The sixth largest country in the world, Australia is a destination that poses a unique yet exciting challenge for visitors who are keen to see as much as possible on a holiday Down Under. The sheer scale of the Australian continent can make it difficult to tick off multiple bucket list items in one holiday, but there is one brilliant way to experience Australia’s dramatic and ever-changing landscapes whilst you are travelling between cities.
Exploring by train offers a host of benefits for intrepid voyagers who are eager to cover a lot of ground in a short space of time, and it makes the journey a part of the experience. If the idea of rail travel in Australia appeals, read on to discover five great Australian train journeys:
Australia spans more than seven million square kilometres. Whilst the size of the country contributes to its incredible geographic diversity and its indisputable abundance of natural wonders, it can also be a stumbling block for visitors who don’t have months to devote to traversing states or travelling from one coast to the other.
Traversing Australia by train is a great option, not just because it reduces travel times, but also because it offers the opportunity to relax and enjoy some incredible scenery at the same time. Whilst taking a plane is a rapid way to travel, it often means visitors hop from one major city to another, missing out on sights that can’t be seen from above the clouds. Driving is an option too, but travelling long distances can get tiring, and it is often difficult to appreciate the scenery when you’re focused on the road.
Australia’s rail journeys are renowned around the world, and for good reason. Travelling by train offers convenience and comfort, and with the opportunity to break up the journey and add stops, you can discover so much of this beautiful and beguiling country. It is also the perfect opportunity to socialise and encounter like-minded travellers.
Whether you’d like to explore the breathtaking Queensland coast, discover the remote Outback, or take an incredible rail journey across the width of the country, Australia’s rail network is extensive, and there is sure to be a rail journey to suit your preferences. The Australia train map (above) offers an overview of the best train journeys in the country, making a great place to begin planning your rail holiday.
Our Destination Experts have selected their picks for the most beautiful train journeys in Australia. Whether you’d like to experience the world-class hospitality and unique off-train experiences of The Ghan and the Indian Pacific trains, or enjoy views of the stunning East Coast aboard the Spirit of Queensland, these iconic Australian rail journeys all offer something unique.
One of the most famous trains on the planet, The Ghan connects the cities of Darwin and Adelaide, and provides visitors with access to one of the world’s most enchanting and majestic natural wonders, Uluru.
You can choose to take the entire rail route, or opt to take part of the journey, based on the destinations you want to visit and the amount of time you have. Each journey also offers slightly different off-train experiences, so this is something to consider when choosing your Ghan journey, but our Australia Experts can guide you through the process.
Perhaps the most iconic Ghan journey, however, is The Ghan Expedition. This four-day, three-night rail holiday offers visitors the incredible opportunity to witness the rugged beauty of the Outback, as you travel aboard The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide.
You’ll be welcomed aboard in Darwin, arriving at your first stop of Katherine in the afternoon, where you will be treated to a scenic cruise through the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Back on board, you can enjoy your first taste of The Ghan’s famous fine dining. The Ghan’s menus are inspired by the regions that you’re travelling through, and you can enjoy all-inclusive Australian wines to accompany your meal.
Day two on The Ghan Expedition gives you access to the boundless Red Centre. There are a choice of excursions on offer, including a wildlife experience at Desert Park, a mountain biking tour and a visit to the towering cliffs of Simpson’s Gap. Those keen to experience views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta can upgrade to a scenic helicopter flight. The day comes to an end with a sunset barbecue at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Share stories with your fellow passengers as you watch the light fade over the red hues of your surroundings, and watch the sky begin to twinkle with stars.
The next stop is the world’s mining capital, Coober Pedy. A town that is packed with mysterious underground tunnels and caves, you’ll be blown away by the subterranean Serbian church and lunch will be served beneath the Earth’s surface, a truly unique experience!
Upon leaving Coober Pedy, passengers will be captivated by the other-worldly moonscapes that make up the Breakaways. The final stretch of the journey takes visitors from the scorched, terracotta hues of the Outback to the lush meadows and farmland of South Australia. Your trip finishes in the picturesque city of Adelaide. The Ghan Expedition offers adventurers the chance to travel in style and comfort, whilst appreciating some of the most spectacular scenery Australia has to offer.
Ready to experience The Ghan for yourself? Get in touch with our Australia Experts, and they will be delighted to help you plan your trip.
Spanning more than 4,350 kilometres, the Indian Pacific rail route is like no other journey in Australia. Stretching from Sydney to Perth, the route really showcases Australia’s geographical diversity, as hills turn to deserts, meadows turn to beaches and quaint, old-fashioned towns turn to cosmopolitan cities. The Indian Pacific itinerary runs in both directions, and you can embark on the entire journey from ocean to ocean, or take a shorter route, broken up with South Australia’s capital, Adelaide.
The train’s namesake trip travels the entire width of Australia over five days, from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. Beginning in Perth, you will be welcomed aboard the train and treated to the Indian Pacific’s famous hospitality. Enjoy a delicious dinner and settle into your private cabin for the night.
On your first morning aboard the Indian Pacific train, you will wake up to an incredible sunrise over the remote Outback town of Kalgoorlie. Here, there are a choice of off-train experiences, educating visitors about the town’s culture and its fascinating mining history. Following your tour of Kalgoorlie, you can enjoy brunch back on board as you cross the Nullarbor Plain, the longest stretch of straight railroad in the world. Traversing this vast expanse is broken up by a starlit bonfire in the ‘almost ghost-town’ of Cook.
Enjoy a relaxed morning aboard on day three, taking in the views accompanied by a delicious breakfast and lunch. You’ll pass through South Australia’s rolling pastoral hills and the towering Flinders Ranges, past the coastline of Spencer Gulf and across the Adelaide Plains, where you can disembark. Here, you’ll be taken to the famous wine region, the Barossa Valley, for an exclusive dining and wine tasting experience.
Overnight, you cross into New South Wales, where you are served breakfast on board. The mining town of Broken Hill, also known as the ‘Silver City’, is your next stop. Choose how you’d like to experience it, with a variety of options including a paint and sip workshop, a drag tour, a gastronomic experience, and a walking tour of the city. Head back on board the Indian Pacific for dinner and your final night in your cabin.
The remainder of your journey takes you through the spectacular Blue Mountains, en route to Sydney. Travel straight into the city, or choose from a range of experiences in the Blue Mountains: enjoying the views from the iconic Skyrail, embarking on a cultural tour, taking a guided bush walk of one of the national park’s many trails or even indulging in high tea amidst the clouds. After your chosen experience in the Blue Mountains, you will make your way to Sydney’s Central Station, where your Indian Pacific Perth to Sydney journey comes to an end.
I you’d like to include the Indian Pacific train in your Australia holiday, get in touch today.
Less well-known than its iconic counterparts, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific, the Great Southern train connects Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. Running seasonally, when it is too hot to operate The Ghan through Australia’s arid Red Centre, it offers a similarly spectacular rail journey, but showcasing vastly different scenery.
The journey from Brisbane to Adelaide takes four days, and you can enjoy incredible dining and fine wines, world-renowned hospitality and unique off-train experiences, all included in your ticket price. Rolling away from Brisbane, you’ll head to the charming coastal resort of Coffs Harbour, enjoying an al fresco dinner as the sun sets.
The next day begins with breakfast on board, before you disembark to explore the New South Wales coast with an activity of your choice. You may opt to explore the Hunter Valley wine region with a vineyard tour, or you can upgrade your experience with a helicopter tour. Alternatively, take a walking tour of quaint coastal Newcastle, or discover the beauty of Port Stephens, either from the water, or traverse the sand dunes in a 4×4.
Day three begins with a relaxed morning, as you travel through Victoria’s high country. Your next stop is Melbourne, where there are several experiences on offer: exploring the Old Melbourne Gaol, a tour of Melbourne Cricket Ground, a culinary experience in the Moorabool Valley or visiting the National Gallery of Victoria.
Your final destination on the Great Southern rail itinerary is Adelaide, a city surrounded by meadows and fields. After breakfast on board you will disembark, and you may wish to spend a few days in the city, take a trip over to Kangaroo Island, or head to the wine regions of the Barossa Valley or the McLaren Vale.
Get in touch for more information about the Great Southern journeys and how to incorporate your rail trip into a longer Australia holiday.
Regarded to be one of Australia’s best kept secrets, the Spirit of Queensland often flies under the radar compared to The Ghan or the Indian Pacific. It should not be overlooked, however, as it provides a fantastic option for exploring Australia’s spectacular East Coast, offering an epic rail journey with a laid-back on-board experience.
With its route spanning 1,681 kilometres in 25 hours, this journey provides an incredible snapshot of the visually arresting state of Queensland. It’s a great alternative for driving, taking passengers between Brisbane and Cairns in style and comfort. Whilst off train experiences are not included with your journey, this route offers easy access to some Australia’s most incredible destinations on the East Coast, including the Whitsundays, K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the Great Barrier Reef.
For those taking a shorter daytime service, the Spirit of Queensland offers Economy seating, with reclining seats and plenty of legroom, in-seat entertainment, USB charging and the Spirit of Queensland Café serves meals and refreshments. If you are embarking on the full length of the journey, travelling overnight, you can opt to upgrade your seat to a RailBed. These seats are reclinable by day, then convert into a lie-flat bed by night. You can also enjoy in-seat dining, and there are shower facilities in each carriage.
One of the most popular reasons to ride the Spirit of Queensland is to discover the Great Barrier Reef, an underwater marvel that covers hundreds of kilometres off the Queensland Coast. Scattered with islands and packed with vivid reefs and all kinds of marine life, this is an underwater treasure trove that offers a bucket list adventure. Take the popular journey aboard the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns, where it is then possible to take day trips to the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, or to join an organised boat cruise or dive tour.
Get in touch to plan your Australia rail holiday, or our Australia Consultants can book you a Queensland Rail Pass, offering unlimited travel on Sprit of Queensland trains, as well as other regional services.
Whilst it may not match the scale or fame of The Ghan or the Indian Pacific, the Overland offers a charming introduction to the Australian rail network. Connecting Melbourne and Adelaide, the Overland route is a comfortable and efficient way to travel between these two characterful cities.
On a day’s rail journey, you can travel between these state capitals, enjoying the train’s hospitality and the stunning scenery that passes you by. Watch the landscapes shift as you travel through South Australia’s rolling farmland, cross a dry salt lake, pass by quaint countryside towns and wind through the rich, green landscapes of Victoria.
The Overland is steeped in history, as it was Australia’s first inter-capital passenger train; it’s been servicing passengers from Adelaide, Melbourne and the regional towns in between for over a century. The Overland has aimed to keep this history alive, and capture the romance of rail travel, an effort that is palpable through the onboard experience.
Why not include a journey on the Overland in a rail tour of Australia’s southern cities: Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. Discover Sydney’s iconic landmarks, before crossing through the Southern Tablelands by train, for a three night stay in the sporting and culture capital of Melbourne. Spend your days wandering the city’s quirky laneways, explore the Great Ocean road, or witness the famous penguin parade on Phillip Island. The Overland will then take you to Adelaide, where you can spend four days exploring this charming city, exploring its museums and galleries, visiting Rundle Mall and Adelaide Central Market, and perhaps venturing out to Kangaroo Island and the Barossa wine region. Pair your intercity rail journeys with an overnight stay on the iconic Indian Pacific train, as you make your way back to Sydney, stopping for off-train experiences at the Outback town of Broken Hill and in the Blue Mountains.
Get in touch to book your journey aboard the Overland.
Australia is a nation that is primed for exploration on its rail tracks. This vast country has so much to offer visitors who choose to witness it by rail. Enjoy the views, soak up Australia’s diverse scenery in comfort, and embrace the unique experiences that rail travel offers.
Ready to experience one of the most beautiful rail journeys in Australia? For more information about timetables, cabin types and off-train experiences, and for help with incorporating an Australia rail journey into your holiday, get in touch with our Australia Experts. They would be delighted to help you plan your dream rail escape.
Experience some of the best rail journeys in Australia
Sydney | Adelaide | Alice Springs | Kings Canyon | Uluru | Melbourne
Sydney | Blue Mountains | Broken Hill | Adelaide | Nullarbor Plain | Margaret River | Perth
Perth | Adelaide | Auckland | Wellington | Kaikoura | Queenstown | Milford Sound | Christchurch
Sydney | Adelaide | Alice Springs | Kings Canyon | Uluru | Melbourne
Sydney | Blue Mountains | Broken Hill | Adelaide | Nullarbor Plain | Margaret River | Perth
Perth | Adelaide | Auckland | Wellington | Kaikoura | Queenstown | Milford Sound | Christchurch
Grace joined the Marketing Team at Freedom Destinations after she returned from 3 months backpacking around Australia. Her long-haul travels have also taken her to Canada, the U.S. and South East Asia so far, but her destination wish list is far from complete!
