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January 12, 2010
The Southern Spirit Prepares to Set Sail
The Southern Spirit, Australia’s first ‘rail cruise’, is set to begin its maiden voyage today (12 January) beginning the rail adventure of a lifetime for the 45 guests on board.
The Southern Spirit brings a new standard in exclusive rail journeys – 14 days of luxury on board what can be described as an ‘epic rail adventure’.
Great Southern Rail’s Marketing Manager, Mr David Smith, said “The Southern Spirit is for those who are looking for something new and unique. Those who view travel not as a destination, but as a journey
to be savoured”.
With just two exclusive rail cruises operating in the inaugural year, it is a lucky few who will experience The Southern Spirit journey.
The first itinerary, ‘The Grand Tour’, began on 9 January with guests enjoying a three day tour of the Red Centre before boarding The Southern Sprit for their next destination. Those on board will visit some
of the most scenic areas of Central Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales with the journey concluding in Brisbane on 22 January.
On board the train guests will be accommodated in either a premium Platinum Service cabin or a contemporary Gold Service cabin, experiencing personalised attention, fine dining and all of the creature
comforts you would expect from an exclusive chartered journey.
Like all cruise experiences, travellers will head ‘ashore’ for excursions and tours – such as a two-day excursion to Kangaroo Island in South Australia and a visit to Glenrowan, the home of Ned Kelly, in
country Victoria. Several nights are also spent on land in five-star hotels such as the lavish Crown Towers on the Yarra River in Melbourne.
The Southern Spirit’s second journey for 2010, ‘The Coastal Epic’, begins in Brisbane on 24 January and concludes in Alice Springs on 4 February.
The Coastal Epic includes all of the experiences of ‘The Grand Tour’ in reverse, with the added highlight of an Australia Day celebration on the 36th level of the famous Shangri-La hotel, providing a perfect
viewpoint of the Sydney Harbour fireworks.
“The Southern Spirit is something new and quite unique in Australia. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the breathtaking Australian outback while on a luxurious and epic rail journey,” said Mr
Smith.