Indian Pacific Wine List & Menus - seen them?

[Softie]

Hi All,

Kerry and I have decided to do the above Sydney to Perth from 9 October. (This will be an experience, with some compromises by modern standards of luxury.)

Question: has anyone done this (or other Great Southern Railways journeys (eg The Ghan) in last (say) two years? Any comments on the wine lists and menus? These will change no doubt quite often, but I am interested in some impressions of fellow wine nuts: eg are we only going to be offered Koonunga Hill, or similar ordinary fare? (I can't find a wine list on any website; I'll try emailing the operator in the next day or so.)

Warm regards,
John

[griff]

The partner did it 4 years ago and there were no wines of note. But you can always self-cater?

cheers

Carl

[monghead]

John,

I like Carl's idea of self-catering, though I could only see this working for non-meal-related drinkies. Can't imagine they'll let you BYO into their dining carriage.

Hope you and Kerry have a great trip.

Monghead.

[Softie]

Thanks Carl and Mong,

Yes, we'll quietly take a couple of reds and glasses on board for quality drinking in our two person cubby hole.

I'll report back after the trip.

John

[n4sir]

You might have some luck finding this out John - Bradley Kerkman (the catering chief of the major rail services like The Indian Pacific and The Ghan) does lurk on this forum at times. I've sent him a PM, and will fire off an email too when I get the chance - hopefully he can answer your questions.

Cheers,
Ian

[KMP]

We did the Indian Pacific, must be 5-6 years ago now, and at that time the wines were nothing special and not great value. We did take a bottle of Galway Pipe on board and had a glass or two in our cabin after dinner.

Its a great trip. We had a fantastic lightning dispay off in the distance on one evening, and the lounge is a great place to sit back, have a few beers and enjoy the scenery.

Mike

[Softie]

Ian,

Thank you, Bradley and I exchanged emails - and the service support was great: wine and food menus provided, advice that there is a BYO with corkage option. That's an offer I won't abuse by bringing any run-of-the-mill wines.

Bradley's advice and the data supplied confirmed that the wine list was overwhemingly pitched at the majority of travellers [fair enough], with lower-to-mid range wines. He mentioned the recent addition of a small Reserve List of wines [but that list was not sent] pitched at enthusiasts. Also, the menus reveal a commendable level of attention to food allergies and intolerences: eg many gluten and lactose free choices. My only suggestions would be that the current menus & wine lists (reserve included) & BYO policies be posted on the website, with appropriate caveats (eg subject to change ... etc).

All-in-all, well done Great Southern Rail. This service response has added to our anticipation of the journey and the odds of a good touring experience.

I look forward to reporting back to this forum in due course.

John

[monghead]

............... advice that there is a BYO with corkage option.

John

Oh no... I can see the floodgates opening.

Have a great trip John,

Monghead.

[Rick Morcom]

Hi John,

Have done the trip 3 times and it is one of the great train journeys of the world.

A word of caution. 3 large meals a day, copius coldies, lots of wine and no exercise for 3 days can lead to an increased girth.

All worth it though.

Have fun.

Rick

[dave vino]

OMG don't tell him that, he's been madly trying to lose weight

[Softie]

Dave,

Not just trying: 95kg down to 86kg in ~9 weeks, with 3-6 or so Kgs to go.

The average of one hours exercise a day has meant that I haven't had to starve or give up fermented grape juice either.

John