tours of australia by train

Train Tours in Australia

Train tours are ideal for travelers looking for a worry-free journey across the vast landscapes of Australia. These spectacular train rides offer travelers the chance to view stunning beaches, magnificent national parks, lush rainforests, and Australian landmarks like Ayers Rock and the Sydney Opera House.  Enjoy gourmet dining under the stars before departing to your gold-class cabin or make new friends while relaxing in the luxurious rail lounge.  Travelling across Australia has never been easier, and you have the option to choose from several world-famous trains. We have premade itineraries listed below or you can  CLICK HERE  to have one of our Travel Experts create a Tailor Made Train Vacation Package just for you.

Destinations: Australia – Gold Coast, Spirit of Queensland Rail & Cairns

Activities: Beaches, Birds, Coastal, Crocodiles & Reptiles, Cruises, Great Barrier Reef, Island Experiences, Kangaroos, Koalas, Rainforest, Small Towns & Villages, Snorkeling, Swimming, Train Rides, Wildlife, Wildlife Encounters

Tour Type: Independent Travel

Class: 3 - 4 stars

Destinations: Australia – Cairns, Darwin, The Ghan (Train), Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Sydney

Activities: Aboriginal Culture, Art, Historic Landmarks, Outback, Rainforest, Reef, Rest & Relaxation, Restaurants, Snorkeling or Scuba Diving (optional), Shopping & Local Markets, Stunning Landscapes, Train, Short Walks, Wildlife, Wine & Dine

Destinations: Australia – Cairns, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, The Ghan (Train), Adelaide, Sydney

Activities: Barossa Valley Wine Tour, Aboriginal Culture, Art, Historic Landmarks, Outback, Rainforest, Reef, Rest & Relaxation, Restaurants, Snorkeling or Scuba Diving (optional), Shopping & Local Markets, Stunning Landscapes, Train, Short Walks, Wildlife, Wine & Dine

Destinations: Australia – Sydney, Adelaide, Indian Pacific (Train), Perth, Cairns

Activities: Sightseeing, Culture, Historic Landmarks, Outback, Rest & Relaxation, Restaurants, Shopping & Local Markets, Stunning Landscapes, Train, Short Walks, Wildlife, Wine & Dine, Snorkeling

Destinations: Australia – Cairns, Darwin, The Ghan (Train), Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney

Activities: Culture, Art, Historic Landmarks, Outback, Rainforest, Reef, Rest & Relaxation, Restaurants, Snorkeling or Scuba Diving (optional), Shopping & Local Markets, Stunning Landscapes, Train, Short Walks, Wildlife, Wine & Dine

Destinations: Australia – Sydney, Indian Pacific (Train), Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, The Ghan (Train), Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Cairns, Brisbane

Activities: Train, Aboriginal Culture, Art, Historic Landmarks, Outback, Rainforest, Reef, Rest & Relaxation, Restaurants, Snorkeling, Shopping & Local Markets, Stunning Landscapes, Short Walks, Wildlife, Wine & Dine

Class: 4 - 5 stars

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luxury australian train journeys

2025 rates released, click here to book your 2025 adventure holiday now​.

Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime luxury Australian train journey and experience the breathtaking beauty of the country’s landscape from the comfort of your world-class cabin aboard The Ghan . Our train holidays in Australia offer a thrilling and splendid way to explore iconic locations while enjoying delicious meals with both new and old friends. So, embark on an adventure and choose your destination today to begin your unforgettable luxury Australian train holiday.

THE GHAN - 2025 FARES

Indian pacific - 2025 fares, the great southern - 2025 fares, call 13 ghan (13 44 26) for more details, 2025 ghan special packages - view all.

ARNHEM LAND AND RED CENTRE SPECTACULAR 2025

From $21,635 pp*, arnhem land adventure 2025, from $16,000 pp*, the ultimate territory tour 2025, from $10,990 pp*, watch the video to see what it's like to travel as as guest on a top luxury australian train journey..

ADELAIDE · ALICE SPRINGS · DARWIN · VICE VERSA

Ride the rails of history aboard The Ghan, as you take the unforgettable luxury Australian train journey through the outback heartland. Whether you travel up to the tropical Top End of Darwin, or south to the wine capital of Adelaide, your time experiencing one of the world’s great rail journeys will deliver a unique holiday beyond expectations.

SYDNEY · ADELAIDE · PERTH · VICE VERSA

The expanse of a continent is yours to discover on this unique coast-to-coast transcontinental Australian train journey. Whether you’re travelling from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific or the other way round, this epic journey across the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world, traversing mountain ranges, deserts and goldfields, through rocky valleys and subtropical savannah is a luxury holiday experience of a lifetime.

ADELAIDE · BRISBANE · VICE VERSA

Lazy laidback days and balmy starlit nights – Australians know their summer is something truly special. Returning for its second season with all-new adventures, the Great Southern Australian train journey takes you via outback and ocean embracing everything you love about summer this December and January.

All fares and journey information are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.

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AUSTRALIA by Train 2024 SELLING FAST

It’s a big, beautiful country, australia..

It’s north to south, east to west of ever-changing landscapes, culture and people. While there are many ways to see it, there’s only one way to do it with ease and in comfort. That’s the fabulous fun of rail travel. Celebrate the country’s endless and magnificent landscapes. 2024 is selling fast, book your adventure today.

The East Coast, A summer adventure

Epic coastlines, mountain ranges, the country’s Capital and three distinctly different major cities, all in one eclectically Australian summer endeavour.

North to South, Australia’s legendary journey

Travel between Darwin and Adelaide through Australia’s spectacular Red Centre, discovering the people, places and stories that shape the country.

East to West, The Nullarbor and beyond

The ultimate Australian crossing. Sydney. The Blue Mountains. The Silver City. The Barossa Valley. Adelaide and surrounds. And the mighty Nullarbor to Perth.

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Ready to book.

To see all available options for The Overland, please press the button below to be redirected to our online booking engine.

Great Southern Rail Journeys are only available in January and December

To book this package please call or email [email protected] .

Australia's top 10 epic train journeys

Taylah Darnell

Editorial Assistant

23 February 2023

From vintage sleepers to steam locomotives, see more of Australia by train with these epic rail adventures.

Forget packed flights where you don’t see anything between points A and B. Don’t even consider the drawn-out car journeys with too much traffic and not enough detours. Long gone are the days of long security lines and not enough room in the boot.

The best way to see Australia is by train, with a jam-packed itinerary and everything you need taken care of. Spread across carriages that traverse Australia’s most diverse landscapes, guests can wine and dine, rest and relax and discover somewhere new. Find 10 of the best (in no particular order) below.

1. The Ghan

Known as one of the most legendary rail journeys Australia has to offer, The Ghan traverses some of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. Those choosing to travel on the tracks can pick between Darwin to Adelaide , Adelaide to Alice Springs and Darwin to Alice Springs, each trip being reversible. Both on- and off-train experiences are designed to heighten your experience, from your spacious cabin and onboard restaurant and lounge to the stops you make along the way.

The Ghan is one of the best railway journeys on offer in Australia. (Image: Tourism NT/Steve Strike)

2. Indian Pacific

Go coast to coast on this transformative, transcontinental journey from Sydney to Perth via Adelaide or vice versa. Named after the two oceans it connects, the Indian Pacific charts 4352 kilometres across 65 hours. Enjoy a range of luxe experiences both onboard and off , from Barossa Valley wineries and The Nullabor to Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.

Witness some of Australia’s most jaw-dropping landscapes onboard the Indian Pacific. (Image: Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions)

3. Great Southern

The Great Southern takes guests from one underrated capital city to another in sleek style and comfort. Travel from Brisbane to Adelaide and uncover some of Australia’s best-kept secrets along the way; the Grampians, Hunter Valley and Coffs Harbour . Along the way, indulge in fine dining, premium wines and cosy accommodation onboard as you travel through Australia’s diverse landscape.

Uncover some of Australia’s best-kept secrets on the Great Southern.

4. The Overland

If you’re down for a shorter trip, The Overland is perfect for you. This daylight service travels between two very vibrant but very different cities, Adelaide and Melbourne. Throughout the trip, enjoy visits to small yet mighty Aussie towns like Murray Bridge, Horsham and Geelong . Guests will still enjoy a range of dining options, with semi-reclining seats for your comfort along the way.

The Overland is a daytime service perfect for families. (Image: Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions)

5. Spirit of Queensland

Take in Queensland’s distinctive landscape on the Spirit of Queensland railway journey, running between Brisbane and Cairns. Enjoy seat service, in-transit entertainment, a galley car, showers and convertible chairs into beds, you’ll arrive at your destination relaxed and refreshed. Along the way, discover the delights of the Whitsundays , Townsville , Bundaberg , and the Fraser and Sunshine Coasts.

The Spirit of Queensland traverses the landscape between Brisbane and Cairns.

6. Vintage Rail Journeys

Vintage Rail Journeys’ three rail tours showcase the diversity of Australia in vintage style. Get comfy on a restored 1960s Aurora Australis sleeping train to explore everywhere from Orange to the Blue Mountains in the Golden West; the Riverina , where you’ll get a taste of Australia’s food bowl; and the North Coast , which serves up a mix of coastal and inland beauty from Port Macquarie to the Northern Rivers.

Take in the verdant views of the Blue Mountains onboard with Vintage Railway Journeys. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Scott Mcgregor’s Railway Adventures

Join Aussie presenter, producer and writer Scott McGregor and his experienced guides on fully escorted train tours across the continent . Head down to Tassie for an 11-night circumnavigation of the island state, relive the golden age of rail and river transport in Victoria on Puffing Billy or ride the Savannahlander and other historic railways in outback Queensland.

Travel onboard the legendary steam train Puffing Billy with Scott McGregor’s Railway Adventures.

8. Kuranda Scenic Railway

Immerse yourself in the heritage-listed rainforest of Tropical North Queensland’s Wet Tropics , beginning at sea level in Cairns and winding up to the pretty mountain village of Kuranda , at 328 metres. Enjoy locally sourced refreshments as you zoom through one of the world’s oldest rainforests and past waterfalls plunging into deep ravines.

Journey over the scenic Robbs Monument at the Kuranda railway. (Image: Journey Beyond)

9. Puffing Billy

With four epic adventures to choose from, Puffing Billy is the perfect option for families. Whether you pick Belgrave to Lakeside, Belgrave to Menzies Creek, Lakeside to Gembrook or Belgrave to Gembrook, you’re in for a treat. Puffing Billy, known as Australia’s favourite steam train, was built in 1900 and is based in the stunning Dandenong Ranges.

Puffing Billy is known as Australia’s favourite steam train.

10. Spirit of the Outback

The Spirit of the Outback traverses the heartland of Queensland’s outback from Brisbane to Longreach. Delve into the history and culture of the state via towns like Bundaberg and Emerald. All customers onboard can enjoy a variety of amenities. Single- and twin-cabin guests have access to the Shearers Rest lounge.

Delve into the history and culture of Queensland.

Taylah has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of a book or attempting to write her own. When she's not immersed in the world of words, she enjoys spending time amongst nature, hunting for second-hand treasures and watching/playing a good game of soccer.

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Comments (3)

I would love to go on anyone of these rail trips.

Very informative. Please let us know more about sightseeing of Australia’s nature.

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The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, travelling by train in australia.

Australia is a huge country.  And the best way to appreciate its vastness is to cross it at ground level by train, in comfort.  The famous Indian Pacific links Sydney, Adelaide & Perth in 3 days, crossing the great Nullarbor Plain in the process.  Don't miss out on a visit to the 'red centre' of Australia around Alice Springs, and there's no better way to reach Alice Springs or Darwin than by the equally famous Ghan from Adelaide.  In the East, comfortable XPT trains link Sydney with Melbourne & Brisbane at affordable prices, and Queensland Railways links Brisbane with Townsville & Cairns.  On this page you'll find train times, fares, how to buy tickets, and advice on what the train & the journey are like for all the main Australian train routes.

Train route map

Interactive map: Click a route for information

Useful country information

Sydney - adelaide - perth, across australia on the indian pacific.

Australia's biggest train journey, in every sense of the word.  This is a fabulous train ride right across Australia from Sydney or Adelaide to Perth, giving you a real sense of Australia's vastness which flying simply cannot deliver.  With a cosy bed at night in your own room, a restaurant for your meals and a lounge in which to relax during the day, it's a rolling hotel.  Now run by a private company called Journey Beyond Rail ( journeybeyondrail.com.au , known as Great Southern Rail until 2019), the Indian Pacific links Sydney, Adelaide & Perth once a week all year round.  The Indian Pacific has only existed since the 1970s, when a standard gauge line was finally completed across the continent from Sydney to Perth, some 4,343km or 2,698 miles.  Today, both the Indian Pacific and its sister train the Ghan use the original stainless-steel coaches built by the American Budd company for the first Indian Pacific trains when they started running in 1973.  Suitably modernised, of course.  This train is well worth including in your grand Australian tour! 

What's it like on board the Indian Pacific?     What's the journey like?

Check times & departure dates at journeybeyondrail.com.au .   Passengers can take their cars between Adelaide & Perth on the Indian Pacific, see journeybeyondrail.com.au .  The station in Adelaide is Adelaide Parklands, formerly known as Adelaide Keswick.

Children under 4 go free, under 16s reduced rate.  Return fares are twice the one-way fare.

Gold & Platinum fares include all meals and soft drinks, beer & wine.

Note that the Pensioner fares shown on the GSR website are for Australian senior citizens only.

How to buy tickets

You can check fares & book a journey on the Indian Pacific online at journeybeyondrail.com.au .

Or you can use the contact & booking form of reliable Australian-based train ticketing specialist www.internationalrail.com.au who can arrange Indian Pacific tickets for you, wherever you live in the world. You'll normally get a quote within 24 hours.  International Rail can also sort tickets for other Australian train services, such as NSW TrainLink from Sydney to Melbourne or Brisbane. 

To buy Australian train tickets in the UK by phone, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3 , lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.

Railpass options

The Rail Explorer Pass was discontinued in August 2015.  You need to buy regular tickets to use the IP or Ghan.

Vacations & tours by rail

Railbookers are train travel specialists with offices in the UK, Australia & United States.  They offer customisable tour packages around Australia with travel on some or all of Australia's great trains, with train tickets, stopovers, hotels, transfers and (if necessary) flights sorted for you.

What's a journey on the Indian Pacific like ?

The 'IP' leaves Sydney Central Station in downtown Sydney in late afternoon and threads its way through Sydney's suburban commuterland.  As night falls it climbs up through the scenic Blue Mountains passing through Katoomba, and next morning you'll wake up in arid outback country around Broken Hill.  Look out for kangaroo and emu over breakfast in the train's restaurant car!  The train arrives in Adelaide in the afternoon, with time for a city tour even if you're not stopping off, and leaves again for Perth in the early evening.  The day after leaving Adelaide the Indian Pacific crosses the hot, dusty emptiness of the famous Nullarbor Plain on the longest stretch of straight railway line in the world, 478 km or 297 miles, 'nullarbor' being Latin for 'no trees'.  The train stops long enough for you to visit the tiny community of Cook.  If you've ever wondered what the Middle of Nowhere looks like, this is it!  Once off the Nullarbor you can play 'spot the koala' over dinner as the beautiful evening sun plays over the leafy eucalyptus trees.  After dinner that evening the train used to stop at the gold rush town of Kalgoorlie for 3½ hours, long enough for a walkabout, but is passes through at 3am in its latest timetable.  Next day the train rolls into the pleasant and modern city of Perth, capital of Western Australia.  Congratulations, you've just crossed a continent!

What's it like on the Indian Pacific & Ghan ?

The Indian Pacific & the Ghan use similar equipment.  They both have two classes of accommodation, Gold Service sleepers & Platinum Service sleepers.  Both classes offer proper beds in private rooms with meals included in the restaurant car.  Platinum Service gets you a bigger room with (if you want one) a double bed, with an exclusive Platinum Service restaurant car with small lounge area.  Unfortunately, Red Service sleepers were discontinued in 2015 and Red Service reclining seats the year after, there is now no budget option.  What was originally a mode of transport with aspirations to cruise service at the top end is now an all-cruise train with prices to match.

Gold Service (formerly first class)

Gold Service passengers travel in private sleepers, either 2-berth twinettes for passengers travelling in twos or single-berth roomettes for passengers travelling alone, see the photos below.  The price per person is the same.  There's a restaurant car and a lounge car.

Queen Adelaide restaurant

The fare includes excellent 3-course meals served in the Queen Adelaide restaurant car.  Beer and standard wines are complimentary in Gold service.  Photos courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com .

Outback Explorer lounge car

During the day Gold Service passengers can use the Outback Explorer lounge (sometimes two of them) with bar & armchairs, complimentary tea & coffee always available.  The bar in the Outback Explorer lounge serves cocktails, beer & wine.  Since 2013, beer and standard wines are complimentary in Gold service.  Photos courtesy of Oliver Mann & DiscoverByRail.com

Twinette sleepers

If there's two of you, you'll get a relatively spacious 2-berth sleeper called a Twinette.  The twinette sleeping-cars have a conventional layout with a corridor along one side of the car, with compartments opening off it.  Each twinette compartment has an upper & lower bed which fold away to reveal a sofa for daytime use.  Twinettes have a tiny private bathroom with hot shower, toilet & washbasin.  Your twinette comes with comfortable freshly made-up beds, towels and a complimentary toiletries pack with soap, shampoo, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste.  The photos pretty accurately show the size of the room, with the compact shower & toilet opening off the wall to the left of shot.  Photos courtesy of James Chuang & Oliver Mann.

If you're travelling alone in Gold Service, you'll get a cosy private roomette.  Roomette sleeping-cars have a corridor snaking through the centre of the car in a series of gentle 's' curves with doors to the roomettes opening off both sides of it (the curves in the corridor maximise the space in each roomette, by making it wider at the head end).  Each roomette is only about 7 feet long by 4 feet wide, big enough for a comfy armchair, a table, and a drop-down sink in one corner, though the drop-down flush toilet originally fitted underneath each sink is now boarded up out of use.  At night, the bed folds down from behind the seat and takes up most of the room.  There's an excellent hot shower & toilets at the end of the corridor.  Roomettes come with a comfortable freshly made-up beds, towels and a complimentary toiletries pack with soap, shampoo, razor, toothbrush, toothpaste.

Platinum Service

The Ghan and Indian Pacific now feature an ultra-luxurious (and expensive!) Platinum Service, with a choice of double-bed or twin-bed sleeper compartments with private shower and toilet and extra space even compared to Gold Service.  As with Gold Service, meals are included in the fare, served in a Platinum Service restaurant car, which has a lounge area at one end.

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Adelaide - Alice Springs - Darwin

The ghan, to australia's red centre.

The lenendary Ghan is undoubtedly the best way to reach Australia's fabulous Red centre and the iconic Uluru (Ayer's Rock).  Australia's second most famous train, the Ghan links Adelaide, Alice Springs & (since 2004) Darwin, once a week all year round, twice a week from April to October.  By using the train you get a real feel for the scale of the Australian outback, which you simply don't on a plane.  Like the Indian Pacific, the Ghan is now run by Journeys Beyond Rail (formerly Great Southern Rail ), and has the same classes of accommodation & facilities:  Gold class sleepers, lounge & restaurant, see the section above .  Most departures of the Ghan now have an additional class of accommodation, the new super-deluxe Platinum Class complete with double (or twin lower) beds.

The Ghan gets its name from the (supposedly) Afghan camels and camel drivers who used to carry supplies up to Alice Springs before the railway came.  The first railway was narrow gauge, and the old Ghan was notoriously slow, taking 48 hours from Adelaide to Alice.  Only in the early 1980s was this new standard-gauge line opened taking a more direct route.  The journey time has been cut to an afternoon and a night, and the service doubled to twice weekly for much of the year.  Connections are available to/from Sydney and Melbourne using the Indian Pacific or Overland , see the Indian Pacific and Overland sections below.  The railway onwards to Darwin was completed in January 2004, and in February that year the Ghan was extended to Darwin once a week, doubled to twice-weekly in 2006.  Book early, as there has been huge interest in the service to Darwin and bookings have exceeded even the operator's own expectations.

The Ghan Timetable

IMPORTANT:  The Ghan does not run from mid-Dec to mid-Jan.

Off-train excursions happen at the longer stops.

Passengers can take their cars between Adelaide & Darwin on the Ghan, see journeybeyondrail.com.au .      What's it like on board The Ghan?

Children under 4 go free, under 16s reduced rate.  Return fares are twice the one-way fare. 

See journeybeyondrail.com.au for full details of fares.

Apex 6m+ = discounted advance purchase fare, bought at least 6 months in advance.

Gold & Platinum fares include all meals and (from April 2013), soft drinks, beer & wine.  Meals are extra in Red Service.

You can check fares & book a journey on the Indian Pacific online at journeybeyondrail.com.au . 

Or you can use the contact & booking form of Australian-based train ticketing specialist www.internationalrail.com.au who can arrange tickets for the Ghan for you wherever you live in the world.  You'll normally get a quote within 24 hours.  International Rail can also sort tickets for other Australian train services, such as NSW TrainLink from Sydney to Melbourne or Brisbane. 

To buy Australian train tickets by phone in the UK, call International Rail on 0844 248 248 3 , lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.

The Rail Explorer Pass was discontinued in August 2015.  You need to buy regular tickets to use the Indian Pacific or Ghan.

What's it like on board the Ghan?

The train has similar classes, sleepers, lounges and restaurants as the Indian Pacific , see the accommodation guide above .

A trip on the Ghan from Adelaide to Australia's Red Centre

Alice springs.

The Alice, as it's usually known, still has a frontier feel to it.  Originally called Stuart and only officially renamed Alice Springs in 1933, it grew up around a telegraph station on the overland telegraph linking southern Australia with London.  The site for the telegraph station was chosen because there was water, a spring  which was named after the wife of Charles Todd, superintendent of telegraphs in Adelaide.  You can still see the telegraph station, now a museum, at the North end of the town.  Next to it (pictured above, at the base of the white rock) is the very birthplace of the town - the original, dried up 'Alice spring'.  Telegraph station museum website .  Northern Territories official visitor website .

Ayer's Rock (Uluru)

You'll want to explore the outback whilst in Alice Springs, including Uluru, the world's largest sandstone monolith.  It's some 275 miles southwest of Alice - the outback is a big place!  It's a fabulous area with lots to see besides Uluru, including the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) & King's Canyon.  You can see Uluru & Kata Tjuta as a 17 hour day trip from Alice (which includes a 5 hour drive each way), but it's far better to book a 2, 3 or 4-day 4-wheel drive camping safari to see more in less of a hurry.  Try www.wayoutback.com.au .  You're no longer allowed to climb Uluru as from October 2019 - it used to be a steep scramble along the tourist track up the least perpendicular part of its sandstone sides.  The website for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru .

Melbourne - Adelaide

The most civilised and pleasant way to travel between central Melbourne and central Adelaide is aboard the twice-a-week Overland , no need to use domestic flights.  It's the third of the 3 trains run by journeybeyondrail.com.au .

No service on 25 or 26 December.

The cheaper fare = advance purchase, limited availability.  The most expensive fare = full-flex rate.

Option 2, buy tickets at 12go.com .

12go is a reliable agency, the process is easy, overseas phone credit cards & phone numbers no problem.  Your ticket will be confirmed within 24h and sent by email.

What's it like on the Overland?

Sydney to melbourne, canberra & brisbane.

Comfortable air-conditioned trains link Sydney with Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, city centre to city centre, with no need to fly!  These trains are run by NSW TrainLink, formerly CountryLink, formerly the State Rail Authority of New South Wales.  NSW TrainLink runs two comfortable XPT trains every day from Sydney to Melbourne, one by day and the other a time-effective overnight train with sleeping-car.  A similar daytime and overnight XPT service links Sydney to Brisbane, although as trains alternate between Brisbane and Casino, a bus connection is needed to Brisbane on one of the two.  Equally comfortable XPLORER trains link Sydney with Canberra several times a day.  More info & online booking at  transportnsw.info/regional .

Option 1, buy tickets at transportnsw.info/regional . 

Tickets bought online are sent by e-mail.

12go.com is a reliable booking agency, the process is easy, overseas phone numbers accepted.  Your ticket will be confirmed within 24h and sent by email.

Sleepers cannot be booked online , so for sleeper berths either call NSW TrainLink on +61 2 3814 0210 or use the contact & booking form of Melbourne-based agency www.internationalrail.com.au who can arrange sleeper tickets for you wherever you live in the world - you'll normally get a reply with a quote within 24 hours.

On board an XPT train

XPT trains might look familiar.  That's because they're based on the UK's InterCity 125, but re-geared to 100mph and with (you'll be pleased to learn) beefed-up air-conditioning.  XPTs have first and economy class reclining seats.  First and economy class seating is virtually identical - if you look really closely and get your tape measure out, you'll find there's 2" more legroom in first and the 1st class seats recline to 40 degrees rather than 28.  But that's the only difference, elbow room and the seats themselves are exactly the same.  So there is little point in paying for first class unless economy is full - or you want that extra recline on the overnight run.  XPTs have a buffet car selling food and drink, including wine.  XPLORERs have similar seating to XPTs and a buffet-bar.

XPT sleeping-cars

The overnight Sydney-Melbourne & Sydney-Brisbane XPT trains have one sleeping-car with 2-berth compartments.  A sofa converts to a lower berth and an upper berth folds out from the wall, with mattress and all necessary bedding.  There's a hot shower & toilet shared between each pair of adjacent compartments, just outside your compartment door.  Book early, as there's only one sleeping-car per train and it gets booked up fast. 

Unfortunately sleepers cannot be booked online, so you need to book at the station or by phone - from outside Australia call NSW TrainLink on +61 2 4907 7501.

Brisbane - Townsville - Cairns

Queensland Railways (QR) operates excellent passenger trains linking Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns, branded Traveltrain.  The trains operate on narrow gauge 3' 6" tracks, which explains why you need to change at Brisbane onto NSW TrainLink's standard gauge (4' 8½") trains to and from Sydney .  For more info & online tickets see www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au .

The SPIRIT OF QUEENSLAND is a new 100mph tilt train with Railbed Class flat-bed seats, Premium Economy Class seats and a lounge car.  Introduced in October 2013, this is a brand-new 100mph tilting train, see the photos below .  For more info see www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au .

The old Sunlander was discontinued in December 2014, replaced by the Spirit of Queensland 100mph tilt train.

BRISBANE-ROCKHAMPTON:   There are additional trains between Brisbane and Rockhampton, including a 100mph tilting daytime train.

BRISBANE-LONGREACH:   A train called the SPIRIT OF THE OUTBACK runs twice a week Brisbane - Rockhampton - Longreach, with 1st & economy sleepers, economy seats, and restaurant car.  1st class fares now include meals.  See www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au for details.

CAIRNS-FORSAYTH:   A little 1963-tainless-steel railcar works the Savannahlander train from Cairns to Forsayth at 06:30 every Wednesday with an overnight hotel stop in Almaden, arriving in Forsayth on Thursday evening.  It returns from Forsayth at 08:30 on Fridays, also with an overnight hotel stop in Almaden, arriving Cairns 18:40 on Saturdays.  A 4-day outback rail experience!  It runs March until December, no service in late Dec, Jan or Feb or first few days of March.  See www.savannahlander.com.au for timetable, fares & booking.

Children 15 years and under pay half the adult fare, children 3 years and under go free.

A-Choice fare = fully flexible, refundable.  U-Save fare = advance-purchase limited availability, no refunds.  B-Quick = another advance-purchase fare.

Option 1, buy at www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au

You can check train times & fares and book online at www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au .  This can book economy and railbed class. 

12go.com is a reliable booking agency, the process is easy, overseas credit cards no problem.  12go can book economy seats but may not be able to book railbed class.  Your ticket will be confirmed within 24h and sent by email.

The Spirit of Queensland tilt train

The train has two classes, Railbed class &  Premium Economy class.  All seats have power sockets and airline-style seat-back TV entertainment systems.  All passengers can use the lounge-cafe car, in Railbed class meals are served at your seat.

The Spirit of the Outback

Kalgoorlie - perth, transwa's prospector.

Transwa (formerly known as Westrail) introduced new express diesel trains on the Perth to Kalgoorlie Prospector services in September 2003, running at up to 100mph.  Within a few years, track will be upgraded to 125mph (200km/h), making these trains the fastest in Australia.  For more info, visit www.transwa.wa.gov.au .

Things to see & do

Sydney is a fantastic city.  Take a tour of the opera house ( www.sydneyoperahouse.com ).  Wander through the botanic gardens .  Visit the observation deck of the Centrepoint Tower ( www.sydneytowereye.com.au ).  Take a ferry from Circular Quay to Watson's Bay for fish and chips at Doyle's famous refreshment rooms ( www.doyles.com.au , look for 'Doyles on the beach', for Sydney ferry information see transportnsw.info/travel-info/ways-to-get-around/ferry ).  For general city tourist information see www.sydney.com .

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Why not do the incredible Sydney Harbour Bridge climb ? From A$344, you are briefed and equipped for a walk up the girders of Sydney Harbour Bridge, for some fantastic views across the city, from the Pacific Ocean in the East to the Blue Mountains in the West.  The bridge climb tour has been operating since October 1998.  Book your climb online here or visit www.bridgeclimb.com for more information.

The Blue Mountains

Don't forget to visit the museum in Melbourne's old gaol , www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au .  Ned Kelly, Australia's most infamous outlaw, was imprisoned and hanged in Melbourne gaol, and his unique armour was originally displayed there.

Great Ocean Road

Named after the wife of King William IV, Adelaide is a much smaller city than Sydney or Melbourne, and much more relaxed.  Admirably well laid-out by its founder, Colonel William Light, the city centre is surrounded by parkland.  On Montefiore Hill to the north of the centre, you can see 'Light's vision', where Colonel Light stood to map out his plan for the city.  For city visit information see www.cityofadelaide.com.au .

Barossa Valley wine region

Great ocean road by train+bus, every monday, wednesday, friday for just au$ 10.

The Great Ocean Road along the coast from Melbourne is one of the great scenic drives of Australia.  You can hire a car and drive it, or there are various 1-day bus tours from Melbourne.  But rather than endure a bus for the whole day, just AU$ 10 gets you a 1-day tour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays run by V/Line, the regional train & bus operator, using comfortable trains from Melbourne's Southern Cross station, as follows:

You take the daily 09:10 V/Line train from Melbourne's main Southern Cross railway station to Geelong, arriving 10:07.  The train is comfortable and air-conditioned.  Economy seats only, no reservation required.

At Geelong, the train connects with a daily air-conditioned V/Line coach leaving from outside Geelong railway station at 10:20 and running via Anglesea and Lorne to Apollo Bay arriving 12:53.  No reservation required.

At Apollo Bay, you switch buses and join a V/Line Great Ocean Road air-conditioned sightseeing coach.  This runs on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays leaving Apollo Bay at 13:25 and running all along the Great Ocean Road via the Twelve Apostles (30 minute stop), Loch-Ard Gorge (15 minute stop), London Bridge (10 minute stop) and Bay of Islands (10 min stop) to Warrnambool railway station, arriving 16:55.  No reservation is required for this bus.

At Warrnambool, the bus connects with the 17:36 V/Line train back to Melbourne Southern Cross, arriving Melbourne at 21:15.  This comfortable air-conditioned train has first class as well as economy seats, refreshments are available on board.  However, on this train a seat reservation is required.

How much does it cost?

Since 2023, a return ticket from Melbourne to Warrnambool, out via the Great Ocean Road sightseeing bus and back on the direct train now costs an amazingly cheap Aus$ 10 (£5 or US$6), after an election pledge to cap transport fares across Victoria (it used to cost around Aus$87, about £50 or US$62). Children 0-3 (inclusive) go free, children aged 4 to 16 go at the concession rate, Aus$5.

You can easily book this trip online at www.vline.com.au .  Simply click Plan trip/buy tickets and use the journey planner to book a return ticket from Melbourne Southern Cross to Warrnambool Station, making sure it's on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday.  Make sure you select the 09:10 departure from Melbourne to Warrnambool by train+coach+coach via Geelong & Apollo Bay on the outward leg, and the 17:36 direct train from Warrnambool to Melbourne on the return leg.  You pay by Visa or MasterCard and collect your tickets at any V/Line sales outlet, including at Melbourne Southern Cross station.  If you have any issues booking this, call V/Line on +61 3 9662 2505.

For general tourist information about the Great Ocean Road, see www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au .

Buy at Amazon.co.uk (UK) or Amazon.com (US)

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Australia by Rail from Trailblazer Guides

Accommodation in australia, tripadvisor hotel reviews.

www.tripadvisor.com is a good place to find independent travellers' reviews of the main hotels.  It also has the low-down on all the sights & attractions too.

Backpacker hostels in Australia: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in many places in Australia, at rock-bottom prices.

Flights to Australia

1)  check flight prices at opodo, www.opodo.com, 2)  use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines....

3)  Lounge passes

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think!  See www.loungepass.com

Travel to Australia without flying

For information on how to travel from Europe to Australia without flying, either overland by Trans-Siberian Railway to the Far East then by freighter, or by sea all the way, see the Australia overland page .

H olidays by train in Australia

Alternatively, companies such as Travelbag can arrange independent travel, with flights and trains as required.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com .

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Train Packages

Ghan to Darwin Short Break

Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin with a night in Adelaide, 2 nights in Darwin, flights and transfers.  All Ghan off-train activities are included, like Alice Springs, Katherine Gorge and Marla.  Enjoy the comfort of your private cabin with en suite; savour the delicious food and wines. And when the train stops along the way, the adventures begin with incredible off-train activities.  Everything is included in this amazing value package.  Discover the majesty of the Ghan in this package to Darwin. Experience all-inclusive luxury onboard the Ghan and discover the tropical city of Darwin. Full Details

• Full Inclusions

Indian Pacific to Perth Short Break

Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth with 2 nights in Perth, all flights and personalised transfers. All off-train activities included, like touring in Broken Hill, Barossa, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna. Your own private Gold Class cabin (with en suite) and delicious meals included.  Experience one of the world's most epic and unforgettable trans-continental train journeys in this 6 day package to Perth. Cross the Nullarbor aboard the Indian Pacific and enjoy 2 days in Perth to explore the city at your own pace. Full Details

• Indian Pacific

Indian Pacific to Perth Discover

Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth with 4 nights, Perth & Fremantle touring, a Rottnest Island day, Swan River & Rottnest cruise, all flights and personalised transfers. All off-train activities included, like touring in Broken Hill, Barossa, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna. Cross the Nullarbor in your luxurious private Gold Service Cabin onboard the Indian Pacific on your incredible journey to Perth. Enjoy a Perth city and Fremantle tour and take in spectacular views of the city skyline from Kings Park. Cruise the Swan River to Fremantle and then Rottnest Island to meet the famous quokkas, take in the history, spectacular beaches and landscapes on WA’s island paradise. See the magnificent Swan River, Indian Ocean, Fremantle harbour, the WACA, Watertown Discount Shopping Centre, the Bell Tower, the Perth Mint and much more. Full Details

Ghan to Darwin Discover

Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin with a night in Adelaide, 4 nights in Darwin, a Darwin city tour, Jumping Crocodile tour, Adelaide River cruise, flights and personalised transfers. All Ghan off-train activities are included, like Alice Springs, Katherine Gorge and Marla. Experience the Ghan and discover Darwin in this 7 day package to the Top End. Marvel at the spectacular landscapes as you journey across the Red Centre in your Gold Service cabin to Darwin for some incredible tours and some time to explore the Top End your own pace. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Perth All-Inclusive

Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth with 6 days luxury coach touring in Perth, featuring Margaret River, Pinnacles Desert, Perth, Fremantle & Swan River Lunch Cruise. Combine the adventure of crossing the Nullarbor aboard the Indian Pacific with unforgettable luxury coach touring in extraordinary Western Australia. Visit Margaret River, famous for its wineries, beaches, breweries, seasonal wildflowers, and local produce. Discover the amazing moonscape of the Pinnacles Desert and enjoy a lunch cruise down the Swan River to Fremantle. Full Details

Ghan Expedition with Darwin Short Break

Experience the ultimate 4 day extended Ghan Expedition (with an extra day aboard the Ghan) from Darwin to Adelaide featuring an extra day of off-train excursions in Alice Springs and Coober Pedy as well as a range of touring options in Katherine Gorge and 2 days in Darwin with flights. All Ghan off-train activities are included.  Enjoy a special Outback Pioneer Dinner under the stars along with a full day of touring in the underground town of Coober Pedy. Mine for riches in the tunnels of this famous outback town enjoy a gourmet lunch in a boutique underground location. Choose from a range of included off-train excursions or upgrade to truly remarkable experiences such as scenic flights over Uluru or Kakadu and Katherine. This is truly an experience like no other. Full Details

Ghan to Darwin All-Inclusive

Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin with a night in Adelaide, 6 days luxury coach touring in Darwin, including Kakadu, Litchfield, jumping crocodiles & Darwin Harbour dinner cruise. Experience the grandeur of the Ghan to Darwin with luxury coach touring in Darwin. Discover Kakadu and Litchfield National Park and cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong, the Adelaide River and Katherine Gorge. Enjoy a sunset dinner cruise along Darwin Harbour and see the famous “Jumping Crocodiles” of the Top End. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Perth All-Inclusive with Wildflower Discovery

Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth with 7 days luxury coach touring in Perth, featuring our special wildflower discovery day.  Spring is undoubtedly the best time to visit WA with thousands of amazing wildflowers colouring the landscape.  Departures available between September and November with frequent stops on a dedicated wildflower day tour, plus discover the amazing moonscape of the Pinnacles Desert, the world famous Margaret River region, Busselton Jetty, the bohemian port town of Fremantle and enjoy a special lunch cruise down the iconic Swan River. Full Details

Ghan with Darwin and Kakadu Overnight Touring

Combine the Ghan journey from Adelaide to Darwin along with a night in Adelaide, our incredible Darwin and Kakadu overnight touring, including amazing cruises, flights and transfers. Experience a special cruise to Arnhem Land with our Aboriginal guide along the mighty East Alligator River. Cruise along the spectacular Yellow Water Billabong and visit the famous rock art galleries of Ubirr. Experience places inaccessible to most with our experienced Aboriginal guide and hear enchanting stories of this ancient land. Discover the tropical city of Darwin. Everything is included train, all flights, tours, hotels, cruises and personalised transfers.  Full Details

Indian Pacific with Perth and Margaret River Overnight Touring

Combine the Indian Pacific journey from Sydney to Perth with our incredible Perth & Margaret River overnight touring, including gourmet food and wines, flights and transfers. Immerse yourself in Margaret River’s dramatic scenery and experience the best wineries, galleries, breweries, gourmet produce, forests, caves and lighthouses with our passionate local guide. Discover the rapidly developing Perth and bohemian port city of Fremantle. Everything is included train, all flights, tours, hotels, and personalised transfers.  Full Details

Ghan Expedition with Darwin All-Inclusive

Combine the ultimate 4 day extended Ghan Expedition experience (an extra day on the train) with 5 days of all-inclusive touring at its best in Darwin featuring Kakadu, Litchfield, Jumping Crocodiles, Special Harbour Dinner Cruise and more. Enjoy extended all-inclusive off-train excursions and meals onboard the Ghan Expedition, an extra night aboard the Ghan, full day touring in Coober Pedy with gourmet lunch as well an optional scenic flight over Uluru. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Perth All-Inclusive with Margaret River Stay

Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth with 7 days touring in Perth featuring 3 days of immersive gourmet small-group touring through the Margaret River region along with coach tours of Pinnacles Desert, Perth, Fremantle and a Swan River Lunch Cruise. Really discover one of Australia’s most famous wine regions in this package that encapsulates the Indian Pacific and overnight Margaret River touring.  Enjoy a sunset kangaroo safari (seasonal) and a special brewery lunch with the opportunity to buy wine direct from the maker. Experience a personalized wine tour, chocolate and cheese tasting and feast your senses on what the Margaret River region has to offer. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Adelaide Discover

Indian Pacific to Adelaide with 4 nights in Adelaide, an Adelaide city tour, a Hahndorf, Mt Lofty Ranges & Adelaide Hills Tour, river cruise and flights Enjoy the journey to Adelaide aboard the Indian Pacific in your private Gold Class cabin (with ensuite) and included off-train excursions in either Kalgoorlie or Broken Hill and all delicious meals. Enjoy amazing touring of Adelaide and visit icons such as the Adelaide Oval, Victoria Square, the Terraces, King William Street Boulevard Colonel Lights Lookout, Haigh’s Chocolates Montefiore Hill and more. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Adelaide All-Inclusive

Indian Pacific to Adelaide with 6 days of luxury all-inclusive coach touring in Adelaide, featuring Barossa, Murray River paddlesteamer cruise, Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale. Experience the majesty of the Indian Pacific in your private Gold Class cabin on your journey to Adelaide. Enjoy a special winery lunch and a special lunch cruise along the Murray River in a restored Paddle-Steamer. Explore the seaside towns of Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale, as well as the Fleurieu Peninsula. Discover the world famous wine making region of the Barossa Valley and the Germanic Lutheran township of Hahndorf on this 7 day package envisaging the best of South Australia. Full Details

Great Southern Train with Adelaide Short Break

Experience the new Great Southern train journey between Brisbane and Adelaide with 2 nights accommodation in Adelaide, flights and personalised transfers.  Everything is included, Gold Class private cabin (with ensuite), all off-train activities in The Grampians, Canberra, Northern NSW Coast and delicious gourmet food and wines.  Discover this unforgettable luxury railway adventure in this 5 day package from Adelaide to Brisbane (or Brisbane to Adelaide). Enjoy 2 nights in Adelaide to explore the city at your own pace and then board the Great Southern to explore some of Australia’s most beautiful and remarkable destinations, including guided touring in the Grampians and Canberra with a memorable Northern NSW Coast brunch. Upgrade to the extended 3 night Brisbane to Adelaide direction journey for extra an day aboard the train with guided touring in Northern NSW Coast, Hunter Valley and Regional Victoria and Twelve Apostles. Full Details

• Great Southern

Indian Pacific to Adelaide Discover with Proud Mary 3 Day Murray River Cruise

Combine the Indian Pacific with a gourmet 3 day Proud Mary cruise through the Murray River system.  This superbly appointed riverboat features gourmet local produce, spacious river-view cabin with a private balcony, amazing shore excursions, abundant wildlife, magnificent scenery, willow-lined banks, gorgeous beaches and towering cliffs. pass.  Enjoy 4 nights in Adelaide with an Adelaide city tour, flight and personalised transfers. Watch the landscapes change from the lush Blue Mountains to the rolling landscapes of South Australia onboard the Indian Pacific. Enjoy included off-train excursions in Broken Hill or Kalgoorlie whilst on board the Indian Pacific as well as guided shore excursions and nature walks while on board the Proud Mary. Enjoy splendid gourmet dining in this magnificent train and cruise package. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Adelaide Discover with 4 Day Murray River Cruise

Combine the Indian Pacific with this iconic 4 day Murray Princess paddlewheeler cruise. Experience the mighty Murray River with amazing shore excursions included. Enjoy the Indian Pacific to Adelaide with an Adelaide tour and time to enjoy the city at your own pace before your 3 night Murray River Cruise aboard aboard the famous Murray Princess through the incredible Murray River system. Discover the flora and fauna of this amazing region with guided nature walks, discovery tours, and on board presentations. Learn about the history of the towns along the river such as Murray Bridge and Mannum while you wind your way along the river. Full Details

• Murray Princess

Ghan to Alice Springs Discover

Experience the Ghan between Adelaide and Alice Springs with a night in Adelaide, 5 days in Alice Springs, an Alice Springs town tour, West Macdonnell Ranges tour and flights. All Ghan off-train activities are included. Journey to the Red Centre on the Ghan and explore Alice Springs. Tour through the amazing West Macdonnells to experience beautiful gorges and waterholes, like Simpsons Gap. Enjoy a tour of Alice Springs and discover “The Alice” at your own pace. See the Old Ghan Train Museum, Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, the Alice Springs Reptile Centre and take in spectacular 360-degree views from the summit of Anzac Hill. Full Details

Great Southern Train With Brisbane Discover

Experience the new Great Southern train journey between Adelaide and Brisbane with 4 nights accommodation in Brisbane and city tour. Discover this unforgettable luxury railway adventure with all off-train activities included in this amazing 8 day package from Adelaide to Brisbane (or Brisbane to Adelaide). Board the Great Southern to explore some of Australia’s most beautiful and remarkable destinations, including guided touring in the Grampians and Canberra with a memorable Northern NSW Coast brunch, then enjoy 4 nights in Brisbane with a Brisbane City Tour and River Cruise. Upgrade to the extended 3 night Brisbane to Adelaide direction journey for extra an day aboard the train with guided touring in Northern NSW Coast, Hunter Valley and Regional Victoria and Twelve Apostles. Full Details

Great Southern Train with Adelaide Discover

Experience the new Great Southern train journey between Brisbane and Adelaide with 4 nights accommodation in Adelaide including a city tour, a Hahndorf, Mt Lofty Ranges & Adelaide Hills Tour, river cruise and flights. Discover this unforgettable luxury railway adventure with your amazing off-train adventures included in this 7 day package from Adelaide to Brisbane (or Brisbane to Adelaide). Enjoy 4 nights in Adelaide with amazing tours and then board the Great Southern to explore some of Australia’s most beautiful and remarkable destinations, including guided touring in the Grampians and Canberra with a memorable Northern NSW Coast brunch. Upgrade to the extended 3 night Brisbane to Adelaide direction journey for extra a day aboard the train with guided touring in Northern NSW Coast, Hunter Valley and Regional Victoria and Twelve Apostles.  Full Details

Indian Pacific to Adelaide All-Inclusive with Proud Mary 3 Day Murray River Cruise

Combine the Indian Pacific with 6 days of all-inclusive Adelaide touring plus a 3 day gourmet southern Murray River cruise aboard the Proud Mary. Tour Barossa Valley, Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale. Then board this superbly appointed riverboat featuring gourmet local produce, spacious river-view cabin with a private balcony, amazing shore excursions, abundant wildlife, magnificent scenery, willow-lined banks, gorgeous beaches and towering cliffs as you cruise to Teal Flat from Murray Bridge. Enjoy one of Australia’s greatest rail journeys aboard the Indian Pacific with included off-train excursions and stops. Enjoy guided shore excursions and nature walks and you can even visit the Wheelhouse at any time and see first hand how the boat is operated. Enjoy full day luxury coach touring to the famous Barossa Valley and the Fleurieu Peninsula as well as an Adelaide city tour with a cruise on the Torrens River. This is truly the ultimate South Australia experience. Full Details

Ghan Total Territory Discover

Experience the Ghan between Alice Springs and Darwin, with 3 nights before in Alice Springs with an Alice Springs city tour, and then 3 nights in Darwin with a Darwin coach tour. Explore the Red Centre and the Top End at your own pace while also travelling on the Ghan between Alice Springs and Darwin. Enjoy a tour of Alice Springs and 2 days to explore the town before joining the Ghan for your onward journey to Darwin. Once in Darwin enjoy a tour of the city and 2 days to do as you please before flying home. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Adelaide All-Inclusive with 4 Day Murray River Cruise

Combine the Indian Pacific with 6 days of all-inclusive Adelaide touring plus a 4 day Murray River Paddlewheeler cruise aboard the famous Murray Princess.  Experience Barossa,  McLaren Vale, Victor Harbour and cruise the mighty Murray River for 4 days with amazing shore excursions included.  Journey to South Australia aboard the Indian Pacific then discover some of Australia’s most famous wine producing regions in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Explore the seaside resort town of Victor Harbour on the Fleurieu Peninsula where the Murray River meets the ocean. Visit Hahndorf and feel the heavy German influence of the Lutheran settlers. Full Details

Great Southern Train with Adelaide All-Inclusive

Combine the new Great Southern train journey between Brisbane and Adelaide with 6 days of all-inclusive Adelaide touring, featuring Barossa, Murray River paddlesteamer cruise, McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor and more.  Enjoy a special winery lunch and a special lunch cruise along the Murray River in a restored Paddle-Steamer. Explore the seaside towns of Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale, as well as the Fleurieu Peninsula. Discover the world famous wine making region of the Barossa Valley and the Germanic Lutheran township of Hahndorf.  Then board the Great Southern to explore some of Australia’s most beautiful and remarkable destinations, including guided touring in the Grampians and Canberra with a memorable Northern NSW Coast brunch. Upgrade to the extended 3 night Brisbane to Adelaide direction journey for extra an day aboard the train with guided touring in Northern NSW Coast, Hunter Valley and Regional Victoria and Twelve Apostles.  Discover this unforgettable luxury railway adventure in this 8 day package from Adelaide to Brisbane (or Brisbane to Adelaide).  Full Details

Ghan to Alice Springs All-Inclusive

Ghan to Alice Springs with a night in Adelaide, 6 days luxury coach touring in Alice Springs, including Uluru, West MacDonnell Ranges & Palm Valley. Experience the luxury of the Ghan and the adventure of the Red Centre on this 8 day Ghan and luxury coach touring package to Alice Springs. Enjoy a special dinner at Uluru, a 4WD adventure to Palm Valley and a luxury coach tour to the West MacDonnell Ranges as well as all rail and airport transfers. Full Details

Great Southern Train with Brisbane All-Inclusive

Great Southern train journey between Adelaide and Brisbane along with 6 days of all-inclusive Brisbane touring, featuring Moreton Island, Tangalooma Dolphin Resort, Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast and a Brisbane River cruise. Discover this unforgettable luxury railway adventure in this 9 day package from Adelaide to Brisbane (or Brisbane to Adelaide). Board the Great Southern to explore some of Australia’s most beautiful and remarkable destinations, including guided touring in the Grampians and Canberra with a memorable Northern NSW Coast brunch, with 5 nights in Brisbane and breakfast daily. Enjoy the pristine natural wonderland that is Moreton Island & Tangalooma Resort, take in the sights as you cruise the Brisbane River and see the exciting wildlife shows at Steve Irwin’s world famous Australia Zoo and the Sunshine Coast! Upgrade to the extended 3 night Brisbane to Adelaide direction journey for extra an day aboard the train with guided touring in Northern NSW Coast, Hunter Valley and Regional Victoria and Twelve Apostles. Full Details

Indian Pacific with Perth, Margaret River & South Self-Drive

Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth with a self-drive tour through Margaret River, Albany and Pemberton with seasonal wildflowers (Sept-Nov) and 3 nights in Perth. Experience crossing the Nullarbor aboard the Indian Pacific before enjoying a Perth welcome tour and an unforgettable 5 day self-drive tour around spectacular South Western Australia. Visit the National ANZAC Centre, Cape Leeuwin, the most westerly point in Australia as well Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Full Details

Ghan Expedition with Darwin Discover

Enjoy the ultimate 4 day extended Ghan Expedition (an extra day aboard the Ghan for additional off-train excursions) from Darwin to Adelaide as well as 4 nights in Darwin, a Darwin town tour, Jumping crocodile tour and flights. Experience 4 days of opulence onboard the Ghan and extended off-train excursions in Alice Springs and Coober Pedy. Enjoy an authentic Outback Pioneer Dinner of steak and traditional damper under a canopy stars and full day of touring in Coober Pedy, the “Opal Capital of the World”. You may choose to upgrade to an optional scenic flight over Uluru to make your journey to Adelaide even more spectacular on this once in a lifetime adventure. Full Details

Ghan with Adelaide and Darwin All-Inclusive

Experience the legendary Ghan and all-inclusive touring at its best in Adelaide and Darwin, featuring Barossa, Murray River cruise, Kakadu, Litchfield and harbour dinner cruise.  Enjoy 5 nights accommodation in Adelaide and 5 nights accommodation in Darwin, including meals and luxury coach touring. Explore Adelaide and the surrounding regions including the seaside townships of Victor Harbour and McLaren Vale, a river cruise on an authentic Paddle-Steamer along the Murray River and the Barossa Valley, then experience the grandeur of the Ghan to Darwin with luxury coach touring in Darwin. Discover Kakadu and Litchfield National Park and cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong, the Adelaide River and Katherine Gorge. Enjoy a sunset dinner cruise along Darwin Harbour and see the famous “Jumping Crocodiles” of the Top End. Full Details

Great Southern Train Return with Brisbane Stay

Double the adventure... experience the new Great Southern train journey between Adelaide and Brisbane combined with the extended return Brisbane to Adelaide journey. Discover this unforgettable luxury railway adventure in this 8 day package from Adelaide to Brisbane (or Brisbane to Adelaide). Board the Great Southern to explore some of Australia’s most beautiful and remarkable destinations, including guided touring in the Grampians and Canberra with a memorable Northern NSW Coast brunch, with an overnight in Brisbane then board the Great Southern from Brisbane to Adelaide for the extended journey and experience some iconic Australian destinations, including a memorable Northern NSW Coast brunch, guided tour through the picturesque Hunter Valley Wine region and see the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Southern Ocean and the Twelve Apostles. Full Details

Ghan with Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin All-Inclusive

Experience the legendary Ghan and all-inclusive touring in Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin.  The comprehensive three location package includes 5 nights accommodation in Adelaide, 7 nights accommodation in Alice Springs and 5 nights accommodation in Darwin, including meals and luxury coach touring. Combine the luxury of the Ghan with the highlights of the Adelaide region and the adventure of luxury coach touring in the Northern Territory. Discover the Barossa Valley, the seaside township of Victor Harbor, and delight in a cruise on an authentic paddle-steamer along the Murray River. Enjoy a Special Dinner at Uluru, a 4WD tour of Palm Valley, a tour of the West MacDonnell Ranges and a tour of Alice Springs along with daily breakfast before rejoining the Ghan to continue to Darwin. Experience highlights of the Top End such as Kakadu, and Litchfield National Park, a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong as well as a Special Dinner Cruise around Darwin Harbour and breakfast daily.  Full Details

Ghan with Alice Springs, Uluru, Central Luxury Touring & Darwin All-Inclusive

Combine The Ghan with a night in Adelaide, central Australia touring of Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon and Alice with all-inclusive Darwin touring, featuring Kakadu, Litchfield and Jumping Crocs. Experience The Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs with 3 days touring in Alice Springs, 4 days luxury coach touring through Uluru Ayers Rock, Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and Kings Canyon, The Ghan to Darwin and 4 days of touring in Darwin. Combine the luxury of The Ghan and the adventure of all that the Northern Territory has to offer in this 16 day experience. Explore the Red Centre and icons such as Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, and the West MacDonnell Ranges. Journey on to the lush far north and experience Katherine Gorge, Kakadu National Park’s wetlands and Litchfield National Park’s stunning waterfalls. Cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong, and the Adelaide River. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Perth Wildflower Discovery

Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth with a specialised wildflower tour, a Perth & Fremantle Tour and a Swan River Cruise.  Spring is undoubtedly the best time to visit WA with thousands of amazing wildflowers colouring the landscape. Departures available between September and November with frequent stops on a dedicated wildflower day tour.  Enjoy 4 nights in Perth, a Perth & Fremantle tour, Swan River cruise, flights and transfers. Your on-board botany expert will show you many of WA's 15,000 species of remarkable wildflowers.  Take in Perth’s surrounds as you identify some of the rarest and most famous wildflowers of Western Australia on your immersive wildflower tour. Enjoy a tour of Perth and the bohemian port town Fremantle as well a cruise along the Swan River back to Perth. Experience included off-train excursions and activities in Broken Hill and Adelaide whilst on the Indian Pacific.  Full Details

Indian Pacific to Perth All-Inclusive with Rottnest Island

Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth, featuring a day on famous Rottnest Island plus all-inclusive Perth touring to Margaret River, Pinnacles Desert, Swan River and Fremantle.  Meet the famous quokkas on Rottnest Island, take in the history, spectacular beaches and landscapes on WA’s island paradise. This 10 day train and touring package includes all off-train excursions and activities while on the Indian Pacific. In Perth enjoy Special Lunches, a magnificent cruise and more. All flights, Western Australia luxury touring, accommodation, many meals and your personalised transfers are included. This is the perfect getaway to Western Australia and Rottnest Island. Full Details

Ghan with Alice Springs & Uluru Ayers Rock All-Inclusive

Combine The Ghan with all-inclusive Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Alice Springs touring at its best, with a night in Adelaide, featuring Uluru, sunset camel ride, Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Field of Light, Special Uluru Dinner and the West MacDonnell Ranges. Enjoy 4 nights in Uluru, 3 nights in Alice Springs and a night in Adelaide with flights, Central Australia small group touring, accommodation, meals and transfers. Enjoy a magical Uluru sunrise and stunning sunset at Uluru with sparkling wine and appetisers, a breathtaking sunrise at the Kata Tjuta, the world renowned Field of Light, an Indigenous Dot Painting workshop, luxury touring of the West MacDonnell Ranges, a sunset camel ride and a Special Dinner with the beautiful Uluru as your backdrop. This is truly Central Australia touring at its finest. Everything is included, all touring, hotels, flights and personalised transfers.  Full Details

Indian Pacific with Perth & Broome Discover

Experience the legendary Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth along with a stay in tropical Broome. Enjoy time in Perth with Perth & Fremantle touring, a Rottnest Island day and Swan River & Rottnest cruises before flying to amazing Broome for a relaxing stay with a town tour, pearl farm tour & cruise and a famous Cable Beach sunset camel ride. This all-inclusive package features Indian Pacific, all flights, hotels, tours, cruises and transfers. Discover two of Australia’s most remarkable destinations in this 12 day package to the West. Explore Perth and Broome at your own pace.   Full Details

Indian Pacific with Perth & Broome All-Inclusive

Combine a magical Indian Pacific rail journey with all-inclusive touring in both Perth and Broome, featuring Margaret River, Pinnacles Desert, Swan River, Cable Beach sunset camel ride, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, spectacular Dampier Peninsula plus more. This fully-inclusive package has all flights, Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth along with 5 nights in Perth with luxury coach touring, accommodation and meals, before flying to Broome for 6 nights with luxury coach touring, meals and accommodation. Combine the experience of crossing the Nullarbor on the Indian Pacific with luxury coach touring in Perth and Broome. Explore Perth, Margaret River, the Pinnacles Desert, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, the Dampier Peninsula and Broome as well as taking a world famous sunset camel ride along Cable Beach.  Full Details

Spirit of Queensland with Cairns & Whitsundays Stay

Experience the scenic Spirit of Queensland train journey down the Coral Sea coast along with a stay in Cairns and stay in Whitsundays, Cairns tour, outer Barrier Reef cruise, flights and transfers. Experience the highlights of Cairns on your town tour, taking in the spectacular views from various lookouts and learning about the history of this beautiful area before embarking on your romantic rail journey aboard the Spirit of Queensland to the Whitsundays. Explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef by various activities such as the ever popular snorkelling and semi - submersible underwater viewing chamber or relax and soak up the sunshine on the interactive pontoon sundeck.  Includes 3 Nights accommodation in Cairns and 3 Nights accommodation in the Whitsundays with a Cairns town tour and Outer Barrier Reef cruise, flights and all transfers.  Full Details

• Spirit of Queensland

Spirit of Queensland to Cairns Essentials

Discover the charm of Queensland train travel and the highlights of Cairns with this 6 day Spirit of Queensland rail and Cairns touring package. Rediscover the romance of this historic train journey that follows the spectacular Coral Sea coast to Brisbane and redefines the modern rail travel experience. Includes 3 days touring in Cairns with a Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail tour, Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Cruise, flights, transfers. Cruise the Great Barrier Reef and enjoy the colourful marine life by snorkel and glass bottom boat viewing, then explore the tropical village of Kuranda and surrounding rainforest by skyrail and scenic train. Take in the spectacular views and vibrant atmosphere of Cairns before your journey along Queenslands coast to Brisbane onboard the Spirit of Queensland. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Sydney Discover

Indian Pacific to Sydney with 4 nights in Sydney, city tour, Harbour story cruise, all flights and personalised transfers. Everything is included. Enjoy the Indian Pacific in your private Gold Class cabin (with ensuite) with included off-train excursions and delicious meals along the journey. Experience this grand Indian Pacific adventure before arriving in Australia’s largest city. Visit some of the most iconic landmarks of Australia such as Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Kings Cross and Hyde Park as well as having time to explore the city at your pace.  Full Details

Spirit of Queensland to Cairns All-Inclusive

Enjoy all-inclusive Cairns touring at its best before boarding the Spirit of Queensland to Brisbane, experiencing the romance of rail travel as you journey along the scenic Coral Sea coast of Queensland. Featuring Cape Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island, Kuranda by train and skyrail, Special Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cairns Harbour, magnificent cruises and more meals. Includes train journey, 6 days in Cairns with flights, tropical north Queensland luxury touring, 3 cruises, scenic railway, skyrail, accommodation, meals and transfers. Enjoy a Special Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cairns Harbour, the famous Kuranda scenic railway and skyrail, a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef and a luxury coach tour to the World Heritage Daintree region and Cape Tribulation. Enjoy a cruise on the wildlife laden Daintree River and a tour of the rainforest in an amphibious duck. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Sydney All-Inclusive

Indian Pacific to Sydney with 6 days of all-inclusive touring at its best featuring the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Darling Harbour cruises and Taronga Zoo. Experience the luxurious Indian Pacific with your private Gold Class cabin to Sydney and enjoy luxury coach touring in Australia’s largest city. Enjoy a sunset dinner cruise in Darling Harbour, special winery lunch in the Hunter Valley, the world famous Taronga Zoo plus more.   Full Details

Spirit of Queensland with Cairns & Whitsundays All-Inclusive

Combine the romantic Spirit of Queensland train journey with all-inclusive touring in both Cairns and Whitsundays. Experience Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Kuranda, Green Island, Hamilton Island, Whitehaven Beach, Airlie Beach and more with 4 days of touring in Cairns and 3 days of Whitsundays touring. Includes train, all flights, hotels, touring, cruises, personalised transfers and some meals. Experience the charm of rail travel and luxury touring in the tropical state of Queensland. Discover the highlights and history of Cairns, the secrets of the ancient Daintree Rainforest, scenic Kuranda, colourful Great Barrier Reef and beautiful Green Island before continuing your journey to the Whitsundays to explore the far reaches of the Outer Barrier Reef and the tropical paradise of Hamilton Island, Whitehaven Beach and Airlie Beach. Full Details

Great Southern Train with Kangaroo Island Remarkable Touring

New Great Southern train journey between Brisbane and Adelaide with 3 days of Kangaroo Island touring and 3 nights accommodation in Adelaide.  Experience the iconic sights of Kangaroo Island including Flinders Chase National Park, Admirals Arch, Remarkable Rocks, Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Seal Bay in this 9 day package, enjoy some time in Adelaide, then board the Great Southern to explore some of Australia’s most beautiful and remarkable destinations, including guided touring in the Grampians and Canberra with a memorable Northern NSW Coast brunch. Upgrade to the extended 3 night Brisbane to Adelaide direction journey for extra an day aboard the train with guided touring in Northern NSW Coast, Hunter Valley and Regional Victoria and Twelve Apostles.  Discover this unforgettable luxury railway adventure in this 9 day package from Adelaide to Brisbane (or Brisbane to Adelaide). Full Details

Ghan with Alice Springs, Uluru & Central Luxury Touring

Ghan to Alice Springs with a night in Adelaide,  plus a 4 day central Australia luxury coach tour to Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon with a special Uluru sunset dinner and touring from Alice Springs.  Experience the best of the Red Centre in this 9 day train and touring package. Enjoy a night on the Ghan as well as comprehensive central Australia luxury coach touring and 4 days in Alice Springs with meals and  touring before flying home. Visit the Old Ghan Train Museum, the beautiful West MacDonnell Ranges, the Royal Flying Doctor Service as well as guided walks at Mala & Mutitjulu Waterhole and a base drive around Uluru. Full Details

Indian Pacific to Perth with Rottnest Island

Indian Pacific Sydney to Perth with an amazing Rottnest Island experience and Perth & Fremantle touring.  Cruise to Rottnest Island to meet the famous quokkas, take in the history, spectacular beaches and landscapes on WA’s island paradise.  Includes all off train experiences, private Gold Class cabin, luxury coach touring, flights, hotel, transfers and more in this 8 day train and touring package.  Discover Rottnest Island, Perth and the bohemian seaside town of Fremantle. This is an amazing getaway to extraordinary Western Australia. Full Details

Spirit of Queensland with Brisbane, Cairns & Whitsundays All-Inclusive

The ultimate Queensland train adventure.  Combine The Spirit of Queensland with all-inclusive touring based in Cairns, Whitsundays and also Brisbane for an unforgettable 17 days.  Enjoy luxury touring in Cairns through the magnificent Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Kuranda and cruising the colourful Great Barrier Reef before your comfortable journey aboard the Spirit of Queensland to the Whitsundays. Soak up the sun and relax on tropical beaches, snorkel calm waters with reefs full of amazing marine life and enjoy crocodile spotting on a river cruise as you explore the essentials of the Whitsundays. Travel in comfort and style once more on board the Spirit of Queensland to Brisbane where you will spend the next few days enjoying the pristine natural wonderland that is Moreton Island, appreciating the sights as you cruise the Brisbane River and seeing exciting wildlife shows at the world famous Australia Zoo!  Experience the highlights of Cairns, Brisbane & the Whitsundays with this immersive luxury coach touring and Spirit of Queensland Rail travel package. Full Details

Ghan to Adelaide Discover

Experience the Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin with 4 nights in Adelaide and 1 night in Darwin, an Adelaide city tour, a Hahndorf, Mt Lofty Ranges & Adelaide Hills Tour, river cruise and flights. All Ghan off-train activities are included, like Alice Springs, Katherine Gorge and Marla. Enjoy the journey from the lush, tropical Top End through the Red Centre to the City of Churches, Adelaide on board the luxurious Ghan. Enjoy amazing touring of Adelaide and visit icons such as the Adelaide Oval, Victoria Square, the Terraces, King William Street Boulevard Colonel Lights Lookout, Haigh’s Chocolates Montefiore Hill and more. Full Details

Ghan to Darwin with Kakadu Self-Drive

Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin, 3 nights accommodation in Darwin, car hire and 2 nights Kakadu accommodation. Experience the Ghan to Darwin and immerse yourself in the culture of the Northern Territory with 2 nights’ accommodation in Kakadu with car hire. Full Details

Ghan to Alice Springs All-Inclusive with Uluru Ayers Rock Stay

Combine The Ghan to Alice Springs with a night in Adelaide, 3 days touring in Alice Springs and a 2 day luxury escorted tour to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Embark on a magical journey to the Red Centre on The Ghan and visit one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks - Uluru. Enjoy a mesmerising sunrise and a spectacular sunset over Uluru with sparkling wine, along with a drive around the base of this breathtaking Australian monolith and a guided walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole. Discover enchanting Kata Tjuta (Olgas), experience a 4WD adventure through the stunning Palm Valley and encounter the breathtaking gorges, waterholes and ochre pits of the West MacDonnell Ranges.   Full Details

Ghan to Adelaide All-Inclusive

Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin with 6 days of luxury coach touring in Adelaide, including Barossa, Murray River cruise, Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale and a night in Darwin. Experience one of the great train journeys of Australia on the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin and enjoy luxury coach touring in Adelaide as well as meals. Enjoy a special winery lunch and a lunch cruise along the Murray River in an authentic Paddle-Steamer. Discover the seaside townships of Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale as well the world famous wine producing region of the Barossa Valley. Full Details

Indian Pacific with Adelaide & Perth Discover

Experience the Indian Pacific along with stays and tours in both Adelaide and Perth. Journey on the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Adelaide, enjoy 7 nights in Adelaide with an Adelaide city tour, a Hahndorf, Mt Lofty Ranges & Adelaide Hills Tour, river cruise, then Indian Pacific on to Perth and 4 nights in Perth with Perth & Fremantle touring, a Rottnest Island day, Swan River & Rottnest cruise. Combine a stay in two of Australia's most fascinating cities along with the famous trans-continental journey across Australia aboard the Indian Pacific. Enjoy coach tours in both, Adelaide and Perth as well as free time to explore each city.  Full Details

Ghan with Darwin & Broome Discover

Experience the luxury of The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin, with a night in Adelaide, a Darwin stay with tours plus flights to Broome with a Broome stay and tours. Combine the magic of The Ghan with 4 night stays in both Darwin and Broome, Darwin and Broome town tours, a top end Jumping Crocodile tour, a Broome Pearl Farm Tour and Cruise and the famous Cable Beach sunset camel ride.   Full Details

Ghan Total Territory All-Inclusive

Experience the Ghan from Alice to Darwin, with 5 nights in Alice Springs before and luxury coach touring, then 6 days of luxury coach touring in Darwin with meals. Experience all that the Northern Territory has to offer in this 12 day package that combines the opulence of the Ghan with luxury coach touring in Alice Springs and Darwin. Fly to Alice Springs and enjoy daily breakfast, a special dinner at Uluru, luxury coach touring of the West MacDonnell Ranges, a tour of Alice Springs and a 4WD tour to the Palm Valley before boarding the Ghan to Darwin. Once in tropical Darwin, discover the magic of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks as well as cruises along the Yellow Water Billabong and the Adelaide River. Enjoy a Special Sunset Dinner Cruise along Darwin Harbour as well as 2 buffet lunches and hotel breakfast daily. Full Details

Indian Pacific with Perth, Margaret River & South Luxury Touring

Combine the Indian Pacific with luxury overnight touring through extraordinary Margaret River, Albany & Pemberton plus a day on Rottnest Island and touring of Perth & Fremantle.  Combine the excitement of travelling on the Indian Pacific with the experience of discovering Western Australia.  Enjoy 5 days touring based in Perth plus a 4 day overnight luxury coach tour. Explore Margaret River, the South West, Rottnest Island and Perth on your 12 day escape to the West. See the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere in Busselton and Australia’s largest mainland lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin. Meet Quokkas on Rottnest Island and enjoy a cruise down the Swan River. Full Details

Ghan & Murray Princess 5 Day Outback Heritage Cruise with Adelaide & Darwin Stays

Combine the luxury of the Ghan with a 5 day Murray River Outback Heritage cruise aboard the Murray Princess, 3 nights in Darwin with a Darwin town tour and 4 nights in Adelaide with an Adelaide city tour, transfers and flights. Watch as the landscapes of Australia pass you by from your private cabin aboard the Ghan, from the hills and fields of South Australia, through the outback and to the lush and tropical Top End. Enjoy a 5 day river cruise along the Murray River taking in the view of the towering cliffs and sandy beaches as well as highlights such as cruising under floodlight, spotting for the abundant birdlife and wildlife, wine tastings at a beautiful cellar door and a guided tour of one Australia’s most significant archaeological sites; Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve. Enjoy included off-train excursions on your Ghan journey to the Top End in Alice Springs, Katherine, Marla and Manguri.  Full Details

Ghan to Darwin All-Inclusive with Kakadu Stay

Ghan to Darwin with a night in Adelaide, 6 days touring in Darwin, including 3 days overnight coach touring through Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Combine the adventure of the Ghan with luxury touring in the Northern Territory. Discover Katherine Gorge and visit places inaccessible to most in Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Explore the multitude of national parks in the Northern Territory and learn about Darwin’s amazing history. Cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong, the East Alligator River and Darwin Harbour in this package that is the complete Northern Territory experience Full Details

Indian Pacific with Adelaide & Perth All-Inclusive

Combine the Indian Pacific with all-inclusive touring in both Adelaide and Perth - featuring Barossa, Murray River paddlesteamer, Victor Harbor, McLaren Vale, Margaret River, Pinnacles Desert, Swan River cruise plus more. Journey on the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Adelaide, 7 nights in Adelaide with extensive South Australia luxury coach touring, Indian Pacific from Adelaide to Perth and 5 nights in Perth with extensive West Coast luxury coach touring. Enjoy the epic journey from Sydney to Perth with luxury coach touring in Adelaide along the way. Discover the Barossa Valley, Victor Harbor, McLaren Vale and a special Murray River cruise before continuing your journey to Perth and touring the Margaret River region, the Pinnacles Desert and cruising down the Swan River to Fremantle. Full Details

Ghan with Adelaide All-Inclusive, Murray Princess 5 Day Outback Heritage Cruise & Darwin Stay

Experience the famous Ghan and all-inclusive Adelaide and Murray River touring at its best, featuring the Ghan, a 5 day Murray Princess Outback Heritage cruise and 5 days in Adelaide with touring to the Barossa Valley, Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale, 3 days in Darwin with a Darwin town tour plus flights, South Australia luxury coach touring, meals and transfers. Enjoy wine tastings at boutique wineries along the Murray River and in the famous Barossa Valley as well as a guided tour of one of Australia’s most significant archaeological sites; Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve. Watch the landscapes change as you make your way to the lush Top End and enjoy included off-train excursions and stops in Alice Springs, Katherine, Marla and Manguri; including a cruise along Katherine Gorge. Full Details

Indian Pacific with Perth, Monkey Mia & Kalbarri Premium Coach Touring

Combine the luxurious Indian Pacific with premium overnight coach touring up the extraordinary West Coast. Experience premium touring at it's best visiting Monkey Mia to see the friendly dolphins that call the area home, experience Kalbarri National Park, explore Geraldton and see the moving HMAS Sydney Memorial on your 6 day premium tour. Everything is included: flights, most meals, personalised transfers and more. Enjoy all off-train excursions and shorts stop while on board the Indian Pacific as well as all meals on board the train.  Full Details

Ghan with Alice Springs & Darwin All-Inclusive

Combine the Ghan journey from Adelaide to Darwin with all-inclusive touring in Alice Springs and Darwin, featuring Uluru, West MacDonnell Ranges, Kakadu, Litchfield, jumping crocodiles and a harbour dinner cruise. Ghan to Alice Springs with a night in Adelaide, 7 nights accommodation in Alice Springs with luxury coach touring, Ghan from Alice Springs to Darwin and 5 nights in Darwin with luxury coach touring. Combine the luxury of the Ghan with the adventure of luxury coach touring in the Northern Territory. Enjoy a Special Dinner at Uluru, a 4WD tour of Palm Valley, a tour of the West MacDonnell Ranges and a tour of Alice Springs before rejoining the Ghan to continue to Darwin. Once in the Top End, experience highlights such as Kakadu, and Litchfield National Park. Enjoy a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong as well as a Special Dinner Cruise around Darwin Harbour as well as breakfast every day. Full Details

Ghan with Darwin & Broome All-Inclusive

Combine a magical journey aboard The Ghan with all-inclusive touring in Darwin and Broome, featuring Kakadu, Litchfield, Jumping Crocodiles, a famous Cable Beach sunset camel ride, cruise to Dampier Creek and Roebuck Bay, the Dampier Peninsula and Willie Creek Pearl Farm. The Ghan to Darwin with 5 nights in Darwin, luxury coach touring, flights to Broome and 6 nights in Broome with luxury coach touring. Experience everything that Darwin and Broome have to offer in this 15 day all-inclusive luxury coach touring package. Discover Kakadu, Katherine, Darwin, Dampier Peninsula and Willie Creek Pearl Farm as well as enjoying a famous sunset camel ride along Cable Beach.  Full Details

Ghan & Indian Pacific with Darwin & Perth Discover

Combine two mighty trains, the Ghan and Indian Pacific. Enjoy the Ghan to Darwin, 1 night in Adelaide, 3 nights in Darwin, 2 nights in Perth and the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney. Experience the grandeur of the Ghan and the Indian Pacific on this train journey as well as coach tours in both Darwin and Perth and free time to explore the towns at your own pace. Full Details

Ghan & Indian Pacific with Darwin, Broome & Perth Discover

Combine two iconic trains - The Ghan and Indian Pacific - with stays in Adelaide, Darwin, Broome and Perth. Everything is included - all flights, hotels, tours and personalised transfers. Experience The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin, then 4 nights in Darwin, Broome and Perth with two tours in each location before embarking on the trans-continental Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney. Enjoy both The Ghan and the Indian Pacific in this 19 day package with plenty of time to explore Darwin, Broome and Perth at your own pace before boarding the Indian Pacific for your epic journey across Australia from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.  Full Details

Ghan & Indian Pacific with Darwin & Perth All-Inclusive

Combine the mighty Ghan and Indian Pacific trains with all-inclusive touring in Darwin and Perth, featuring Kakadu, Litchfield, Jumping Crocs, Margaret River, Pinnacles and Swan River lunch cruise.  Ghan to Darwin with a night in Adelaide, 6 days luxury coach touring in Darwin, flights to Perth and 8 days luxury coach touring in Perth before taking the Indian Pacific back to Sydney. Discover the Top and Western Australia in this 18 day train and luxury coach touring package. Experience Kakadu, Litchfield, Katherine, Margaret River and the Pinnacles Desert along with cruises in Darwin Harbour, the Yellow Water Billabong and the Adelaide river in Darwin, as well as the Swan River in Perth. Full Details

Ghan to Darwin with Kimberley & Broome Luxury 4WD Touring

Combine the Ghan with an immersive 16 day luxury Kimberley 4WD tour between Broome and Darwin (staying at premium Wilderness Lodges), featuring the Bungle Bungles, El Questro, Mitchell Falls, Gibb River Road gorges and included helicopter flight.  It doesn't get much better than this. Flights to Broome, luxury touring in Broome, a 16 day luxury 4WD tour from Broome to Darwin via the Gibb River Road, Darwin tour and the Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide. Enjoy complete luxury on this journey through the Kimberley along with the Ghan to Adelaide. Discover Windjana Gorge and Bell Gorge, Drysdale River Station, the Mitchell Plateau, El Questro National Park, the Bungle Bungles, Kununurra and Katherine before arriving in Darwin and taking the Ghan to Adelaide. Full Details

Ghan with Darwin, Kimberley & Broome Luxury Touring

Ghan to Darwin with an 11 day luxury coach touring through Katherine, Kununurra, El Questro, Halls Creek, and Fitzroy Crossing to Broome as well as luxury touring in Broome. Discover the fascinating journey from Darwin to Broome on luxury coach as well the experience of travelling to Darwin on the Ghan on this 15 day package to the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Full Details

Ghan & Indian Pacific with Darwin, Kimberley, West Coast & Perth Luxury Touring

Combine the Ghan and Indian Pacific with 20 days of luxury West Coast & Kimberley touring between Perth and Darwin.  Ghan to Darwin with 20 day luxury coach touring from Darwin to Perth and the Indian Pacific back to Sydney. Experience two of Australia’s great train journeys, the Ghan and the Indian Pacific, along with luxury coach touring between Darwin and Perth via Katherine, Kununurra, El Questro, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Broome, Exmouth, Monkey Mia, Karijini, Kalbarri, Geraldton and Carnarvon. Full Details

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Here's how to see Australia by train

Mar 20, 2019 • 6 min read

The Indian Pacific train stops in a small town on the Nullarbor Plain.

Australia is such a huge country that it seems logical to cross it by plane. But there is another option, one that becomes a memorable holiday in itself: the train. Piecing together connecting routes, it’s possible to take a great rail journey across the continent from savannah to forests to tropics, immersed in ever-changing scenery. Here’s how to do it.

Gulf Savannah to the Pacific coast

The Gulf Savannah of northwest Queensland is a fascinating region of grassland and scattered trees, sliced through by rivers flowing to the Gulf of Carpentaria. There’s more than one option here to start your epic crossing of Australia by rail.

If you want to stick to the absolute longest journey, start in western Mt Isa, one of Queensland's longest-running mining towns. Before you leave town, visit Outback at Isa , which will give you access to three great sights: the Hard Times Mine , the Isa Experience & Outback Park history museum, and the Riversleigh Fossil Centre which showcases fossils found nearby in Boodjamulla National Park.

Then jump aboard Queensland Rail’s Inlander train to the coastal city of Townsville to wander its streets lined with grand historic architecture. This 21-hour journey takes you through the open savannah to the green terrain east of the Great Dividing Range.

Make it happen

The Inlander runs twice weekly; book via Queensland Rail Travel .

An alternative Gulf Savannah trip: Normanton to Cairns

A quirky alternative to the above trip is to start instead at Normanton, north of Mt Isa. This small town is the terminus of the Gulflander tourist train , otherwise known as the ‘Tin Hare’. In operation since 1889, it runs to the tiny town of Croydon along uniquely engineered tracks which defy floods. It’s possible to ride it as part of a tour which includes the Savannahlander , another historic train which will take you onward to Cairns , a town that wears its relaxed, tropical heart on its sleeve at its central Esplanade, Boardwalk & Lagoon . From Cairns, you can enjoy a spectacular return day trip through the ranges west of the city via the Kuranda Scenic Railway .

The Gulflander and Savannahlander both run weekly. The Kuranda Scenic Railway has daily departures. Book online.

North Queensland to Brisbane

Starting in either Cairns or Townsville, hop on the Spirit of Queensland, a shiny modern train offering a choice of sit-up seats or Railbeds – airline-style seats which convert to beds at night. Either way, you’ll have access to a seat-back entertainment system and the cafe-bar Club Car. Tracking east of the Great Dividing Range, not far from the coast, this train heads south all the way to Brisbane ; taking 24 hours from Cairns, or 18 hours from Townsville.

The Spirit of Queensland runs five times a week; book via Queensland Rail Travel .

Brisbane to Sydney

As Queensland’s state capital and business hub, Brisbane is a lively city with plenty of options for food, drink and sightseeing. Take in the stimulating exhibits at its impressive Gallery of Modern Art , then walk to a hip West End cafe such as the Gunshop . Catch a CityCat ferry for a cheap river cruise, and end the day with a beer at the Regatta Hotel opposite the ferry terminal.

Rise early for the XPT train to Sydney , which takes 14 hours. Leaving in the dark, you’ll pass through the beautiful green Border Ranges into New South Wales as dawn is breaking. From there it’s a daytime run through native forest and regional towns, eventually nearing the Pacific coast again at Coffs Harbour , home of the iconic Big Banana . There are more impressive hills east of Barrington Tops National Park, then commuter country appears and you know you’re nearing Sydney.

The XPT departs daily from Brisbane to Sydney; book via NSW TrainLink .

Sydney to Melbourne

Sydney’s pride and joy is its beautiful harbour setting. You can enjoy it via the public transport ferries which depart regularly from Circular Quay , near the iconic Sydney Opera House and the grand Sydney Harbour Bridge . A short ferry ride takes you under the bridge to Cockatoo Island , a former prison and shipyard which is now an intriguing tourist attraction.

Once you've had a taste of Sydney, board an XPT train for the 11-hour journey to Melbourne. The train heads west to avoid the Snowy Mountains , then takes you south through the border town of Albury and across the Murray River into Victoria . If you've opted for the night journey, the sun comes up as you’re tracking through Melbourne’s northern suburbs toward the impressive Southern Cross Station in the heart of the city.

The XPT departs twice daily from Sydney to Melbourne; book via NSW TrainLink .

Melbourne to Adelaide

Melbourne is Australia’s cultural and food capital. Start with a great coffee and brunch at Auction Rooms then move on to the vegan delights of Smith & Deli , or the hip modern Asian cuisine of Chin Chin . For culture, absorb top-notch Australian art (including Aboriginal works) at Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.

Then step aboard the Overland train west to Adelaide . Launched in 1887, this was the very first intercolonial (later interstate) train in Australia. Travelling in daytime, it swings southwest from Melbourne past Victoria's second-largest city of Geelong , then follows an inland route through farmland and past the spectacular Grampians National Park, known to the local Aboriginal people as Gariwerd. Finally, it threads through the attractive green slopes of the Adelaide Hills , down to the capital of South Australia .

The Overland departs twice weekly from Melbourne to Adelaide; book via Great Southern Rail .

The Ghan: Adelaide to Darwin

Adelaide is proud of its food and wine. Sample the former at the excellent Central Market , then the latter via a day trip into the Barossa Valley wine region with tour operator Groovy Grape .

Then it’s time for your final train. Board The Ghan , which will convey you all the way north to Darwin in the Northern Territory  on one of the world’s great rail journeys, crossing a continent and passing from a temperate climate through desert to the tropics. The journey takes 53 hours via Alice Springs to the Top End. Passengers travel either Gold Service, in en-suite cabins with berths; or Platinum, within a suite which includes a double bed. It’s not cheap, but all meals, drinks and off-train excursions are included in the fare.

This is the final stage in Australia’s longest train journey – completing a total of 8,073 km from Mt Isa to Darwin.

The Ghan departs weekly from Adelaide to Darwin; book via Great Southern Rail .

Indian Pacific: Adelaide to Perth

You might like to substitute The Ghan with the Indian Pacific train (with the same top-notch service standards) from Adelaide to Western Australia's laid-back, cosmopolitan capital, Perth . This two-night Indian Pacific journey features a day devoted to the desert, particularly the fascinating Nullarbor Plain with its complete absence of trees. There’s nothing like sipping a cocktail while gazing out the window as nothingness slides past.

The Indian Pacific departs weekly from Adelaide to Perth; book via Great Southern Rail .

Tim Richards travelled by rail around Australia courtesy of Queensland Rail, NSW TrainLink, Great Southern Rail and TransWA. Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.

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TRAIN JOURNEYS & TOURS AUSTRALIA

Australia offers a variety of Rail Journeys that showcase the country's diverse landscapes and rich culture. One popular option is the Indian Pacific, which travels from  Sydney to Perth , crossing the vast Nullarbor Plain, passing through the Blue Mountains and the gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie. Another is the Ghan, which travels through the heart of Australia from  Adelaide to Darwin , passing through the Outback's red desert and the Top End's tropical landscapes. There is also the Great Southern and the Overland. They each offer a unique and comfortable way to experience the beauty of Australia. A Rail Journey is a great way to discover the country in style. See our range of Australian Rail Journeys & Tours here or speak to one of our Travel Consultants and see how you can add it to your itinerary.

Length of Australia Ghan Expedition

• Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions
• 9 days/8 night Journey from Darwin to Adelaide
• Bed & Breakfast (B&B)

Australia's most beloved train journey, the Ghan Expedition will take you from tropical city, to the red desert heart of Australia, onto beautiful wine regions ...

Australia's most beloved train journey, the Ghan Expedition will take you from tropical city, to the red desert heart of Australia, onto beautiful wine regions and the heart-warming city of Adelaide.

The Indian Pacific Rail, Coast & Vines Tour

• 7 days/6 night Journey from Perth to Adelaide

Explore Perth before an awe-inspiring journey across the vast desert to the beautiful city of Adelaide.

The Indian Pacific, Perth to Adelaide

• 3 days/2 night Journey from Perth to Adelaide

Aboard the Indian Pacific and witness the transformation of the cityscape into lush, green hills and then into arid desert plains. Wake up on the Nullarbor Plai...

Aboard the Indian Pacific and witness the transformation of the cityscape into lush, green hills and then into arid desert plains. Wake up on the Nullarbor Plains in South Australia and bask in the beauty of the sunrise at Rawlinna. Get ready to be swept away on an unforgettable adventure!

The Overland Scenic Train Tour

• 6 days/5 night Journey from Adelaide to Melbourne
• Hotel 4 star

Discover Adelaide's hidden gems and before traversing the country by rail to Melbourne. Enjoy a guided tour of the famous McLaren Vale wine region, Philip Islan...

Discover Adelaide's hidden gems and before traversing the country by rail to Melbourne. Enjoy a guided tour of the famous McLaren Vale wine region, Philip Island and Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles.

Indian Pacific to Great Ocean Road Scenic Highlights

• 15 days/14 night Journey from Perth to Melbourne

Journey across vast deserts through outback ghost towns, along the spectacular Limestone Coast of South Australia and famous Great Ocean Road.

© 2024 Inside Australia Travel Pty Ltd ABN 34-661-344-690

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Australian Train Trips

Looking for the Best Australian train trips to take? There are a couple of truly bucket list worthy trips like the Indian Pacific and the Ghan and a few others that you may not have heard of that offer uniquely Australian experiences. While I have been riding the rails since I was a kid, I have also linked to work by my fellow travel writers, who have taken these journeys more recently. So get comfy, you are about to begin your crash course in train travel across Australia.

Map of Train Services in Australia

Who operates train services in australia, train passes for nsw, queensland rail passes, rockhampton tilt train, spirit of the outback, spirit of queensland, the gulflander, the prospector, the australind, the indian pacific, the overland, dubbo xplorer, broken hill xplorer, canberra xplorer, griffith xplorer, nsw interurban trains, melbourne to albury, melbourne to bendigo, melbourne to ballarat, melbourne to warrnambool, the great southern.

This post contains affiliate links. Our full disclosure policy is here .

Train travel in Australia is a bit of a missed opportunity; the landscape and distance make it a perfect place to jump on a high-speed train and explore. The only problem is our governments have never really felt the same way, and as a result, we have a bit of a mishmash of services on offer and none of them high speed sadly.

There are some bucket-list-worthy trains like the Indian Pacific, The Ghan, the Overland, and the Great Southern, but excluding those, most of our long distances services are slow and not usually the cheapest way to get around.

That said there is a romance about traveling by train that is hard to beat and some routes do make sense for travelers wanting to enjoy the Australian landscapes along the way.

Planning train travel in Australia can be complex. Other than the luxury train services, train services are state-based, each with different ticketing systems and websites. Below I have pulled together everything you need to know about Australian train trips so that if you’re a train buff like me, you can work out which trips you might like to try when you explore Australia.

Did you know that the world’s longest straight stretch of railway track, a 478-kilometre or 297 miles stretch of the Trans-Australian Railway across the Nullarbor Plain?

This map highlights the services on offer in each state and shows the best ways to enjoy riding the rails in Australia.

Most passenger train services are state-based.

• In NSW there is Countrylink .
• The Sunshine State has Queensland Rail (QR),
• V/Line operates in Victoria.
• TransWA provides train services in Western Australia.
• In South Australia and the Northern Territory, train services are privatised and operated by Journey Beyond.

No passenger services currently operate in Tasmania.

The privately owned Journey Beyond operates the luxury train services in the country that often cross state borders.

Australian Train passes

Countrylink – The NSW intercity train service offers a pass valid for 14 days up to 6 months.

• The Discovery Pass 14 days $232, 30 days $275, 3 months $298, 6 months $420

The East Coast Train Pass offers a one-way economy between Melbourne and Cairns. You can travel in either direction and get on and off the trains wherever you wish.

• Melbourne to Cairns – $450
• Sydney to Cairns – $370
• Brisbane to Cairns – $280

The Backpacker Pass is only available to international travelers and offers tickets in time periods:

Queensland Rail offers two passes that are only sold to international visitors. They can be purchased with a 30 day or 60-day validity.

The Queensland Coastal Pass offers travel in one direction between Brisbane and Cairns. You can make unlimited stops and explore making unlimited stops en route. You can use the pass on the Spirit of Queensland, the Spirit of the Outback, and the Tilt Train. It also covers bus transfers to Harvey Bay and Airlie Beach from the train stations.

The Queensland Explorer Pass

This pass is valid for unlimited travel on Queensland Rail Travel Train services and adds the outback and inland trains the Spirit of the Outback, The Inlanders and the Westlander to the trips you can take.

Trains in Queensland

Overall Queensland has more train routes than the other states. The second-biggest state in the country has more than its share of epic train journeys. You could spend months exploring by rail.

The Inlander travels from Townsville to Mount Isa, the heart of the Queensland outback. This 970km journey which stops off at Charters Towers, and Cloncurry operates twice a week and takes 21 hours.

The Rockhampton Tilt Train travels from Brisbane to Rockhampton, via Bundaberg and Gladstone.

The 639km trip takes 7.5 hours and connects with transport to the Southern Barrier Reef Islands. A railbus service will get you to Hervey Bay .

If you fancy visiting the Stockmans Hall of Fame or the Qantas Founders Museum, this is the train for you. The Spirit of the Outback travels from Brisbane to Rockhampton, where it heads west through Emerald to Longreach.

The full 1325km journey takes 26 hours and operates twice a week. Along the way, the views change from stunning coastal landscapes to the rich colours of the outback. The train offers a bar, restaurant, and either economy seating cars or private first class sleepers.

This train travels the length of Queensland five times per week. The 1680km journey takes 25 hours and sure beats driving it! The service offers lie flatbeds.

You can read our review of riding the Spirit of Queensland here.

The Gulflander is a tourist train that travels between Normanton and Croydon in the Queensland Gulf.  Known as the “the old Tin Hare,” the train makes its 151 kilometres journey once per week.

The trip takes 5 hours, and along the way, the staff will entertain you with facts and trivia about the region along the way – a must for train buffs.

Trains in Western Australia

There are two long-distance trains in Western Australia. It would be great to have a service that made its way to Broome or Albany… perhaps one day!

At a top speed of 160km per hour, the Prospector makes 1-2 trips per day from East Perth to Kalgoorlie in the east of the state. The trip covers 653km and takes six hours and 45 minutes.

The Australind travels the 2.5 hour trip between Perth and Bunbury on the coast south of Perth. Bunbury is great for a day trip with a fab pier and a bunch of really great street art to explore.

Trains in South Australia

Journey Beyond operates three long-distance trains in South Australia . These all require advance bookings, the earlier you do it, the cheaper tickets are. It’s not uncommon for them to be booked out months in advance.

A trip on the Ghan is slow travel at its finest and a bucket list experience for many Aussies. Making the trip between Darwin and Adelaide via Alice Springs once a week. The 2,979-kilometre trip takes 54 hours, and many guests stop halfway and make a side trip to Uluru before rejoining the train or flying home.

The Ghan is named after the Afghan camel trains that used to service the Outback

I took my first ride on the Indian Pacific in 1989 and loved it. It was quite possibly the reason I fell in love with long-distance train travel. The first leg of the trip is to Broken Hill, before moving on to Adelaide, Kalgoorlie, and finally Perth.

The train makes the journey between the east and west coast over 3 days with stops and experiences on offer along the way. This is a holiday where the journey is very much the destination.

The Overland was Australia’s first train to travel between two state capital cities. The ten-hour trip from Adelaide to Melbourne is scheduled twice a week and is a fantastic way to travel between the two cities if you have time.

Train travel in NSW

Countrylink trains supplement the intercity trains which are part of the suburban network. A series of Xplorer services operate to main regional and rural towns.

The Dubbo Explorer travels from Sydney via Bathurst, Orange to Dubbo. If you are thinking of visiting the Western Plains Zoo or fancy some wine sampling in Orange, this is the train for you.

More than a little less fancy than the Indian Pacific, this once-a-week trip takes a full day, but there is plenty to see along the way. Travel writer Joanne Karcz recently travelled this trip and reviewed it or us .

The 4.5 hour trip between Sydney and Canberra stops off at Moss Vale, Goulburn, and Queanbeyan. There are three trips a day, and you rarely need a booking, although an advance ticket will save you some money.

I took this return trip last March, and it was an easy fuss free way to reach Canberra from Sydney, although it would be great if you could get wifi and be able to work along the journey.

There is one service a week, a 9-hour journey, that ends in Griffith in the NSW Riverina region. Designed by Walter Burley Griffith, the architect who won the competition to design Canberra , the area was settled by immigrants who developed the food and wine culture that the region is so famous for today.

Regular suburban trains include the Express services to Newcastle, The Blue Mountains , the Southern Highlands, Wollongong and Kiama. Learn more about easy day trips by train here .

These can be taken using your Opal card (and cost under $15 return on a Sunday!)

Train Travel in Victoria

Perhaps one of the best regional train networks in Australia you can reach most parts of Victoria by train.

A direct train operates between Southern Cross station and the border towns of Albury/Wodonga. There are usually three services a day and the trip takes just under 4 hours.

Services from Melbourne to Bendigo take approximately 2 hours. These trains often continue on to Echuca and Swan Hill. This service is covered by Melbourne’s MYKI card.

The trip to Ballarat only takes 85 minutes and is covered by the Myki card. A popular day trip from Melbourne, Ballarat is a great town to explore with some gorgeous architecture and the popular Sovereign Hill living history experience.

This 3.5 hour trip from Southern Cross Station via Geelong to the coastal city of Warrnambool.

Luxury Train Travel in Australia

Four luxury trains operate in Australia, taking in most of the country. The services are run by a company called Journey Beyond and they offer a lot more than just transport from A to B.

They are outstanding travel experiences and something that you might like to add to your Aussie travel bucket list.

We have taken the Indian Pacific, but it’s been quite a while and we have not ridden the Ghan or the Overland so we reached out to our travel writing friends who have been lucky enough to have taken a recent trip.

Haley from A Lovely Planet shares her experience of taking the Great Southern between Adelaide and Brisbane

Our friends Jarryd and Alesha shared some great photos of their time on the Indian Pacific a few years ago.

• Helen from Differentville has recently taken the train and pulled together an impressive list of frequently asked questions about riding the Ghan
• Michael from Time Travel Turtle took the Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide
• Kerry from Eat, Drink and Be Kerry also rode the Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide

Got a question? Head over to our Australia Travel Tips Facebook Group and ask a local .

1 thought on “The Best Australian Train Trips”

The next time I visit people in Oz again, I’ll make more of an effort to do it by train. Flights are just so easy to book before, but next time I hope to travel slower.

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Rail Tours Australia was established in 2009 to offer people from around the globe with an interest in railways, the opportunity to tour and experience some of Australia's great railway attractions from the past and also the present day.

Using commercial mainline operators and heritage branch line preservation societies, joined with luxury coach and car travel, Rail Tours Australia presents to the traveller a range of tours from private day tours tailored to your interests to extended group tours incorporating other interests such as general touring or food and wine.      

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These Are Australia's Most Beautiful Train Journeys

Posted: May 4, 2023 | Last updated: July 9, 2023

Track magic

Victoria Goldfields Railway

Journey back into the gold rush era aboard Victoria Goldfields Railway's steam heritage train that chugs between the historic towns of Castlemaine and Maldon in central Victoria. Opt for the excursion class or go for first class to ride in style in spacious Edwardian-era compartments that grant access to an open observation deck at the front.

The 10.5 mile (17km) trip takes about 50 minutes each way with the train from Castlemaine spending two-and-a-half hours at Maldon, plenty of time for exploring its heritage sites. For serious train lovers, this attraction offers a chance to ride alongside the driver or even to drive a heritage steam or diesel locomotives while in charge of a goods train themselves.

The West Coast Wilderness Railway

From transporting copper to top Tassie attraction, The West Coast Wilderness Railway runs 22 miles (35km) between the old mining town of Queenstown and the port of Strahan on the island’s wild west coast. It’s a short but spectacular trip aboard restored heritage trains, running through tracts of dense ancient rainforest and up some seriously steep slopes. At present it’s not possible to travel the length of the railway in both directions, as the full-day service is suspended until further notice.

Half-day itineraries see passengers board at either Queenstown or Strahan and track along to Dubbil Barril before returning to their departure station. The train makes stops at remote train stations along the way for walks into the rainforest and panning for gold. Highlights include seeing the train being turned on the turntable at Dubbil Barril, climbing one of the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest tracks, crossing the Iron Bridge and traversing the deep chasm of the King River Gorge. 

The Q Train

All aboard, foodies: Victoria’s Q Train is quite the hot culinary ticket. Travelling along the 10 mile (16km) Bellarine Railway from the historic Drysdale station, this railway journey is all about drinking in the views as you savor wines and produce from the bucolic Bellarine Peninsula. Over a luxurious three-hour trip between Drysdale and Queenscliff, passengers feast on a six-course degustation menu while seated in refurbished rail dining cars.

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One of the world's most famous train journeys, t he Ghan is a truly epic ride. Linking Adelaide in the south with Darwin in the north (or vice versa), the Ghan crosses the length of Australia on a three-day journey, spanning 1,851 miles (2,979km). Striking through the red heart of Australia, passengers have the option to add an extra day to their journey to go underground at an opal mine at Coober Pedy, stop at fascinating outback center Alice Springs, or go on a boat tour through the Katherine Gorge. 

Indian Pacific

Traversing the entire width of Australia, the Indian Pacific journeys from Sydney on the east coast to Perth on the west coast (and vice versa) with a stop-off in Adelaide along the way. Spanning four days, three nights, three time zones and a distance of 2,704 miles (4,352km), the train passes through some diverse landscapes. The scenic Blue Mountains (pictured), outback country around Broken Hill, the vast, parched Nullabor Plain and goldfields of Western Australia are among them.

Spirit of the Outback

Travelers aboard Spirit of the Outback embark on a 26-hour trip that follows the Queensland coastline from Brisbane to Rockhampton until it turns west into the outback to pass through a string of quaint rural towns before terminating in Longreach. Covering 823 miles (1,325km) in total, the train rattles through ever-changing scenery and increasingly rugged terrain.

Passengers can choose between an economy seat or a first-class sleeper cabin, with the latter enjoying meals in the dining carriage, the Tuckerbox Restaurant. Economy passengers can purchase meals and refreshments for the trip in the galley. The train leaves Brisbane on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Longreach on Mondays and Thursdays.

Take a look at Australia's eeriest abandoned towns and villages

Scenic train journey options are fairly limited in Western Australia, but the narrow-gauge railway service between Perth and Bunbury in the south is a fun adventure. The Australind , as it's known, covers 112 miles (181km) over the course of two-and-a-half hours and runs south from Perth, passing through a fragrant fruit-growing area that's also renowned for its abundance of wild flowers. There is a dining car on board, should hunger strike. 

The Overland

Running for more than 130 years, The Overland has long been a popular mode of transport for passengers travelling between the cities of Adelaide and Melbourne. The inter-state journey takes a leisurely 11 hours to complete and the train passes through an enthralling range of landscapes, from rugged shrublands to lush green fields and by the lower reaches of mighty Murray River. 

Kuranda Scenic Railway

The two-hour journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway runs from Cairns to Kuranda up in the Atherton Tableland and takes visitors through one of the world's oldest rainforests. The tropical scenery takes in waterfalls, mountains and ravines as well as one of Queensland's most popular national parks, Barron Gorge. In the village of Kuranda, visitors can tour the historic train station, which is more than 100 years old, plus visit a butterfly sanctuary, the Koala Gardens and local markets.

On what is a popular day trip from Cairns Railway Station or Freshwater Railway Station, many passengers combine a one-way ride on the railway with a trip on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. It's a wonderful way to experience the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland from different angles.

Discover more of Australia's amazing national parks

Spirit of Queensland

Replacing the much-loved Sunlander in 2014, the  Spirit of Queensland  travels 1,044 miles (1,681km) over 25 hours, connecting Brisbane and Cairns. The long-distance rail service passes through gorgeous tropical landscapes and connects passengers with coastal Queensland's spectacular destinations including hop-off points to explore the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays. 

Modern and efficient, the Spirit of Queensland can travel at speeds of up to 99 miles per hour (160km/h) and promises those aboard a smooth ride. It offers passengers an airline-style experience with a choice of either premium economy seats or a RailBed (seats that convert into a lie-flat bed at night) with different dining options.

Puffing Billy Railway

Often named Australia's finest heritage railway, this is one for serious train fans and history buffs. Harking back to a by-gone era when steam locomotives ruled the rails, Puffing Billy is a relic of the 1920s that still races through the Dandenong Ranges on a one-and-a-half-hour journey. The only survivor of a failed attempt at introducing a series of narrow-gauge lines by the then-named Victorian Railways, Puffing Billy is a piece of living history. The journey goes from Belgrave into Sherbrooke Forest, to the intermediate station of Emerald and onto the historic township of Gembrook.

It's also a hugely popular family outing too. The Puffing Billy is famed for its open-side carriages where people can sit on the carriage sills and dangle their legs, all while taking in the views of the hills, forests, lush gullies and the railway's soaring timber trestle bridges. Trains run daily with one train offering a lunch service. Dinner service is available on Fridays and Saturdays – it's advised to book well in advance. The railway also has doggy specials known as the Puffing Billy Dog Express.

Pichi Richi Railway

Located in the southern part of the spectacular Flinders Ranges in South Australia, Pichi Richi is a tourist heritage railway that gives passengers a glimpse of what it would have been like to travel along the original Ghan route. The train runs between the small outback town of Quorn to Port Augusta at the head of Spencer Gulf via the Pichi Richi Pass.

These are  24 of Australia's most beautiful outback towns

As well as taking in the epic landscapes and picturesque country towns of the Flinders, it's a brilliant insight into the country's rail heritage. All Pichi Richi Railway trains use historic steam or diesel locomotives or railcars or immaculately restored timber carriages, some of which are more than 130 years old.

Great Southern

Australia's newest luxury long-distance train journey, Great Southern takes its passengers on a magnificent trip to explore the east and southern coasts of mainland Australia. Running between Brisbane and Adelaide, the luxurious bright orange train travels past rugged coastlines, sun-kissed beaches and forested peaks over a course of three days and two nights. 

If the scenery is too enticing, a variety of off-train activities can be arranged for passengers aboard this slick service to explore Victoria's Grampians, Canberra and the Hunter Valley and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. These include outdoor dining experiences, guided nature walks, vineyard tours and visits to cultural and historic sights in the nation's capital. 

Now discover the world's most luxurious train journeys

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7 epic day trips you can take by train from Union Station

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Unpopular opinion: The train is the best mode of vacation transportation.

I’ll take the ease of ticket purchasing, relaxed atmosphere in the stations and breathtaking scenery of train travel over the stress of flying and angst of driving any day. I’ve ridden the train up and down the Southern California coast, taken the three-day Amtrak journey from L.A. to Seattle (twice!), spent a couple of days in a scenic car over the Canadian Rockies and traveled by rail in Europe and Japan. My observation is that people are just nicer when they’re traveling by train — except for that one guy who glared at me when my coffee splashed near him as we went over a particularly bumpy bridge in Oregon.

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Dennis Mukai, an artist who lives in Ojai and travels frequently to San Juan Capistrano, San Diego and San Luis Obispo, started taking the train in 2018 when the horrific Montecito mudslides closed the 101 Freeway. “It’s now been six years,” he said. “ I rarely opt to drive as the train gives me the opportunity to read, catch up on my work or catch up on sleep.”

Taking a day trip via Amtrak is a great way to get a taste of train travel without committing to a multiday trip. In this guide, I highlight seven trips that start at Union Station, take three hours or less each way and have plenty of fun things to do within walking distance of the stations.

First, some travel tips:

• Make your time at Union Station part of your itinerary. There’s nothing like walking through the majestic entrance and halls to experience all the romanticism of train travel. You can even kick off your trip at with a celebratory Bloody Mary at classic restaurant and bar Traxx . There are several parking options. Lot B, which is right in front of the entrance, usually has plenty of open spots and is $16 for the entire day. Other lots will get you closer to the tracks, but you’ll miss out on walking through the beautiful lobby.
• You might consider upgrading to business class, as the price difference is not that significant (a recent search for a fare from L.A. to Santa Barbara was only $16 more than coach). The upsell will get you benefits such as priority boarding, less crowded cars, more leg room, a dedicated attendant, complimentary drinks and coffee and a surprisingly substantial snack box (mine had crackers, cheese, hummus, dried fruit, a beef stick and brownie crisps).
• You can bring your own food on the train — unlike with air travel, no one will throw out your $20 smoothie. There’s also the Market Café on the Pacific Surfliner, which sells snacks, light meals and beverages including coffee, beer and wine.

If you’re hoping to catch the most stunning scenery, where you sit makes a difference. If you’re heading north of L.A., try to snag a seat on the left side of the train. After leaving Union Station, you’ll roll through city stops like Glendale, and the Bob Hope Airport, and then start seeing some lush valley and agricultural views. After that, you’ll ride through the tunnels of the Santa Susana Pass and get a glimpse of the craggy rock formations in Chatsworth. Once you hit Oxnard, you’ll be in for some breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean and beaches.

Heading south, a seat on the right side of the train will get you some great views once you pass San Juan Capistrano. Up until this point you’ll be inland and rolling through city stops, but some of the stations are beautiful and should be noted. You might recognize the massive Mediterranean-style station in Santa Ana from the TV series “True Detective” and the movie “Rain Man,” and the stop at the Anaheim station gives you a perfect view of Anaheim Stadium. After San Juan Capistrano, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and beaches, and destinations for future trips, like the San Clemente Pier.

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The Indian Pacific, South Australia © Journey Beyondrail/Andrew Gregory

Australia's luxury train vacations

Romance awaits aboard Australia’s lavish long-distance sleeper trains.

By Amy Fraser and Krysia Bonkowski

Four days, three states, two oceans and one train. The Indian Pacific isn’t just any train journey, it’s an epic escape from day-to-day life, an adventure of a lifetime and one of the best ways to experience the true beauty of Australia. Picture the majestic Blue Mountains in New South Wales, the rolling hills and winding streams of Western Australia , the bubble-gum pink lakes of South Australia and the iconic Nullarbor Plain ; you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled and your camera at the ready. Choose to hop on at any leg of the journey, or sit back for an epic four days from one ocean to another along the world’s longest stretch of straight railway.

Over three to four days, the Great Southern sweeps through one of the most diverse corners of the nation – venturing from the lush folds of South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, to the rugged Grampians mountain range in Victoria, past the lazuline shores of the New South Wales north coast and on to Brisbane. Four Australian states in a handful of days; it’s the ultimate way to see the country's ever-changing landscapes, all the while indulging in the world-class luxuries. This all-inclusive journey runs only once a year, across summer. The best part? The itinerary changes with the direction, giving you the perfect excuse to hop back on and do it all anew.

No distractions, no complications – just you and the monumental Australian outback. Traversing almost 3,000km (1,864mi) across some of the most hard-to-reach and jaw-dropping pockets of Australia, the Ghan journey is truly awe-inspiring. Snaking your way through the heart of the outback, you’ll see a new side to Australia – and perhaps yourself. From stylish interiors to indulgent experiences; the Ghan isn't one of the world’s most celebrated train journeys just for the route – it's the whole experience. To top it off, you'll have the opportunity to create your own adventure, choosing between a handful of routes and journeys.

26 hours and 1,300-odd km (808mi) – that’s all it takes to see the soul of western Queensland . As the Spirit of the Outback sleeper train chugs inland from Brisbane, lush greenery gives way to a land tinted gold and bronze by the sun. Between the Australiana-themed dining cars serving Queensland produce and the cattle stations stretching to meet the endless horizon, it’s an experience unique to this corner of the world. A place steeped in lore and legend – the inspiration for bush poet Banjo Paterson’s ballad “Waltzing Matilda” – the Queensland outback still echoes the bushrangers, prospectors, and hardy drovers that once roamed here.

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My four-day rail and ferry adventure from the UK to Albania

From London to Tirana, via Chambéry’s medieval streets, bustling Bari and Albania’s dynamic capital, this trip across Europe has treats at every turn

M y overriding memories of crossing countries by train, on a trip from London to Albania, are of half-empty carriages and countryside sweeping past windows bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset. I remember cypress trees, red-roofed villages with square churches, farmland in neat strips and row upon row of vineyards.

On my London-Paris-Chambéry-Turin-Bari-Tirana journey over land and sea, there was, for long stretches, little to do. The wifi was patchy. It took a while to adapt to having so much time to simply watch the world go by, travelling through landscapes without having to navigate them.

The biggest stress happened long before I set off, when a landslide not far from the French border with Italy blocked the rail line between Chambéry and Turin, forcing a closure that continues today. Byway, the no-fly operator I had booked with, offered to reroute me through Nice and on to Turin via the Vermenagna valley (with changes in Tende and Cuneo), or book me on the FlixBus service over part of the Mont Blanc massif. I was keen to see Chambéry and the Alps, so I chose the bus.

People seemed surprised when I told them I was travelling overland to Albania. As I gushed about the romance of slow travel by train and sleeper ferry, and my excitement about Tirana, I got comments about being “brave”. I didn’t feel especially brave: all the planning, tickets and hotel bookings were done for me, and friendly help was a WhatsApp call away if needed.

I just had to download the Rail Planner app for my Interrail pass and make sure I was at the right station at the right time (Turin was the biggest challenge: it has four main railway stations and taxis scream between them bearing anxious-looking passengers).

The entire journey took four days. If I did it all again, I’d stay longer in Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot – and remember to buy my Paris Métro ticket from the cafe on the Eurostar.

Day one: London to Chamb éry

First to Paris’s Gare du Nord, then the metro to Gare de Lyon, where I make a beeline for a cafe opposite the station. Noise pervades the pavement tables of Café Terminus, but the cacophony is delightful – an atmospheric place for a citron pressé .

I’m in plenty of time for the train to Chambéry and, excitingly, am on the upper deck. Soon, we break free from the suburbs to trace huge stands of forest. Beyond Lyon begins a ripple of hills, lazy rivers and thickly forested slopes. As evening approaches, it’s all Alpine scenery. I arrive at an almost-empty station and walk to the boutique Hotel des Princes in Chambéry’s old town.

Chambéry has an Italian feel – it was the seat of the House of Savoy before the dynasty moved on to Turin – and its medieval alleys, cathedral and pastel-coloured townhouses are quietly impressive. The 1838 Fontaine des Éléphants sits in the middle of the closest square to the old town, and peeking from the end of every street are the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges. My stay is peaceful and easy.

Day two: Chamb éry to Turin

From Chambéry, the train to Turin would take about 2½ hours, but the bus takes double this. I’m on the top deck again, which is worth it for the sight of misty fingers of early morning light breaking across the mountain ridge. Snoozing backpackers rouse themselves to snap pictures of remote Mont Blanc peaks, before slumbering once more through the tunnel to Italy. In Turin there’s perfume in the air from the blossom-covered trees.

Turin’s grid of long, straight boulevards is testament to its development by the Romans – the redbrick Palatine Gate is another Roman relic – and its grand piazzas, royal palaces and graffitied colonnades date from the city’s Savoy heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the number one attraction is the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum).

My favourite moments? Ricotta and fig ice-cream on Piazza San Carlo, an aperitivo on off-the-beaten-path Via Sant’Agostino and the towering neoclassical Mole Antonelliana (national museum of cinema). I eat Turin’s famous doughy pizza al padellino (pan pizza) and spend a comfortable night in the eaves of Hotel Urbani in 19th-century residential streets close to the grand Porta Nuova train station.

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Day three: Turin to Bari

The views from my next train are of cinematic Tuscan scenes. Scorched fields, vines and Italian cypress trees. Neat red roofs and shabby-chic farmhouses. Fluffy clouds cling to hills that Google Maps tells me are the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. After hours of soothing golden landscapes, the opal-blue Adriatic wallops into view just north of Ancona. Beach bars whip by and cypress trees are replaced with palm trees: I’ve arrived in the south of Italy.

Bari is hands down my favourite stop. The noise, heat and energy as we step off the train in the early evening are joyous. After Chambéry and Turin, Bari feels brash, a little rough around the edges even; a proper port city. The labyrinthine alleyways of the whitewashed old town are almost cliched in their cuteness. Despite the troupes of tightly packed headphone-wearing Americans following guided tours, it somehow manages to retain a tranquil atmosphere.

Old ladies yawn from the shade as tourists surreptitiously snap pictures and laundry flutters from balconies. I could stay for ever, but after 24 hours (which includes a lot of pasta, a stroll along the posh promenade to the not-so-posh city beach and a night in an elegant aparthotel, Residence Zodiacus , halfway between the station and the old town), it’s time to board the night ferry to Albania.

Day (and night) four: Bari to Tirana

I arrive at the ferry on foot and am escorted through the car deck to jokes about going in the wrong direction (to Albania, instead of from it). In the early morning I spot a pink sky through the cracked window of my comfy en suite cabin, and head to the top deck to see the sun rise over the distant outline of Albania. Disembarking in the port of Durrës is a bit of a scrum and there’s a bus to the capital waiting, but I opt instead for a five-minute taxi ride to the centre of town and breakfast of pastries and espresso on a dazzling white road lined with boutiques and palm trees. I later regret this though, as the aircon on the grubby public bus I eventually take to Tirana is more tired than I am, and drops me in an urban sprawl miles from the centre.

Tirana itself is a revelation. My hotel, Padam Boutique , is a grand villa with handsome rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s striking new skyward architecture on every nearby street. A short stroll away is the landmark Pyramid of Tirana , which stands as a symbol and monument to change (and is fun to climb at sunset). Skanderbeg Square – a jumble of buildings erected on a roundabout at the time of the celebrations to mark the fall of communism in 1992 – is now a pedestrianised, glossy public space. There are nods to Albania’s recent, wretched history behind the iron curtain, of course – the Bunk’Art and Bunk’Art 2 museums, in nuclear bunkers are unmissable – but Tirana and the country are more than just the last century. My journey is done, but it feels like Tirana is just getting into its stride.

The trip was provided by Byway , which offers sustainable travel and accommodation packages across the UK and Europe. Its Alps to Albania trip costs from £679pp

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