3 great Aussie train trips
There’s something magical about travelling by train. If you like the idea of being able to sit back and enjoy the views while you visit some of Australia’s best cities and towns, these three journeys might be for you.
The Ghan
Adelaide – Alice Springs – Darwin
You can choose to travel north to south, or south to north on the almost 3000 kilometre Ghan through the centre of Australia. Travelling over three days and two nights, the Ghan is named after the Afghan cameleers who once trod the same route. There are journeys available once each week in either direction, with fortnightly trips in December and January and twice weekly in peak times. Take in the stunning landscape as you pass through the Adelaide Plains and the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Hop off at Alice Springs to join tours lasting from a few hours to a few days and experience the wonders of Uluru. Once you reach the Top End the scenery turns tropical, and you can explore destinations such as Katherine Gorge and of course Darwin.
Indian Pacific
Sydney – Adelaide – Perth
Taking its name from the two oceans that it joins, you can travel right across Australia on the Indian Pacific to enjoy the train trip of a lifetime. Spanning three days and three nights, you’ll be traversing over 4352 kilometres of diverse landscape as you move through New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. The Indian Pacific goes weekly in either direction, with twice weekly trips during peak times.From Perth you’ll move through the Avon Valley before reaching Kalgoorlie, the Nullarbor Plain, and Adelaide, where you can choose to spend some time exploring. From there, you’ll head to Broken Hill where the official outback adventure begins. The Blue Mountains are the next port of call before you reach your final destination of Sydney. This is a popular trip to take with over three million passengers across the last 40 years, and it’s easy to see why.
Spirit of the Outback
Brisbane – Longreach
This overnight 24-hour journey takes you 1325 kilometres into outback Queensland.Enjoy the sights in air-conditioned comfort, with options of sleeping berths or seats.
The Spirit of the Outback sets off twice each week, and stops at the towns of Blackwater, Emerald and Barcaldine before it finishes up in Longreach, which boasts the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and the Outback Heritage Centre. With a social atmosphere on board, you can enjoy delicious meals and drinks in the dining cart while you take in the stunning landscape.
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