Home » Australia and New Zealand

Great Southern Rail Holidays

Great Southern Rail trains offer many different travel packages to suit all needs. The Ghan, The Overland and The Indian Pacific have two different service levels.

• Gold Kangaroo Service

And

• Red Kangaroo Service.

Gold Kangaroo Service as you would expect is the more luxurious way to travel. Think of it like business class on an airplane.

Red Kangaroo Service is what I travelled on in the Indian Pacific, which I classified as economy.

Gold Kangaroo Service

The Indian Pacific and The Ghan offer pretty much the same style of accommodation in Gold Kangaroo Service. The Overland, being a shorter trip, doesn't offer the same sleeping facilities as you spend less time on the train.

Here is what you can expect from your accommodation on The Ghan and The Indian Pacific.

• Superior, well appointed day and overnight sleeper accommodation
• Choose from an elegant twin or single sleeper cabin
• Twin Cabins feature 3 seater lounges converting to upper and lower sleeping berths plus ensuite facilities with toilet, washbasin and shower
• Single Cabins feature a lounge chair converting to single sleeping berth with shower and toilet facilities located at the end of each carriage
• Cabins are fully serviced by carriage attendants with fresh sheets, pillows and doonas
• Cabins feature 3 pin/ 240 volt power point, wardrobe, full length mirror, reading light, foldaway table
• Complimentary toiletry bags and onboard magazine provided in all Gold Kangaroo Service cabins
• Guests receive a Certificate of Travel and 'collector' stick pin upon disembarkation
  

Deluxe Cabins

The Ghan and The Overland also offer deluxe cabins for people looking to travel a bit more in style. These cabins have a small double bed built into the walls.

The great thing about the Deluxe Cabins is the extras, which include a private lounge, video entertainment, bar fridge and a host of other things.

Dining and Lounge

Dining in Gold Service is something else. The eating area is beautiful and the food is top of the line.

All meals are included in the Gold Kangaroo Service, beverages are extra.

The lounge is for Gold Kangaroo patrons only. This is a great place to meet fellow travellers. The lounge has a licensed bar.

Red Kangaroo Service

There are two different types of accommodation in the Red Kangaroo Service.

Sleeper cabins and Day nighter seats.

Sleeper Cabins
Comfortable, twin share day cabin converting to upper and lower sleeping berths at night

Seating comprises 2 facing lounge chairs

Private washing facilities in cabin

Cabins feature 3 pin/ 240 volt power point, wardrobe, vanity mirror, reading light, foldaway table

Toilet and shower facilities at the end of each carriage

Complimentary on-board magazine

Note: guests travelling alone may be required to share a Sleeper Cabin.

Sleeper Seats
Comfortable recliner lounge chairs with generous leg room
Individual reading light
Video entertainment
Toilet and shower facilities at the end of each carriage
Towels and soap provided
Guests need to bring their own rug and pillow
Complimentary on-board magazine

Dining And Lounge

The food in the Red Kangaroo Service is nothing to write home about. It's cafeteria food most of the time and dinner is usually a bland mix of meat and vegetables.

The lounge area is quite nice, not as nice as the Gold Kangaroo lounge, but I spent a lot of time in this lounge listening to music, talking to the people on the train. There's always a video on or some sort of entertainment.