Information for guests with special needs

Pullman's Cabin

The Pullman’ Cabin is available in Gold Kangaroo Service for wheelchair bound/ physically impaired guests. The Pullman’s Cabin can meet some requirements for special needs guests with features including:

• A more spacious cabin provides easier mobility in the purpose built on-board wheelchair
• 3 seater lounge converts to upper and lower sleeping berths
• Mobile height adjustment table
• Ensuite bathroom has seat and handrail facilities with flexible hand shower and shower chair and a non-scald shower tap for easy control

The cabin is serviced by the carriage attendant with fresh sheets, pillows and doonas

Obligation to inform

Great Southern Railway staff will be pleased to assist you whilst you are on your journey, however we are unable to meet the needs of guests requiring regular medical attention, nor to act as carers during the journey.

Due to their age, Great Southern Railway’s carriages are not constructed to comply with current Disability Access Standards. Guests who have difficulties with mobility may find Great Southern Railway’s carriages unsuitable for their needs. Accordingly, prior to making a reservation, you must inform Great Southern Railway if you:

• have an illness, disease or other condition, including an advanced, complicated or multiple pregnancy;
• may require medical or other assistance during your journey;
• your mobility is impaired or;
• if any other circumstances exist which may make it difficult to use the accommodation and other facilities on Great Southern Railway’s trains.

Wheelchairs

Electric and conventional wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and walking frames cannot be used aboard Great Southern Railway trains due to the narrow width of corridors and doors (see overleaf for details). Special wheelchairs (similar to those used aboard airlines) designed to fit in the train corridors are available for use on the Indian Pacific, The Ghan and The Overland. Guests are required to inform us of their requirement for a wheelchair at the time of booking. Guests wishing to transport their own wheelchair, scooter or walker aboard the train must advise Great Southern Railway at the time of booking and these devices will be carried free of charge however they will not be accessible during the journey.

Carers

On board staff are available to assist physically impaired guests to board and disembark the train. However, guests requiring mobility assistance on board any of our trains are required to arrange for their own carer to travel with them. Great Southern Railway staff are not able to provide such specific assistance throughout the journey. Whilst Great Southern Railway staff are trained to administer basic first aid, they are not able to provide routine medical aid during a journey. A family member can be nominated as a carer/ attendant.

Embarking/disembarking

Wheelchair ramps are provided for boarding and disembarkation at Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Kalgoorlie and Melbourne. A Mobility Assistance Device is available at Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin to assist physically impaired guests to board or leave the train as the platforms at these stations are at ground level. Access to the trains at all other interim stops is only possible via steps. Boarding requirements need to be advised at the time of booking.

Further information

If you require further information or wish to idscuss your special needs, please contact us.