Australia by train

TRAINS have always been underappreciated in Australia. But the best way to overcome the “tyranny of distance” in this vast country may be to simply embrace the joys of a long journey.

Crisscrossing the country by train is not always the most efficient way of getting from point A to point B, but it may well be the most relaxing. Touring by train is a vacation in and of itself. With the sweeping scenery, private cabins and rumbling tracks, long-distance rail trips are widely considered the most poetic and dignified way to travel.

Geographic realities have inhibited Australia from developing an advanced rail network like they’ve got in Europe. The old workhorses that connected seaport to hinterland in the 1800s have eventually been stitched together for interstate transportation. But passenger trains are still a niche industry in Australia’s travel scene.

As a result, there are limited service providers for train tours around the country. The best place to start your trip is with Rail Australia, an alliance of the major tourist-oriented operators. To whet your appetite for this romantic and adventurous experience, SuperLiving has outlined below the more popular routes around the continent. Never mind the hubbub of road traffic and airports – this is the only way to travel.

Interstate journeys

CountryLink is a division of Rail Corporation New South Wales which transports passengers between the ACT and all the Pacific coast states. A grand Pacific tour on CountryLink binds Cairns to Melbourne with stops in Sydney and Brisbane. Most interstate services, however, are provided by Great Southern Rail. Be sure to investigate the various concessions, as senior rates can be less than half the normal fare. 

With service from Adelaide to Darwin, passing Alice Springs and some of the most desolate terrain on Earth, the Ghan has established a firm reputation as one of Australia’s most legendary train journeys. Gold and Platinum passengers get meals included and more spacious accommodation than the Red Service sleeper cabins ($1428 one-way). For top-level luxury, ask about the train’s four private carriages.

Crossing four states, the Southern Spirit connects Brisbane to Adelaide by way of Melbourne with whistle-stop tours of various natural reserves and historic settlements in between. The entire trip (including whistle stop tours) takes six days and five nights, and costs between $3300 and $6600 per passenger. The best rooms feature movable beds and furniture, panoramic windows and a full-size shower.

The most iconic passenger train journey in Australia spans the east-west length of the continent with service from Sydney to Perth. The Indian Pacific takes four days and three nights with a stopover in Adelaide. Fares range from $3576 for the whole one-way trip in Platinum class to $335 if you sleep in your seat. Top amenities include a licensed lounge and the elegant Queen Adelaide restaurant.

The Overland offers service from Melbourne to Adelaide and may be the most practical and economical means of jumping between these two cities. No sleeper cabins on this leg, but both Red and Red Premium tickets give you access to the café carriage and all the extras you might expect in an aeroplane. This is a convenient means of making a quick 800km hop and enjoying the scenery of Australia’s most fruitful wine region.

New South Wales

Within New South Wales, CountryLink is the go-to resource for passenger train services. The XPT crosses the length of the state with a buffet and saloon for first class passengers, and the Xplorer connects NSW towns as disparate as Sydney, Armidale, Moree, Broken Hill, Griffith and Cootamundra.

Victoria

V/Line handles public rail transport for Victoria and is the nation’s largest regional public transport operator with 3770km of track and more than 1400 train services between Melbourne and outlying towns. To charter a more old-fashioned locomotive, try Steamrail Victoria, a non-profit organisation which restores and operates historic trains.

Queensland

The Sunshine State has a relatively well developed passenger train infrastructure. The Gulflander has joined remote Croydon and Normanton for 120 years, and the Inlander takes you almost 1000km from Townsville to Gulf Country city of Mt Isa. Try the Sunlander or Tilt Train for coastal excursions from Brisbane to Cairns. The Spirit of the Outback rolls from Brisbane to faraway Longreach. 

South Australia

Although a major hub for interstate train traffic, South Australia’s regional passenger network is spread fairly thin. Adelaide Metro runs the commuter trains and trams for the capital city and nearby areas, and a number of heritage train operators offer tourist hauls through the country. Check SteamRanger and Pichi Richi Railway for nostalgia-themed daytrips.

Northern Territory

While perhaps better known for its road trains, Northern Territory makes the most of its connection to the mighty Ghan railroad.  For local rail adventures, you can try a number of NT rail packages from Ozhorizons. Various tours pass by Darwin, Uluru, King’s Canyon, Kakadu, Katherine and Palm Valley. Visit the Pine Creek Railway Resort and Museum which claims Australia’s oldest restored locomotive.

Western Australia

Big Western Australia offers a substantial amount of rail travel options for such a sparsely populated area. Transperth operates services in the capital’s metro area, and the Australind line follows Perth down to coastal Bunbury. Meanwhile the MerredinLink extends 280km eastward to red, rugged Merredin and the Prospector leads to the old gold rush town of Kalgoorlie.

Tasmania

The island state might seem like it doesn’t stand a chance in the passenger train business, but Tasmania, as usual, has a few tricks up its sleeve. The West Coast Wilderness Railway offers 35km of historic curves and bridges. The Don River Railway hosts 30-minute rides in restored classics just west of Devonport, and the Ida Bay Railway company runs bush trams on the last of Tasmania’s original railways.