Indian Pacific Help advice required

[Requeststop]

Hi everyone.
I have a 9 day break over Easter and was wondering about travelling on the Indian Pacific either way Perth - Sydney (preferable) or Sydney - Perth.
Advice on booking, class availability (single male 64 yo) Food, accommodation and if any excursions are really worth while and made during the single run in either direction.

I'm expecting that Wi-Fi will not be available but would taking a laptop on board be worth while? Being in PNG we have Aussie style plugs etc.

Also the best way to book, preferably on line. Easter week: Is it bound to be fully booked already? bearing in mind I have to book flights from Port Moresby to Sydney (relatively easy) or to Perth (not quite so easy) and hotels either end of the trip.

Any experiences from readers would be appreciated especially anything to be careful of, ie unexpected pitfalls on the journey etc.

Thanks.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

There is a website called something like "man in Seat 61" which I am told is very helpful. I think the firm that run the train is "Great Southern Rail". A good travel agent may be able to help too. Don't leave it too long before you book as it is a popular train. I would like to do that one and the Ghan as well.

 

[Requeststop]

Hello and thanks for your reply. I have looked at both GreatSouthernRail and Seat61 sites. Seat61 has directed me to another site in OZ International Rail.com.au and they have given me an initial reply and will send me a more considered reply tomorrow (my time).

I was hoping for advise on pitfalls etc and what to take and not to take for the journey. Fingers crossed that I get a ride this Easter. Again thanks for your reply.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Hello and thanks for your reply. I have looked at both GreatSouthernRail and Seat61 sites. Seat61 has directed me to another site in OZ International Rail.com.au and they have given me an initial reply and will send me a more considered reply tomorrow (my time).

I was hoping for advise on pitfalls etc and what to take and not to take for the journey. Fingers crossed that I get a ride this Easter. Again thanks for your reply.

I was just reading that Seat 61 site now and if you scroll down, it does give info about what the train is like and fares. Seems cabins on board are very small, so don't take much luggage, often easier said than done, it does look expensive, but it is not something that one would do often. Itis just a shame that Australia is such a long flight from the UK, although not quite so far as your location. I think you need to get a visa and travel insurance in advance too.

 

[duncanp]

You can book on line at www.greatsouthernrail.com.au

At Easter, the train only runs once per week, but there is still space on the departures from Sydney on 28th March and 4th April.

I have done the Indian Pacific before, in 2010 when I travelled from Perth to Sydney

I would definitely go for a Gold Single cabin. You get a individual cabin with a bed which converts to a seat during the day. All your meals and drinks are included, but alcoholic drinks are extra.

There is still space on the departures from Sydney on 28th March and 4th April, and space on the departures from Perth on 25th March, 1st April and 8th April. The price for a Gold Single cabin is about AUD$2,650 (£1,530) which I think is well worth it for one of the world's great railway journeys.

I did the excursion at Kalgoorlie, but not the one at Adelaide. I think it is worth seeing some of the towns and cities en route, but you don't have to decide on the excursions when you book - you can book them on the train subject to space being available.

Do have a look at the website - it gives you a lot of information, and also the "Man In Seat 61" website.

https://www.seat61.com/Australia.htm#Sydney-Adelaide-Perth

 

[Mojo]

Book direct through GSR website. I did the Ghan in 2015 and booked via this, it makes much more sense to go direct with the operator and get immediate confirmation as well as to see the availability there and then.

 

[duncanp]

Sorry - just noticed that the OP is from Papua New Guinea.

I can only echo the advice about booking direct with Great Southern Rail - you get instant confirmation and you can print the tickets out to take with you.

There are many videos on You Tube which can show you what the train is really like.

There are limits on the size of luggage that you can take into the cabin with you.

Large items have to be checked in, as on an aircraft, and you won't see them until the end of the journey.

You should just take a small case with essential items into the cabin, but definitely a camera as well. You don't need a lot of spending money aboard the train. If you go for a Gold Single cabin, you will only have to pay for alcoholic drinks and anything bought during the off train excursions or stops.

Only the train company will be able to tell you about WiFi, but I wouldn't count on it. It is up to you to decide about taking a laptop - I suppose you could take photos during the day and upload them at night.

 

[ian959]

Book Gold class... well worth it. Travel as light as possible, pack a smaller cabin bag for the train trip and throw any bigger bag into the baggage car.
Laptop is not really worthwhile, but a few good books and a camera are vital.
Wi-Fi is unavailable for most of the journey unless things have changed very recently but you might be able to pick up free wi-fi at the bigger places on the journey.
I tend to prefer Perth-Sydney as it does the Kalgoorlie evening excursion, whereas the westbound train does not do an equivalent excursion.
Flights to Perth via Brisbane are relatively straight forward but as the train leaves Perth at 10am, an overnight stay would be necessary. There are plenty of hotels in the CBD or near CBD which would be an easy taxi ride to the East Perth terminal.

 

[Requeststop]

Hi there, I have made a booking for April 1st from Perth to Sydney Gold Class Single berth. Thanks for advice and tips. I notice the travel light advice. I take it not much space for too many changes of clothes etc. I'll take the laptop as I'll have a couple of days in Perth and in Sydney after the journey as I'd prefer to have it with me for security. What do you advise to see in Adelaide in the time we are given? The visit to the vineyards appeals.
Flying Port Moresby is easy - More than one flight a day and connections via Cairns seem to be few and far between. Having now booked, I'm really looking forward to the longest rail journey in my life.

 

[ian959]

The vineyards of the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley are probably too far away for the time available. McLaren Vale is about 40 minutes from Keswick rail terminal so that might be possible. Not sure whether there is anyone who does early morning tours, so a private hire car might be the go. Personally I just enjoy wandering around the parks and the city itself... Adelaide Botanic Gardens are worth a visit. Taking the tram down to Glenelg and enjoying a good wine in one of the cafes might be good...

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Hi there, I have made a booking for April 1st from Perth to Sydney Gold Class Single berth. Thanks for advice and tips. I notice the travel light advice. I take it not much space for too many changes of clothes etc. I'll take the laptop as I'll have a couple of days in Perth and in Sydney after the journey as I'd prefer to have it with me for security. What do you advise to see in Adelaide in the time we are given? The visit to the vineyards appeals.
Flying Port Moresby is easy - More than one flight a day and connections via Cairns seem to be few and far between. Having now booked, I'm really looking forward to the longest rail journey in my life.

Sounds great, have a wonderful trip.

 

[Ianigsy]

I wouldn't worry too much about the optional excursions- when I did the IP in April 2004, we reached Kalgoorlie after dark and Broken Hill was sacrificed because of late running. As I recall, the reason for the delay was that the Ghan was late into Adelaide and there were,a number of carriages which needed to be shunted between the two- the IP which arrived at Sydney had to stop in the suburbs to be split so it fitted the platforms at Sydney Central.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I wouldn't worry too much about the optional excursions- when I did the IP in April 2004, we reached Kalgoorlie after dark and Broken Hill was sacrificed because of late running. As I recall, the reason for the delay was that the Ghan was late into Adelaide and there were,a number of carriages which needed to be shunted between the two- the IP which arrived at Sydney had to stop in the suburbs to be split so it fitted the platforms at Sydney Central.

I was on a train in Canada and something happened like that in Vancouver.