Words: Giselle Whiteaker

We know the festive season is more than a day or two towards the end of the year. It’s weeks of festivities, a time for family and friends to gather, and the opportunity to kick back, relax, and celebrate another orbit around the sun.

Santa comes early to the Great Southern. He’ll be at Adelaide Parklands Terminal waving you off as you board the pre-Christmas journey from Adelaide to Brisbane on December 22^nd. The festivities continue on board, too, with decorations and a range of surprise and delight, moments, gearing you up for Christmas Day in Brisbane.

If you’re joining the Great Southern in Brisbane on Christmas Day, you’ll find yourself caroling at Hanworth House before boarding. There’s no need to be concerned about being off-key, either – The Tannenbaum Duo, who perform with Opera Queensland, will be taking the lead, performing all of your Christmas favourites to put you in a festive mood. You can simply sit back with your glass of sparkling wine in hand, the scent of cinnamon in the air, and enjoy the performance.

Luckily, historic Hanworth House has a chimney or two as well, should a special guest decide to put in an appearance before the crew elves lead you to your sleigh for departure.

On board, you’ll be welcomed with a Christmas cocktail or mocktail so you can toast your departure on this special journey. Then it will be time for a festive feast as you roll out of Brisbane, headed for the Coff’s coast. Expect plentiful puddings, a multitude of mince pies, and bottomless bubbles as the day unfolds, culminating in a lavish beachside dinner featuring fresh seafood. This is the true meaning of Christmas – camaraderie and a shared celebration.

Once Christmas has been and gone, it will be time to ring in the New Year. After a night being awed by Brisbane’s fabulous firework display, start the year as you mean to go on – with an adventure. Board the Great Southern on New Year’s Day and kick off 2024 in style. It’s all about a new year, new experiences, and a new you.