Melbourne: A City Adventure
There’s nothing quite like the Australian summer. The days are long, the nights are warm, and the electric energy the sunshine season brings promises a good time.
December to February can often be busy. But being busy doesn’t have to mean being stressed, especially when travelling on the Great Southern. During this summer rail adventure, everything is taken care of. From your morning coffee to your afternoon aperitif, the journey is all-inclusive, allowing you to completely relax and embrace summer.
Boarding in Brisbane, you’ll spend two nights winding your way down the East Coast on an epicurean adventure, ending in Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne. However, your Great Southern journey doesn’t end when you disembark. Upon arrival, you can choose to experience Melbourne’s unique charms and attractions.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA
As Australia’s oldest and most visited gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the home of Australian art. This Off Train Experience is ideal for art lovers and history buffs. The NGV hosts a wide range of local and international artists, from contemporary art to major international historic exhibitions, fashion, design and architecture. Explore the NGV at your own pace, taking in the permanent collection comprising over 75,000 artworks, including works from Rembrandt, Dali and Monet.
MCG TOUR
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is an Australian icon. It’s a sporting institution and the home of Test Cricket and the AFL Grand Final. It’s also an impressive landmark that makes up part of the Melbourne Skyline, and during this Off Train Experience, guests will tour the MCG to learn the highs and lows of sporting history with the help of an MCG member. This is the tour for those who love sport and want to visit one of Melbourne’s major attractions.
OLD MELBOURNE GOAL
For those who love crime podcasts and ghost stories, the Old Melbourne Goal tells the stories of the many inmates who spent time in its cells, including those incarcerated for minor misdemeanours who were housed alongside the state’s most dangerous criminals. From 1842 until its closure in 1929, the Old Melbourne Gaol was the scene of 133 hangings, including Australia’s most infamous citizen, Bushranger Ned Kelly. During this Off Train Experience, guests will enjoy a private tour through the building and cells, seeing firsthand what life was like for all those men and women who lived and died here so many years ago.
After the morning’s Off Train Experiences, guests will regroup for a final farewell. Rounding out your Melbourne experience, enjoy the best of the city’s food and wine scene at the Eureka 89 dining room. First, visit Melbourne Skydeck, the Southern Hemisphere’s highest observation deck and get 360-degree views of the Melbourne skyline. Then, go one floor higher to Eureka 89 to savour an expertly crafted menu showcasing local and seasonal produce.
After lunch, it’s time to say goodbye. While your journey on board the Great Southern ends, it’s just the start of a Melbourne adventure. Over the summer months, Melbourne comes alive, and this city has a stellar line up of events and experiences. Meander along Southbank, explore the Queen Victoria Markets, watch tennis at the Australian Open and see a show at the Sidney Myer Music Bow. Or, do as the Melbournians do and find a rooftop bar or pub to while away an afternoon. Summer is the ultimate time to be in Melbourne, locals spill out on the streets to enjoy the sunshine. Why not join them?
