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:
https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/journeys/great-southern/
🚉 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
I use Artlist for high quality, licensed audio. If you sign up using my referral link below, you will get two extra months for free.
https://artlist.io/Adam-3542584
Credits and sources:
https://pilbararailways.com.au/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=2800
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wondabyne_Railway_Station.jpg
https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/ADLIB_RNSW115678267
https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/ADLIB_RNSW116029569
https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/ADLIB_RNSW116898497
https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/ADLIB_RNSW116909204
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ned_kelly_armour_library.JPG
State Library Victoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ned_Kelly_in_1880.png
Australian News and Information Bureau, Canberra, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Journey of a Nation:
Maps:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Victoria_in_Australia.svg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Route_map_–_Melbourne-Adelaide_rail_corridor.png
Follow me on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/_fromthewindowseat/
https://twitter.com/adamgjoyce
https://facebook.com/adamjoycetravels
#tripreport #slowtravel #TrainTravel #TheGreatSouthern #LuxuryTrain #AustraliaByTrain #BrisbaneToAdelaide #GreatSouthernRail #RailJourney #LuxuryTravel #ScenicRailways #TrainReview
41 Comments
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! 🙏
Just subscribed to Will James: Railways thanks because I love trains a lot when I was living in Wagga Wagga I used to go train spotting
I remember you done the old Melbourne Gaol tour going to Brisbane
Nice trip, Adam. Except for the wet weather.
We are interested to see the route and not toilets
That was an excellent watch Adam, thank you
Did you take the last one of the season
always high quality vids, definitely worth the wait
Thanks Adam.
A very informative video to watch yesterday, while the cyclone loomed just off the coast.
It's a good thing you didn't take the trip these last few days…or there would have been even more rainy shots !😂
Hubby and I also learnt something new, as we didn't realise the train did pull into , or leave from Roma Street !😮
Nice 👌 one Adam thanks
Good to see another of your train journeys. Crazy though someone decided to have a smoko in their car wonder why they don't put smoke detectors in each room so they could track the individual and throw them off the train at the next stop. Not sure why you'd want to only do 2 nights besides cheaper but then I am a train guy so the full 3 nights would be my preference although not sure which direction I'd prefer South to North or North to South, am hoping to do the Indian Pacific in next 12-18 months though. The 22c for the car for me overnight is too hot, much prefer it cooler but perhaps they need to provide car level temp controls at least to some degree like Amtrak does. I'd agree they need to do a refresh of the cars although the dining car looks beautiful for the Gold Class passengers, the Platinum dining car you've shown before is too retro 50's looking not my thing.
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. ❤
What a wonderful video – a real treat!
A whole hour?! Yes please 🥰
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.
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!
As always Adam best video loved every minute also glad to see vegetarian meals have more effort put in they look appetising 👏
Your comment about the train cabin showing wear and tear because here in the US, Amtrak is absolutely filthy and worn. Your train is pristine in comparison to
Great work Adan. I love chasing this train..
Babe, wake up! New vicarious train journey just dropped.
That was quite a trip Adam and it was obviously quite the adventure. I’d love to do something like that. Though unsure about sleeping on a train. I did it once on The Overland. Melbourne to your home city. A few days in Adelaide and back home to Geelong.
Was a shame about the beach side dinner, but Mother Nature unfortunately said no.
Always nice to watch these train journeys from a true train enthusiast with vast knowledge about his subject matter. Well done again sir.
Very well produced as usual. You passed through my station, Hornsby.
I do agree that for the price the cabin is not good enough.
Departing from a freight terminal? How embarrassing just goes to show how poor the rail infastructure is in Australia lack of long platforms etc.. Though seeing a freight terminal up close like that is great for rail enthusiasts
Thank you very appreciated and enjoyed
Not this queue sir…far queue. Australian joke.
I ❤ Australia's Trains and Truckers…The BEST in the whole world ! The Ghan, the greatest ! Greatings from Mallorca-Spain…
I justo found your Chanel today…8 th of March 2025 ! No problem, I will surely see more of your Great videos. Top Job !
It’s a shame they don’t invest in high speed trains instead of the out of date XpT’s with inadequate things on board. I mean no internet service nothing. Take a look at the high speed trains in Europe that’s what Australia railways should be like
I don't no why the govt don't build a purpose long distance train station to accommodate long distance trains and connect it with existing suburban rail network.
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!
Adam–excellent, interesting and quite descriptive analysis as always.
As always adam love seeing your notification pop up , pitty about the beach dinner being cancelled but understanbable. And I always love the bathroom reviews always very important on train journey. Really enjoyed the video Adam and hope you come to Sydney soon
It’s a bit embarrassing that these trains can’t fit over two platforms at Southern Cross like the Indian Pacific does at Sydney Central.
Great vlog 🙌🏻🙌🏻 .. funny you looked more & more tired & disheveled each morning as the trip went on! 🥴😂😂
Yikes- as suspected these are exorbitant Ghan prices.
Enjoyed watching the video, but would never pay these price gouging prices.
Even to travel to Townsville or Mt Isa by train as a Brisbaneite, they’re overpriced for what they are.
Rain when on a train no problem, shame about the missed beach meal, great vlog⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What's with the map on the thumbnail? Have you ever been to Australia? Brisbane isn't in Western Australia. Nor is Adelaide in Queensland. Are you sure you weren't in Mozambique? 😂
Hello, Thank you for your nice video. It reminds me long time ago Brisbane to Cairns by Train. Actually I miss Australia
Good morning Adam. How are you?
I have watched from start to end. Yet another wonderful adventure. Thanks for clarifying when you undertook this journey. Also a thank you for declaring that your sleep on these journeys isn’t always the best you could hope for.
The meals on board all look great by the way. I’ve read through several of the other comments posted and concur that your videos keep getting better (they were great to start off with).
PS I thought of you again last week when I flew from Auckland to Palmerston North and saw places like Hamilton as well as the three volcanoes from the sky. Reminded me of your recent train journeys across New Zealand. Whereas I’d much rather had taken the train south, time limitations and unavailability of tickets from Auckland meant I flew instead.
Best wishes
Zoltan
Great trip! thank you!