Great Australian Rail Holidays 2013/14
Love Australia? Then you ll love Sunlover Holidays. We re proudly Australian owned and committed to being the Australian travel experts. Our comprehensive brochure range covers all parts of Australia, from Cape York to Cradle Mountain and beyond. Love a choice of great value travel options? Then you ll love our range of accommodation and touring. We can tailor-make your holiday from hundreds of fantastic hotels, apartments and resorts, as well as cruises, car and campervan hire, extended touring, rail journeys and a huge range of sightseeing tours. Sunlover Holidays has been leading the way in travel for over 30 years and our team of 250 travel experts look forward to creating the perfect holiday for you. Andrew Burnes CEO Sunlover Holidays David Reyne presents Sunlover Holidays Great Australian Rail Holidays There s something about a rail adventure. There s the smell of the engine and the upholstery. There s the mesmerising rhythm of wheel upon rail lulling the passenger into a state of relaxation. There s the feeling of achievement as vast slabs of unyielding countryside fall away. There are the remote, weather buffed country stations. There s the comfort of being rocked to sleep, eager to discover what the new dawn will present beyond the window. Is there a more magnificent way to experience the heart of our country? It s an honour to represent the greatest Australian travel brand, to inspire you to explore the most breathtaking country on the planet; Australia. May your Great Australian Rail Holiday be simply the relaxing beginning. David Reyne Acclaimed travel presenter and writer Above Photo: The Ghan, Northern Territory Main Cover Photo: The Ghan, MacDonnell Ranges
Murray River, South Australia Margaret River, Western Australia Travel through Australia s incredible landscapes in style on one of the world s great rail journeys. Indian Pacific, South Australia The Overland, Victoria Contents THE RAIL EXPERIENCE... 4 Rail services... 6 Platinum Service... 6 Gold Service... 7 The Ghan RAIL JOURNEY... 8 The Ghan Rail Journey... 8 Short Breaks... 9 Holiday Packages... 10 Indian Pacific RAIL JOURNEY... 13 The Indian Pacific Rail Journey... 13 Short Breaks... 14 Holiday Packages... 15 PLANNING YOUR RAIL HOLIDAY... 18 Timetables... 18 Motorail... 18 Important Booking Conditions... 19 Uluru, Northern Territory First Edition Valid 1 April 2013 31 March 2014. 3
The Rail Experience Immerse yourself in the timeless wonders of rail travel and discover the beauty and diverse landscapes on offer as you wind your way across Australia. The Ghan and Indian Pacific offer memorable experiences, superior hospitality and a real sense of discovery and adventure. Travel in style and comfort in both Platinum and Gold service options and take advantage of the many facilities and services on offer. The Ghan and the Indian Pacific are fully inclusive of all touring, dining and beverages. Now you can sit back and enjoy the rail journey and discover the destinations along the way with truly memorable off-train adventures. Enjoy the dining experience which tells the story of the journey with local produce and tastes. Your holiday starts the moment you step on board. Check-in on the train and relax with a drink in the Outback Explorer Lounge up to 90 minutes before your journey. Make yourself comfortable, and meet your host and fellow travellers. Flexible Dining Whether you re up with the sun determined not to miss a minute of your trip or a lover of the lie-in, breakfast is available between 6am and 10am. This allows you to savour the first meal of the day at your own pace. Dining reservations are available in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant. Book for a long lunch or an intimate late dinner for two. The Queen Adelaide Restaurant serves regional Australian cuisine, with changing menus to reflect the best produce and flavours of the countryside you re passing through. Wines are chosen to compliment these local specialities. All standard wines, beer, soft drinks and spirits are included with your Platinum and Gold Services. Explore and Discover Stops Take advantage of the Explore and Discover stops and experience the unique destinations along the way. Discover why these places make an Australian rail holiday a truly unique and inspiring journey. All off-train tour experiences are included in your rail fare. On The Ghan experience an oasis of history, indigenous culture and natural beauty in the Outback town of Alice Springs. In the Top End, take a cruise and witness the splendour of Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. On the Indian Pacific, explore the heritage and culture of the Silver City, Broken Hill, and indulge in an abundance of food, wine and history in the elegant South Australian capital of Adelaide. Your Rail Holiday Planning a rail holiday is easy with our selection of great Holiday Packages. We ve put together a range of packages combining travel on The Ghan or Indian Pacific with accommodation and a range of unique experiences. Our packages let you enjoy the journey as well as the destinations. True rail enthusiasts can travel aboard three trains and visit three cities on the Three Cities Three Trains Holiday Package featured on page 17. Or if you prefer a shorter break, you can combine one of four Short Break packages with the rail journey of your choice. So no matter what type of rail holiday you re after, our packages are the perfect way to experience Australia s great rail journeys. 4
DARWIN ADELAIDE RIVER Litchfield National Park Kakadu National Park KATHERINE NORTHERN TERRITORY TENNANT CREEK CAIRNS Hermannsburg ALICE SPRINGS QUEENSLAND Coral Bay Carnarvon Monkey Mia Kalbarri Geraldton Jurien Bay New Norcia PERTH Rockingham Bunburry Busselton Margaret River WESTERN AUSTRALIA Coolgardie Southern Cross Pemberton Walpole Meredin Ravensthorpe Mount Barker Albany Denmark KALGOORLIE BOULDER Kambalda Esperance Norseman Rawlinna Yulara SOUTH Kulgera AUSTRALIA Oodnadatta Manguri Siding Coober Pedy Marree Cook Parachilna Arkaroola NEW SOUTH WALES Tarcoola Silverton Hawker BROKEN HILL Ceduna Quorn Menindee Port Augusta Peterborough Ivanhoe Parkes Port Pirie Condobolin Orange Clare Bathurst Lithgow Port Lincoln MILDURA Wagga Wagga ADELAIDE Murray Brige Swan Hill Wollongong Victor Bordertown CANBERRA Harbor Albury-Wodonga Horsham VICTORIA Ararat Bendigo Bega Mount Gambier Warnambool Geelong MELBOURNE SYDNEY BRISBANE Devonport Launceston HOBART The Ghan Indian pacific The overland Route: Adelaide Alice Springs Darwin Duration: 2 nights in either direction Distance: 2,979 kilometres Route: Sydney Adelaide Perth Duration: 3 nights in either direction Distance: 4,352 kilometres Route: Adelaide Melbourne Duration: Daylight service in either direction Distance: 828 kilometres INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS REGIONAL AIRPORTS 5