Sydney - Adelaide - Perth
Sit back and watch Australia's timeless landscapes fly by your window on this epic train trip. Board at Sydney and hop off for whistle stop tours of Broken Hill and Adelaide. Or join in Perth and cut the continent the other way, from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. Pass through the spectacular Blue Mountains, stop in gold rich Kalgoorlie and in the remote outpost of Cook and travel almost 500 kilometres through the stark Nullarbor Plain. Whatever your direction, you'll wake to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, watch fiery sunsets and fall asleep to the train's rhythmic sway.
THE TRAIN TRIP
Cross the continent on this epic train trip. Travel between Sydney and Perth, stopping for whistle stop tours of Broken Hill, Adelaide and gold-rich Kalgoorlie
Day 1 Sydney to Broken Hill
Depart Sydney mid-afternoon
Board at Sydney’s Central Station and settle into your cabin or lounge chair for a comfortable afternoon staring out your window. Watch the sandstone cliffs, forested valleys, escarpments and waterfalls of the Blue Mountains morph into the more arid landscapes of the New South Wales outback. See a fiery sun sink into rugged ranges, mulga bush and desert plain as you enjoy dinner and wine in the dining car.
Arrive Broken Hill early morning
Pull into Broken Hill early on your second day and marvel at the clear light and beautiful colours that have drawn many artists to this area. This former mining town known as Silver City sits amidst distinctive desert landscapes and an oasis of lakes. Soak up the city on a one-hour whistle-stop tour. Learn about the rich mining history and visit the Royal Flying Doctor Base. See the Living Desert Sculptures and one of the impressive art galleries. Don’t worry if it feels like the earth is moving beneath you. After spending a day on board, you’re probably transferring the train’s rhythmic sway to land.
Day 2 Broken Hill to Adelaide
Arrive Adelaide mid-afternoon
The first things you’ll notice as you explore Australia’s festival city are the colonial buildings surrounded by superb parklands, beaches and hills. Check out the stone buildings lining North Terrace, the Botanic Garden and the Rundle Street cafe scene. Make your way past Montefiore Hill and Colonel Light's Lookout, Adelaide Oval and River Torrens.
Depart Adelaide in the evening.
Day 3 Adelaide to Perth
Wake up and marvel at the raw beauty of the Nullarbor. Taking its name from the Latin meaning ‘no trees’, the ancient Nullarbor conjures the sense of limitless space and time.
Arrive in Rawlinna early evening.
Under brilliant desert stars, enjoy an evening stop at a place where even the most intrepid of travellers have never ventured.
Depart Rawlinna in the evening.
Arrive Perth mid-afternoon.
This sunny, beach-loving city is closer to Singapore than Sydney and an important gateway to Asia. Make the most of your first morning here with an Indian-Pacific tour along the Swan River and past the carefully restored colonial buildings. Once you’ve got a glimpse into Perth’s attractions, you and your luggage will be dropped to your city accommodation.