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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail journey with lodge stay

Monarto Luxury Stay 2027

Brisbane to Adelaide on the Great Southern, then safari lodge stay

Illustration of Monarto Luxury Stay 2027

Journey Beyond Rail operates this six-day rail and safari lodge experience, combining three nights aboard the Great Southern with a two-night stay at a luxury safari lodge. The journey begins in Brisbane and travels south along the coast, stopping for guided experiences in Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley wine region, and Melbourne before arriving in Adelaide. From Adelaide, you travel about an hour to Monarto Safari Lodge in the Murraylands, situated within Monarto Safari Park's Wild Africa precinct. The experience balances rail travel and lodge stays; days two and three offer choice experiences in the wine country or coastal areas, while days five and beyond focus on wildlife viewing via custom-built safari vehicles and a guided Zu-Loop bus. All meals, beverages, park admission, and transfers are included. This package suits couples and luxury-focused travellers who appreciate guided comfort, fine dining, and wildlife encounters without the intensity of African travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single occupancy costs AUD 7,690, nearly 29% above the base twin rate; check cabin availability before booking
  • Day 2 and Day 3 are choice days with off-train experiences; confirm which option suits your interests with Journey Beyond Rail

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Great Southern (3 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, 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.

  3. Day 3

    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 4overnight: Monarto Safari Lodge (2 nights)

    Great Southern, Adelaide and Monarto Safari Lodge

    Arrive in Adelaide and transfer by private vehicle to Monarto Safari Lodge, about an hour from the city, nestled in the Murraylands. Settle into a luxurious Safari Tent, with dinner at the Lodge featuring a chef-curated three-course menu.

  5. Day 5

    Monarto Safari Park

    Explore Monarto Safari Park, the largest open-range safari experience in the world outside of Africa, via the guided Zu-Loop bus, with optional Daily Keeper Presentations and behind-the-scenes animal experiences. In the evening, the Sunset Wildlife Safari offers exclusive after-hours access to the Wild Africa area aboard a custom-built Safari Landcruiser.

  6. Day 6

    Farewell

    Check out after breakfast and transfer by private vehicle to Adelaide Airport or a CBD hotel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Beachside welcome dinner with live band at Charlesworth Bay in Coffs Harbour
  • Day 2Choice of Hunter Valley wine tasting at Tulloch and Brokenwood with lunch, Port Stephens sand dunes by 4WD, or Newcastle guided walking tour
  • Day 3Choice of cool-climate wine and lunch at Clyde Park in the Moorabool Valley or Melbourne attractions including NGV Australia and Eureka 89
  • Day 5Exclusive sunset safari in custom-built Safari Landcruiser through Wild Africa, plus daytime Zu-Loop bus exploration of Monarto Safari Park

Included

  • 3 nights aboard the Great Southern, Brisbane to Adelaide, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley region and Melbourne or regional Victoria
  • Private vehicle transfer from Adelaide Parklands Terminal to Monarto Safari Lodge
  • 2 nights accommodation at Monarto Safari Lodge, including breakfast, alfresco lunch and dinner daily, curated minibar, and all day beverage package
  • Monarto Safari Park general admission ticket
  • Private vehicle transfer from Monarto Safari Lodge to Adelaide Airport or CBD Hotel
  • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Three nights aboard the Great Southern from Brisbane to Adelaide are included, with all meals, beverages, and guided off-train experiences in Coffs Harbour, Hunter Valley, and Melbourne or regional Victoria.
Which trains are part of this journey?
The Great Southern, operating the Brisbane-to-Adelaide route as part of Journey Beyond Rail's fleet.
Where do you stay off the train?
Monarto Safari Lodge in the Murraylands, about an hour south of Adelaide. You stay in luxury Safari Tents for two nights with breakfast, alfresco lunch, dinner daily, a curated minibar, and all-day beverages.
What is included in the price?
Three nights on the Great Southern with all meals and beverages, private transfers to and from Adelaide, two nights at Monarto Safari Lodge with all meals, admission to Monarto Safari Park, and guided park experiences. A total of five breakfasts, five lunches, and five dinners.
What are the optional extras?
A helicopter flight upgrade is available in the Hunter Valley.
When does this trip run?
Journey Beyond Rail offers departures throughout 2027, with January departures starting from AUD 5,990 and February-December from AUD 5,990 to AUD 6,390.

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