Terms and Conditions

The following terms and conditions constitute an agreement between you and Great Southern Rail Travel Pty Ltd. By booking a holiday package/trip with us, you will be deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of this agreement. Therefore please read the following agreement carefully. Travel on all Great Southern Rail train services is subject to certain additional Conditions of Carriage which you accept when you travel with Great Southern Rail. The full Conditions of Carriage (“the Conditions”) may be obtained from your booking agent or any office of Great Southern Rail upon request, and can also be found on Great Southern Rail’s website at www.gsr.com.au. Package fares are quoted in Australian dollars ($AUD) inclusive of GST, and are for travel from 15 November 2008 to 28 February 2010. Packages and prices are subject to change without notice.

FITNESS FOR TRAVEL. Before making a reservation, you must advise Great Southern Rail if you are ill, injured or have a medical condition which may make it unsafe for you or other guests travelling on board our trains.
The full terms and conditions of the Great Southern Rail’s Fitness For Travel Policy may be obtained from your booking agent or any office of Great Southern Rail upon request, and can also be found on Great Southern Rail’s website at www.gsr.com.au

BOOKINGS & PAYMENT CONDITIONS. For bookings made more than 75 days prior to travel, a non-refundable deposit of 20% per person is required within 7 days of us confirming your reservation or the booking will be automatically cancelled. Full payment of your holiday must be made at least 75 days prior to travel. For all bookings made 75 days or less prior to departure, full payment is required within 7 days of us confirming your reservation. Bookings can be made less than 30 days prior to the date of travel; however these are subject to approval and availability. Different Booking and Payment Conditions may apply to special offers. These will be advised at the time of booking. Great Southern Rail Travel Pty Ltd reserves the right to accept waitlist bookings if you fail to comply with these payment conditions.

CANCELLATION FEES. The following fees apply in the event of cancellation: More than 75 days before departure: Loss of Deposit (20% of package cost) Less than 75 days before departure and after departure: No refund

INSURANCE. Great Southern Rail suggests that all guests purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover lost or damaged baggage, personal property, medical evacuation.

HOLIDAY PACKAGE/TOUR CANCELLATIONS. Great Southern Rail Travel Pty Ltd reserves the right to amend or cancel tours at any time.
REFUNDS. Lost vouchers/tickets are not refundable. Unused trip/holiday/ package components are not refundable. Claims for refunds will be subject to a minimum processing fee of $50. Refunds and substitutions are offered with the express understanding that the receipt by the customer is a waiver of additional remedies. No refunds will be payable in connection with airline or train delays, unused services, or other acts beyond the control of Great Southern Rail Travel Pty Ltd.

AMENDMENTS. Modification of a confirmed booking may result in you incurring an amendment fee of $50 in addition to any costs charged by operators. Modification of a confirmed booking can not be made less than 7 days prior to the date of travel. An amendment is a change to an existing booking with the same inclusions. A transfer to another package or service level may be treated as a cancellation, in which case the cancellation fees set out above will apply.

AIRLINES. There are a number of airfares that can be booked in conjunction with your holiday package. Strict ticketing deadlines and conditions apply. Airfares are subject to availability and are required to be paid in full at time of booking. Airlines are involved in trips/holidays as carriers only. The airlines carry no responsibility for statements made in this brochure relating to the trips/holidays.

TOURING. Great Southern Rail Travel Pty Ltd does not own, operate or control third party suppliers of services (eg. airlines, hotels/ accommodation, sightseeing tour operators, transportation companies, restaurants, hire car operators). To the extent permitted by law, Great Southern Rail Travel Pty Ltd is not responsible for any loss, accident, delay or irregularity whatsoever resulting from a third party supplier’s acts or omissions. The travel services provided by these suppliers are subject to the conditions imposed by the suppliers and their liability may be limited by their tariffs, conditions of carriage and agreements. Seasonal conditions occasionally necessitate adjustments to touring.

DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL TIMES. Great Southern Rail Travel Pty Ltd does not guarantee departure or arrival times or the operation of any service. Great Southern Rail Travel Pty Ltd is not liable for any delay, including without limitation any failure to meet connections with other services.

LUGGAGE. 40 kilograms of luggage per person may be conveyed free of charge in the luggage car. This allows 2 items not exceeding 20kg each and not exceeding 180 linear centimetres. Excess luggage prices on application. Due to space constraints, guests should only take on board hand luggage required for their journey. Remaining luggage should be checked in up to 30 minutes before departure. Unchecked luggage is carried at owner’s risk. Cardboard, plastic or wooden boxes, garbage bags or tea chests will not be accepted as baggage. Bags should be secured and carry the owner’s name, destination and contact phone number both inside and outside the bag. Explosive, combustible and inflammable materials are prohibited. Items such as foodstuffs, plants, animals and furniture cannot be accepted as personal luggage.

You may take the following luggage on board: Platinum Service: May take one small suitcase not exceeding 10 kilograms per person plus hand luggage including garment bag, cabin bag, and briefcase. Platinum Service guests are also entitled to convey free of charge 1 additional item per person in the luggage car – eg Golf Bag – not exceeding 20kg. Gold Service – Twin Berth Sleeper Cabin: May take one small suitcase not exceeding 10 kilograms per person plus hand luggage including garment bag, cabin bag and briefcase.

SOUTHERN SPIRIT HOLIDAY PACKAGE – WHAT’S INCLUDED. Included in your Southern Spirit Holiday Package fare are accommodations as booked, rail transportation, all meals on board, 24-hour cabin steward service, entertainment and educational programmes, use of train’s facilities while on board and other details as outlined in the itinerary of your purchased Holiday Package.

SOUTHERN SPIRIT HOLIDAY PACKAGE – WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED. Fares do not include items of a personal nature, including but not limited to: travel and medical insurance, laundry charges, shopping on board, bar and in cabin menu expenses, optional excursions, medical treatment, telephone and internet charges.

MONEY MATTERS. All on board prices are quoted in Australian dollars and, for your convenience, you may charge on board expenses to your on board account. You can choose to settle your on board account with a credit or charge card. We accept American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. You may also use cash. Please note there are no cash withdrawal facilities on board and regretfully we are unable to accept personal cheques.

GRATUITIES. Gratuities are not expected, however if you wish to recognise exceptional service from an individual staff member, you are welcome to do so entirely at your discretion.

BROCHURE AND FARE VALIDITY. The accommodation and package prices in this brochure apply for travel from 15 November 2008 to 28 February 2010, however packages and prices are subject to change without notice.

TICKETING. Travel documents will include passage ticket, baggage labels, itinerary, life on board information, details of included and optional excursions, embarkation & disembarkation instructions. Documents will be forwarded approximately 45 days prior to departure. For late payments and reservations placed within 30 days of departure, documentation may be collected at the departing station.

DRESS. During the day dress on board is casual and relaxed. When venturing on an excursion we suggest you select practical clothing suitable to the part of Australia you are visiting. Evening dress code on board Southern Spirit is “smart casual”, gentlemen being asked to wear a collared shirt. Jackets, ties and formal wear are not required. However, you may choose to pack such items in line with the events outlined in your Package Itinerary. Further information is available in your compendium at ticketing.

VALUABLES. Be sure to personally carry all valuables on board and be sure not to pack them in the checked luggage. All Platinum Service Cabins are equipped with mini safe and lockable doors.

VOLTAGE. The voltage on board is 240 volt (plugs are standard Australian sockets with three round pins). Adaptor plugs are available on request.

CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE. These terms and conditions are a summary only of the full terms of travel and conditions which you accept when you travel with Great Southern Rail. The full terms and conditions (“the Conditions”) may be obtained from your booking agent or any office of Great Southern Rail upon request, and can also be found on Great Southern Rail’s website at www.gsr.com.au.

By booking train travel with Great Southern Rail, you agree to be bound by the Conditions.

NON SMOKING POLICY. All Great Southern Rail services are entirely smoke free in accordance with relevant state government regulations. You agree to comply with Great Southern Rail’s strict No Smoking Policy.

Timetables subject to change. All fares, timetables and information contained in this brochure were correct and accurate at time of printing. Call 1300 881 416 (within Australia) for current timetable information.

Departure Rail Terminal Locations:

ALICE SPRINGS Train Station George Crescent, Alice Springs

SYDNEY Central Station Eddy Avenue, Sydney

BRISBANE Brisbane Rail Station Roma Street, Brisbane