The train was planned to operate from November to February each year, and combine train travel with overnight hotel stays, and other experiences similar to land excursions during sea cruises.

[3] The inaugural journey departed on 9 January 2010, travelling from Uluru to Brisbane over 13 nights.

[4] Passengers on the train were accommodated in five 'Platinum class' carriages refurbished at a cost of $12 million, with compartments twice the size of the 'Gold class' carriages on other Great Southern services, and feature double beds rather than two bunks.

[5] Haulage of the train is provided by Pacific National NR class locomotives, as with other Great Southern services with NR84 and NR85 repainted into a special livery for the train at Chullora in September 2008.

Each rail cruise during a season was intended to cover a different route, travelling to cities already visited by Great Southern Rail such as Katherine, Darwin, Adelaide, Perth, and Sydney; and tourist locations that are not, such as Brisbane, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, and the Hunter Valley.