Rail trip through the Australian countryside

Trainspotters, also known as trainiacs, anoraks and even, gunzels, I soon learn have a knack of popping up in the oddest places as we travel the Australian countryside. As I settle in for a chilled glass of sparkling wine in the Outback Explorer Lounge upon boarding The Southern Spirit, I discover that many of my fellow passengers are, indeed, gunzels. The Southern Spirit, which runs just a handful of services over the Australian summer season between Adelaide and Brisbane, offers highly-credentialed bragging rights amongst serious rail buffs."Gunzel on the bridge," my friend points out as our train passes beneath a highway flyover. I whip my head around in time to spot a stout camera-toting man above us, his lens pointed trackside as our train gains momentum.The Southern Spirit is like a leisurely type of rail cruising. Daily Whistle Stop Tours allow passengers to enjoy highlights along the route, which are co-ordinated with our schedule to provide enticing diversions beyond the train itself.Whistle Stop ToursOozing an alluring mix of beachside funk blended with well-heeled style, Byron Bay on the northern New South Wales coast is our first Whistle Stop after departing Brisbane. From high atop the Cape Byron cliff overlooking the beach, the water is clear enough to see the ripples in the sand beneath the surf. There's enough time for poking around trendy boutiques or a swim in the surf before dinner. Our first dinner onboard is not actually onboard at all, as we dine downtownin Byron Bay before retreating to Southern Spirit in time for a nightcap. Damian, my affable 30-something cabin steward has read my mind and left a miniature of Baileys alongside a handful of chocolates to send me off to sleep.Not that I need much help, as the train gently lulls me into a semi conscious state, encased as I am amid crisply starched linen.Day two and The Southern Spirit pull into Coffs Harbour station beside the harbour, throbbing with burly fishermen unloading their catch dockside. Some of us opt for a brisk walk to stretch our legs, taking the path beyond the marina and up to the summit of Mutton Bird Island. Confined as we ar onboard, it's a relief to get some blood pumping into idle legs.As lunch is served onboard in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant we're soon off again, with Port Macquarie our next destination. Home to the worlds only koala hospital, unfortunately we don't call in, instead the afternoon is spent sipping and sampling as we visit a vineyard followed by a hydroponic tomato and strawberry farm. It's enough to whet our appetite for our tour through the wine growing region of the Hunter Valley the following day. Further Whistle Stop explorations include the Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo, Albury-Wodonga on the Murray River, with the Grampians National Park the last stop before pulling into Adelaide.Onboard we easily slip into a regular pattern, much of which revolves around eating, drinking and socialising. After dinner there's usually a tightly contested game of Scrabble underway in the lounge, while others retreat to their private cabins. Operated by Great Southern Rail, accommodation onboard is in either luxurious Platinum Service or contemporary Gold Service cabins. The main differences between the two are mostly to do with cabin size and amenities, plus the inclusion of special luxuries for Platinum travellers (think turndown nightcap and chocolates, Natio bathroom products, fluffy bathrobes, and tea or coffee served in bed each morning).Naturally limited by carriage width, both are somewhat compact, though making exceptional use of limited space. All cabins have ensuite bathrooms, and this is where the real difference liesbetween the two. Platinum guests have modern, spacious showers with glass screens along with a regular vanity basin and toilet. Gold Service guests, well, bathrooms are, how to put it? Let's just say, compact. Clever almost, given that both the toilet and hand basin fold down from the wall.Concealed when not in use, the floor space is then utilised as a shower stall with wrap around shower curtain. Not for the bibulous, to be sure, but perfectly adequate. And lets' face, how muchtime do you really spend in the bathroom?During the day, cabins are set up for lounging, with sofas or lounge chairs the perfect spot to curl up with a book, or to watch the landscape brush past. At night, usually while we're at dinner, cabinstewards transform each cabin into a cosy sleeper, with beds folding down from behind concealedwalls. Crisp, fresh linen and fluffy blankets make for a cosy, comfy night time retreat. An added luxury for couples in Platinum Service is the option of a double bed to stretch out in. Naturally, panoramic windows in all cabins bring the great outdoors up close and personal, whether loungingon your sofa or reclining in bed.With little to do but kick back and relax, I spend endless hours gazing out the window from a supine position. After a while I begin to recognise trainspotters trackside. With binoculars or cameras, sometimes both, slung around their necks, train timetables in hand, I can almost feel their hand-wringing angst when we are running behind schedule. On online forums intense discussions ensue about which trains have been spotted and where, inciting speculation about train schedules and whether trains are running on time. Or not.As we depart Melbourne's Southern Cross Station bound for Adelaide, one particularly passionategunzel called George, well known amongst train crews, waves enthusiastically from the platformas we roll out of town. He looks absolutely chuffed that he's seen The Southern Spirit at closerange. Sure, I could have flown the short distance between Brisbane and Adelaide in just a coupleof hours. But, as a raw trainspotter still building the required street cred to consider myself agunzel, it was never really an option.Travel facts:Freedom Australia (0844 567 8040 W: www.freedomaustralia.co.uk) is currently offering a 10-night package that includes 4 nights/5 days aboard the Southern Spirit from Brisbane to Melbourne in Gold Class from �3,859 per person. Price includes return flights from Heathrow to Brisbane with Malaysia Airlines, 3 nights in Brisbane & 3 nights in Melbourne. Price is for travel in February 2012 and based on two people sharing. Guests can upgrade to the Platinum Class from �1,500 per person.Alternatively, build your own package: fly to either Adelaide or Brisbane, get a hotel for a few nights, explore the city, then contact Great Southern Rail (www.gsr.com.au) & The Southern Spirit (www.thesouthernspirit.com.au) to book the train journey. The Southern Spirit operates between Adelaide and Brisbane (and vice versa) between November and February each year, with the next departure from Adelaide 5 Nov 2011.Flights to AdelaideHotels in Adelaide start from AU$59 for a double room Flights to Brisbane Hotels in Brisbane from AU$70 for a double room24 October 2011
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