I first spoke with Trevor in late 2020, amid the COVID pandemic. As an ex-train driver, railway journeys are his passion. With the ongoing lockdowns, he decided that when we could travel again, he wanted to return to Australia to undertake the Indian Pacific luxury rail journey that traverses this vast country.
All set to travel in November 2021, it became apparent by June that Australia’s borders would remain closed. Undeterred, the holiday was rebooked with the addition of another regional journey from Melbourne to Sydney. This was a rail holiday I couldn’t wait to hear about…
I have family and friends in Australia and had always planned to return one day, so during the pandemic, I started browsing online for rail holidays. Fortunately, I stumbled across Sarah whose knowledge, patience and tenacity to make my dream come true was nothing short of perfection!
The first train journey on the list was on the legendary Ghan, which runs from Darwin in the Northern Territory down to Adelaide in South Australia - a mere 2,797 km.
I flew direct to Perth with Qantas on a hi-tech aircraft designed for the non-stop 17-hour flight. The cabin crew were excellent, and I lucked out getting an empty seat next to mine, making for a very comfortable journey.
After a much-needed day’s rest, I flew to Darwin for a few days to acclimatise to the warmer weather. Much of the city was destroyed during World War II, and the heritage sites and museums are fascinating to explore. A relaxing, outdoorsy city, its waterfront is perfect for a stroll and a beer at sunset!
Finally, the first day of my long-awaited epic rail adventure arrived. There's nothing like watching the world go by from your window seat, and I got to do this in luxury with world-class food and wine and the pleasure of meeting like-minded travellers. It totally exceeded my expectations.
The Ghan is a 3-day journey with two nights onboard, and my single cabin was comfortable. The train’s gentle lull as it made its journey south helped me sleep easily.
All off-train excursions are included, and our first stop was the breathtaking Nitmiluk Gorge. A serene cruise along the Katherine River and a walk in the gorge was the perfect way to explore this ancient landscape, accompanied by very knowledgeable guides.
Back on board, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening menu, which was inspired by the regions we travelled through and matched perfectly with the wonderful Australian wine!
Day two saw us arrive in Alice Springs for a morning trip to the Alice Springs Desert Walk, a fun introduction to the local desert habitats and wildlife that thrive in this environment.
As we resumed the journey, I spent a lovely afternoon in the train bar, getting to know my fellow passengers.
The scenery as we edged closer to Adelaide was magnificent, transitioning from the deep red earth of the outback to lush, green landscapes. It’s amazing to absorb just how diverse this wonderful country is.
I had an awesome time on the Ghan and was sad to leave it, though I did so with the warm feeling that dreams really can come true.
After a few days catching up with friends and enjoying Adelaide, it was time to board the next train. The Overland is a daytime service connecting Adelaide and Melbourne. Though not as luxurious as The Ghan, it was comfortable and offered more wonderful scenery.
Melbourne is a fantastic city for wandering and dining! I was fortunate to have friends and family at each stop, allowing me to experience the city like a local while also hitting the tourist highlights.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Immigration Museum and the Old Melbourne Gaol, where Ned Kelly was imprisoned and ultimately hanged. A bit morbid, but absolutely fascinating.
The trendy suburb of St Kilda is also a must-visit, with its stunning oceanside views and a plethora of brunch spots and coffee shops.
Next stop was Sydney, with the shortest train journey of my trip — the XPT at just 11½ hours! This leg of the journey offered rolling hills and countryside, reminding me of the UK, a stark contrast to the landscapes I had started the trip with.
I enjoyed a few days in Sydney, including catching up for a bite to eat with a fellow traveller from The Ghan, and soaking in the city's vibrant energy.
It was time for my final journey - the epic coast to coast Indian Pacific - well not quite. Due to track repairs we had to take a bus to meet the train in Goulburn, south of Sydney on the way to Canberra – a replacement bus service just like the UK!
All good though, and on boarding, I easily settled into the luxury life once more. It was wonderful to be back on the train - such a relaxing way to travel and I enjoyed another sumptuous dinner whilst sharing rail stories with a couple from Sydney.
Traversing the country means an ever-changing landscape and different time zones (which is rather strange still being in the same country).
This route travels on the world’s longest straight part of rail track - 487km (297 miles) crossing the Nullarbor Plain. We stopped at the town of Cook to refuel and have a leg stretch. A once thriving outback town built to support the railway, the residents can now be counted on one hand. Not a place to get left behind!
Arriving in Perth in Western Australia, I was able to reflect on a fantastic adventure. I met some wonderful people, was treated like a king and got to see Australia from a totally different perspective than most visitors do. It's one of the greatest trips I've ever done, and I feel so grateful to have been able to create such wonderful memories.
A huge and everlasting thank you to Sarah 'Holiday' who made the trip possible during the most difficult of travel times. She always provided reliable and sound advice and I thoroughly recommend her if you require a personal touch for a great holiday experience.
She most certainly earned her place in my holiday photo book! 😊
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