Australia is such a large country that it seems logical to cross it by plane. But there is another option, which becomes a memorable vacation in itself: the train. Connecting connecting routes, it is possible to take great rail journeys across the continent, immersed in changing landscapes, from savannah forests to tropical regions. Here’s how to do it.
Savannah Bay to the Pacific coast
North West Queensland’s gulf savanna is a picturesque landscape of grassland and scattered trees, cut by rivers flowing into the Gulf of Carpinteria. There are multiple options for starting your own epic crossing of Australia by rail.
If you want to stick to the absolute longest journey, start in West Mount Isa, one of Queensland’s longest-running mining towns. Before leaving town, head to Isa’s Outback, which will give you access to three great sites: the Hard Times Mine, the Isa Experience and Outback Park History Museum, and the Riverleigh Fossil Center located nearby in Bodjamla National Park. Exhibits fossils.
Then jump aboard Queensland Rail. Domestic train To the coastal city of Townsville to wander its streets lined with great historic architecture. This 21-hour journey takes you through open savannah to the green region east of the Great Dividing Range.
Let it happen.
Inlander runs twice a week. Book through Queensland rail travel.
An alternative Savannah Bay journey: Normanton to Cairns
A quirky alternative to the above journey is to start at Normanton, north of Mt Isa instead. This small town is its terminus. Gulflander Tourist Train, otherwise known as ‘Tin Hare’. Running since 1889, it runs to the small town of Croydon along a uniquely engineered track that prevents flooding. It’s possible to ride it as part of a tour that also includes another historic train, the Savannahlander, which takes you to Cairns, a town that exudes its laid-back, tropical heart with its central esplanade, boardwalk and Will wear it on his sleeve on the lagoon. From Cairns, you can enjoy a scenic return trip to the western outskirts of the city via the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Let it happen.
gave Gullflander And Savannah Lander Both run weekly. gave Kuranda Scenic Railway There are daily departures. Book online.
North Queensland to Brisbane
Starting in Cairns or Townsville, hop on Queensland Spirit, A sleek modern train that offers a choice of reclining seats or railbeds – airline-style seats that convert into beds at night. Either way, you’ll have access to a seatback entertainment system and a café-bar club car. Tracing east of the Great Dividing Range, not far from the coast, the train heads south towards Brisbane. 24 hours from Cairns, or 18 hours from Townsville.
Let it happen.
Spirit of Queensland runs five times a week. Book through Queensland Rail Travel.
Brisbane to Sydney
As the state capital and business center of Queensland, Brisbane is a vibrant city with plenty of options for dining and sightseeing. See inspiring exhibitions at its impressive Gallery of Modern Art, then visit hip West End cafes like the Gun Shop. Catch the City Cat ferry for a cheap river cruise, and end the day with a beer at the Regatta Hotel opposite the ferry terminal.
Get up early for XPT Train Sydney, which takes 14 hours. Leaving in the dark, you’ll pass through the beautiful green borderlands in New South Wales as dawn breaks. From there it passes through native forests and regional towns during the day, finally near the Pacific coast again at Coffs Harbour, home of the famous Big Banana. East of the Barrington Tops National Park are more impressive hills, then traveler country appears and you know you’re close to Sydney.
Let it happen.
XPT departs Brisbane to Sydney daily. Book through NSW Train Link.
Sydney to Melbourne
Sydney’s pride and joy is its beautiful harbor setting. You can enjoy it via public transport ferries that depart regularly from Circular Quay, close to the iconic Sydney Opera House and the majestic Sydney Harbor Bridge. A short ferry ride takes you under the bridge to Cockatoo Island, a former prison and shipyard that is now a tourist attraction.
Once you’ve had a taste of Sydney, board the XPT train for the 11-hour journey to Melbourne. The train heads west to avoid the Snowy Mountains, then takes you south to the border town of Albury and across the Murray River to Victoria. If you’ve chosen an overnight trip, the sun rises as you trek from Melbourne’s northern suburbs to the impressive Southern Cross Station in the heart of the city.
Let it happen.
XPT departs twice daily from Sydney to Melbourne. Book through NSW Train Link.
Melbourne to Adelaide
Melbourne is the cultural and food capital of Australia. Start with a great coffee and brunch at the Auction Rooms then move on to vegan lights at Smith & Daly or modern Asian cuisine at Chin Chin. For culture, absorb high-quality Australian art (including Aboriginal work) at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
Then step on board Overland train West to Adelaide. Launched in 1887, it was Australia’s first inter-urban (later inter-state) train. Traveling during the day, it passes through Geelong, Victoria’s second-largest city, southwest of Melbourne, then passes through farmland and through the spectacular Grampians National Park, known to local Aboriginal people as Garriward. are Finally, it passes through the attractive green slopes of the Adelaide Hills, down to the capital of South Australia.
Let it happen.
Overland departs from Melbourne to Adelaide twice a week. Book through Great Southern Rail.
Ghan: Adelaide to Darwin
Adelaide prides itself on its food and wine. Sample first at the excellent Central Market, then through a day trip to the Barossa Valley wine region with tour operator Groovy Grape.
Then it’s time for your last train. Board Ghan, which will take you all the way to Darwin in the Northern Territory on one of the world’s great rail journeys, crossing a continent and from a temperate climate through desert to tropics. The journey to the Top End via Alice Springs takes 53 hours. Passengers travel in either gold service in en-suite cabins with berths. or Platinum, inside a suite with a double bed. It’s not cheap, but all meals, drinks and off-train excursions are included in the fare.
It is the final leg of Australia’s longest train journey – covering a total distance of 8,073 kilometers from Mt Isa to Darwin.
Let it happen.
Ghan departs weekly from Adelaide to Darwin. Book through Great Southern Rail.
Indian Pacific: Adelaide to Perth
You might like to replace The Ghan with an Indian Pacific train from Adelaide to Western Australia’s laid-back, cosmopolitan capital, Perth. This is a day on a two-night Indian Pacific trip dedicated to the desert, particularly the fascinating Kulrubber Plain with its complete absence of trees. There’s nothing quite like sipping a cocktail while looking out the window because nothing goes by.
Let it happen.
Indian Pacific departs weekly from Adelaide to Perth. Book through Great Southern Rail.
Tim Richards Traveled around Australia by rail courtesy of Queensland Rail, NSW Trainlink, Great Southern Rail and TransWA. Lonely Planet contributors do not accept gratuities in exchange for positive coverage.