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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail journey with resort stay

Monarto Safari Stay 2026

Six-day rail and safari stay from Brisbane to Monarto on the Great Southern

Illustration of Monarto Safari Stay 2026

Journey Beyond Rail's Monarto Safari Stay 2026 combines six days of rail travel and wildlife immersion across eastern and southern Australia. The trip begins aboard the Great Southern, a luxury train that departs Brisbane and winds down the east coast for three nights, stopping in Coffs Harbour for a beachside dinner of local seafood and canapes, passing through the Hunter Valley wine region with guided excursions, and calling in Melbourne for city or regional exploration. After arriving in Adelaide on Day 4, a private vehicle transfers passengers about 50 minutes to Monarto Safari Resort in the Murraylands, where they spend two nights. There, a Sunset Wildlife Safari offers exclusive after-hours access to the Wild Africa area aboard a custom-built truck, where you will observe Southern White Rhinos, Giraffes, Cheetahs, and Zebras with drinks and canapes. The following day, you explore Monarto Safari Park via the guided Zu-Loop bus, spotting Giraffes, Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Rhinos, and Chimpanzees. This trip suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and food-and-wine enthusiasts seeking premium accommodation and included dining throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is listed for this package: December 2026. Confirm availability and booking terms before committing, as Advance Purchase fares are subject to availability and prices may change.
  • Single supplement is AUD 340 above half the double rate, a notable premium for solo travellers.
  • Day 6 is a checkout and transfer day with no included activities; confirm whether you need an Adelaide airport transfer or CBD hotel drop-off.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Great Southern (3 nights)

    Board the Great Southern in Brisbane

    Set off from Brisbane, with lunch on board and an afternoon admiring the views before arriving in Coffs Harbour for drinks and canapes on the beach at Charlesworth Bay and a unique outdoor dinner of local produce and fresh seafood.

  2. Day 2rail

    Great Southern, Hunter Region

    Breakfast on board before a choice of Off Train Experiences: the vineyards of the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens by land or sea, or Newcastle's mix of old and new. Return to the train for a regionally inspired dinner.

  3. Day 3

    Great Southern, Melbourne or Regional Victoria

    A relaxing morning through Victoria's high country before choosing between Clyde Park in the Moorabool Valley for a long lunch and cool-climate wines, or cosmopolitan Melbourne, taking in the NGV, the MCG or the Old Melbourne Gaol, with lunch at Eureka 89.

  4. Day 4overnight: Monarto Safari Resort (2 nights)

    Great Southern, Adelaide and Monarto Safari Resort

    Arrive in Adelaide and transfer by private vehicle to Monarto Safari Resort, about 50 minutes from the city. Settle in before joining the Sunset Wildlife Safari, with exclusive after-hours access to the Wild Africa area aboard a custom-built Safari Truck to observe Southern White Rhinos, Giraffes, Cheetahs, Eland, Ostriches and Zebras, with drinks and canapes.

  5. Day 5

    Monarto Safari Resort

    Explore Monarto Safari Park, the largest open-range safari experience in the world outside of Africa, via the guided Zu-Loop bus, spotting Giraffes, Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Rhinos and Chimpanzees, with optional Daily Keeper Presentations. Later, enjoy the day spa, the two pool areas, or the onsite restaurant.

  6. Day 6

    Monarto Safari Resort

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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Drinks and canapes on the beach at Charlesworth Bay in Coffs Harbour, followed by an outdoor dinner of local produce and fresh seafood.
  • Day 2Choice of Off Train Experiences in the Hunter Valley vineyards, Port Stephens, or Newcastle, with a regionally inspired dinner back on the train.
  • Day 4Sunset Wildlife Safari aboard a custom-built Safari Truck with exclusive after-hours access to Monarto Safari Park's Wild Africa area, observing Southern White Rhinos, Giraffes, Cheetahs, and Zebras with drinks and canapes.
  • Day 5Guided exploration of Monarto Safari Park aboard the Zu-Loop bus, spotting Giraffes, Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Rhinos, and Chimpanzees.

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 regional Victoria
  • Private vehicle transfer from Adelaide Parklands Terminal to Monarto Safari Resort
  • 2 nights' accommodation at Monarto Safari Resort, including breakfast daily
  • Sunset Wildlife Safari with exclusive access to Monarto Safari Park's Wild Africa area after hours
  • Monarto Safari Park general admission ticket
  • Private vehicle transfer from Monarto Safari Resort to Adelaide Airport or CBD Hotel
  • 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Three nights aboard the Great Southern from Brisbane to Adelaide are included, along with all meals, beverages, and Off Train Experiences during those nights.
Which train does this trip use?
The Great Southern, which runs from Brisbane to Adelaide. You will overnight on the train for three nights.
What is included in the safari experience?
A Sunset Wildlife Safari with exclusive after-hours access to Monarto Safari Park's Wild Africa area aboard a custom-built Safari Truck, general admission to Monarto Safari Park, and a guided Zu-Loop hop-on hop-off bus tour during the second resort day. Drinks and canapes are included on the sunset safari.
Where do I stay off the train?
Monarto Safari Resort in the Murraylands near Adelaide for two nights, including daily breakfast.
When does this trip run?
December 2026 is the only published departure. Journey Beyond Rail offers multiple pricing tiers for that month, ranging from AUD 4850 to AUD 8935 for double occupancy.
What Off Train Experiences are available?
On Day 2 in the Hunter Region, you may choose between visiting the Hunter Valley vineyards, Port Stephens by land or sea, or Newcastle. On Day 3, you can visit Clyde Park in the Moorabool Valley for lunch and cool-climate wines, or spend the day in Melbourne visiting the NGV, the MCG, or the Old Melbourne Gaol with lunch at Eureka 89.

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