Train Travel Australia.

The glory days of train travel in Australia are here again as more and more holiday makers are discovering the relaxing pace and wonderful hospitality presented by the great Australian train journeys of today.

When you choose rail travel in Australia it’s not just about getting from here to there, you’ll experience a very different kind of travel because ‘getting there’ truly is half the fun.

And the fun begins the moment you step aboard your Australian train.

Australian train travel, especially over the longer distances, beats bus travel in Australia any day.

You can close your eyes and imagine yourself as a guest in a very “posh” hotel.

As your Australian train gets underway you’ll soon realise that the scenery which passes constantly by your window can’t possibly be matched by any hotel in the land regardless of where it is or how much you paid for the room.

In the lounge your bartender dispenses just the right amount of friendly banter along with your favourite drink and you quickly discover the company of new found friends from all corners of the world.

After drinks, you’ll make your way to an elegant restaurant car where your waiters guide you through a superb menu which includes some wonderful Australian native cuisine although you’re not likely to be offered the Australian national dish, pie and peas, or the Aboriginal favourite, witchety grubs.

The meals are lovingly prepared in the train’s own galley by on-board chefs, special dietary requests can be accommodated and with your three course dinner you may wish to choose from an excellent selection of premium Australian wines.

When you return to your cabin, you’ll find your beds made by your steward who will be eager to attend your every need and as you settle down for the night you’ll be gently rocked to sleep by the movement of the train as it continues on it’s way across this wonderful land.

If you choose to sit and look out of the window of your cabin you’ll see a sight that you just can’t see in the city, a billion stars lighting up the desert sky.

In the morning, after delivering your wake up cup of coffee in bed, your steward will make up your cabin while you enjoy a delightful breakfast, again in the restaurant carriage.

Just when you are feeling the need to stretch your legs outside, the great iron beast glides to a gentle stop offering optional off-train sight-seeing tours at places of interest along the way and while the train refuels, you may choose to mingle awhile with the locals and savour the delights of some of our most famous outback towns such as Kalgoorlie, Broken Hill or Alice Springs.

You may well ask.

The answer lies, at least in part, because February 2004 saw the completion of the track between Adelaide in South Australia and Darwin in the Northern Territory.

The Ghan.

The Ghan, which is the Australian train that traveled the line from Adelaide to Alice Springs and back, is almost a ‘living’ legend in Australian rail folklore.

Named for the original Afghan pioneers who ran camel trains across the Australian outback, this legend has soared to new heights with the extension of The Ghan journey all the way to Darwin.

When The Ghan first departed Adelaide for Alice Springs, it was always intended that it would one day travel through to Darwin, more than 70 years on, in 2004, that dream became a reality.

To board The Ghan in Adelaide or Darwin is to begin to experience one of the most fascinating great train journeys of the world.

You will enjoy 2 nights aboard this great train in either direction, you’ll marvel at the spectacular Australian landscapes, from the fertile countryside surrounding Adelaide to the rusty hues of the Red Centre and on to the tropical splendour of the Top End.

The Ghan is the ultimate Australian train journey through the heart of the continent.

The Ghan train travel boasts three types of accommodation, from the budget conscious Red Kangaroo Service Day/night seat, to their Red Kangaroo Service sleeper cabin and the luxury of Gold Kangaroo Service which includes meals, double or single accommodation and access to the Gold Kangaroo lounge.

As well as those mentioned above, Great Southern Rail, the operator of The Ghan, has announced that a new Platinum Service will be launched on The Ghan service departing Adelaide for Darwin on 10 September 2008 and ticket sales will open on Monday, 5 May 2008.

Platinum Cabins will be approximately twice the size of the standard Gold Twin Cabins with each room offering deluxe accommodation including double beds, spacious ensuite and 24 hour room service.

They will have all the modern comforts, in a classic style, with a distinctly Australian character.

The Ghan will now also offer accommodation options that rival the best world-class trains.

This new service level is in addition to the existing Red and Gold Services, which will continue to operate on The Ghan.

This means The Ghan will now cater to all budgets from Red Service the most economical way to travel, through to Gold Service for those holidaymakers who want to travel in comfort and now the deluxe offering of the new Platinum Service.

Platinum Service has been designed to meet the needs of the discerning traveller looking for that next level of comfort that will truly be the ultimate way to travel in style through the heart of Australia.

Connections to The Ghan are available on the Indian Pacific and The Overland for guests travelling to or from Sydney and Melbourne.

The Overland.

If your Australian rail journey involves travelling between Adelaide and Melbourne then there’s no more relaxing way to enjoy the trip than on the newly refurbished Overland.

The Overland provides a comfortable, relaxing way to travel between the cities or to ease into a great holiday in either Melbourne, Adelaide or their surrounding regions.

This historic Australian train pioneered inter-capital Australian rail travel way back in 1887, its name inspired by the historic ‘Overlanders’ who travelled the route on horseback.

A century on and a $4 million refurbishment later, today’s Australian train travelling ‘Overlanders’ will enjoy the journey in relaxing comfort arriving at their destination in the early evening. Travelling the 828 kilometres (approximately 520 miles) three times a week in both directions the passengers on this interstate journey can enjoy a wonderfully diverse range of landscapes from rugged Mallee scrubland, to fields of golden crops, over vast open plains and through gently rolling hills.

The Overland passes through classic Australian country towns including Murray Bridge, Bordertown, Nhill, Dimboola, Horsham, Ararat and Geelong so whichever direction you travel, the journey is a wonderful opportunity to relax in comfort, mingle with fellow travellers and delight in the ever changing scenery along the way.

The Overland runs a daylight service between Adelaide and Melbourne in both directions, three times a week and passengers have the opportunity to disembark from the train to explore the many regions and towns The Overland passes through along its route.

These guests simply re-join The Overland on a scheduled service that suits their timetable.

On board, The Overland passengers have the choice of two levels of service; Red Service and Red Premium Service.

Red Service offers a value for money option with all the comforts you need, while Red Premium gives guests more services and more personal space.

Both service levels offer guests ample room to move around the train and stretch their legs and the licenced Café Carriage also provides the chance to meet your fellow travellers and swap stories in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere.

The Overland links Melbourne with two of Australia’s great trains; the mighty Indian Pacific which traverses this huge continent between Sydney and Perth, via Adelaide, and The Legendary Ghan, travelling between Adelaide and Darwin.

It means The Overland opens up exciting train travel all over Australia from either Adelaide or Melbourne.

The Indian Pacific.

The Indian Pacific gives you an Australian rail journey between two oceans on one of the worlds longest and greatest train journeys.

Get up close and see the sights of some of our most famous outback towns when you enjoy an optional off-train sightseeing tour.

This great Australian train offers these tours during scheduled stops at Broken Hill, Adelaide and gold rich Kalgoorlie.

A remote outpost on the Nullarbor Plain called Cook presents a further opportunity to stretch your legs.

All along the Indian Pacific route, keep an eye out for a sighting of the magnificent Australian wedge tailed eagle, the symbol of this great train.

It's massive wingspan of up to two metres will make it easy to spot in a clear desert sky.

There are, of course, many more great Australian rail journeys you can enjoy, travel the tilt train at 100 kilometres an hour from Brisbane to Cairns, jump aboard the Spirit of the Outback, The Westlander and The Inlander for the perfect start to any Queensland outback adventure.

Meet fellow travellers in the relaxed dining and club cars, or just watch the passing scenery from your cabin or seat or in Western Australia you can enjoy the West Coaster which will take you to Broken Hill, Adelaide, The Nullarbor, Perth and Freemantle.

So many wonderful Australian rail journeys, so little time.... enjoy,

John.

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