Media Release from Great Southern Rail - The Southern Spirit

[ozbob]

17 June 2008

Great Southern Rail has announced a new luxurious train service called ?The Southern Spirit? that will operate each summer season from November 2008 on a variety of outback Australian train routes.

The Southern Spirit will be a luxury Australian rail cruise offering 8 different itineraries that visit a number of different destinations across Australia?s rail network, combined with deluxe excursions and exclusive events. The Inaugural journey departs Darwin on 25 November 2008 bound for Sydney on a 13 day/12 night rail cruise across the heart of Australia. It will travel through the Red Centre to the scenic southeast corner, with stopovers in Katherine, Alice Springs, Cooper Pedy, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Moss Vale.

Each unique journey on board the Southern Spirit will take guests through some of the most breathtaking scenery Australia has to offer. On board, guests will enjoy unparalleled luxury and unmatched personal attention with 24hour cabin service. Guests can choose to travel in the prestigious new Platinum Service deluxe cabins or the hallmark Gold Service, with all the creature comforts in a compact twin cabin.

The transcontinental journeys are combined with a suite of deluxe excursions staying at fivestar hotels, together with once in a lifetime exclusive events at stops along the way. The uniquely Australian events include a candlelit dinner underground at Cooper Pedy or a spectacular seafood dinner in a marquee on Coffs Harbor Jetty or Australia Day celebrations 36 storeys up, overlooking the spectacular harbour city of Sydney at sunset.

Each itinerary offers a different combination of journeys and experiences. For example, itinerary 5 ?The Great Coastal Epic? is an impressive rail cruise from Perth following the coast through four states, visiting six mainland capitals, and arriving in to the sunshine city of Brisbane after 13 days and 12 nights.

Great Southern Rail, Chief Executive Officer Tony BraxtonSmith
said, ?The Southern Spirit is not only a new Australian train journey with a fantastic array of destinations and experiences, it sets a completely new standard of deluxe rail travel in Australia?.

?Each of the eight luxury rail cruises showcases some of Australia?s most prestigious tourism offerings. There is something to tempt everyone, from the adventurous and exciting to the laidback and indulgent. The Southern Spirit is a perfect mix of the rich diversity of Australia?s landscape and some of the most exciting city highlights?, he added.

The Southern Spirit journeys will run from November 2008 to February 2009 with each offering an adventure of a lifetime combining luxury travel, iconic outback experiences and once in a lifetime events.

Fares will start from $6,890 per personal twin share on the 9 day/8 night ?Transcontinental? cruise from Sydney to Perth via Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide.

For enquiries or a free brochure please contact Great Southern Rail on 1300 881 416 or visit www.thesouthernspirit.com.au

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For further media information, brochure and access to the new images contact:

Sophie Dent l Publicity and Events Manager l Great Southern Rail

[Otto]

I look forward to seeing the train in Brisbane on Jan 22nd.
Not yet seen any pictures of the train. I am wondering if the carriages are from the former Great Southern Pacific Express.

[mufreight]

To Otto,
the GSPE rollingstock is now operating overseas on a metre gauge system through Malaya.