Australia: Stark warning about "Journey Beyond" train operator

[doc7austin]

If worst comes to worst, be like the OP and nag 'JB' for a complete refund (or adequate compensation) if your plans are mucked up. This takes much effort.

Yes, a full cash refund takes a lot of effort, as JBR has written a "Force Majeure" clause into the terms & conditions. Essentially, JBR does not owe a full cash refund, if the train was cancelled due to force majeure reason. JBR only has to pay back the guests the money, it recovered from third-party suppliers.

 

[railfan99]

Yes, a full cash refund takes a lot of effort, as JBR has written a "Force Majeure" clause into the terms & conditions. Essentially, JBR does not owe a full cash refund, if the train was cancelled due to force majeure reason. JBR only has to pay back the guests the money, it recovered from third-party suppliers.

As an Australian, I am ashamed that 'JB' has this policy (although obtaining refunds from any airline, domestic or international can be just as difficult). The majority of travel insurers exclude force majeure.

@doc7austin , an outstanding job to keep the pressure on and eventually succeed. Very well done. A template for others.

Fares on 'JB' trains tend to rise above CPI (inflation: the consumer price index) each year. Granted, some costs may also, but it's unlikely that staff costs have risen above CPI, at least for the bulk of the workforce.

Some good news: the Sydney-Perth rail line currently closed just west of Broken Hill, NSW is expected to reopen on Wednesday 18 March 2026, as reconstruction of the bridge at Thackaringa has been quicker than expected. It was previously to reopen on 28 March.

This should mean the 'IP' is able to operate into Sydney on Wednesday 25 March.

However, hundreds of passengers will have been affected by the weeks of no 'IP' into or out of Sydney. Very poor when there's an alternative route via Melbourne, which could have seen the train at the very least operate to/from Goulburn NSW.

 

[doc7austin]

One data point. Today passenger made a post on Facebook on the Indian Pacific train that had departed earlier today (Saturday). Apparently, passengers were notified that the train would operate all the way to Sydney.
From the official timetable the train would have been passed the closed section West of Broken Hill on Tuesday Morning (March 27). Thus, I think the train will operate via Victoria instead. I also think all passengers will be evicted in Goulburn, because the turnaround time in Sydney is simply too short.

Let's see what'll next Wednesday !

 

[railfan99]

One data point. Today passenger made a post on Facebook on the Indian Pacific train that had departed earlier today (Saturday). Apparently, passengers were notified that the train would operate all the way to Sydney.
From the official timetable the train would have been passed the closed section West of Broken Hill on Tuesday Morning (March 27). Thus, I think the train will operate via Victoria instead. I also think all passengers will be evicted in Goulburn, because the turnaround time in Sydney is simply too short.

Let's see what'll next Wednesday !

You are correct.

The 'JB' website has this appear (i.e. popup) when you search for 'Indian Pacific', so finally, it to operate via Victoria:

Indian Pacific

Embark on an epic rail journey with the Indian Pacific. Traverse diverse landscapes from mountains to deserts. Unforgettable adventure awaits!

www.journeybeyondrail.com.au

Important Notice | East West rail line closed due to flooding​

Please note, the below details are current as of Thursday, 12 March 2026. We will update this with more information as it becomes available.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has advised Journey Beyond of significant rail infrastructure damage across multiple sections of the Indian Pacific line following recent severe weather.

As a result of ongoing track closures for repairs, the train will operate on a diverted rail path between Adelaide and Sydney. Safety remains our highest priority and, to maintain our timetable and ensure guest comfort on board, the Indian Pacific journeys listed below will be diverted via Victoria:

• Perth to Sydney, departing Saturday 14 March
• Adelaide to Sydney, departing Monday 16 March

Our team will be communicating with impacted guests over the coming days. We remain in regular communication with ARTC regarding track repair progress and reopening timelines. Should there be any changes, we will advise guests accordingly.

 

[doc7austin]

JBR has just notified its westbound passenger that the Indian Pacific train will depart from Goulburn this Wednesday (instead of Sydney).

 

[railfan99]

JBR has just notified its westbound passenger that the Indian Pacific train will depart from Goulburn this Wednesday (instead of Sydney).

Yes, as at 1450 AEDT (0350 GMT) on Tuesday 17 March 2026, it was at Laverton, Victoria, about 25 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, travelling slowly. It's only about 800 kilometres to Goulburn NSW so no need to rush things. Very unusual to see it in Victoria. It will go through Melbourne's unattractive industrial belt via Newport, Tottenham Junction, Sunshine and Broadmeadows, but not into Melbourne's Southern Crosss station where Sydney XPTs and Adelaide-bound 'The Overland' commence from or terminate.

 

[doc7austin]

Indian Pacific is operating again - albeit neither from Sydney, nor via Broken Hill this Wednesday (March 18/19, 2026).

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19guRUQcmy/?

Headzup, Indian Pacific on its way back to Adelaide via Victoria.
Edit : The train has experienced various delays including late departure from Goulburn, an unexpected hour long fuel stop at Cootamundra, a bunch of TSR's, and sundry other issues making it 3hrs late upon arrival at Albury at 1am. Those delays mean I would expect the train to pass Gheringhap about 5:30am and Dimboola 9-9:30am.

(Original information: The IP departed Goulburn around 17:30 and will pass through Victoria tonight with an ETA in the Melbourne suburbs 2am-3am. Horsham & Dimboola residents can expect it around sunrise.)

 

[realaledrinker]

We were booked to travel Adelaide - Sydney on Monday 23rd February, the original washout journey. Have to say JB were reasonably pro-active in informing us, with an e-mail and prompt follow-up call. By which time I had booked flights to Sydney and a hotel for two nights. Our itinerary was booked via Trailfinders who obtained a full refund within 72 hours into our bank account. I would definitely recommend them for any tailor made package holidays.

 

[AdamWW]

We were booked to travel Adelaide - Sydney on Monday 23rd February, the original washout journey. Have to say JB were reasonably pro-active in informing us, with an e-mail and prompt follow-up call. By which time I had booked flights to Sydney and a hotel for two nights. Our itinerary was booked via Trailfinders who obtained a full refund within 72 hours into our bank account. I would definitely recommend them for any tailor made package holidays.

From what I've seen on this thread, booking it as part of a package sounds like an excellent plan.

 

[doc7austin]

Thank you for your input.
The entire sum for the Adelaide-Sydney train journey was back into your UK
bank account within 72 hours, really ?

 

[railfan99]

From what I've seen on this thread, booking it as part of a package sounds like an excellent plan.

Agree. @doc7austin 's tale is a cautionary one.

It's always easier to deal with consumer affairs departments/ administrative tribunals in one's own nation than foreign equivalents.

 

[AdamWW]

Agree. @doc7austin 's tale is a cautionary one.

It's always easier to deal with consumer affairs departments/ administrative tribunals in one's own nation than foreign equivalents.

True but in addition I think if you book a package from the UK, ATOL gives you quite strong protection.

 

[doc7austin]

Pardon Our Interruption

What I see on this page doesn't look at all like a "package" - like different items "packacked" by Trailfinders. The content of that page looks to me that Trailfinders is simply reselling exisiting packages from Journey Beyond Rail.
I cannot find any ironclad t&c on that page that a cancellation of the train (even in force majeure) guarantee travellers a 100% cash refund from Trailfinders.
Maybe I am overlooking something ...

 

[AdamWW]

Pardon Our Interruption

What I see on this page doesn't look at all like a "package" - like different items "packacked" by Trailfinders. The content of that page looks to me that Trailfinders is simply reselling exisiting packages from Journey Beyond Rail.
I cannot find any ironclad t&c on that page that a cancellation of the train (even in force majeure) guarantee travellers a 100% cash refund from Trailfinders.
Maybe I am overlooking something ...

I may be explaining the obvious, but if you book a trip including flights and accommodation from a UK travel agent even though all they are doing is reselling the separate items neverthless you gain rights (ATOL protection) when things go wrong that you wouldn't if booking them individually, either directly or through a travel agent.

I would think (though I'd check if it mattered to me!) that a Journey Beyond trip booked in such circumstances would also be covered - the "package" would be also purchasing the flights even if nothing else from Trailfinders.

 

[doc7austin]

ok, I was reading through official ATOL webpage.
It clearly states that the traveller cannot file a claim against ATOL, if the travellers incurs a cancellation.
Again, I fail to see how an "ATOL protection" would help the traveller, if Journey Beyond Rail cancelled a train due to force majeure.

 

[AdamWW]

ok, I was reading through official ATOL webpage.
It clearly states that the traveller cannot file a claim against ATOL, if the travellers incurs a cancellation.
Again, I fail to see how an "ATOL protection" would help the traveller, if Journey Beyond Rail cancelled a train due to force majeure.

So maybe I'm wrong.

I thought that's how it worked.

During Covid I got an entire holiday refunded (albeit as a voucher valid for 5 years) during Covid regardless of what the travel agent could get back from the airline, hotels and rail company.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Due to this post, I’ve booked the Overland in June with my UK Barclaycard, rather than my Australian debit card, incase things go tits up. Thanks for the advice

 

[realaledrinker]

Thank you for your input.
The entire sum for the Adelaide-Sydney train journey was back into your UK
bank account within 72 hours, really ?

Yes but the reimbursement was from Trailfinders not JB, hence my recommendation to fold the trip into a package.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Mar 2026 ==

Yes but the reimbursement was from Trailfinders not JB, hence my recommendation to fold the trip into a package.

Of course it maybe that a large travel company such as Trailfinders has sufficient leverage over JB to secure a refund whatever their attitude to Joe Public might be. Or maybe Trailfinders hadn’t paid JB for the booking up front. Who knows.

 

[railfan99]

Along with a growing number of worldwide rail operators, 'JB' uses airline-style dynamic pricing for its fares, supposedly aligned with demand for each departure.

It is sneaking in a fare rise that appears to be above the rate of increase of the Australian consumer price index.

Granted, with the current oil crisis, the cost of 'hook and pull' arrangements with locomotive provided Pacific National may have (or be about to) rise(n) but staff costs, a major expense are unlikely to have increased more than five per cent.

It typically offers a discount for booking six months in advance. For October 2026 in so-called 'gold class' (the cheapest form of sleeping car compartments), the lowest fare I could find was A$4190. For a year later (October 2027), this had risen to A$4490, so a rise of 7.16 per cent.

The A$ has slightly appreciated against the £ so that's also unhelpful for Britons wanting to travel on this transcontinental train.

 

[doc7austin]

During Covid I got an entire holiday refunded (albeit as a voucher valid for 5 years) during Covid regardless of what the travel agent could get back from the airline, hotels and rail company.

Who gave you the voucher - ATOL or the travel operator ?

 

[35B]

Yes but the reimbursement was from Trailfinders not JB, hence my recommendation to fold the trip into a package.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Mar 2026 ==


Of course it maybe that a large travel company such as Trailfinders has sufficient leverage over JB to secure a refund whatever their attitude to Joe Public might be. Or maybe Trailfinders hadn’t paid JB for the booking up front. Who knows.

As important, who cares. Trailfinders, as the package retailer, are liable to the customer under the Package Travel Regulations. If it’s part of a package, UK and EU consumers have significant protection.

 

[doc7austin]

As important, who cares. Trailfinders, as the package retailer, are liable to the customer under the Package Travel Regulations. If it’s part of a package, UK and EU consumers have significant protection.

The question remains if Trailfinders had really sold a "self-packaged" package here. I doubt that. When it comes to revovering several thousands of GBP, the fine print on JBR, Trailfinders t&c + ATOL and UK Package Travel Protection legislation matter. So far I have not found a 100% iron-clad protection when JBR cancels the train due to force majeure.

In the mentioned case here, I also believe that Trailfinders had issued a swift cash refund to the traveller, because Trailfinders had not paid out the money to JBR, yet. This was fortunate for the affected traveller, but that does mean one can rely that Trailfinders (or another UK-based tour reseller) will always pay out a 100% cash refund.

JBR may require pre-payment from resellers in the future.

 

[AdamWW]

Who gave you the voucher - ATOL or the travel operator ?

Travel operator. It came with an "ATOL certificate" which perhaps was just certifying that if the operator went under before we cashed in the voucher, ATOL would then reimburse us. So possibly otherwise nothing to do with ATOL.