Southern Encounter Experience

Southern Encounter Experience
From AUD $155.00
  • Duration: 11 Hours (approx.)
  • Location: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Product code: RTA - SEE311

Tour Details 

Pricing -

$155 per Adult

$125 per Senior

$99 per Child


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Departs - 8.00 am from the Adelaide Central Bus Station - Franklins Street Adelaide.     Adelaide hotel pickups from 7.30 am 

Returns - 7:30 pm


What's included

Adelaide accommodation pickup and drop off, travel by road from Adelaide to Mount Barker, informative commentary through the Adelaide Hills to Mount Barker, train journey on Steamranger Heritage Railway's Southern Encounter train from Mount Barker to Victor Harbor and return, return road transfer from Mount Barker to Adelaide.      


Regions visited

Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf



HIGHLIGHTS

​​Enjoy informative commentary through the Adelaide Hills to the Mount Barker Railway station, train travel from yesteryear travelling in 1920s built heritage railway carriages and vintage steam or diesel locomotives, view the mighty River Murray at the port township of Goolwa, home to the paddle steamer the Oscar W, Free time to explore the attractions of Victor Harbor, experience train travel along the beach of Encounter Bay, Travel along Australia's first public steel track railway between Goolwa to Victor Harbor and take the journey on the horse drawn tram from Victor Harbor to Granite Island.


Itinerary


Start your day being greeted by your friendly guide at your hotel or prearranged pickup location within Adelaide. Your guide will ensure that your experience with us is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible and if you have any special requests on the day, please make sure to let them know.

Travel from the City of Adelaide through the lush green Eucalypt forests of the Adelaide Hills to the township of Mount Barker, home to the SteamRanger Heritage Railway. Board the popular Southern Encounter train for our journey that takes us back to a time when the railways were the only way to travel throughout the countryside of South Australia.


Our train pulls away from the Mount Barker Railway Station as we make our way out of newer residential subdivisions and into the rolling hills and pastures of the Mount Lofty Ranges, through the gums and past the grazing livestock with the odd kangaroo bounding along the fence line to move away from our historical engine and carriages.


Past through the township of Strathalbyn where the heritage listed railway station and yard is just like stepping back in time to the 1950’s. Sit back and listen to the clickety clack of the rail as we travel over the plains through wheat fields with the odd splash of the vibrant yellow canola.


View the might Murray River at the riverport of Goolwa as we retrace the journey of Australia’s first public railway when the paddle steamers would off load their wheat, wool and freight to the railway which connected with sailing ships at the deep seaports of Port Elliott and Port Victor. These days the coastline between Goolwa Beach, Middleton, Port Elliott and Victor Harbor is where many South Australians take their summer break and holidays, enjoying the cooler temperatures and gentle sea breeze.  Wintertime brings in a new visitor to the region attracted by the beautiful coastline, Southern Right Whales.

 
With Whale season in full swing between the months of June to November, a sighting is ever possible as our train travels through the sand dunes on what is one of Australia’s closest beach railways.


On arrival at Victor Harbor enjoy free time to explore the historical port town and holiday village. Enjoy lunch at one of the many hotels, bakery, fish and chip shops, cafes or restaurants. Or perhaps enjoy a spot of shopping in the main street, Ocean Street. Other historical attractions include the South Australian Whale Centre, the National Trust Museum, Customs House and Station Master’s Residents or enjoy a trip on the Horse Drawn Tram to explore Granite Island.


Reboard the train after our 3 hours stop over to take our journey back up to Mount Barker. Sit back, relax, take in the fresh sea air and recharge the batteries after a great day's outing to Victor Harbor.


At the end of the day enjoy being collected by the coach at Mount Barker and dropped back to your city accommodation.