Great South Pacific Express
2003
The Train
This luxurious travelling hotel combines the highest standards of Australian engineering with opulence and comfort. Up to 21 carriages long, the air-conditioned maroon and cream train offers the opportunity to relive the romance of a bygone era. The service is personal and unobtrusive, with a steward in every carriage to attend your needs, 24 hours a day.The Dining Cars offer an ever-changing menu of gourmet dishes prepared by international chefs and accompanied by fine wines and the Lounge Car, with its resident pianist, provides a special opportunity to relax and meet fellow travelers. The popular Observation Car offers spectacular views of the Australian scenery as it glides by.
The Great South Pacific Express accommodates 100 passengers in 50 air-conditioned compartments, all furnished with meticulous attention to detail and complete with crisp linen, soft towels and compartment service, available 24 hours a day.
The Journey*
Sydney-Brisbane-Cairns (8 nights)
(*See below for other itineraries)Tuesday - Sydney
After check-in at The Observatory Hotel this evening, you are transferred to the station to board the gleaming carriages of the Great South Pacific Express. Settle into your luxurious en suite compartment. Enjoy a cocktail in the Lounge before dinner is served in the Dining Car. After your evening on board, retire to your compartment, which has been converted into a cozy bedroom.Wednesday - Blue Mountains
Arrive after breakfast in the Blue Mountains and disembark for a tour of the spectacular Blue Mountains National Park. Enjoy light refreshments at the Orient-Express hotel, Lilianfels, perched on the edge of the magnificent Jamison Valley and surrounded by elegant gardens. Reboard the GSPE for lunch and the onward journey over the breathtaking coastal cliff-tops of Sydney's south coast before winding through the picturesque Southern Highlands. Dinner and overnight on board.
Thursday - Canberra
Breakfast is served in your compartment by your steward as you travel through the Molonglo Gorge and into the Australian Capital Territory. Disembark for a tour of Canberra and a private visit to Parliament House, set on Capital Hill. Reboard the train for lunch and continue your journey through the magnificent scenery of the Southern Highlands passing Mount Gibraltar. Dinner in the dining car and the pianist playing in the Lounge make for a relaxing end to the day.Friday - Hunter Valley
Breakfast in served in your compartment before you disembark for a private visit to a Hunter Valley vineyard and cellar. Soak up the atmosphere and stories of this famous Australian region while tasting some of the vineyard's best wine. The owner of the vineyard will be on hand to explain all the details of viniculture. Enjoy lunch at an award-winning restaurant with time to enjoy the local scenery. Reboard the train for your onward journey and dinner. Overnight on board.Saturday - Brisbane
Breakfast and lunch are served on board as the GSPE makes its way towards Brisbane. Relax in one of the lounges or on the Observation Deck, and admire the passing scenery of NSW's northern coast. Cross the border from New South Wales into Queensland via the spectacular Border Loop range before arriving in Brisbane during the afternoon. Transfer to your chosen hotel for two nights.Sunday - Brisbane
Enjoy a day at leisure in Brisbane.Monday - Brisbane
An early morning return transfer to Brisbane, where you rejoin the Great South Pacific Express for the second stage of your journey. Enjoy the passing scenery of Queensland as lunch is served in the Dining Car. A relaxing afternoon is spent on board. Your cabin steward will serve afternoon tea in your compartment. During the evening, drinks, dinner and entertainment await in the Lounge and Dining Cars.
Tuesday - Great Barrier Reef
After breakfast arrive at Proserpine and disembark for an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage site, by helicopter or seaplane. Here you can snorkel, scuba-dive, swim or simply relax and watch the marine life from an underwater viewing chamber. Marine biologists and diving experts are on hand to assist. Lunch with beer and soft drinks is included. Reboard the train in the late afternoon for dinner and perhaps a nightcap in the Observation Car, marking the end of an exciting day.Wednesay - Kuranda
Enjoy breakfast in your compartment as the train begins its ascent up the scenic MacAlister Range to Kuranda. On arrival, there is time to sample the many visitor attractions and cafés in Kuranda, "Village in the Rainforest". Disembark for a ride on the Skyrail cable cars, across the canopy of the rainforest and down to Caravonica Lakes.
2003 Rates
Pullman Compartment $3470
State Compartment $4390
Commissioner's Suite $5650Prices are per person based on shared accommodation and include all table d'hôte meals on board, excursions and other meals as shown in the itinerary and shared bed and breakfast at the Stamford Plaza Hotel in Brisbane. Single supplements are available on request.
There are three types of accommodation on board the Great South Pacific Express: Commissioners Suite, State Compartments and Pullman Compartments. Each compartment has an en-suite shower and WC, wardrobe, hairdryer, bathrobes, ottoman and safe. Sockets are only suitable for Australian standard plugs, an adaptor is required for all other plugs.
2003 Departure Dates
February 18, 2003
March 18, 2003*Other available itineraries:
Brisbane-Cairns (2 nights)
Departure dates: Feb. 24; March 24; April 21; June 2; July 14; Aug. 11; Sept. 22
Prices: Pullman, $1770; State, $2270; Commissioner's Suite, $2940
Cairns-Brisbane (3 nights)
Departure dates: Feb. 26; March 26; April 23; June 4; July 16; Aug. 13; Sept. 24
Prices: Pullman, $1940; State, $2470; Commissioner's Suite, $3210
Sydney-Brisbane (4 nights)
Departure dates: Jan. 7, 21; Feb. 18; March 11; May 27
Prices: Pullman, $1910; State, $2450; Commissioner's Suite, $3180
Brisbane-Sydney (3 nights)
Departure dates: Jan. 6, 20; Feb. 17; March 10; May 26
Prices: Pullman, $1750; State, $2240; Commissioner's Suite, $2910
Sydney-Brisbane (2 nights)
Departure dates: Jan. 2, 9, 23; Feb. 20; March 13; Sept. 18
Prices: Pullman, $1020; State, $1310; Commissioner's Suite, $1700
Sydney-Sydney (2 nights)
Departure dates: Jan. 7, 21; Feb. 18; March 11; May 27
Prices: Pullman, $1310; State, $1690; Commissioner's Suite, $2180
Brisbane-Sydney (1 night)
Departure dates: Jan. 6, 20; Feb. 17; March 10; May 26
Prices: Pullman, $1020; State, $1310; Commissioner's Suite, $1700
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277
www.irtsociety.com
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