| Australia is a big country and we know of no better way
to see and enjoy the experience of Australia than by traveling
on one of the great rail journeys available. Australia has
an extensive rail network that provides you with a comfortable
option to travel overland and see the real Australia.
Australia's trains are clean, comfortable, and safe, and
has a rail network linking Perth to Adelaide, that continues
on to Melbourne and then north to Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane,
and right up the coast to Cairns... There's also a line from
Adelaide to Alice Springs and Darwin. Trains generally cost
more than buses but are still reasonably priced including
the two trains promoted as"experiences" rather
than mere transport - the Indian Pacific and the Ghan.
Most long distance trains have sleepers with big windows,
air-conditioning, electric outlets, wardrobes, hand basins,
and fresh sheets and blankets. First class sleepers have
en-suite (attached private) bathrooms, and fares often include
meals. Second class sleepers use shared shower facilities,
and meals are not included. Some second class sleepers are
private cabins; on other trains you share with strangers.
Single cabins are small but surprisingly comfy, with their
own toilet and basin... Smoking is not allowed, or allowed
only in the club cars or special "smoking rooms."...
Reservations for seats and sleeping berths are essential
on all long distance trains and are accepted up to six months
in advance.
If you're looking for a way to access Australia's best holiday
destinations, while seeing more of the countryside, then
a rail pass is for you. Rail passes allow you to hop between
destinations over a period of time on one or more of Australia's
great rail journeys. National passes are generally only available
to international visitors or travellers in Australia holding
an international passport... For more information go to our
section Rail
passes
Great Southern Railway... See our
Rail map
A private company offering three unique train journeys extending
across several Australian states.
- The Indian Pacific travels 4350km (2704 miles) twice weekly
on standard 1435mm (56.5 inch) gauge from Sydney on the east
coast to Perth on the west coast, via Adelaide. The journey
takes three days and three nights, crossing the Nullarbar
Plain on the famous 478km (297 mile) stretch of straight
track, the longest in the world.
- The Ghan travels 2979 km (1891 miles) between Adelaide and Darwin,
via Alice Springs. The service runs weekly in each direction and takes two
nights. Both trains are fully air-conditioned and soundproofed, with first
and second-class sleeping cars, a loungecar, bars and good restaurant facilities.
- The Overland provides a comfortable and convenient way to travel the 862
km (546 miles) between the cosmopolitan cities of Adelaide and Melbourne.
Traveltrain Holidays... See our
Rail map
The dedicated tourism arm of QR (Queensland Rail), Traveltrain
Holidays offers the largest and most comprehensive network
of long distance and tourist trains in Australia.
Queensland Rail's Traveltrain operates two trains on the
Brisbane-Cairns route: The Sunlander runs twice a week from
Brisbane to Cairns, offering a choice of the premium, all-
inclusive Queenslander class; single, double, or triple berth
sleepers; or economy seats. Two services also run as far
as Townsville on this route without Queenslander class.
The high speed Tilt
train operates three weekly trips on
the same route in less time - by about 8 hours - with business
class style seating. Tilt train also serve Rockhampton daily
from Brisbane. Traveltrain also operates trains to Outback
towns. All Traveltrain and most Countrylink long distance
trains stop at most towns en route, so they're useful for
exploring the eastern states.
- The Sunlander and its associated Queenslander class
link Brisbane with Cairns (31 hours)
- The Spirit of the Outback runs Brisbane to Longreach via Rockhampton
- The Westlander runs Brisbane to Charleville
- The Inlander runs Townsville to Mt Isa
- There are also a number of scenic rail journeys available, including Kuranda
Scenic Railway that links Cairns with kuranda via a 34 km (14 mile) climb through tropical rainforest.
- The Great South Pacific Express service along the east
coast from Sydney to Cairns via Brisbane has been temporarily
suspended.
Countrylink... See our Rail map
A division of New South Wales State Rail and provides long
distance passenger rail and coach services. Their fleet of
XPT and XPLORER trains and road coaches provide services
to 334 destinations throughout New South Wales and to interstate
destinations including Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne...
Countrylink passengers in air-conditioned comfort un economy
and first class seats, with sleeper facilities on overnight
routes.
- The Canberra Monaro Express links Canberra with Sydney in four or five hours
- The XPT Express runs from Melbourne to Brisbane via Canberra and Sydney
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