Australia's Best Train Journeys you Can't Miss

It’s easy to forget just how huge Australia is. Spanning over 7 million km across eight states, there’s an overwhelming amount of things to do in Australia. If you’re currently planning a trip to Australia, or just curious about it, you might have come across Australia’s famous train journeys. If you're looking for a relaxed yet awe-inspiring way to experience Australia, a train journey is the perfect choice. These scenic cruises take you on a guided tour of Australia, providing you with access to some of Australia’s most beautifully remote areas, whilst sitting comfortably in your cabin sipping wine. Journeys like the famous Ghan, that take you from Darwin to Adelaide, cross Australia from top to bottom through stunning red deserts, wine regions, and incredible lakes. There’s just nothing like it. These train journeys will give you a whole new appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the Australian landscape, and if you haven’t experienced one yet, I hope this blog convinces you to add a train journey to your next Australia holiday! 

So let’s dive into Australia’s best train journeys, showcasing what you can expect, where it goes, and some travel tips along the way. 

The Indian Pacific

Ever wondered what it’s like to cross an entire continent by train? The Indian Pacific sees you gliding between Sydney on the east coast to Perth on the west coast (or vice versa) in just 4 days. You can also stop along the journey in Adelaide, or start in Adelaide and head in either direction. It’s a long journey, but trust me, it’s worth every minute. Considered one of the great rail journeys of the world, this transcontinental adventure sees you passing through the Blue Mountains, the vast Nullarbor Plain, and even stops at the quirky outback town of Kalgoorlie. You’ll experience some of the best vistas from the comfort of the luxurious cabins. 

The Indian Pacific is one of Australia’s, and the world’s, longest train journeys, rivalling that of Trans-Siberian Railway and the Canadian - stretching out to 478 km (297 miles) of train track. A one way trip on the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth (or vice versa) takes around 4 days to complete, with the shorter trips such as Adelaide to Sydney or Perth to Adelaide taking between 2-3 days. It’s the perfect way to cross coast to coast in Australia. Yeah sure, you could fly from Perth to Sydney, but you’ll be missing out on so much in between. Why not focus on the journey instead of the destination? For a better visual, check out the train route map below:

The Indian Pacific Train Route

The Indian Pacific isn’t just any regular train, it’s one of the world’s most luxurious trains - offering a range of luxury experiences along the journey. From stylish cabins to delicious gourmet meals, the Indian Pacific isn’t just great for sightseeing, it’s also an incredible luxury experience. There’s also the ability to do optional guided tours along the few stops the train makes, so you never have to worry about missing out. I highly recommend jumping onto these tours for the chance to experience some of Australia’s best sights! 

Wine tasting experience in the Mclaren Vale, South Australia.

The Indian Pacific, and all the train journeys in this blog, are one of the most popular tourist attractions and will usually book out well in advance. The peak times to experience these train journeys is usually in the summer months between December to February, and is usually booked out ahead of time during this period. Luckily, the Indian Pacific runs weekly, so if you’re flexible on when you’re visiting you’ll have a good chance of securing your spot. Our Aussie Travel Specialists recommend the best time for booking the Indian Pacific train tour is during the in-between seasons, with Spring being the highest rated.  If you’re wanting an example of how you could experience the Indian Pacific, check out our The Indian Pacific Rail, Coast & Vines Tour to see how this kind of trip could look for you!

The Great Southern

The Great Southern is Australia’s newest addition to the experiential tourism train network. Instead of crossing the entirety of the continent, the Great Southern opts for the semi-coastal approach, taking you from Brisbane through to Adelaide (and vice versa), with the option of stopping in Melbourne. The experience is a remarkable way of travelling through Australia as you pass through the stunning southern and eastern coasts, offering jaw-dropping ocean views, lush hinterlands, and mountain scenes. 

The Great Southern is the newest experiential tourism train, starting up in 2019 and running exclusively in the summer months between December and February. Being a summer only train journey means you’ll need to book in advance to secure a spot to avoid missing out. Our Aussie Travel Specialists recommend booking at least 3-6 months in advance, with the best times to go being in February due to the lack of school holidays, slightly cooler weather, and usually having a quieter train ride. The train route itself can be begun from either Adelaide, Brisbane, or Melbourne, with each journey offering different experiences and optional guided tours. You can find the train route map below:

The Great Southern Train Route

Brisbane to Adelaide includes stops at Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley wine region, the Grampians National Park, and Melbourne. This is a slow trip, taking 4 days to complete, meaning you can relax and enjoy the ride without feeling like you need to rush to do everything. If you’re wanting to reverse the direction and do Adelaide to Brisbane, you’ll have fewer stops, with stops at the Grampians National Park, Canberra - Australia’s capital city, and Coffs Harbour before arriving in Brisbane. Due to the fewer stops along the way, this journey is a day shorter, taking just 3 days to complete instead of 4. If you’re after our recommendation on which way is better, it’s really up to how much of Australia you want to see, but our team usually recommends the Brisbane to Adelaide route purely because you get to experience the Hunter Valley wine region - which is spectacular! If you’re after some reasons why you should add the Hunter Valley to your itinerary, check out our blog The Best wineries in the Hunter Valley 2024 to see for yourself!

An outdoor dining experience on the Great Southern Train Tour

The last journey you could do would be Brisbane to Melbourne, a 3 day experience that sees you stopping at Coffs Harbour, the Hunter Valley wine region, and of course - Melbourne. It’s a more streamlined journey in comparison to the other two, but it’s no less deserving of a spot on your itinerary. If you’re thinking of travelling between Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, the Great Southern is honestly one of the best ways to see it all in a tightly knit bow.

The carriages themselves are all still relatively new (at time of writing) and since it’s the newest train, it offers some of the most luxurious cabins you find on Australia’s tourism trains. The guided tours on offer are nothing to sleep on either, and are definitely worth experiencing for yourself as they take you through vineyards, iconic attractions, and restaurants.

The Ghan

Finally, we come to The Ghan - One of Australia’s oldest and greatest experiential tourism trains. Running between Darwin to Adelaide, The Ghan is another epic train journey inviting you to experience the heart of Australia in style and comfort. Named after the Afghan cameleers who helped explore the country’s Red Centre in the 19th century, this trip takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes in Australia, as well as crossing through mountains, lakes, and passing by Australia’s most iconic landmark - Uluru. 

The Ghan is one of the oldest running train networks in Australia, with 2024 marking 95 years of outback crossings since 1929. Originally constructed in 1878 as a way of transporting supplies and workers across Australia’s interior, The original Ghan didn’t even make it to Alice Springs, with the final leg of the journey requiring camel riders until the track was extended in 1929. Since then, The Ghan quickly developed into an international tourism icon offering a unique, luxurious way of exploring Australia’s Red Centre. In 2004, a connecting rail between Alice Springs and the capital of the Northern Territory - Darwin, was built and opened up a massive amount of tourism and supply lines to Darwin. The Ghan now stretches across 2,97 kilometres (1,851 miles) across the Tarcoola to Darwin Line, making it the longest stretch of experiential rail in Australia and the world. Whilst you’re onboard your journey along The Ghan, the crew will fill you in on all the history of the train, and provide glimpses into the past into what it once was, and how it became what it is today. Below is a route map of The Ghan along the Tarcoola to Darwin Line, along with all the possible stops along the journey.

The Ghan Train Route Map

A trip along The Ghan can take between 2-4 days depending on which direction you’re going, where you depart, and which destination you wish to finish. If you’re thinking of doing the full expedition from Darwin to Adelaide, that’ll take up to 4 days including stops to go from end to end. If you’re just heading from Adelaide to Alice Springs however, that’ll take 2 days including stops as you venture into Australia’s Red Centre. If you’re wanting to get the full experience, our Aussie Travel Specialists highly recommend The Ghan Expedition tour doing the Darwin to Adelaide route. Not only do you get to explore the whole length of the outback in all its glory, you can also experience tours of Alice Springs, Uluru, as well as scenic helicopter flights of Katherine and Coober Pedy. This tour, as well as the reverse Adelaide to Darwin, is only available between April and October and usually sells out a year in advance due to how popular it is. Our Australian Travel Specialists recommend booking this well in advance to secure your spot.

The other tour on offer between Darwin and Adelaide, aptly named “The Ghan” - is available from March to November. This tour is 3 days long, so 1 day shorter than “The Ghan Expedition” tour, and is usually easier to get a seat on, but still sells out quickly each year. For The Ghan we don’t usually recommend a best month to travel The Ghan, as it’s more about actually getting a seat more than anything else. The tours are during the Winter and Spring seasons, so it will be much cooler and you’ll (thankfully) miss the scorching summer desert heat. Usually Spring (September through November) is warmer though if that’s what you’re after. 

If you want to stay up to date on availability and secure your spot, talk to our Aussie Travel Specialists today to see how we can help. 

The Ghan is famous for its luxury cabins and dining experiences aboard the train. You’ll sleep in private cabins and be served delicious meals by some of the best chef’s in Australia. The optional guided tours are also high-end experiences that you simply won’t forget anytime soon. The Ghan is bound to impress, and it’s an experience you’ll talk about for years and years. If you’re after a travel itinerary including the Ghan, check out our Length of Australia Ghan Expedition tour featuring The Ghan Expedition tour. We include everything you need to know about the tour, as well as the current rates and availability.

Why Train Travel?

Train travel is all about the journey, not just the destination. It's a slower, more relaxed way to see this beautiful country, and you'll get to visit places you might not see otherwise. Plus, you get to experience all the incredible onboard dining, entertainment, cosy cabins, and incredible experiences all the while soaking up the views. There's really nothing like it, and if you have never done a train tour before, you really should consider adding it to your travel bucket list! 

If you're looking for a unique way to explore Australia, these three train journeys are experiences you simply can't miss. For more train travel inspiration, check out our range of Train Journeys & Tours and start building your next Aussie holiday itinerary!