Goway has announced a new luxurious train service called ‘The Southern Spirit’ that will operate each summer season from November 2008 on a variety of outback Australian train routes.

The Southern Spirit will be a luxury Australian rail cruise offering 8 different itineraries that visit a number of different destinations across Australia’s rail network, combined with deluxe excursions and exclusive events. The Inaugural journey departs Darwin on 25 November 2008 bound for Sydney on a 13 day/12 night rail cruise across the heart of Australia. It will travel through the Red Centre to the scenic south-east corner, with stopovers in Katherine, Alice Springs, Cooper Pedy, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Moss Vale. Each unique journey on board the Southern Spirit will take guests through some of the most breathtaking scenery Australia has to offer. On board, guests will enjoy unparalleled luxury and unmatched personal attention with 24-hour cabin service. Guests can choose to travel in the prestigious new Platinum Service deluxe cabins or the hallmark Gold Service, with all the creature comforts in a compact twin cabin.

The transcontinental journeys are combined with a suite of deluxe excursions staying at five-star hotels, together with once in a lifetime exclusive events at stops along the way. The uniquely Australian events include a candlelit dinner underground at Coober Pedy or a spectacular seafood dinner in a marquee on Coffs Harbor Jetty or Australia Day celebrations 36 storeys up, overlooking the spectacular harbour city of Sydney at sunset. Each itinerary offers a different combination of journeys and experiences. For example, itinerary 5 ‘The Great Coastal Epic’ is an impressive rail cruise from Perth following the coast through four states, visiting six mainland capitals, and arriving in to the sunshine city of Brisbane after 13 days and 12 nights.

Great Southern Rail, Chief Executive Officer Tony Braxton-Smith said, “The Southern Spirit is not only a new Australian train journey with a fantastic array of destinations and experiences, it sets a completely new standard of deluxe rail travel in Australia”. “Each of the eight luxury rail cruises showcases some of Australia-s most prestigious tourism offerings. There is something to tempt everyone, from the adventurous and exciting to the laid-back and indulgent. The Southern Spirit is a perfect mix of the rich diversity of Australia’s landscape and some of the most exciting city highlights”, he added.

“We are delighted to bring this new luxury rail travel to the North America marketplace. Our agent partners have come to expect that Goway will have the latest product offers, and the new Southern Spirit journeys are a fantastic way for Canadians to experience our majestic landscape” commented Product and Marketing Manager, Emma Cottis.

The Southern Spirit journeys will run from November 2008 to February 2009 with each offering an adventure of a lifetime combining luxury travel, iconic outback experiences and once in a lifetime events.

For more information call 800 387 8850 or visit Goway.com and select “Rail Travel”.

Goway Travel, the leading experts in travel Downunder, have announced that they are now offering a new level of service aboard The Ghan rail service between Adelaide and Darwin for travel from 10 September 2008. Ticket sales will open on Monday, 5 May 2008.

Platinum Service introduces a new spacious deluxe cabin with a level of appointment that matches the best train cabins in the world. This is complemented by a new standard of service that reflects a deluxe hotel. Platinum Service will be very exclusive, with a total of 25 cabins in 5 carriages that accommodate up to 50 guests. This service will be available once a week on The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin (departing Wednesday) and once a week on The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide (departing Saturday).

Emma Cottis, Product Manager for Goway Travel commented “We are delighted to be able to offer this new service to travellers. The Ghan has always been a memorable journey, and we are now able to offer this premium service which includes priority boarding and 24 hour room service to the luxuriously appointed cabins. Platinum service may be booked as an upgrade to any of Goway’s packages”.

Almost twice the size of the Gold Service cabins, the new Platinum cabin has been designed with all modern comforts in classic style with a distinctly Australian character. Platinum Service has been designed to meet the needs of the discerning traveller looking for the ultimate level of comfort and sophistication as they take one of the world’s great train journeys through the heart of Australia.

Goway’s 132-page 2008/2009 brochure can be viewed online goway.com/brochure.html or requested by calling 1-800-387-8850.

Victoria’s newest marine attraction, the Nobbies Centre in Phillip Island Nature Park, has opened after a $6.1 million redevelopment. In a first for Australian tourism, hi-tech cameras allow visitors close-up viewing of the world’s second largest Australian Fur Seal colony at Seal Rock (numbering 20,000) as they frolic in Bass Strait. Dolphins and sharks can also be spotted, as well as the rich bird life nesting in the cliffs. Entry to the centre is free.

Phillip Island Nature Park is also renowned as the home of Australia’s most popular natural wildlife attraction, the world famous Penguin Parade. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island features wildlife reserves, wetlands and breathtaking coastlines, offering some of the most intimate viewing experiences of Australian wildlife in their natural habitats.

Each night at sunset visitors flock to Phillip Island’s Summerland Beach to observe the world’s largest colony of Little Penguins as they waddle ashore to their sand dune burrows after a long day of fishing. Among numerous ways to enjoy the spectacle, the newest is the exclusive Penguin Sky Box, which accommodates just five people per night. Visitors can also get closer to the action with a Private Penguin Parade, complete with personalized ranger commentary. Ideal for those seeking an even more intimate eco encounter is the Ultimate Penguin Tour, where guests are escorted to a secluded beach where they use night-vision goggles to watch as the Little Penguins pass by mere inches away.

Today, visitors can commemorate their experience by “Adopting a Penguin,” which provides an adoption certificate, personalized thank you card with photo and free Penguin Parade entry voucher, as well as regular updates on what it’s eating, where it’s swimming, if it’s in love (penguins mate for life) or is nurturing new offspring. The $75 donation supports the Penguin Foundation and builds a Little Penguin nesting box to enhance the safety of a “penguin couple” and improve its long-term prospects for successful breeding.

Also at Phillip Island is the Koala Conservation Centre, which brings visitors face-to-face with Australia’s iconic marsupials. A series of treetop boardwalks allows guests to view the beguiling creatures in their natural environment. The Koala Conservation Centre has Australia’s highest ecotourism rating and has played an important role in saving Phillip Island’s koala population. The centre also boasts a woodland walk through natural bush where wallabies, possums, echidnas, and snakes are regularly spotted.

An easy way to see Phillip Island Nature Park is with Goway’s five-day “Classic Victoria” package. After being met on arrival and transferred to a hotel of choice, a day of leisure awaits with ample time to explore Melbourne’s fabulous alfresco eateries or wander and shop in the city’s famed laneways.

Day two features sightseeing in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, including the bustling Queen Victoria market, where all of Australia is on sale. In the evening, board the award winning Colonial Tramcar restaurant and enjoy a 5 course gourmet meal with vintage spirits as you wine and dine through Melbourne by night.

day three enjoy an afternoon departure for Phillip Island to visit the world famous “Little Penguin Parade” by way of Melbourne’s beachside suburbs of Brighton and Black Rock. As the sun sets the Penguin Parade begins, with thousands of Little Penguins arriving onshore from their ocean feeding grounds, “walking and talking” loudly as they work their way back to their burrow nests.

On the next day, you’ll be taken to the Great Ocean Road, visiting the iconic cities of Torquay and Apollo Bay, and you’ll stay overnight at Lorne, learning about the natural and man-made history of the region and visiting nature preserves and Victorian rainforests.

Day five will take you to the iconic Twelve Apostles, known for its breathtaking scenery travelling along what is known as the Shipwreck Coast.

Hear how the Twelve Apostles were created and continue on to Loch Ard Gorge, where you will hear the dramatic story of the shipwreck and its two survivors. You’ll return to Melbourne in time for the evening meal.

Per person prices for Goway’s five-night “Classic Victoria” package start at $832 per person through March 31, 2009, and include four nights accommodation with a choice of standard, first class or deluxe hotel, half-day Melbourne city sights tour, Phillip Island tour, Great Ocean Road tour, roundtrip private car transfers, and Colonial Tramcar dinner.

For more information or to book, visit Goway’s website at Goway.com or call toll-free (800)-387-8850.