Train travelling in style

bevans · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:11 pm

Bell-boy outfits, all aboard whistles, the gentle rocking motion, the sound of champagne corks firing at the dining car's roof - what could be more elegant and relaxing than a trip on a luxury train?

This is a world away from my last train journey - a CountryLink endurance test from Sydney to Coffs Harbour which coincided with the eve of the school holidays.

Eight hours trapped in a confined space with children high on Kit Kats proved the phrase "getting there is half the fun" is a fallacy.

But the Southern Spirit - the latest offering from Great Southern Rail, the people who operate the Ghan - might just restore my faith in train travel.

The Southern Spirit, which embarks on its inaugural journey in November, differs from its peers on many levels.

Firstly, it zips all over the place - operating on eight different itineraries linking destinations as far apart as Brisbane and Perth and Melbourne and Darwin.

Secondly, it takes Australian train travel to a new level.

To ensure Great Southern Rail delivers on its promise of luxury it has ordered five new platinum carriages for a cost of around $12 million.

The cabins have been designed by a luxury boat builder to a completely new floor plan inspired by the world's most lavish trains - think South Africa's Blue Train or Europe's Orient-Express.

In your private platinum cabin you can sprawl out on a double bed, lather yourself in moisturiser in the ensuite bathroom, sip champagne wearing your complimentary pyjamas, select your pillow from a menu and summon a waiter with the press of a button.

In fact you could easily be tricked into thinking you had checked into a five star hotel - until you pulled up the Roman blinds and saw the scenery gliding past.

And if by some strange occurrence you get sick of your cabin you can take a stroll to the Queen Adelaide restaurant car where the food just keeps rolling towards your mouth - oysters, beef and cheesecake.

The only downside to all this luxury is that it comes at a price.

The most expensive trip in platinum class is the 13-day odyssey from Brisbane to Darwin for $14,290 per person.

The cheapest journey in platinum is the nine-day jaunt from Sydney to Perth for $8,890 per person.

For those who can't afford to travel like the Queen of England through the outback for the best part of a month can drop it down a level and book into gold class.

Here I'm in more familiar territory with fold down beds and a "hide-away" toilet and wash basin.

But this is far from cattle class with tea or coffee delivered to the room each morning, in-cabin music and champagne upon arrival.

And if you're looking for a class below gold service there isn't one - Great Southern Rail says the Southern Spirit is aimed at the "lucky few who get on board" and is priced accordingly.

Each of the eight journeys combine rail time with stopovers in fancy hotels, excursions and special events - similar to how a luxury sea cruise operates.
Events include, for example, a candlelit dinner underground at Coober Pedy, a seafood dinner in a marquee on Coffs Harbour jetty and Australia Day celebrations 36 storeys up overlooking Sydney Harbour.

At the end of the Southern Spirit's season, which runs from November through to February each year, the platinum carriages will join the Ghan.
So whether it's on the Southern Spirit or the Ghan you will have year round opportunity to check in to platinum class.

Once inside you can spend your time propped up on your double bed, cool beverage in hand, waving politely through your private window to the children on the CountryLink as you swish past in your polished carriage like a prom queen on her way to accept her crown.

<b>IF YOU GO:</b>

Trip examples:
* 'The Inaugural Spirit': Darwin to Sydney, 13 days/12 nights from November 25 - December 7, 2008. Platinum service is $13,290 per person and gold service is $10,290 per person.
* 'The Transcontinental': Sydney to Perth, 9 days/8 nights from December 8 - 16, 2008. Platinum service is $8,890 per person and gold service is $6,890 per person.
Meals, transfers, excursions and entertainment are included in the price. Special excursions, alcohol and snacks are extra.

For more information visit www.thesouthernspirit.com.au or call for a brochure on 1300-881-416.

The writer was a guest of Great Southern Railways.

SMH

RP2 - Project Director

"Victoria, the home of world class project blowouts and overruns" Mr. Bachelor, hang your head in Shame!

PClark · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:18 am

"The writer was a guest of Great Southern Railways."

On what?

The train hasn't started yet and the Platinum class doesn't start on the Ghan until September.

There is already a thread on The Southern Spirit in the "Operators" forum but it went off-topic (typical of RP2!) and has been dormant for nearly a month.

wongm · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:22 am

The journalist may have been given a trip on the launch train that ran out of Adelaide on a dinner trip a month or so ago. Confused

Marcus Wong

Railway Pics (and the chaff) Updated December 4th
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Rail Geelong: History of Geelong's Railways. Victoria's real Main Line.

ShowMeTheMoney · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:32 am