The first Indian Pacific, a great transcontinental rail adventure, first left Sydney for Perth in 1970. Thousands of well-wishers gathered a few days later to welcome its safe arrival in Perth, capital of Western Australia. It was the first time one train had been able to complete the 4,352 ks journey from ocean to ocean, using a common rail gauge.
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Day 1: Sydney to outback New South Wales/NSW. Board at Sydney's Central Station and settle into the cabin, to spend the afternoon taking in the scenery as it transforms from skyscrapers and traffic lights to the forested valleys and sandstone cliffs of the stunning Blue Mountains. Listen to the audio commentary option.
The journey's west bound service to Perth includes an off-train excursion in the majestic Blue Mountains, with visits to the majestic Three Sisters at Echo Point and spectacular Jamison Valley. As the evening sun sets behind mountain ranges, enter the more arid regions of NSW, characterised by hardy Australian mulga tree and vast plains. After dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, meet fellow guests in the Outback Explorer Lounge for a welcome drink.
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Outback Explorer Lounge
Day 2: The morning begins in Broken Hill, formerly a booming mining town which inspired artists for ages with its distinctive desert landscape. On a 1-hour walking tour, explore the city's iconic Living Desert Sculptures then visit the Pro Hart Gallery to learn all about a most celebrated Australian artist whose works capture the outback.
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Entering Western Australia in the afternoon, cross Australia's most famous plain with a special dinner in the remote outpost of Rawlinna. Here guests are invited to disembark and partake in a traditional long-table dinner under the bright stars of the outback sky.
Surrounded by nothing but vast sheep stations, this is one alfresco dining experience to remember. The Indian Pacific eastbound service (Perth->Sydney) offers an additional excursion in the wild west gold rush town of Kalgoorlie.
Day 4: The morning scenery transforms as the train continues via the picturesque Avon Valley, a patchwork of rolling hills and winding streams. After passing fertile farmland, the journey ends as Perth's outer city limits appear. The P.M choice is to take an optional upgrade tour to explore Perth, admiring magnificent city views from Kings Park, travel along the Swan River and picturesque foreshore parklands, Subiaco’s trendy boutiques and restaurants, and Claremont with its upmarket shopping and famous Millionaire's Row. Enjoy the WACA Cricket Ground, Town Hall, Perth Mint, Parliament House, Crown Casino and Barracks Arch.
Few train journeys are as epic as the Indian Pacific. From Sydney on the east coast across the entire continent to Perth in the west, it passes through landscapes as varied as the spectacular Blue Mountains and endless flat deserts. Expect comfortable cabins, excellent food and fascinating day trips. The train's programme below is by Alissa Jenkins
Gold Twin Cabin with private facilities
Day 1: Sydney to outback New South Wales/NSW. Board at Sydney's Central Station and settle into the cabin, to spend the afternoon taking in the scenery as it transforms from skyscrapers and traffic lights to the forested valleys and sandstone cliffs of the stunning Blue Mountains. Listen to the audio commentary option.
The journey's west bound service to Perth includes an off-train excursion in the majestic Blue Mountains, with visits to the majestic Three Sisters at Echo Point and spectacular Jamison Valley. As the evening sun sets behind mountain ranges, enter the more arid regions of NSW, characterised by hardy Australian mulga tree and vast plains. After dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, meet fellow guests in the Outback Explorer Lounge for a welcome drink.
Queen Adelaide Restaurant,
Indian Pacific
enjoy new friends, great drinks and great views
Aussie Trains
After an onboard lunch, the afternoon journey continues into the green and golden fields of South Australia's food bowl. Choose between off-train excursions: 1] spend the afternoon and evening in picturesque Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale wine region, the charming heritage town of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills or 2] a private guided tour of the South Australian Museum. Then all guests rejoin the train in Adelaide to begin the trip across the continent.
the flat and treeless Nullarbor Plains
S.M.H
On the eastbound service, including a morning stop in Adelaide, excursion options include an Adelaide city coach tour, a progressive breakfast at the famous Adelaide Central Markets, a guided tour of Adelaide Oval or a city and river precinct walking tour. Enjoy the in-cabin music channels and the journey audio commentary.
Day 3: Greet sunrise at the striking, raw beauty of the Nullarbor Plain. Taking its name from the Latin for No Trees, this vast outback plain has stunned generations of Australians and visitors alike. A endless expanse of rusty earth and hardy outback shrubs, the Nullarbor covers 200,000 square ks of South Australia and Western Australia and is considered a bucket list experience.
Day 3: Greet sunrise at the striking, raw beauty of the Nullarbor Plain. Taking its name from the Latin for No Trees, this vast outback plain has stunned generations of Australians and visitors alike. A endless expanse of rusty earth and hardy outback shrubs, the Nullarbor covers 200,000 square ks of South Australia and Western Australia and is considered a bucket list experience.
Off-train dinner at Rawlinna, W.A
Journey Beyond Rail
Entering Western Australia in the afternoon, cross Australia's most famous plain with a special dinner in the remote outpost of Rawlinna. Here guests are invited to disembark and partake in a traditional long-table dinner under the bright stars of the outback sky.
Surrounded by nothing but vast sheep stations, this is one alfresco dining experience to remember. The Indian Pacific eastbound service (Perth->Sydney) offers an additional excursion in the wild west gold rush town of Kalgoorlie.
Day 4: The morning scenery transforms as the train continues via the picturesque Avon Valley, a patchwork of rolling hills and winding streams. After passing fertile farmland, the journey ends as Perth's outer city limits appear. The P.M choice is to take an optional upgrade tour to explore Perth, admiring magnificent city views from Kings Park, travel along the Swan River and picturesque foreshore parklands, Subiaco’s trendy boutiques and restaurants, and Claremont with its upmarket shopping and famous Millionaire's Row. Enjoy the WACA Cricket Ground, Town Hall, Perth Mint, Parliament House, Crown Casino and Barracks Arch.
Thank you Alissa Jenkins.
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Sydney to Perth took 4 days which might have been a bit long for some people, but the most exciting part was to carefully watch the changing landscape of this vast country passing by the window. Surprisingly for me (because I love forests and open oceans), I actually loved the memorable changing unique scenery across the Nullarbor.
The off-train experiences were amazing, especially under the stars at sheep station Rawlinna, with fires, food and wonderful live music. On board there was a resident singer who also provided lots of entertainment.
**
The review here is mine. I am something of a problem traveller to staff since I don’t eat meat, but the food alternatives were delicious. And the alcohol service was very good with quality wines which we shared with a lot of great new people on the trip! Even better, while travelling away from home, visitors could focus on local foods and wines from the very regions the train was passing through.
The cabins were clean and fresh, but too small for spouse and I who found it a bit tight to move around together. So leave your excess stuff elsewhere. Thankfully the onboard staff were fantastic, really making every effort to be friendly and helpful in what must have been demanding work.
I loved visiting places that I have never visited before. Broken Hill is Australia’s oldest mining town, important for its silver, lead and zinc. The rich history is well recorded at museums and memorials, a true representation of the Australian outback, with red, rocky terrain and desert. And the art scene is booming, both modern and indigenous.
The cabins were clean and fresh, but too small for spouse and I who found it a bit tight to move around together. So leave your excess stuff elsewhere. Thankfully the onboard staff were fantastic, really making every effort to be friendly and helpful in what must have been demanding work.
I loved visiting places that I have never visited before. Broken Hill is Australia’s oldest mining town, important for its silver, lead and zinc. The rich history is well recorded at museums and memorials, a true representation of the Australian outback, with red, rocky terrain and desert. And the art scene is booming, both modern and indigenous.
Sydney to Perth took 4 days which might have been a bit long for some people, but the most exciting part was to carefully watch the changing landscape of this vast country passing by the window. Surprisingly for me (because I love forests and open oceans), I actually loved the memorable changing unique scenery across the Nullarbor.
The off-train experiences were amazing, especially under the stars at sheep station Rawlinna, with fires, food and wonderful live music. On board there was a resident singer who also provided lots of entertainment.