Spectacular Kangaroo Island

Your East Coast journey begins with a warm welcome at Hanworth House in East Brisbane, where you'll check in gather with fellow travellers for a celebratory start to your summer journey. After setting off from Brisbane on the Great Southern, life on board begins to unfold. Savour lunch as the train winds south, then settle into the rhythm of your cabin and the passing landscapes.

In the afternoon, the Great Southern arrives in the coastal town of Coffs Harbour. Here, the evening unfolds in true coastal style. As the sun sinks below the horizon, enjoy drinks and canapés on the sand at Charlesworth Bay before a signature outdoor dinner - weather permitting- showcasing fresh seafood and regional produce paired with local wines. The soundtrack is set by a live band and the gentle rhythm of waves on the shore.

After a few unhurried hours, reboard the train and settle in for your first night on board. Stay: Great Southern (3 Nights) (L/D)

Start the day with a hearty breakfast on board before setting off on your choice of Off Train Experiences. Wine lovers can explore the picturesque Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine region. Known for Semillon and Shiraz, here you'll spend the day amongst the vines, visiting Tulloch and Brokenwood Wines followed by a platter-style lunch featuring local produce at Twine Restaurant. If you'd prefer to take to the skies, treat yourself to an optional upgrade with a Hunter Valley helicopter flight that soars over the rolling green hills, showcasing the best of the wine region and beyond.

Alternatively, discover Port Stephens by land or sea. Venture by 4WD across the vast Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, the largest mobile dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Stop to admire your surrounds and drive to the top of a dune to take in the sweeping views - you may even choose to sandboard down. On the water tour, be dazzled by turquoise seas as you soak up the coastline on a relaxed boat cruise, with the chance to spot dolphins along the way. Whether by land or sea, after your Port Stephens adventure you'll enjoy a leisurely lunch at Nelson Bay Golf Club before returning to the train in the afternoon.

Closer to the city, explore Newcastle on a guided walking tour that reveals its coastal charm, capped with lunch at Scratchleys on the Wharf before returning to the train for a regionally inspired dinner. (B/L/D)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board as the Great Southern travels through Victoria's high country before choosing your next Off Train Experience. Victoria is well-known for its excellent food and wine scene, which is on show at Clyde Park in the Moorabool Valley. Clyde Park is a beautiful vineyard, cellar door and bistro set among rolling hills. Here, you'll enjoy a long lunch and sample cool-climate wines while being entertained on the glorious lawns.

Alternatively, spend the day in cosmopolitan Melbourne to discover why it's considered the cultural and sporting capital of Australia. Highlights include the Ian Potter Centre at NGV Australia, with its remarkable collection of Australian art, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, guided by a club member. History buffs may prefer the Old Melbourne Gaol, where stories of the past, including those of Ned Kelly, come to life.

To complete your Melbourne experience, take in the sweeping views from Melbourne Skydeck before ascending to Eureka 89 for a curated lunch showcasing seasonal local produce. Afterwards, return to the train to continue your journey south. (B/L/D)

Catch the morning light over regional South Australia, a final reminder of the landscapes you've travelled through. Sit back and enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board, savouring the last moments of life on train. Soon, the Great Southern glides into Adelaide, where you will be met by your Outback Spirit crew before a short drive takes us into the Adelaide Hills to the quaint village of Hahndorf.

Welcome to Australia's oldest surviving German settlement; a heritage town full of history and character. Time for a quick potter and window shop before we continue on our way to Monarto Safari Resort, today's destination and a jewel in the crown of South Australian touring.

Prepare for authentic wildlife experiences as ‘Africa' is brought to life in our own backyard. A sunset wildlife safari, enjoyed from a comfortable safari truck, will get us up close and personal to free-roaming animals such as cheetah, zebra, giraffe, rhinos and more. Compare sightings over dinner on-site which will feature locally sourced ingredients and produce. Stay: Monarto Safari Resort (B/L/D)

Take in views of the mighty Murray River as we skirt around Murray Bridge, Tailem Bend and the northern reaches of Lake Alexandrina. Keep an eye out for the old-paddle steamers and other motor craft as we continue enroute to Cape Jarvis, our departure point for Kangaroo Island.

Arriving on ‘KI' is to enter a world of nature-based attractions and landscapes that will be indelibly imprinted in your memory. With over a third of the island protected as nature reserves, stunning landscapes and geological formations, and myriad bird and wildlife species quietly taking sanctuary here, it's a feast for nature-lovers.

An exceptional eco-adventure cruise kicks off our explorations as we take an informative look at the natural biodiversity of this spectacular part of the South Australian coastline. Keep an eye out and count up the species you spot. Kingscote, the largest settlement on the island, will be our home for the next three nights as we take time to really get to know this little slice of paradise. Stay: Ozone Hotel (3 Nights) (B/L/D)

A full day of exploring is ahead of us as we visit some of the island's famous and lesser-known sights. First stop is Seal Bay Conservation Park which is home to Australia's largest colony of breeding sea lions. A local expert guide will escort us down to the beach where we can observe these magnificent creatures up close and learn about how they hunt, surf, rest, interact with their pups and defend their territory. A boardwalk winds through the dunes to the beach offering breathtaking views of the colony and majestic coastline below. Look out for sea lions snoozing in the dune system or sometimes, lying on the path in our path!

The west of the island reveals Flinders Chase National Park, an essential stop on any KI visit. Home to the precariously balanced Remarkable Rocks and also Admirals Arch, the orange-hued rocks and rock arch that are two of the most photographed and featured formations on the island. There is also a long-nosed fur seal colony to admire. (B/L/D)

Enjoy some free time this morning and explore the highlights of Kangaroo Island with a variety of local sightseeing activities and some interesting tastings ahead. Discover the fascinating process of eucalyptus oil production, past and present, with a visit to the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery. Indulge in the unique flavours of the region at Kangaroo Island Spirits and sample delicious local honey at the Island Beehive for a true taste of the island's charm.  (B/L/D)

Returning to the mainland, we travel into the McLaren Vale wine region on the Fleurieu Peninsula to sample some of the spoils of this area. Known for producing premium Shiraz along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Grenache although in much lesser quantities. Our last meal together will no doubt be full of tales of the beautiful wildlife we've seen and wilderness explored, before we return to Adelaide and onward travels. Your journey concludes at your Adelaide CBD hotel accommodation or the airport. (B/L)