Australia’s Great Southern Rail is offering self-contained charter carriages on both The Ghan and the Indian Pacific. Great Southern Rail’s private carriages can be hired for small conferences, meetings and private groups or families and friends. Great Southern Rail offers four distinct private carriages, each with its own character and history, including The Prince of Wales Carriage, Governor’s Lounge, The Chairman’s Carriage and the Sir John Forrest Carriage.

The Prince of Wales Carriage, originally built in 1919 to accommodate a visit from the prince, was recently refurbished and maintains many of the original features, including high ceilings of Wunderlich pressed metal and cathedral glass doors. The carriage accommodates up to 10 people and comes complete with a private lounge area, kitchen facilities and full-size bathroom.

The sister carriage to The Prince of Wales, the Governor's Lounge is a recent addition to Great Southern Rail's fleet. This private carriage was constructed in 1917 in Port Augusta, for Governor-General Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, for the official opening of the Trans-Australian Railway. The Governor's Lounge can accommodate 30 guests comfortably for cocktails or 20 in theater style. The carriage features large picture windows, and generous lounge areas complete with comfortable arm chairs and piano. Additional features include a television, two mini bar fridges and tea and coffee facilities.

The Chairman's Carriage accommodates up to eight in comfort and has a generous lounge area complete with CD player, video and DVD player, private dining room and kitchen facilities. The Sir John Forrest Carriage has large picture windows with a generous lounge area which can be transformed into a meeting room, complete with a boardroom table that seats 12. The carriage is also outfitted with a kitchen, bar, big-screen television, video/DVD and PowerPoint facilities. The Sir John Forrest Carriage accommodates up to six.

Great Southern Rail operates The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland. The Ghan travels Darwin-Alice Springs-Adelaide, the Indian Pacific to Perth-Sydney via Adelaide, and the Overland to Adelaide-Melbourne. Along with exclusive private carriages, Great Southern Rail offer three distinct service levels -- Red Service, Gold Service and Platinum Service. Red Service has just been relaunched following a major facelift and is the perfect option for family holidays with casual café dining and either Day/Nighter Seats or Red Sleeper cabins accommodation.