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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail journey

Adelaide Classic City Stay 2026 (Great Southern, Brisbane to Adelaide)

Seven-day rail journey Brisbane to Adelaide on the Great Southern with wine

Illustration of Adelaide Classic City Stay 2026 (Great Southern, Brisbane to Adelaide)

Journey Beyond Rail's Adelaide Classic City Stay is a seven-day rail journey from Brisbane to Adelaide aboard the Great Southern. The trip combines three nights sleeping on the train with three nights in The Playford Adelaide, a five-star hotel in South Australia's capital. After boarding in Brisbane, you travel through coastal New South Wales, the Hunter Valley wine region, and Victoria, stopping at Coffs Harbour for beachside dining and choosing between Hunter Valley vineyards, Port Stephens, or Newcastle on Day 2. On Day 3, the train passes through Victoria's high country; you may taste cool-climate wines at Clyde Park or spend the day in Melbourne visiting the National Gallery of Victoria or the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Once settled in Adelaide, a small-group Barossa Valley tour takes you to three wineries, including vines first planted in 1843, with lunch included. All meals on board and at winery experiences are covered, making this trip suited to food-and-wine travellers and couples seeking premium comfort with structured exploration.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single travellers pay a single supplement of AUD 290 (advance purchase fares); check the current single-to-double ratio against the full fare structure when booking
  • Off-train experience options vary (Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, Newcastle on Day 2; Clyde Park or Melbourne on Day 3); confirm your preferred choice at booking
  • December departures only; advance purchase fares are subject to availability and may sell out

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: 3 nights Great Southern

    Board the Great Southern in Brisbane

    Depart Brisbane on the week-long southeast adventure. Lunch on board, then arrival in Coffs Harbour for drinks and canapes on the beach at Charlesworth Bay followed by an outdoor dinner of local produce, fresh seafood and fine wines.

  2. Day 2railovernight: 3 nights Great Southern

    Great Southern, Hunter Region

    Breakfast on board, then a choice of Off Train Experiences: the Hunter Valley vineyards, Port Stephens by land or sea, or Newcastle's mix of old and new. Regionally inspired dinner back on board in the evening.

  3. Day 3overnight: 3 nights Great Southern

    Great Southern, Melbourne or Regional Victoria

    Breakfast on board through Victoria's high country, then a choice of a long lunch and cool-climate wine tasting at Clyde Park in the Moorabool Valley, or a day in Melbourne (NGV, MCG, Old Melbourne Gaol) with lunch at Eureka 89.

  4. Day 4overnight: 3 nights The Playford Adelaide – MGallery

    Great Southern, Adelaide

    Arrival into Adelaide and transfer to accommodation. Day free to explore the city's restaurants, pubs and cafes.

  5. Day 5overnight: 3 nights The Playford Adelaide – MGallery

    Barossa Valley

    Boutique wine and food touring to the historic Barossa Valley, including one of the world's oldest vineyards (Shiraz vines planted in 1843). Tastings at three wineries and a lunch with a glass of wine included; small groups of up to 8 people.

  6. Day 6overnight: 3 nights The Playford Adelaide – MGallery

    Leisure Day

    Explore Adelaide at leisure, or take the optional McLaren Vale Winery Experience.

  7. Day 7

    Farewell

    Breakfast, then check out of accommodation, bringing the epicurean adventure to an end.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Beachside drinks and canapes at Charlesworth Bay in Coffs Harbour, followed by an outdoor dinner of local seafood and fine wines
  • Day 2Choice of Hunter Valley vineyards, Port Stephens, or Newcastle during the day, with a regionally inspired dinner back on board
  • Day 3Cool-climate wine tasting at Clyde Park in the Moorabool Valley, or a day in Melbourne including the NGV and lunch at Eureka 89
  • Day 5Barossa Valley Voyager tour visiting three wineries, including one with Shiraz vines planted in 1843, with tastings and a included lunch

Included

  • All meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences aboard the Great Southern (Brisbane to Adelaide)
  • Transfer from Adelaide Parklands Terminal to hotel
  • 3 nights' accommodation in Adelaide, including breakfast daily
  • Northern Barossa Valley Voyager tour, including lunch
  • 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel and accommodation included?
Yes. The from-price includes all meals, beverages, and off-train experiences aboard the Great Southern (Brisbane to Adelaide), transfer to the hotel, three nights at The Playford Adelaide with breakfast daily, and the Barossa Valley winery tour with lunch.
What meals are included?
Six breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners are included. Breakfast is provided daily at the hotel in Adelaide; meals on board and at winery experiences and restaurants are all included.
Is this escorted or independent?
This is a hosted rail journey. You travel on the Great Southern with daily off-train experiences available (some optional). The Barossa Valley tour on Day 5 is a small guided group of up to eight people.
Which train is used?
The Great Southern, operating Brisbane to Adelaide in Gold, Gold Premium, or Platinum class.
When does this depart?
In December 2026, with advance purchase fares available subject to availability.
What is not included?
The optional McLaren Vale Winery Experience (AUD 235 per person) is not included; other than that, meals, transport, accommodation, and the main winery tour are all covered.

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