Australia is dwelling to a number of the world’s most stunning prepare journeys – specifically The Ghan, the Indian Pacific and the Nice Southern – however which one is greatest for experiencing the nation’s breathtaking landscapes by rail? All of it will depend on the place you’re travelling to and what you wish to see alongside the way in which.
The Ghan
The place: The Ghan (see above), which marked its 93rd anniversary in 2022, travels from Adelaide to Darwin, with the choice to cease at Alice Springs. Prepare journey choices span every part from two days and one evening to 4 days and three nights. The longest jaunt consists of stops at Coober Pedy and Nitmiluk Gorge. Itineraries in every path are similar.
Why: The Ghan is turning into more and more standard with youthful travellers for its spectacular array of lively excursions over the course of the journey, a lot of that are included in the price of the fare. The three-day, four-night itinerary often called The Ghan Expedition consists of the choice to discover Uluru. A selection of various arrival and departure cities and journey lengths presents flexibility for these with a restricted time or finances.
Complete distance: 2,797 kilometres
Priced from: A$2,165 Gold Single/A$2,475 p.p. Gold Twin
Surroundings: Creeks lined with silvery gum timber snake beneath bridges because the prepare winds its manner by way of the center of Australia. Wedge-tailed eagles soar overhead and galahs zip previous in a flash of color. Vivid pink termite mounds, a few of that are taller than people, attain in direction of the skies.
Eating: Dine on regional flavours reminiscent of Northern Territory barramundi, Margaret River cheeses and Barossa Valley artisanal merchandise. Native produce reminiscent of kangaroo, saltbush and wild rosella additionally characteristic, providing a scrumptious style of Australia.
Excursions: Hike distant Simpsons Hole within the West MacDonnell Ranges, discover the cultural wonders of Uluru, trip a camel in Alice Springs, cruise up Nitmiluk Gorge or go to the Coober Pedy opal mining city.
The Indian Pacific
The place: The Indian Pacific travels between Perth within the east and Sydney on the west, with the choice to cease at Adelaide. Journeys of 1, two or three nights can be found. Itineraries in every path are similar.
Why: Extensively considered Australia’s most iconic prepare voyage, this journey is a snug and efficient strategy to get from one aspect of the nation to the opposite. There’s loads to see, because it passes by way of landscapes as diverse because the spectacular Blue Mountains and the flat, otherworldly stretches of the Nullarbor Plain. Rail aficionados particularly will benefit from the Indian Pacific as there’s loads of time spent on the prepare. In case your love of prepare journey is bigger than your finances, the single-night journey between Sydney and Adelaide presents an inexpensive “taster journey” of the complete expertise.
Complete distance: 4,352 kilometres
Priced from: A$2,065 Gold Single/A$2,345 p.p. Gold Twin
Surroundings: If you happen to’re touring from Sydney to Perth, the forested valleys and sandstone cliffs of the beautiful Blue Mountains will slowly give strategy to the arid areas of New South Wales. Blue sky stretches so far as the attention can see, punctuated by a few emus sprinting alongside the prepare. Vivid inexperienced tufts of native grasses dot the pink desert soil of the treeless Nullarbor Plain like exclamation marks. That is really the center of nowhere, but with a lot to see.
Eating: Meals are served within the prepare’s Queen Adelaide Restaurant and have the likes of South Australian beef, Yarra Valley rooster and wines from Margaret River. For dessert, bask in a Barossa Valley cheese plate or Kangaroo Island honey ice cream.
Excursions: Take pleasure in drinks and canapes beneath the celebrities on the Nullarbor Plain, discover scenic walkways on the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains or take pleasure in a progressive breakfast on the historic Adelaide Central Market.
The Nice Southern
The place: The Nice Southern travels from Brisbane to Adelaide in 4 days and three nights or from Adelaide to Brisbane in three days and two nights. There are completely different itineraries operating in every path.
Why: The Nice Southern is at present solely accessible for 2 months of the 12 months (December and January), which makes it extremely wanted. This journey additionally comes with bragging rights as Australia’s latest luxurious prepare journey. Foodies will revel within the unique meals and wine experiences accessible en route. Since each itineraries are completely different, they are often mixed to create a week-long return journey, with a resort keep between every journey.
Complete distance: 2,617 kilometres
Priced from: A$2,795 Gold Single/A$2,965 p.p. Gold Twin
Surroundings: Suburbia rapidly provides strategy to rural life, with farmhouses dotting rolling hills and shimmering creeks snaking lazily by way of the countryside. The panorama is diverse, with scenic coastal cities, sun-kissed seashores and rugged mountains. Different highlights embody driving the rails alongside the Hawkesbury River, simply north of Sydney, and rolling by way of the picturesque Adelaide Hills.
Eating: Most meals are loved off the prepare at wineries and different venues, the place you’ll be able to feast on the likes of Coffs Coast king prawns, native rock oysters and black Angus eye fillet with accompanying Hunter Valley or Adelaide Hills wines. Brunch on the prepare can be a culinary spotlight.
Excursions: Drink positive wine at historic Hunter Valley vineyards, dine atop Eureka Tower in Melbourne or make a journey alongside the Nice Ocean Highway. There’s additionally the possibility to go to Canberra, Australia’s nationwide capital.
To be taught extra about Singapore Airways flights, go to singaporeair.com. For updates and journey advisories, please go to Ministry of Overseas Affairs’ web site.
Hero picture: The Ghan at Manguri prepare station. Photograph credit score: Scott A Woodward
