The Southern Spirit - Its Our Maiden Voyage

By its very definition, a maiden voyage is an extraordinary event.
But this voyage is more extraordinary than most. It’s not just the launch of new journeys and destinations, but the launch of a completely new standard of travel in Australia.

The Southern Spirit - luxury Australian rail cruises.

Epic trans-continental train cruising in prestigious Platinum Service style, combined with a suite of deluxe excursions and indulgences at ports along the way.

On board you’ll enjoy unparalleled luxury and unmatched personal attention with a 24-hour room service. While trips “ashore” offer you the chance to indulge yourself at exclusive five-star hotels or take off on expeditions as adventurous and exciting as you choose to make them.

The first of eight unique Southern Spirit rail cruises departs Darwin for Sydney on Wednesday 26 November, 2008. As you can imagine, places on board are strictly limited and will be highly sought after.

Visit www.thesouthernspirit.com.au for more information

For enquiries please call our Customer Service Consultants on 1300 88 14 16 or visit www.thesouthernspirit.com.au

Platinum Service on The Ghan

Great Southern Rail is excited to announce that the new Platinum Service will be launched on The Ghan service departing Adelaide for Darwin on 10 September 2008 and ticket sales will open on Monday, 5 May 2008.

Platinum Service is a new luxury level of train travel, like no other Australian train accommodation. Platinum Cabins will be approximately twice the size of our standard Gold Twin Cabins with each room offering deluxe accommodation including double beds, spacious ensuite and 24 hour room service. They will have all the modern comforts, in a classic style, with a distinctly Australian character.

The Ghan will now also offer accommodation options that rival the best world-class trains. This new service level is in addition to our existing Red and Gold Services, which will continue to operate on The Ghan. This means The Ghan will now cater to all budgets from Red Service the most economical way to travel, through to Gold Service for those holidaymakers who want to travel in comfort and now the deluxe offering of the new Platinum Service.

Platinum Service has been designed to meet the needs of the discerning traveller looking for that next level of comfort that will truly be the ultimate way to travel in style through the heart of Australia.

BOOK ONLINE: If you would like to book your Platinum Service holiday online please click here

If you would like to speak with a Platinum Consultant

please call on 13 21 47 or you can email platinum@gsr.com.au

If you would like to receive a brochure on Platinum Service please click here

Fuel Price Surcharge as of 1 April 2008

Great Southern Rail would like to inform Guests that as a result of continued high fuel prices the current fuel price surcharge for Gold Servive tickets onboard The Ghan and Indian Pacific will increase by $15 per sector.

This will be the first increase implemented by Great Southern Rail on the fuel surcharge following its introduction in August 2006. Since then, oil prices have risen in excess of 40% to over US$100 per barrel.

All new bookings made on or after 1 April 2008 will attract a Fuel price Surcharge of $30 per sector. The surcharge will apply to guest travelling Gold Service on The Ghan and Indian Pacific. Prices for travel on The Overland and in Red Service are not effected.

Fares that will make your head turn!

Great Southern Rail has released an exciting new fare to make your head turn!

Bookings are currently open via our Reservations department only on 13 21 47.

^*Super Rail Saver and Head Turner Conditions Apply:

All fares are based on Red Service day/night seat service.

For bookings made from 10 June 2008 to 31 July 2008 for travel until 20 October 2008.

All fares are as stated, one way, and v.v., to break your journey with stopovers sector fares will be applicable.

Return Journey must commence prior to 31 July 2008 and completed with in 60 days.

All fares include a Fuel Price Surcharge.

All fares are subject to change without notice, available for immediate purchase.

Payment required at time of booking.

No changes permitted.

Non refundable (100% cancellation fee).

Non transferable).

Fares are applicable to limited seats on every service and will be subject to availability at time of booking.

CSHC = Commonwealth Senior Health Card Holder

All fares are in Australian Dollars, inclusive of GST and subject to change

Pension and concession fares are valid for Australian citizens only

All fares will be subject to a fuel price surcharge.

Not for Wholsale bookings.

To receive concessional travel fares, Great Southern Railway is required to confirm your eligibility for the concession electronically with Centrelink. If you do not want this to happen you will need to contact Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) to obtain a Pension Concession Letter as proof of your eligibility for the concession and provide this directly to Great Southern Railway before the concession can be given.

Back by Popular Demand: Student BackPacker and YHA fares

Effective from 18 April 2007, Great Southern Railway have reinstated their popular Backpacker, YHA and Student fares in Red Kangaroo Service.

Available for booking online and direct through Great Southern Railway’s reservations staff via 13 21 47.

We are pleased once again to be able to offer travel in Red Kangaroo Service at such great value for holders of a Backpacker, YHA or Student card…

It’s now time to get back on track and see Australia from a completely different perspective.

Smoking Policy

In February 2006, we were instructed by Western Australian Authorities that there is to be no smoking on our trains in their state from the 1st March 2006. Accordingly, we are implementing measures to enforce a total smoking ban on the Indian Pacific whilst it is in Western Australia from the 1st March 2006.

All Great Southern Rail trains will become entirely smoke free from the 1st October 2006. This will comply with most state government legislation requirements.

Smoke Free Southern Cross Station

As of the 1st March 2006, smoking will be prohibited within the Southern Cross Station precinct. This follows the introduction of Victorian Government laws to prohibit smoking in all workplaces and all covered areas of train platforms, tram shelters and bus shelters. The Southern Cross Station Authority has decided to extend the ban further to include outdoor areas of the precinct to remove confusion regarding designated smoking prohibited areas. All boundaries will be clearly marked with no smoking signage.