A very special experience to see the entire fantastic Australian landscape at ground level, is to travel by train that crosses the entire continent from coast to coast with the Indian Pacific Train.
It is possible to go from Perth on the west coast to Sydney on the east coast and vice versa. The distance is 4,352 kilometers, the journey takes three nights and four days.
Twice a week (once a week April – August), the classic train called “The Indian Pacific” departs. The train makes three longer stops along the way where passengers can get off the train and spend a few hours, at those places they are also given the opportunity to join a sightseeing tour to see and learn more. The locations in question are Kalgoorlie, Adelaide and Broken Hill.
Perth – Sydney
Perth is one of the sunniest cities in the world and has a lot to offer. Rottnest Island with beautiful limestone cliffs, exciting whale watching (September – early December), the vineyards of the Swan Valley and the port city of Fremantle with lovely beaches and its impressive Marina.
The train journey starts at lunchtime in Perth. Through the suburbs of Perth and out on the plains, the journey goes east and the first stop is in the small town of Kalgoorlie where it is possible to get off the train. Kalgoorlie is a remote town where there was once one of the continent’s most important gold deposits and even today the town breathes the spirit of gold mining.
Kalgoorlie – once one of the continent’s most important gold deposits.
The following stretch from Kalgoorlie to Cook is the world’s longest railway straight, about 50 miles, the rails do not turn until the town of Cook, where we make a short stop.
Cook is one of the last outposts in the wilderness and came into being only because of the railroad. In the past, ralliers and people who worked with the railway in some form lived there.
As the sun slowly rises the next morning, we have entered the state of South Australia.
Map of the Indian Pacific route.
The distance is 4,352 kilometers, the journey takes three nights and four days.
Indian Pacific Train Information
The train has two classes. The simpler Gold Service and the more exclusive Platinum Service.
Gold Service includes a double compartment with two beds (upper + lower bed). Power outlet 240 v (adapter required) is in the passenger compartment. Shared bathroom and toilet are at the end of each carriage which are shared with the carriage’s other passengers.
Meals are served in separate restaurant cars. Meals are not included. They are ordered from the menu in a restaurant trolley (limited number of simpler dishes) and paid for on the spot.
The Platinum Service includes a double compartment with two beds (upper + lower bed). Power outlet 240 v (adapter required) is in the passenger compartment. Each compartment has its own bathroom with toilet. Towels and soap are included.
Meals are served in separate restaurant cars. Meals are included in the price of the trip. Coffee and tea are included and available around the clock.
Homepage: The Indian Pacific
The state’s largest city is Adelaide where the train makes a stop. About a million people live in charming Adelaide, but it is not noticeable and the feeling of a small town is palpable.
Adelaide is surrounded by green parks, Victorian buildings and the city has become well known for its art galleries, museums and cultural festivals. The beautiful River Torrens runs through the town and adds to the pleasant atmosphere. We leave Adelaide and travel north through rolling countryside and wine country.
After a few hours’ stop, the train rolls out of Broken Hill to arrive in Sydney on the morning of the following day.
Cosmopolitan Sydney is a city that has it all.
The Opera House, one of the world’s most beautiful ports where you can see the “harbour bridge”, the observation tower Center Point Tower with a rotating restaurant, shopping at all the department stores in the city, popular beaches such as crowded Bondi Beach or the slightly quieter Tamarama beach, Taronga Zoo with emus, komodo lizards, and koala bears.
The list can be made as long as you like and a few days in Sydney is a must if you are in Australia.
