The best way to really see all of Australia is via train where you can enjoy flexible travel across this vast continent known for a wide range of beautiful settings and attractions.
From the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, to Ayres Rock in the Outback, travelling by rail in Australia is the perfect way to savour the journey just as much as the destination. For travellers looking to explore this great continent by train, an Australia Rail offers tremendous value and flexibility.
If you’re thinking of travelling Australia by train, here are some of the most popular routes and other train travel tips.
More on travel in Australia? Check out our Australia Travel Guide.
Popular railway journeys in Australia
The Indian Pacific: The Indian Pacific from Sydney to Adelaide to Perth runs 3 nights in either direction and has departures twice weekly in both directions. After departing Sydney enjoy stops in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Kalgoorlie and finally Perth. Two highlights of the Indian Pacific journey are the Blue Mountains and the plains of The Nullarbor desert, making for spectacular views from your train window and the opportunity to spot wildlife including Australia’s wedge tailed eagle.
The Ghan: On the Ghan, begin in Adelaide and travel through the red sands of the Outback, stopping in Alice Springs famous for Ayres Rock and Katherine known for its spectacular Katherine Gorge. Arrive in Darwin, a beautiful port city and gateway to Asia. The Ghan runs twice weekly from Adelaide to Alice Springs to Darwin and the journey takes two nights in either direction.
The Overland: The Overland runs a daylight service between Adelaide and Melbourne in both directions, three times a week. The Overland now has upgraded facilities, with new levels of comfort and the choice between Red Service and Red Premium Service. The Overland stops in charming towns including Murray Bridge, Bordertown, Nhill, Dimboola, Horsham, Ararat and Geelong giving you a taste for Australia’s country life.
Australia Rail Pass options
Austrail Pass: With an Austrail Pass allows unlimited travel on all the rail journeys listed above over a 6-month period, plus travel on QR TravelTrain and CountryLink trains. This means you can hop on the trains along the East Coast to Brisbane, the popular surfers’ paradise and Cairns, the departure point for the Great Barrier Reef.
Rail Explorer Pass: The Rail Explorer Pass provides unlimited access to rail services over a 6-month period by the Great Southern Rail Network including The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland. Discover Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Darwin, Melbourne and other exciting destinations in between.
Many companies offer the Rail Explorer Pass and other Australia Rail Passes but for the lowest prices and best reliability, visit www.ACPRail.com.