The Southern Spirit
Luxury Rail Itineraries

Great Southern Rail is proud to announce the launch of 'The Southern Spirit', a luxurious new train service which will operate each Australian summer season commencing November 2008. As a special inaugural season offer, book one of the Southern Spirit tours below before 30 October 2008 and receive credit towards extra luxury off-train excursions of your choice. Give our dedicated Australian Rail consultant a call on 0871 231 0790 for more information.

The Southern Spirit is a luxury Australian rail cruise offering eight different itineraries per season which between them offer a wide variety of destinations across Australia's outback rail network, and combine rail with five star accommodation, deluxe excursions and exclusive events. 'The Inaugural Spirit' departs Darwin on 25 November 2008 bound for Sydney on a 13-day/12-night rail cruise through the heart of Australia.

Each unique journey aboard 'The Southern Spirit' will take guests through some of the most breathtaking scenery Australia has to offer. On board, guests will enjoy unparalleled luxury and unmatched attention, including personal 24-hour cabin service, and can choose to travel in either prestigious new Platinum Service deluxe cabins or hallmark Gold Service.

These transcontinental journeys are combined with five-star hotels and a suite of deluxe excursions and once in a lifetime exclusive events at stops along the way. These uniquely Australian events include a candlelit dinner underground at Coober Pedy, a spectacular seafood dinner in a marquee on Coffs Harbour Jetty or Australia Day celebrations 36 storeys high overlooking the spectacular harbour city of Sydney at sunset. There is also a superb range of extra optional excursions to pick and choose from enabling you to personalize your tour of Australia.

The Southern Spirit not only offers iconic Australian train journeys with a fantastic array of destinations and experiences but it sets a completely new standard in deluxe Australian rail travel. Each of the eight luxury rail cruises showcases some of Australia's most prestigious tourism offerings with something to tempt everyone. From the adventurous and exciting to the laid-back and indulgent, the Southern Spirit is a perfect mix of the rich diversity of Australian landscapes and some of its most exciting city highlights.

• The Southern Spirit Brochure (Opens new window 1.4mb )

The first season of eight Southern Spirit journeys will run from November 2008 to February 2009, each offering a deluxe adventure of a lifetime:

• The Inaugural Spirit, Darwin to Sydney, 25 November - 07 December 2008 (New window 107kb )
• The Transcontinental, Sydney to Perth, 08 - 16 December 2008 (New window 74kb )
• Red Centre Christmas, Perth to Darwin, 16 - 26 December 2008 (New window 81kb )
• New Year's Gem, Darwin to Perth, 26 December 2008 - 06 January 2009 (New window 104kb )
• The Great Coastal Epic', Perth to Brisbane, 10 - 22 January 2009 (New window 83kb )
• The Grand Tour, Brisbane to Darwin, 22 January - 03 February 2009 (New window 83kb )
• Southern Safari, Darwin to Sydney, 03 -15 February 2009 (New window 83kb )
• Northern Safari, Sydney to Darwin, 16 - 27 February 2009 (New window 82kb )

The Southern Spirit has been designed to meet the needs of the discerning traveller who views travel as they view life, not as a destination but as a journey to be savoured!

To book any Rail Australia journey please email us at australia@internationalrail.com or give our dedicated Australian Rail consultant a call on 0871 231 0790