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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail journey

Adelaide Classic City Stay 2027 (Great Southern, Brisbane to Adelaide)

Seven-day Great Southern rail journey from Brisbane to Adelaide with wine country stays

Illustration of Adelaide Classic City Stay 2027 (Great Southern, Brisbane to Adelaide)

Journey Beyond Rail's Adelaide Classic City Stay is a seven-day rail and accommodation package that departs Brisbane aboard the Great Southern train and arrives in Adelaide, South Australia's food and wine capital. The journey spans three nights on the train and three nights at The Playford Adelaide hotel, with daily breakfasts included at both. Aboard the Great Southern, passengers enjoy all meals, beverages, and off-train experiences ranging from beachside seafood dining at Coffs Harbour to wine tastings and regional exploration in the Hunter Valley and Victoria. Upon arrival in Adelaide, the itinerary includes a guided tour of the historic Barossa Valley with tastings at three wineries and a lunch, followed by leisure time to explore the city. The pace is relaxed, with choice-based experiences built into the train days to suit different interests, whether helicopter flights over regional New South Wales or Melbourne's cultural attractions. Small group sizes and pre-arranged transfers make this a comfortable, guided experience suited to food and wine enthusiasts and couples seeking quality rail travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is high: Gold Single Advance Purchase from AUD 4,390 versus Gold Twin from AUD 4,090, a difference of AUD 300 for the same package
  • Day 6 in Adelaide is mostly unguided leisure, with only an optional McLaren Vale Winery Experience available for an additional AUD 250 per person

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: 3 nights Great Southern

    Board the Great Southern in Brisbane

    Warm welcome at Hanworth House, East Brisbane, before departure. Lunch on board, then arrival in Coffs Harbour for drinks and canapes on the sand at Charlesworth Bay followed by an outdoor dinner with fresh seafood and local wines, live band included.

  2. Day 2railovernight: 3 nights Great Southern

    Great Southern, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens or Newcastle

    Breakfast on board, then a choice of Off Train Experiences: Hunter Valley wine touring (Tulloch and Brokenwood Wines, lunch at Twine Restaurant, optional helicopter flight upgrade), Port Stephens by 4WD across Stockton Bight Sand Dunes or boat cruise, or a guided Newcastle walking tour.

  3. Day 3overnight: 3 nights Great Southern

    Great Southern, Regional Victoria or Melbourne

    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 Australia, Melbourne Cricket Ground tour, Old Melbourne Gaol, Melbourne Skydeck) 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 welcome dinner at Charlesworth Bay in Coffs Harbour with fresh seafood, local wines, and live band entertainment
  • Day 2Choice of Hunter Valley wine touring at Tulloch and Brokenwood Wines with lunch, Port Stephens sand dune adventure, or Newcastle guided walking tour
  • Day 3Cool-climate wine tasting at Clyde Park in the Moorabool Valley or optional day in Melbourne with NGV Australia, Melbourne Cricket Ground tour, or Eureka 89 lunch
  • Day 5Barossa Valley tour visiting wineries with Shiraz vines planted in 1843, including three cellar door tastings and lunch with wine in small groups of up to eight

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 included in the price?
Yes. The fare covers three nights aboard the Great Southern (Brisbane to Adelaide) with all meals, beverages, and off-train experiences included.
Which trains are used?
The Great Southern operates the entire Brisbane-to-Adelaide route in Gold, Gold Premium, or Platinum class depending on your fare tier.
What accommodation is provided in Adelaide?
Three nights at The Playford Adelaide, an MGallery hotel, with breakfast daily included. A transfer from Adelaide Parklands Terminal to the hotel is provided.
Is the trip escorted or independent?
The train journey includes guided off-train experiences and activities. In Adelaide, Day 4 is free to explore independently; Day 5 features a guided Barossa Valley tour; Day 6 is leisure time with an optional paid tour.
What meals are included?
Six breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners are included, plus all beverages aboard the train and lunch during the Barossa Valley tour.
When does this trip run?
Departures are offered in January, February, and December 2027. Prices vary by month and advance purchase terms apply.

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