Travel Through the Australian Outback By Train

The Australian Outback is a vast and unusual landscape filled with exciting old towns and attractions perfect for exploring by land. Rail holidays are a great way to combine your accommodation and transport so that all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the journey, as you rumble through some of the most dynamic scenery in the world. Combined with luxury cabins and world class service, there really is no better way to explore the land down under. Here are some tips for travelling by rail on your Australia vacation:

The Ghan

Route: Darwin – Alice Springs - Adelaide (or vice versa)

Duration: 3 days, 2 nights

Distance: 2,979km

On this exciting 3-day journey aboard The Ghan, you will travel through some of the most remote areas of Australia, with the chance to hop off and explore fascinating attractions of the Northern Territory and South Australia. Hop off and enjoy a variety of off-board excursions, starting with a Katherine Outback Experience and an optional scenic flight over this incredible national park. Next, you’ll explore Alice Springs, where you can enjoy an optional helicopter flight over the McDonnell ranges to view the desert from the air, or perhaps a serene camel ride across this incredible Ochre land. Other highlights could include a visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park, or an optional helicopter across the ancient McDonnell Ranges.  Finally, a last delicious dinner will be served as the train travels overnight to Adelaide.

Tips:

• This journey is best travelled southbound. Fly into Darwin and enjoy a relaxing journey back to the vibrant city of Adelaide.
• Extend your trip with a spot of wine tasting along the Barossa Valley, explore Kangaroo Island, and browse the famous Central Market
• Best time to travel is from October onwards, when you can escape the northern hemisphere winter and enjoy the heat of the Australia Outback.
• Book Gold Class and enjoy a private cabin with all meals and drinks in the restaurant car included. Other extras include complimentary transfers, extra luggage allowance, and in-cabin music and audio travel commentary. Splurge a little more and upgrade to Platinum Service and you can enjoy all the comforts of Gold Class, but with your own en-suite bathroom.

Indian Pacific

Route: Sydney – Adelaide – Perth (or vice versa)

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

Distance: 4,352km

The Indian Pacific is a 4-day rail journey that travels from Sydney to Perth, via Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook, and Kalgoorlie. Travelling along the longest stretch of railway track in the world - the Nullabor, known as the land without trees, you can enjoy off-board excursions such as exploring the mining town of Broken Hill, a day in Adelaide or the Barossa Valley, and a roast lamb dinner under the stars in Rawlinna. Other attractions include passing through Avon Valley before arriving in Perth.

Tips: 

• This trip can be travelled in either direction
• Extend your journey with a few days in Perth, where you can enjoy a city tour or a day trip to Margaret River
• Other routes are available on the Indian Pacific, including Sydney to Adelaide or vice versa (1 night, 2 days) and Adelaide to Perth or vice versa (2 nights, 3 days)

Combo: Aussie Rail Spectacular

Route: Sydney – Great Barrier Reef, Cairns

Duration: 12 days, 11 nights

Combine an Indian Pacific and Ghan rail experience! This 12-day journey lets you travel from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef. Starting in Sydney, on board the Indian Pacific, highlights include a stop in Adelaide to explore its wine regions and enjoy a cabaret performance, a night at Kangaroo Island, visiting a sea lion colony and honey farm, and exploring Flinders Chase National Park - home to the famous Remarkable Rocks and Admiral’s Arch. You’ll then board the Ghan train for the last leg of your journey through Alice Springs and Uluru.