Australia trip

[mumrar]

I'm lucky enough to be spending Christmas in Australia for a 5 week break this year. We're going to Sydney first where my father-in-law will be with his two other daughters and partners, and all four of us will be joining them.

After New Years the four of us and my father-in-law will all be heading to Perth (where he lives) and I'm super keen to travel by the Indian Pacific. Anyone got any advice/tips/stories about this train? I know it is 3 days and nights and I'm asking in general as well as accomodation etc.

Thought I'd post as I know we have some Aussies on here, but of course they could live nowhere near where I'm talking about (as I've found out!)

 

[delt1c]

I did this trip last year , it is the trip of a lifetime, I purchased an Ausrail pass before leaving the UK . It is a long trip but well worth it.
Departed Sydned Saturday 3pm, 1st stop was Broken Hill Sunday 6.30am when I took a walk around the yards as it was a 1.5hr stop, next Adelaide 3pm where we had a 3 hr break , even on a Sunday plenty of freights and variety. Trip to Perth was so relaxing, I took seated acomodation which had plenty of legroom and managed sleep without a problem, I did take a travel pillow and silk sleeping bag liner.
The on train diner was very reasonable and the food acceptable.
From Perth I flew to Darwin spent 3 nights there before catching the Ghan to Addelaide where I spent 1 night before returning east on the Indian Pacific to Sydney. All in 10 days, would do it again tommorrow given the chance. The variety in locos and liveries was unbelievable, and the freights have to be seen to be believed.
Need anyadvice drop me a PM

 

[ian959]

Advice? Just do it!

Only problem you might have is that the Indian Pacific no longer runs twice a week during the Christmas period. Unless something else goes wrong this coming year (financially speaking), it should however just about resume the weekend departure from Sydney at the time you want to head to the better part of the country (aka Western Australia).

It has been a little while since I did the IP but its a great journey. Not at all boring, some excellent meals, and a chance to do some sightseeing in Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie (two great mining towns). Whilst the seated accommodation is survivable, I would go for the more expensive sleeping accommodation. Nice and comfy during the day and a good nights sleep.

I really need to do the journey again myself.


Ian

 

[mumrar]

Thanks for the information, it has just further cemented my desire to make this happen.

 

[185]

Easy loop...
XPT Sydney-Melbourne
The Overland Melbourne-Adelaide
Fly - budget flight Adelaide-Cairns
Tilt Train Cairns-Brisbane
XPT Brisbane-Sydney

 

[mumrar]

Easy loop...
XPT Sydney-Melbourne
The Overland Melbourne-Adelaide
Fly - budget flight Adelaide-Cairns
Tilt Train Cairns-Brisbane
XPT Brisbane-Sydney

You guys did see the bit where I said I'll be there with my wife and young kids too? I won't get away with all of that.

 

[delt1c]

With the wife and young kids I would recomend red sleeper service which gives you acces to the club car in the daytime. Envy you as this time last year I was just planning my trip. Still can see the sights of the trip as though it was yesterday. A lifetimes ambition fullfilled for me, but I want to do it again.

 

[mumrar]

With the wife and young kids I would recomend red sleeper service which gives you acces to the club car in the daytime. Envy you as this time last year I was just planning my trip. Still can see the sights of the trip as though it was yesterday. A lifetimes ambition fullfilled for me, but I want to do it again.

Cheers Delt1c, I mentioned the family in the context of not spending the entire trip travelling on trains, it may very well be me only on the Indian Pacific, don't know whether the 4-year-old will appreciate it enough, and the not quite 1-year-old won't certainly.

 

[delt1c]

When I travelled the train was filled with mixture Australians travelling to Perth and tourists, didnt meet any other enthusiasts, so should be OK for your wife. Thing I did notice that there were no children on board(not even teenagers) , it is a long trip. Only you would know if it was suitable for a 1 & 4 year old