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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & Sail

Coastal Cruiser - Grand Princess (R) 2027

Rail and cruise from Adelaide through Queensland to the Great Barrier Reef

Illustration of Coastal Cruiser - Grand Princess (R) 2027

Journey Beyond Rail operates this 14-day rail and cruise combination that departs Adelaide in December 2027. The journey opens with three nights aboard the Great Southern, a sleeper train traveling to Brisbane with included Off Train Experiences in the Grampians, Canberra, and Coffs Harbour. After four nights at The Westin Brisbane, during which you visit Mount Tamborine's rainforests and the Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art, you board the Grand Princess cruise ship for seven nights along the Queensland coast. The voyage calls at Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsunday Archipelago; Cairns with a full day to explore the Daintree National Park or the Great Barrier Reef; and Willis Island in the Coral Sea. All rail meals, most guided experiences, hotel breakfast, and main cruise meals are included. This package suits repeat rail travellers seeking sleeper-train comfort, couples with time to explore cities and islands, and travellers who value escorted days combined with leisure time to wander.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is substantial: AUD 7,690 versus AUD 5,590 for the base cabin, nearly 38 percent higher than the double per-person rate
  • Wheelchair access is limited at Airlie Beach and other ports; confirm accessibility requirements with Journey Beyond Rail before booking
  • Only one departure is currently published: December 2027. Confirm availability and any future dates with the operator

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Great Southern (2 nights)

    Board the Great Southern in Adelaide

    Board for the two-night journey to Brisbane, with morning tea and lunch on board. In the afternoon the train arrives in regional Victoria for the first Off Train Experience: The Grampians, with a choice of a guided coach tour via Boroka Lookout, a walk to Venus Baths, or wine tasting at Pomonal Estate or Fallen Giants (helicopter flight upgrade available). Dinner is served on board.

  2. Day 2rail

    Great Southern, Canberra

    Breakfast on board before a coach ride into Canberra, with Off Train Experience choices including the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, or the National Portrait Gallery, and an exclusive lunch at Old Parliament House. Return to the train for dinner.

  3. Day 3railovernight: The Westin Brisbane (4 nights)

    Great Southern, Coffs Harbour and Brisbane

    A choice of Off Train Experience around Coffs Harbour: the Coffs Explorer to Sealy Lookout and the Forest Sky Pier, an Indigenous-guided walk from Urunga Boardwalk, or an optional helicopter flight. Lunch on board before arriving into Brisbane.

  4. Day 4

    Mt. Tamborine

    Visit Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland, exploring the rainforest canopy at Skywalk, a 2-course lunch, and time to browse the boutique shops of Gallery Walk.

  5. Day 5

    Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art and Brisbane

    A tour and lunch experience at the Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art, covering the Gallery's history from 1895 and its collections across QAG and GOMA, concluding with lunch at the GOMA Cafe.

  6. Day 6

    Brisbane

    A free day to explore Brisbane at leisure: the Brisbane River, South Bank Parklands, Queen Street Mall, or a scenic ferry ride.

  7. Day 7overnight: Grand Princess (7 nights)

    Board Grand Princess in Brisbane

    Transfer to the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal to board Grand Princess, with dining, entertainment and enriching experiences on board via the Medallion app.

  8. Day 8

    Grand Princess, at sea

    A day to explore the ship's dining venues and specialty restaurants, with cooking demonstrations, dance classes, trivia and enrichment programs.

  9. Day 9

    Grand Princess, Airlie Beach

    Gateway to the Whitsunday Archipelago's 74 islands, fringing reefs and beaches (water shuttle required, wheelchair access limited).

  10. Day 10

    Grand Princess, Cairns (overnight)

    Gateway to the Daintree National Park and the Great Barrier Reef, with an idyllic climate and tree-lined esplanades.

  11. Day 11rail

    Grand Princess, Cairns

    A full day to explore Cairns: scenic railway, cultural parks, rainforests or water sports.

  12. Day 12

    Grand Princess, Willis Island (scenic cruising)

    One of several tropical islands beyond the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an important seabird and turtle nesting ground.

  13. Day 13

    Grand Princess, at sea

    A last day on board to shop, catch a musical production, visit the casino, or relax in a lounge.

  14. Day 14

    Grand Princess, Brisbane

    The coastal exploration concludes in Brisbane, farewelling Grand Princess.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Great Southern in Adelaide for a two-night journey; choose a guided tour of the Grampians via Boroka Lookout, a walk to Venus Baths, or wine tasting
  • Day 2Coach ride into Canberra with Off Train Experience choices including the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, or the National Portrait Gallery
  • Day 4Explore Mount Tamborine's rainforest canopy at Skywalk and browse the boutique shops of Gallery Walk
  • Day 5Tour the Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art covering its history from 1895, with lunch at the GOMA Cafe
  • Day 10Overnight stay in Cairns; port call at the gateway to the Daintree National Park and the Great Barrier Reef

Included

  • 3 days aboard the Great Southern, Adelaide to Brisbane, including all meals, beverages, and Off Train Experiences in the Grampians, Canberra and Coffs Harbour
  • Transfer from Rail Terminal to Hotel
  • 4 nights' accommodation in Brisbane, including breakfast
  • Full Day Explore Mt. Tamborine tour including lunch
  • Taste of QAGOMA tour and lunch experience
  • Transfer from Hotel to Brisbane Cruise Terminal
  • 7-day Queensland Cruise onboard Grand Princess cruise ship from Brisbane return to Brisbane including main meals
  • 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 dinners

Not included

  • A valid passport or government-issued photo identification is required to travel onboard Grand Princess
  • Supplements/charges apply to specialty dining, select entertainment, activities, meals and drinks

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Three nights aboard the Great Southern from Adelaide to Brisbane are included, with all meals and beverages, plus guided Off Train Experiences in the Grampians, Canberra, and Coffs Harbour
What about the cruise?
Seven nights aboard Grand Princess cruise from Brisbane, with main meals included. The cruise departs Brisbane, visits Airlie Beach and Cairns with an overnight stay, sails to Willis Island, and returns to Brisbane
What accommodation is provided in Brisbane?
Four nights at The Westin Brisbane, including breakfast
What meals are included?
Thirteen breakfasts, eleven lunches, and nine dinners across the entire 14-day package
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Off Train Experiences are guided or include escorted options. Transfers between the train terminal, hotel, and cruise terminal are arranged. Onboard the cruise, you have access to dining, entertainment, and enrichment programs via the Medallion app
What is not included?
Specialty dining, select entertainment, activities, meals and drinks onboard the cruise ship carry additional charges. A valid passport or government-issued photo identification is required

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