Great Southern
Great Southern
4.5
About
With its rugged coastline, sun-kissed beaches, forested peaks, and exhilarating capital cities, the stunning journey on the Great Southern between Brisbane and Adelaide feels like nowhere else in Australia. Relax with everything taken care of on board including fine dining, premium wines and world-class hospitality, as you’re transported from buzzing cities to diverse landscapes and natural marvels.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.5
605 reviews
Excellent
370
Very good
147
Average
36
Poor
27
Terrible
25
Clevlocal
Redland Bay, Australia2 contributions
Dec 2019
We travelled Platinum class on the Indian Pacific in 2018, and enjoyed it so much, we were really looking forward to the inaugural trip of this new train journey. At a price of $1090 per person per day, one would expect a certain degree of comfort and also quality appetising meals. Sadly we didn't get either.
The journey was a nightmare. The ride quality is so bad that it makes it nigh on impossible to sleep. The train company has no control over the tracks but for goodness sake modify the trains to air suspension and give your passengers some degree of comfort.
The cabin was very nice, having recently been refurbished, but the carpet had not been vacuumed and worse still the floor of the ensuite had also not been vacuumed and mopped. Our first night the air con in the cabin was not working. In fairness it was repaired the next day, but failed again on the third night, by which time we were past caring.
The excursions were 8.5-10 hours long and the ones we experienced were not very good. Too much time was spent off train so that all the train travel was done at night, when it was dark. The only scenery we saw therefore was from the coach window. Had we wanted a coach holiday we would have booked one.
If you enjoy good food this is not the holiday for you. Food very ordinary, and in some instances extremely poor, both on the train and the excursions. Did not even get a decent hot breakfast.
The staff however were absolutely fantastic. Worked long hours but always had a smile on their face and could not do enough for all their passengers.
We thought the whole journey was so bad that we have now cancelled our plans to travel on the Ghan.
There are much better, and also considerably cheaper, ways to visit various parts of Australia than this train. Vastly overpriced and vastly overrated.
FYI. Have also posted this review on "Product Review" website.
The journey was a nightmare. The ride quality is so bad that it makes it nigh on impossible to sleep. The train company has no control over the tracks but for goodness sake modify the trains to air suspension and give your passengers some degree of comfort.
The cabin was very nice, having recently been refurbished, but the carpet had not been vacuumed and worse still the floor of the ensuite had also not been vacuumed and mopped. Our first night the air con in the cabin was not working. In fairness it was repaired the next day, but failed again on the third night, by which time we were past caring.
The excursions were 8.5-10 hours long and the ones we experienced were not very good. Too much time was spent off train so that all the train travel was done at night, when it was dark. The only scenery we saw therefore was from the coach window. Had we wanted a coach holiday we would have booked one.
If you enjoy good food this is not the holiday for you. Food very ordinary, and in some instances extremely poor, both on the train and the excursions. Did not even get a decent hot breakfast.
The staff however were absolutely fantastic. Worked long hours but always had a smile on their face and could not do enough for all their passengers.
We thought the whole journey was so bad that we have now cancelled our plans to travel on the Ghan.
There are much better, and also considerably cheaper, ways to visit various parts of Australia than this train. Vastly overpriced and vastly overrated.
FYI. Have also posted this review on "Product Review" website.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
happytraveler
Saint Louis, MO52 contributions
June 2021
The Great Southern Railways Company has the worst customer service for foreign customers we have ever experienced. If you email them with a question about your reservation, they will not respond at all or take 3 -4 weeks! If you call their one telephone sales number during their normal business hours, either you will be put on hold for hours or no one will answer the phone at all. It is appalling. For months, the GSR website has said “We are experiencing high contact volumes and prioritising guests booked to travel within the next 48 hours.” As a result, all other foreign travelers’ contacts are totally ignored until it is too late to do anything.
We booked a fully refundable trip before covid hit, which got delayed due to Australia’s travel restrictions. After rebooking our trip for a year later, it too will be cancelled due to the government still not letting foreigners in. Now it impossible to contact the GSR to get a refund.
Avoid this business at all cost. They promote themselves as offering first class service while actually providing the worst customer service anyone could imagine. This business needs to fire some top executives and hire some more customer service people to actually provide the high quality services they claim to provide.
We booked a fully refundable trip before covid hit, which got delayed due to Australia’s travel restrictions. After rebooking our trip for a year later, it too will be cancelled due to the government still not letting foreigners in. Now it impossible to contact the GSR to get a refund.
Avoid this business at all cost. They promote themselves as offering first class service while actually providing the worst customer service anyone could imagine. This business needs to fire some top executives and hire some more customer service people to actually provide the high quality services they claim to provide.
Written 15 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jakano
Glenelg, Australia2 contributions
Feb 2023
Disappointed. Very expensive for a mediocre experience. We went platinum class from Brisbane to Adelaide expecting great service. The price was the equivalent to £1000 per day per person. As it turned out there was very little difference between platinum and gold in terms of the experience and the experience was not worth the money.
We accepted an offer of tea and coffee in the morning, and a whisky and cognac nightcap. On the first morning, after a sleepless night due to shaking and rattles, noisy air conditioning which could not be turned off and intermittent hard braking, the tea only came at 0610! We reminded the host about the coffee and asked for both to be delivered at 0700. Neither turned up the next morning. On the third morning both tea and coffee turned up at 0600 again!
The nightcaps on the first night were. equivalent to doubles. On the second night the whisky was a single and the cognac a small mouthful. We raised the issue with the host but on the third night the nightcap servings were the same as the previous night.
Platinum class travellers were disembarked last at stops, so there was a lot of waiting around. Waiting to embark for the first time took about 4 hours after an early start to the day.
The only dietary requirement we had was a shellfish allergy which did not impact on our choice. However the food was variable - sometimes very nice but often cold. The bread used for toast was often tough enough to break your teeth and could not be cut with a knife.
We too travelled backwards and would have preferred not to.
We ended up doing winery tours on each day as the choice of alternatives was not accessible to us.
Do not chose as a bucket list journey, great views but certainly not a £1000 a day experience.
We accepted an offer of tea and coffee in the morning, and a whisky and cognac nightcap. On the first morning, after a sleepless night due to shaking and rattles, noisy air conditioning which could not be turned off and intermittent hard braking, the tea only came at 0610! We reminded the host about the coffee and asked for both to be delivered at 0700. Neither turned up the next morning. On the third morning both tea and coffee turned up at 0600 again!
The nightcaps on the first night were. equivalent to doubles. On the second night the whisky was a single and the cognac a small mouthful. We raised the issue with the host but on the third night the nightcap servings were the same as the previous night.
Platinum class travellers were disembarked last at stops, so there was a lot of waiting around. Waiting to embark for the first time took about 4 hours after an early start to the day.
The only dietary requirement we had was a shellfish allergy which did not impact on our choice. However the food was variable - sometimes very nice but often cold. The bread used for toast was often tough enough to break your teeth and could not be cut with a knife.
We too travelled backwards and would have preferred not to.
We ended up doing winery tours on each day as the choice of alternatives was not accessible to us.
Do not chose as a bucket list journey, great views but certainly not a £1000 a day experience.
Written 18 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anne
Adelaide, Australia81 contributions
Dec 2022
The first sign that things might not be great, was at the time of boarding we were informed that the train would be arriving in Brisbane a day later at 0630 for disembarking, instead of the 1700 arrival time the previous day.
Luckily we booked through a travel agent who was able to sort out changing our Brisbane accommodation on such short notice. Also informed that due to track maintenance we would not be doing our planned activity for Coffs Harbour.
Let me be quite clear, that I understand the need for track maintenance, I just can’t fathom why we were not notified of the change when most of our
fellow traveler’s had been informed 2 weeks earlier.
So bumpy start. Then we bumped, bounced and jolted all the way to Brisbane.
I am still trying to work out why the trip was so rough. Having previously travelled on the Ghan, we do not recollect this being a problem.
The Platinum cabin also needs a bit of TLC. The air-conditioner to our cabin was noisy and temperature control was poorly maintained. It added to a poor nights sleep. I feel sorry for the next occupants of this cabin, as the technician was not able to improve the situation.
Food wise, I thought it was generally good, although my partner was not impressed.
Following the Grampians tour, there was quite a wait on the platform for the train to pick up the passengers, so dinner on the train that night was a bit slapped together due to time constraints.
As we did not do the day tour in Coffs Harbour, a dinner was arranged at the Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour which was impressive. A lovely venue, the service and the food excellent.
The excursion to the old Parliament House was interesting, with plenty of volunteer guides to help with information/directions.
The lunch at the old Parliament House was nice, but lacked choice. You ate what was put in front of you which was chicken or fish. It would have been a good day to be vegetarian.
Excursions were okay, but time poor, in regards to the War Memorial visit in Canberra.
Our tour group was small in numbers and our guide very informative. The downside was the tour was confined to one level, as a member of our group was handicapped and the lifts were not working. Some free time to further explore would have been ideal.
Scenery from the train in part was lovely, and we certainly appreciated forward facing seats.
This train trip is costly for what you get. Staff were generally very good, but some requests forgotten, and information feedback slow to non existent.
Following this experience, we will not be doing another train trip.
Luckily we booked through a travel agent who was able to sort out changing our Brisbane accommodation on such short notice. Also informed that due to track maintenance we would not be doing our planned activity for Coffs Harbour.
Let me be quite clear, that I understand the need for track maintenance, I just can’t fathom why we were not notified of the change when most of our
fellow traveler’s had been informed 2 weeks earlier.
So bumpy start. Then we bumped, bounced and jolted all the way to Brisbane.
I am still trying to work out why the trip was so rough. Having previously travelled on the Ghan, we do not recollect this being a problem.
The Platinum cabin also needs a bit of TLC. The air-conditioner to our cabin was noisy and temperature control was poorly maintained. It added to a poor nights sleep. I feel sorry for the next occupants of this cabin, as the technician was not able to improve the situation.
Food wise, I thought it was generally good, although my partner was not impressed.
Following the Grampians tour, there was quite a wait on the platform for the train to pick up the passengers, so dinner on the train that night was a bit slapped together due to time constraints.
As we did not do the day tour in Coffs Harbour, a dinner was arranged at the Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour which was impressive. A lovely venue, the service and the food excellent.
The excursion to the old Parliament House was interesting, with plenty of volunteer guides to help with information/directions.
The lunch at the old Parliament House was nice, but lacked choice. You ate what was put in front of you which was chicken or fish. It would have been a good day to be vegetarian.
Excursions were okay, but time poor, in regards to the War Memorial visit in Canberra.
Our tour group was small in numbers and our guide very informative. The downside was the tour was confined to one level, as a member of our group was handicapped and the lifts were not working. Some free time to further explore would have been ideal.
Scenery from the train in part was lovely, and we certainly appreciated forward facing seats.
This train trip is costly for what you get. Staff were generally very good, but some requests forgotten, and information feedback slow to non existent.
Following this experience, we will not be doing another train trip.
Written 26 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher S
Greater Perth, Australia129 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
A retiree couple, we opted to go Platinum for a lux experience at considerable cost. Was it worth the extra? Maybe for the larger twin bed cabin and en suite, but otherwise definitely NO. The hors d’oeuvres with champers was a once only event.
Pre dinner drinks in the small lounge were only accompanied by salty potato crisps,
- very classy! Unlike in Gold, there was no bar in Platinum with dining and lounge not seperate, but lumped together. Meals were not up to the standard we experienced travelling Gold class on the Ghan in 2016. It was catering rather than restaurant.
Ownership has changed, and you suspect some cost cutting.
On the other hand we enjoyed helpful staff who were warm, friendly and efficient .
Great Southern is plagued with certain problems. The condition of poorly maintained rail tracks provide a very rough, bumpy and noisy ride. It was impossible to stand or move about without something to hold onto. Sleep for most was impossible,
especially because we were always racing over bad tracks to make up for lost time.
A big factor was the use of marshalling yards, instead of city stations due to the
700 m train length. Thus excursions were cut short to allow for bussing to e.g. Melbourne where we had lunch, then a mere 50 minutes to visit the advertised NGV before bussing way out to somewhere 20 minutes the other side of Geelong!
In summing up we have enjoyed other sleeper trains such as Rovos in S Africa, Spirit of the Outback in QLD, and Trans Siberian without loosing sleep.
Our grateful thanks to the train staff for doing a sterling job.
Maybe if Great Southern was half the length it could travel slower and pull into near city terminals. 4 nights not 3.
Note to Journey Beyond - you need to rethink this journey.
Chris and Diane
Pre dinner drinks in the small lounge were only accompanied by salty potato crisps,
- very classy! Unlike in Gold, there was no bar in Platinum with dining and lounge not seperate, but lumped together. Meals were not up to the standard we experienced travelling Gold class on the Ghan in 2016. It was catering rather than restaurant.
Ownership has changed, and you suspect some cost cutting.
On the other hand we enjoyed helpful staff who were warm, friendly and efficient .
Great Southern is plagued with certain problems. The condition of poorly maintained rail tracks provide a very rough, bumpy and noisy ride. It was impossible to stand or move about without something to hold onto. Sleep for most was impossible,
especially because we were always racing over bad tracks to make up for lost time.
A big factor was the use of marshalling yards, instead of city stations due to the
700 m train length. Thus excursions were cut short to allow for bussing to e.g. Melbourne where we had lunch, then a mere 50 minutes to visit the advertised NGV before bussing way out to somewhere 20 minutes the other side of Geelong!
In summing up we have enjoyed other sleeper trains such as Rovos in S Africa, Spirit of the Outback in QLD, and Trans Siberian without loosing sleep.
Our grateful thanks to the train staff for doing a sterling job.
Maybe if Great Southern was half the length it could travel slower and pull into near city terminals. 4 nights not 3.
Note to Journey Beyond - you need to rethink this journey.
Chris and Diane
Written 20 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fleur5544
Adelaide, Australia144 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We so looked forward to this trip as we love train travel. We lined up for 15 minutes to book in at Adelaide but really enjoyed the music and food on offer prior to departure. On the train the cabin was small and cold but okay for our needs. Sleeping was a challenge with very bumpy rails first night and climbing up to the upper bunk difficult. We enjoyed the lounge car with drinks and nibbles freely available and thought the dining car food was lovely for the most part. We loved the Coffs boardwalk excursion, it was a bit rushed in Canberra and the winery was fine in the Grampians. The staff were nice people but over organised us ‘ I made a comment about feeling like a boarding school kid’ were patronising without meaning to be and I had to remind them that we were adults and had been for a long time. I think they would all really benefit from some professional hospitality training and more important ageism training. The exception was Crystal. Easygoing, professional and hard working, she was a joy behind the bar.
Written 17 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
150andrewc
Bunbury, Australia112 contributions
Jan 2020
We travelled from Adelaide to Brisbane. If I had to chose between this and the Indian Pacific I would redo the Perth to Sydney. Had our package tour purchased from a local travel agent. My advice is to book direct - my agent had all sorts of issues trying to get off train excursions confirmed and further information that would have been handy and indeed the beginning and end of our tour package was chaotic at best and disappointing indeed in Brisbane. Fortunately the lunch at Parliament House, Canberra was magic.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue W
6 contributions
Jan 2020
This trip started at Custom's house Brisbane and caught the train at Arcacia Ridge. Saw some amazing country to Coffs Harbour with a Beach dinner then onto Hunter Valley for some Winery Tours then Geelong Victoria with more wineries then onto Adelaide. All meals, wines etc on board train inclusive of price. Enjoyable
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,734 contributions
Aug 2020
The trip from Adelaide to Melboburne is rail travel as it once was. The train stops off at country towns, where the train is the main connection to the outside world. You will see the grain in shades of green as it is growing, orshimmering gold as it stands ready for harvest. This isn't a tourist train, it remains a railway that works for its liviing.
Written 6 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PennynDavid
Perth, Australia23 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
We travelled Gold Class over Christmas from Brisbane to Adelaide. Having travelled on the Indi-Pacific several years ago, we knew what to expect. The food and drinks, both onboard and during the very well organised excursions, are plentiful and of very high standard. The staff are all extremely friendly, fun and helpful. Their great teamwork endeavours to meet every need. The cabins are compact but contain everything needed. Bunks are erected and concealed,as appropriate, by highly efficient staff. This provides a private space if/when required, or guests can choose to mix with others in the lounge bar. Sadly, it is very difficult to sleep due to the surprisingly bumpy/noisy ride over the tracks (not sure who is to blame for this). We will look forward to future JBR travels.
Written 26 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would like to know which is the best way to travel - i.e. EAST TO WEST OR WEST TO EAST on the Indian Pacific Railway from the point of view of what one sees or misses because it may be during the night.
Written 19 July 2024
I am told one way is more interesting. Which way is the best WEST TO EAST OR EAST TO WEST on the Indian Pacific Railway please?
Written 17 July 2024
We are doing the indian express from Perth to Sydney 1st week in October this year, any advice please IE clothing, Things to take on trip etc
Written 14 January 2021
Check website for Great Southern Rail for updates. As at 23/03/2020 The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland will be suspended until 31 May 2020.
Written 4 April 2020
Travelling on Indian Pacific Perth to Adelaide - on the second day it says brunch but no mention of dinner ? Assume we are fed? off the train maybe? Anyone done it?
Written 5 March 2020
I did Sydney to Perth so not sure about what stops you have going Perth to Adelaide. Best to email Great Southern Rail and ask them to send you the brochure for your particular trip which will have all the details.
Written 5 March 2020
Gold double cabin. How difficult was it getting onto the top bunk? Could it be converted to a double flat bed?
Many thanks.
Written 26 December 2019
There's no way to convert to a double flat bed - it's two single bunks only that pack away during the day. It's reasonable easy to get to the top bunk thanks to a sturdy ladder. If you want a flat queen-sized bed, they're only available in Platinum Class.
Written 24 February 2020
We are traveling on The Ghan Expedition early September & want to know what clothes will we need for the off train BBQ Alice Springs. How cold is it expected to be?
Written 25 June 2019
Hi Cheryl,
Would suggest you contact GREAT SOUTHER
N RAIL with your question. I've never been to Alice Springs area.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Cheers, Dave
Written 1 July 2019
We are first-time visitors to this region. Please advise what the sleeping is like for the three nights aboard the train ride from Perth to Sidney. Is it smooth and quiet enough to sleep well?
Written 1 March 2019
The train noise and motion is evident but will not disturb your sleep. Apparently some say they slept better than ever with the trains rocking motion. I’m a light sleeper and slept well and woke early.
Written 12 March 2019
Does the Indian Pacific Train have an observation car or do you have to remain in your cabin for the trip? We are a group of 4 and the cabin will only seat 3 during the day. Where else can we visit together?
Written 26 January 2019
The lounge doubles as the observation car and unlike your cabin, you can view from both sides.
Written 27 January 2019
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