Trains

Train journeys have to be the most glamorous way of travelling around Australia – plus it means that you get to enjoy the never-ending views (and drinks) without worrying about concentrating on the roads. Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking that the rail services will be as bad as they are in the UK, the two are incomparable. Rail Australia has an impressive record for reliability and value for money, plus spectacular scenery that is just unbeatable!

The three Australian rail companies are CountryLink, Southern Rail and Queensland Rail. They offer four passes, AusRail, Great Southern Rail Explorer, the Backpacker Trail and the East Coast Discovery Pass. All of these passes carry a 10% discount if pre-booked before you leave for Australia. All of the passes, except the Great Southern Rail Explorer also include all connecting coach services. See Rail Australia for more details on the passes on offer.

The three most famous trains or routes in Oz are The Ghan, running right through the heart of Northern Territory up and down the country; The Overland, a relatively short journey along the south coast visiting legendary Victorian and South Australian towns; and the Indian Pacific, travelling right across the breadth of the country to Western Australia from New South Wales.

The Ghan runs from Adelaide to Alice Springs and Darwin twice a week and takes two nights; and costs from $199 (£86) from Adelaide to Darwin for a daynighter seat (ie no bed, but still pretty comfy). The Overland runs between Melbourne and Adelaide three times a week in both directions, from $55 (£24), taking a little over 9 hours from morning until later afternoon. The Indian Pacific runs between Sydney, Adelaide and Perth twice a week in both directions and takes three nights; from $315 (£137) Sydney to Perth for a daynighter seat. Book trips on all three trains at Great Train Journeys.

The Great Southern Rail Explorer Pass allows unlimited travel for up to 6 months on The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland. Book your pass before you leave the UK and you’ll get it 10% cheaper. There is also a special backpacker rate that allows relaxed, luxurious travel in comfort from as little as £1 per day. Visit Rail Australia for more details.

Try the Southern Spirit for luxury rail cruises between Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. You can easily spend over £2,000 on a top-end service journey if you want to, with double beds and champagne at every turn; and even hire a private carriage.

It’s easy to travel shorter distances by train too, and pretty cheap; for timetables and rail passes, visit Rail Australia. Find more info and tips on travelling by train around Australia, visit Seat61.