Indian Pacific train: Sydney to Perth route and cabins

Indian Pacific train travel is the best way to see Australia from coast to coast. The train runs about 4,352 km from Sydney to Perth, takes about three days, and offers Gold, Platinum and Red Service seats and cabins.

This guide sets out the route, the journey time, the cabin types and some tips for planning.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Indian Pacific; Wikipedia, Trans-Australian Railway.

The route from Sydney to Perth

The Indian Pacific train runs from Sydney to Perth, a distance of about 4,352 km. It crosses the whole country, from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean, and that is where the name comes from. The first train left Sydney on 23 February 1970.

The train leaves Sydney and climbs through the Blue Mountains. It then crosses the dry plains of western New South Wales to Broken Hill. From there it runs to Adelaide, on to Cook and Rawlinna on the Nullarbor Plain, and then to Kalgoorlie and Perth.

Most of the journey is quiet country with few towns. Plan to spend your time watching the land change outside the window.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Indian Pacific; Wikipedia, Trans-Australian Railway.

How long the journey takes

Plan on about three days and three nights on board for the full trip. The exact times depend on the timetable and on daylight saving, which changes the clocks in some states and not in others. The first trip in 1970 took 75 hours, and the trip is now a little shorter.

You do not have to ride the whole way. You can join or leave at Adelaide or Broken Hill and treat the train as one leg of a longer holiday. Check the current timetable with the operator before you book, because days and times can change.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Indian Pacific.

Cabin types and what to expect

The train offers three kinds of travel. Great Southern Rail, the company that has run the train since October 1997, sells each one.

• Platinum Service: the premium class, introduced in 2008.
• Gold Service: the long-standing first class, with roomette or twinette sleeper cabins and meals included.
• Red Service: the economy class, with shared sleeper cabins and sit-up seats. It has its own restaurant car, so you can still sit down for a meal on the long run across the continent.

A roomette is a small single cabin. A twinette is a slightly larger cabin for two. Meals in the sleeper classes are served in the dining car. Ask the operator exactly what is included at each level, as it can differ by class.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Indian Pacific.

Crossing the Nullarbor Plain

The most famous part of the trip is the Nullarbor Plain. The train runs on the Trans-Australian Railway, which was finished in 1917 and links Port Augusta in South Australia with Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. That line is about 1,691 km long.

It includes a stretch of about 478 km of dead straight track. It is described as the longest straight section of railway in the world. There are no curves for most of a day, so the view looks almost the same for hours. The land is flat, dry and nearly treeless.

Cook and Rawlinna are tiny places on this line. Cook was once a busy servicing point, but it is much quieter now. Bring a book, a camera and some patience. Most travellers say the big sky and the long, empty horizon are the real attraction.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Indian Pacific; Wikipedia, Trans-Australian Railway.

Planning your trip

Book early if you want to travel in the cooler months, as sleeper cabins can sell out. Check the operator for fares, because prices change with the season and the class you choose.

• Pack light. Cabin space is small.
• Bring a warm layer, since desert nights are cold.
• Download or buy your reading and entertainment before you board, as phone signal drops out across the Nullarbor.
• If you take medicines, carry enough for the whole trip. This is general information, not medical advice.

Stops in Adelaide and Broken Hill give you time to get off the train and look around. Ask the operator what tours and stop times are on offer on your travel day.

Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Indian Pacific.

Sources

1. Wikipedia, Indian Pacific: en.wikipedia.org
2. Wikipedia, Trans-Australian Railway: en.wikipedia.org