RAIL TRAVEL

Australia is known as the last frontier where rail travel can take you to the very heart of the continent. Settle back and watch the passing parade of a vast continent of contrasts.

Australia presents different styles of train travel opportunities and this product diversity, provides a wide range of travel options to satisfy anyone's travel plans from the discerning First Class traveller to the economy budget traveller. So whether train travel is used as part of the holiday or as a means of getting around, there is train travel options to suit most tastes and budgets.

Most long distance services generally provide first class and economy sleeping berth accommodation and all trains have available reclining seated accommodation. All trains are air-conditioned and many interstate trains offer restaurant, lounge cars and provide light snacks from a buffet car and provide a bar service for the comfort of passengers.

Services are available along most coastal routes and links are provided between all capital cities and tourist destinations in regional areas. XPT Express Intercity services connect the capital cities of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and also connect Sydney to the capital city of Australia, Canberra.

In addition to major city connections Australia also provides some of the great rail journeys in the world in modern air-conditioned luxury in trains such as The Ghan, The Indian Pacific and The Queenslander. The Great South Pacific Express, the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Spirit of the Outback.

Rail Australia

The Australian Railways operate scheduled services throughout this vast continent, either as individual trips or on an Austrail Pass. Both Austrail Passes are only available to International travellers and must be purchased before arrival into Australia.

Great Southern Railway

The Great Southern Railway operates three trains, The Ghan from Sydney and Melbourne to Alice Springs and vice versa, The Indian Pacific from Sydney via Adelaide to Perth and vice versa, and The Overland from Melbourne to Adelaide and vice versa. Great Southern Railway took over the operations of the three trains from Australian National Passenger Rail in November 1997. In essence therefore, Great Southern Railway is the first Government owned transcontinental passenger business to be privatised in Australia and is now owned by Serco Asia Pacific, the same company that owns and operates the Docklands Light Railway in London, England.

Independent Railways

There are various Private Railway Operator along side the various State Railway Operators in Australia, all of which have some rather interesting and certainly exciting rail journey to choose from. A rail journey is certainly a perfect way of taking in the scenery while perhaps enjoying a meal or drink in absolute luxury, or just sit back in relative comfort and enjoy the passing countryside and looking forward to the adventure that awaits at the end of the line.

Travel by train throughout Australia is easy and economical. With one of the most decentralised rail networks in the world, rail travel in Australia offers an entertaining and relaxing way to see all the sights this wonderful country has to offer and please take your choice from our varied selection of different journeys. As there is a wide variety of rolling stock used on the railways and this can vary from area-to-area, please appreciate by the nature of things, there are differences in equipment and services too.