20ten Trains

1. INDIAN PACIFIC
The Indian Pacific traverses Australia east-west. It goes Sydney-Adelaide-Perth (or vice versa) making it one of the world’s longest train journeys. It takes three nights during which time passengers will get to experience some of the best of Australia’s natural environment including the Blue Mountains and Nullarbor Plain. Just like the drive, the Nullarbor stretch of this journey makes up the longest straight section of railway in the world.

Although this line also passes through some Australia’s most famous country towns, the downside of train travel is that passengers do not get time to explore.

Web
http://www.gsr.com.au/our-trains/indian-pacific/the-journey.php
Cost
Sydney to Perth
Gold Service $1514/$1022 (includes meals)
Sleeper $1036/$689/$628
Day/Night Seat $458/$231/$211
Departs
Sydney Saturday and Wednesday
Perth Wednesday and Sunday

2. THE GHAN
Now in its 81st ear the Ghan is an Australian icon. For the first 70 years of service it travelled from Adelaide to Alice Springs until the extension through to Darwin was opened in 2004. This means it is now also possible to travel the country north-south.

It is a two-night journey through the heart of the continent. The Ghan gets its name from the Afghan Express which was the nickname given to the Afghan camel train that trekked the same route prior to the construction of the railway.

The Ghan connects with the Indian Pacific and The Overland

Web
http://www.gsr.com.au/our-trains/the-ghan/the-journey.php
Cost
Adelaide to Darwin
Gold Service $1973/$1357 (includes meals)
Sleeper $1312/$877/$800
Day/Night Seat $716/$363/$331
Departs
Adelaide Sunday and Wednesday
Darwin Wednesday and Saturday

3. THE OVERLAND
The Overland travels between Adelaide and Melbourne. This is considered to be the first interstate rail service in Australia. Like The Ghan, this train gets its name from the route travelled by Australian pioneers. The Overlanders travelled on horseback between the two southern cities.

This is a one-day journey, leaving at breakfast in one city and arriving in time for dinner at the other. Travelling the route six days a week, the train alternates direction every day. This provides passengers the perfect opportunity to disembark and explore a town enroute before reboarding two days later to complete their journey.

Web
http://www.gsr.com.au/our-trains/the-overland/the-journey.php
Cost
Adelaide to Melbourne
Red Premium $134/$95 (much more spacious seating)
Red $90/$49/$45
Departs
Adelaide Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Melbourne Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

4. THE SOUTHERN SPIRIT
This service offers two different holiday experiences, The Grand Tour and The Costal Epic.

The Grand Tour is just as its name implies. It starts at Alice Springs in the heart of the Australian outback and includes stops where there is time to disembark and explore, experiencing the sights and sounds of some of Australia’s tourist icons. Explore Uluru, Coober Pedy (opal mining), Kangaroo Island, Glenrowan (home of Ned Kelly), Melbourne and Sydney before reaching the final destination of Brisbane.

This is a set 14 day/13 night tour departing Alice Springs.

The Costal Epic, in many ways the reverse journey of The Grand Tour. The point of difference being the detailed time spent in locations along Australia’s east coast in particular Coffs Harbour and the Blue Mountains.

This is a set 14 day/13 night tour departing Brisbane.

On both journeys all meals are included and both Platinum and Gold classes are sleeper cabins. Platinum is more luxurious and comes with the perks one would expect from first class travel.

Web
www.thesouthernspirit.com.au
Costs
Platinum $13,990/person twin share
Gold $10/590/person twin share
Departing
Next departure dates
The Grand Tour 9 January
The Coastal Epic 24 January

5. PICHI RICHI RAILWAY
The Pichi Richi railway opened in 1879 and was the first stage of what would become the Ghan route. A few different rail experiences are offered. The Pichi Richi Express runs between Quorn to Woolshed Flat, in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges; Steam or Diesel. The 32km return journey takes approximately 2.5hours.

The steam service operates on long weekends and during school holidays. It uses timber-bodied carriages built and first used over 100 years ago. Diesel was introduced to South Australian country lines in 1928 and operated for 40 years. Pichi Richi’s diesel service only operates on Sundays.

A dinner train also operates on the Pichi Richi line twice a year. The Afghan Express also operates year round between Port Augusta and Quorn. The 78km journey takes 6 hours return, stopping for approximately 2hours in Quorn for lunch. This service again uses historic timber-bodied carriages.

Web
www.prr.org.au
Costs
Afghan Express $75/$70/$25
Dinner Train $110/$105/$45
Explorer $44/$41/$15
Departs
Full time tables available of on the website
Explorer and Dinner Train Depart Quorn
Afghan Express departs Port Augusta

6. STEAM RANGER
People ask why you would ever visit South Australia, well if you are a train enthusiast then clearly it is the place to be. Steam Ranger operates a couple of services.

The Cockle Train operates between Goolwa and Victor Harbor on the oldest steel railed railway in Australia. The train operates along some of South Australia’s most beautiful coastline stopping in Middleton and Pt Elliot. Service times vary throughout the year, with more services operating during peak periods.

Southern Encounter only operates from June to November travelling from Mt Barker, in the Mt Lofty Ranges, to Victor Harbor. The Prince and Princess of Wales once rode this train during a State Visit to South Australia. The carriage they rode in is not anymore opulent that the others. It does however have a sign indicating where they sat. The return trip, including the 3hour stop over in Victor Harbor will take about 8hours.

Web
www.steamranger.org,au
Costs
Cockle Train $15/$9/$7 return
Southern Encounter $64/$55/$35 return
Departs
Cockle Train Goolwa
Southern Encounter Mt Barker

7. MONORAIL
Despite the predominance of South Australia as a train destination other states have some rail experiences worth exploring. Sydney has the Monorail. Travelling above Sydney’s traffic the monorail takes passengers to some of the cities great tourist attractions; Chinatown, George Street and the Aquarium at Darling Park.

It is a fast cheap and relatively convenient way of getting around the harbour city. Operating above the city streets there is always a bit of going up and down stairs or elevators to get to the stations that can become tiresome by the end of the day.
Web
http://www.metrotransport.com.au/index.php/monorail/monorail-home.html
Costs
Single Trip $4.80
Day Pass $9.50
Combination tickets with the Light Rail are also available.
Departs
Eight stations around the city loop with trains departing every 3-5 minutes

8. SOUTH GIPPSLAND TOURIST RAILWAY
Another tourist railway line, another historical train experience and another view of the Australian countryside. This diesel service operates along 36km of track between Leongatha and Nyora in Victoria’s Gippsland.

One point of difference with this service is the opportunity for train enthusiasts to actually drive the train. The “Dream Come True” program. The experience includes basic railway education and training lunch and then the main event. Family and friends are encouraged to join drivers on their maiden voyage.

This railway also offers a Murder Mystery package includes BBQ dinner, finger food, the train journey and the mystery. Passengers are encouraged to dress in character with prizes for best dressed ad also for solving the mystery.

Web
www.sgr.org.au
Costs
Tourist Railway $24/$15 return
Dream Come True from $440
Murder Mystery $40
Departs
Tourist Railway Leongatha or Nyora, public holidays and Wednesdays during school holidays
Murder Mystery Korumburra Station
Dream Come True Korumburra Station

9. TILT TRAIN
It is time to pick up the pace in the world of Australian trains. The Tit Train in Queensland is Australia’s fastest rail service. It operates between Brisbane and Cairns. This electric train reaches speeds of up to 160kph (100mph). This is a modern train with personal entertainment screens and connections for laptops.

The 1681km journey takes 24 hours. There are numerous stops along the way for passengers wanting to see other towns along Australia’s northern coastline.

Web
http://www.railaustralia.com.au/tiltTrain.php
Costs
Brisbane/Cairns $310.20/$248.16
Departs
Brisbane Monday and Fridays
Cairns Sunday and Wednesdays

10. HOTHAM VALLEY TOURIST RAILWAY
I can hear the chuff-chuff-chuff of yet another historic Australian railway. This railway offers two services; Pinjarra to Dwellingup and Dwellingup to Etmilyn.

The Etmilyn route takes you into local forests receiving commentary about the saw milling history along the way. The journey includes a short walk into the forest to see (seasonal) wildflowers and the majestic Jarrah Forest.

The Pinjarra line once served the local timber industry. This steam train runs along one of the last light rail development lines in the country. The return journey allows time for a pleasant picnic lunch for families or the romantic day trip albeit that young families and romantic couples do not necessarily compliment each other or a days train journey.

A restaurant train is also offered with both a 1919 vintage dining car and a 1884 club car experience available. The five-course roast dinner is served while the train rattles through the forest, which is lit from the train. A connecting coach is available from Perth.

Web
www.hothamvalleyrailway.com.au
Cost
Etmilyn $18/$9/$2.50
Pinjarra $38/$19/$2.50
Restaurant Train $70 + $16.50 for the coach connection
Departs
Etmilyn Forest 11am and 2pm on weekends and selected days during school holidays
Pinjarra 10.30am Sundays and Wednesdays from May to October
Restaurant Train 6pm from Perth, Saturday nights, returning approximately 12.15am