New class of luxury unveiled on board iconic Australian trains

As a big continent with a sparsely populated interior, cross-country rail has been a crucial lifeline to modern Australia, moving people and freight between widespread communities since the 1800s. Routes connecting Sydney and Perth and Adelaide and Darwin are the pinnacle of this connection, incredibly only completed in 1969 and 2004 respectively.

That these routes were the stuff of dreams for so long for so many no doubt contributes to the romance of the experiential trains that run on them today.

Dining edge: the Gold Premium Restaurant.

And as of March 26, Journey Beyond, the company running those trains, is turning the romance up several notches with the launch of Gold Premium carriages on The Ghan (Adelaide-Darwin) and Great Southern (Adelaide-Brisbane) trains.

Sitting between Gold and Platinum, Gold Premium guests can expect elevated amenities with their twin cabin, including an ensuite bathroom for less cost than the Platinum offering.

There is also a Gold Premium Suite featuring more space, a three-quarter-size double bed plus a fold-down upper berth and a lounge area.

Setting up for a good night’s sleep in a Gold Premium twin cabin.

Along with privileges such as priority boarding, Gold Premium comes with a dedicated social space and diner. The Gold Premium Lounge is designed with leather banquettes, swivel chairs and mood lighting. It serves premium beverages, as does the art deco-style Gold Premium Dining where menus and seatings are exclusive to Gold Premium guests.

Journey Beyond partnered with Australian global design firm Woods Bagot on the interiors. Woods Bagot executed the 2019 upgrade to Platinum class on The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern trains and is masterminding a $10 million fleet rollout of new looks over the next five years.

The Gold Premium Lounge.

New-design Gold carriages will be rolled out in stages with interior flourishes drawing inspiration from the rich colours of the landscape art by famed 20th Century Arrernte painter Albert Namatjira.

Meanwhile, new upholstery is by Melbourne-based business Willie Weston, using textiles specially created in patterns set by contemporary First Nations artists.

“This significant investment is part of our commitment to continue to elevate these carriages with designs that further connect our guests with an Australian rail experience,” says Journey Beyond executive GM, David Donald.

“These train journeys are an important piece of Australian history, but they are also world-class tourism experiences that continue to have broad appeal.”

On the rails with deco style.

As well as The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern and The Overland, Adelaide-based Journey Beyond comprises several tourism businesses including small-group outback operator Outback Spirit; the lodge Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, and Melbourne Skydeck and Eureka 89.

From $3495 a person for Gold Premium and $4875 a person for the Gold Premium Suite. See journeybeyond.com