Cassandra NervaWith the relaunch of flights under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Singapore and Australia, comes new travel plans to rediscover the Land Down Under. Yet, the question remains: What novel adventure can I look forward to that’ll bring me away from the tourist attractions frequented by so many?
Enter Australia’s epic train rides! While road trips are a favourite choice that’ll offer you some of the most awe-inspiring views you’ll ever see, train rides are another awesome way to get that once-in-a-lifetime experience of Australia’s rustic natural wonders. Besides, travelling by train would mean that you won’t have to worry about staying awake on long road trips!
1. Sydney to Perth (and vice versa) on the Indian Pacific
Image credit: Tourism Australia
This four-day cross-continent journey ferries you from east to west as it passes through Adelaide and Nullarbor Plain. Think all-inclusive meals, fine wines, and beverages that perfectly pair with the following regions:
Broken Hill and Barossa Valley
Uncover the mining history and artistic flourishes of Broken Hill before you ride through the breathtaking Flinders Ranges mountain range. Once you arrive in Adelaide, tour the wine regions of Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale, or walk up Adelaide Hills for a quiet respite.
Also read: Top 8 Wineries in New South Wales: Hunter Valley, Sydney and Beyond
Nullarbor Plain
An extensive length of this train ride crosses the 487km-long Nullarbor Plain, aka the world’s longest stretch of straight railroad. Along the way, you’ll pass by the arid regions of Cook, Rawlinna, and Golden Outback — all of which will make for a stunning scene of twinkling stars under the night sky.
2. Darwin to Adelaide (and vice versa) on The Ghan
Image credit: Tourism NT and Annie Nguyen
Want to explore Australia’s great desert outdoors by getting up close and personal with its native wildlife? Then hop on this three-day coast-to-coast train journey in Australia from Darwin in the Northern Territory to South Australia’s Adelaide!
Katherine
This town, known as the place where “the outback meets the tropics”, boasts a slew of stunning natural wonders. With the chance to participate in a guided cruise through Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine promises to be an enriching stopover on this extraordinary journey.
Alice Springs
Next, you’ll get to traverse through the Red Centre, or Central Australia: the country’s massive desert region. Alice Springs is the town that lies in the heart of the desert, and is also known as the halfway point between Darwin and Adelaide. Here, you’ll get the chance to explore vintage buildings and indigenous Australian art galleries.
Marla and Adelaide
Image credit: Tourism NT and Daniel Tran
After passing by the small service town of Marla, you’ll wake up to the rolling verdant landscape of Adelaide. Complete your expedition in the southern city with a wine tour to Barossa Valley or a visit to the family-friendly Kangaroo Island.
3. Adelaide to Brisbane on the Great Southern
This train ride will bring you along Australia’s spectacular southeastern coastline from Adelaide up towards Brisbane.
The Great Southern and Australia’s capital city
Beyond Adelaide lies the incredible wilderness of Grampians National Park. The next day, you’ll reach the political and cultural epicenter of Canberra, where institutions like the National War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, and Parliament House lie.
Coffs Harbour
Outdoor splendour is yours to enjoy once you reach the final checkpoint before Brisbane: Coffs Harbour. This coastal town stands out for its marvellous markets, beaches, and boardwalks; and, lies just under 400km away from your destination!
Image credit: Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions
As Phillipa Harrison, Tourism Australia Managing Director mentions, “Australia remains an incredibly desirable destination for international visitors, and we can’t wait to say G’Day and welcome more travellers back to our beautiful country in 2022. We also know that travellers will be looking to splurge a little, immerse themselves in more bespoke and unique experiences, find offerings that consider wellness, and explore and better understand Indigenous culture — all of which are areas where Australia has a competitive edge, and that should give us more reasons than ever to be optimistic about tourism and travel in 2022!”
For those who believe that beauty lies not in the destination, but in the journey, wouldn’t you agree that train rides through Australia’s natural landscape are the best way to explore the country? With so much to see and do along the way, this way of travel will surely make for a different, yet exceedingly worthy experience.
Information extracted from a press release issued by Tourism Australia.
