Learn about check-in at Hanworth House, Gold service, dining, off-train experiences, and what to expect along the route.

✈️🚆 Want to experience this journey for yourself? Watch now and find out if The Great Southern should be on your travel list!

The Great Southern fares and booking information:

🚉 Train: The Great Southern
🚉 Operator: Journey Beyond
🚉 Locomotives: Two NR class diesels (NR23 and NR30)
🚉 Seat: Car C, Cabin 2 (C2)
🚉 Route: Brisbane - Sydney - Melbourne - Adelaide
🚉 Distance: 2724km
🚉 Travel time: 4 days
🚉 Class: Gold Service twin cabin
🚉 Travel dates: 1 January 2024 - 4 January 2024

EQUIPMENT:
🚉 Cameras: iPhone 15 Pro Max, Panasonic HC-VX1, DJI Mini 3 Pro

Chapters:
0:00 - Welcome aboard The Great Southern 🚆
0:59 - Check-in at Hanworth House 🏡
3:29 - Boarding The Great Southern & First Impressions
5:46 - Exploring the Lounge Car 🍷
6:18 - First Gourmet Meal Onboard 🍽️
7:46 - Departing Brisbane and Gold twin ensuite tour
9:42 - Gold twin cabin tour
12:39 - Walk through the train (Gold Service)
14:22 - Scenic Rim views and journey information 🌅
15:52 - The Cougal Spiral engineering feat
17:13 - Day 1 dinner
17:54 - Gold twin cabin beds
19:35 - Day Two Begins: Breakfast & Morning Views
23:16 - Hunter Valley Off-Train Experience
27:29 - Boarding the Great Southern in Newcastle
30:04 - Central Coast and Mullet Creek scenic views
32:32 - Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge and history
35:22 - Three-course meal while passing Sydney
36:49 - Day Three: Albury Station and history
40:43 - Breakfast and Victoria's High Country
42:50 - Glenrowan and the Kelly Gang
45:38 - Off-Train Experience: Melbourne Cricket Ground 🏟️
47:26 - Eureka 89 lunch and Melbourne Skydeck
48:26 - Boarding the Great Southern near Geelong
49:00 - Overall thoughts about the Great Southern
51:44 - Views heading west including Mount Elephant
53:01 - Final dinner and shenanigans in the lounge car
54:41 - Day 4 Great Southern - final meal
56:38 - Belair and views from the Adelaide Hills
57:47 - Fares for the Great Southern
59:21 - Arriving Adelaide Parklands Terminal

Music
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Credits and sources:
State Library Victoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Australian News and Information Bureau, Canberra, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Journey of a Nation:

Maps:

Follow me on social media:

#tripreport #slowtravel #TrainTravel #TheGreatSouthern #LuxuryTrain #AustraliaByTrain #BrisbaneToAdelaide #GreatSouthernRail #RailJourney #LuxuryTravel #ScenicRailways #TrainReview

[FromtheWindowSeat]

Please note this video was recorded in January 2024 so does not relate to the cyclone impacting communities in South East Queensland and Northern NSW. My thoughts are with them! 🙏

[TheDeathofRetailPrice]

I grew up on shows like Sydney Weekender and Getaway. No idea how you manage to produce full videos better than their short segments with far higher budgets. It's been a delight watching your work get better and this is no exception. Great stuff. My partner esspecially loves the focus you make for the menus; we always guess what you're going to chose. She is right 9 times out of 10. I'm a former chef, so I'm just happy to see such high quality meals more often than not. Keep up the good work!

[kindafoggy]

I'm with the lady on the platform at the end, "Hallo! I love your YouTube channel!" This was inspiring.

[bobbiguile]

Adam I love how you commentate, clear, concise and interesting. Very happy to know your with family this trip.

[TANSW]

Love this channel, reallly fun to watch, cures my boredom for a bit and Adam provides helpful info for someone who probably won’t travel on these trains/go to these places. Thanks Adam!

[aprilhilliard]

Just another marvelous vid! Very enjoyable and informative, with stunning visuals. We always look forward to your posts. We watch a lot of travel videos, but you and "Slow Travel China" are our favorites! Thanks so much for taking us along. Many blessings!

[stefaanmyncke]

I ❤ Australia's Trains and Truckers...The BEST in the whole world ! The Ghan, the greatest ! Greatings from Mallorca-Spain...

[nzmu]

Thanks! As always another entertaining and educational virtual train trip from you. An open air carriage (like the NZ trains use) would be such a lovely addition to these trips as Australia has some fabulous scenery! The Sky deck with it's rail views was a favourite part of my trip to Melbourne a few years ago too. ❤

[feliciapekeer]

Hi there. This is an outstanding train journeys I've ever come across. I've never travelled to Australia before. Great camera footage and I appreciate the time you took to show more of Southern Australia. I just love the beautiful landscape and give you 10/10 for this video. I'm a South African YouTube fan😊

[TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

This was brilliant. Thanks for sharing your experience in such a thoughtful and clear way.

[ndegepilot]

Always nice to watch these train journeys from a true train enthusiast with vast knowledge about his subject matter. Well done again sir.

[doomybear]

Rain when on a train no problem, shame about the missed beach meal, great vlog⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[peterkwiatkowskiNZ]

As usual a high quality and informative video that even a non train enthusiast will enjoy. Nice to see you back in production Adam.😊

[andrewkaras]

Great video I’ll definitely have to do that one. Thank you👍

[charlottelougher]

Hi Adam its good to see your excellent videos again, especially when they're in Australia and New Zealand. Hope to see more from you.

[kymmoulds]

Another great video Alan. Thanks for taking the time and effort to make it. They are always enjoyable, informative and entertaining. Please keep em' coming. Cheers and a BIG thumbs👍 up.

[apoetreadstowrite]

What a wonderful video - a real treat!

[thebalmaintigers]

I like your videos mate. Organic and authentic. keep up the good work.

[davidwhite]

Nice trip, Adam. Except for the wet weather.

[michaelgl]

Great trip, i did it in January and had a ball