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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail journey with city stay

Melbourne Classic City Stay 2027

Six-day East Coast rail journey Brisbane to Melbourne on the Great Southern

Illustration of Melbourne Classic City Stay 2027

Journey Beyond Rail's Melbourne Classic City Stay combines a two-night rail journey on the Great Southern with a three-night stay in Melbourne's city centre. The trip departs Brisbane and travels south along Australia's East Coast, stopping at Coffs Harbour for beachside dining with live entertainment and offering choices on Day 2 among Hunter Valley wine estates, Port Stephens sand dunes, or a Newcastle walking tour. All train meals and beverages are included. Once you arrive in Melbourne, you settle into The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins and spend two full days discovering the city's lanes, arcades, galleries, and landmarks, plus access to Melbourne Skydeck with its 360-degree views from level 88 and the Voyager Theatre virtual reality experience. This package suits couples, wine enthusiasts, and rail travellers seeking a blend of regional exploration and urban culture without managing their own logistics across multiple hotels.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is AUD 4,490 versus AUD 4,090 for a twin room, a significant markup; advance-purchase pricing requires committing early
  • Off-train experiences on Day 2 are optional choices, not all included; the final selection depends on availability and your preference
  • Journey Beyond Rail publishes two departure windows in 2027 (January and February/December); confirm availability for your preferred date before booking

Day by day

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

    Board the Great Southern in Brisbane

    A warm welcome at Hanworth House in East Brisbane before setting off on the Great Southern. Lunch on board as the train winds south, arriving in Coffs Harbour for drinks and canapes on the sand at Charlesworth Bay and a signature outdoor dinner with live band, weather permitting.

  2. Day 2rail

    Great Southern, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens or Newcastle

    A choice of Off Train Experiences: the Hunter Valley's Tulloch and Brokenwood Wines with lunch at Twine Restaurant (helicopter flight upgrade available), Port Stephens by 4WD across the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes or by boat cruise, or a guided walking tour of Newcastle. Dinner on board.

  3. Day 3overnight: The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins Melbourne (3 nights)

    Great Southern, Regional Victoria or Melbourne

    A choice between Clyde Park in the Moorabool Valley for a long lunch and cool-climate wines, or cosmopolitan Melbourne taking in the Ian Potter Centre at NGV Australia, the MCG, or the Old Melbourne Gaol, with views from Melbourne Skydeck and lunch at Eureka 89.

  4. Day 4

    Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Tour

    Meet a guide at Federation Square for a walk through Melbourne's lanes and arcades, discovering local designers, specialty retailers, cafes, street art and architecture, with a stop for a hot beverage and chocolates.

  5. Day 5

    Melbourne Skydeck Ultimate Experience

    Access to Melbourne Skydeck on level 88, the Melbourne 3-D interactive model, Bar 88, the virtual reality Voyager Theatre, and The Edge, a glass cube suspended 3 metres out of the building. A single-use ticket valid within 30 days of travel, with a complimentary digital photo included.

  6. Day 6

    Farewell

    Check out of accommodation after breakfast, concluding the Melbourne city stay.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Beachside dining with live band at Charlesworth Bay in Coffs Harbour as you board the Great Southern in Brisbane
  • Day 2Choose between Hunter Valley vineyard tastings at Tulloch and Brokenwood Wines, a 4WD adventure across the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, or a guided walking tour of Newcastle
  • Day 3Arrive in Melbourne and choose between visiting Clyde Park for cool-climate wines or exploring the Ian Potter Centre, MCG, and Old Melbourne Gaol
  • Day 5Access Melbourne Skydeck on level 88, including The Edge glass cube suspended 3 metres out of the building, and the Voyager Theatre virtual reality experience

Included

  • 2 nights aboard the Great Southern, Brisbane to Melbourne, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Northern New South Wales, Hunter Valley and Melbourne
  • 3 nights' accommodation in Melbourne, including breakfast daily
  • Admission ticket to Melbourne Skydeck, including Voyager Theatre Entry
  • Half day walking tour of Melbourne Lanes and Arcades
  • 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, the price includes two nights aboard the Great Southern from Brisbane to Melbourne with all meals, beverages, and off-train experiences in Northern New South Wales, Hunter Valley, and Melbourne.
Which train is used?
The Great Southern operates the Brisbane to Melbourne route as part of this package.
Where do you stay in Melbourne?
The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins Melbourne for three nights, with breakfast included daily.
What is the walking commitment?
There is a half-day guided walking tour of Melbourne's lanes and arcades. Day 2 offers optional activities including a 4WD sand dune tour or boat cruise.
When does this trip run?
Journey Beyond Rail operates departures in January 2027 and February/December 2027, with fares starting from AUD 4,090.
What meals are included?
Included are five breakfasts (two on the train, three at the hotel), two lunches (one on the train in Coffs Harbour, one during your chosen Day 3 activity), and two dinners on the train. Lunch on Day 4 and meals on Day 5 are not specified as included.

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