From Sydney to Perth, with stops at Broken Hill, Adelaide and Kalgoorlie, this is the perfect way to see Australia across the Nullabor Plain.
Explore the great Australian outback through NSW, SA and WA
The route: Over four days and three nights, The Indian Pacific travels 4,352 kilometres between Sydney and Perth with stops at Broken Hill, Adelaide and Kalgoorlie. The Indian Pacific is named after the two oceans it encounters on its journey.
The experience: This Australian adventure is one of extreme contrasts: the dazzling blue of Sydney’s harbour and the stark red outback; the rugged cliffs of the Blue Mountains and the endless flat plain of the Nullarbor.
Departing Sydney’s Central Station, The Indian Pacific makes its way west toward the forested peaks of the Blue Mountains, valleys carved into the landscape over millennia. The scenery gradually turns from native forest to farmland, eventually replaced by the arid outback.
The first stop of the journey is the classic mining town of Broken Hill, where off-train excursions take you through the town’s wide streets revealing the region’s mining history and a new wave of artists and artisans. You can also visit the Pro Hart Gallery, a shrine to one of the country’s most colourful artists.
Back on the train, the carriages slide through a landscape of old farmsteads and windmills where kangaroos and emus roam. Reaching the Flinders Ranges, you know Adelaide isn’t far away. Arriving in the South Australian capital, you have to make an unenviable decision: explore the markets, galleries and gardens of Adelaide followed by a food-and-wine-matching experience at the National Wine Centre? Or head to the historic Barossa Valley to visit boutique wine estates and local purveyors?.
The next leg of the journey crosses the ancient Nullarbor Plain, The Indian Pacific is the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world (478 kilometres). The countryside is stark, barren and eerily beautiful. It’s easy to see how it got its name, taken from the Latin for “no trees”. That evening, you’ll enjoy a traditional lamb roast under the desert stars in Rawlinna.
After passing through the Avon Valley, The Indian Pacific pulls into Perth.
The train: With room to stretch out and lots of creature comforts– private cabins with ensuite bathrooms, five-star bed linen and plush pillows, plenty of space to lounge, read and write, and good windows to the countryside – Gold is the most popular level of service aboard Indian Pacific. Thoughtful touches include nightly turndown service with a nightcap of your choice.
In the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, ingredients are sourced directly from some of Australia’s greatest produce and wine regions – from the Adelaide Hills to the Margaret River and Hunter Valley. That might mean a dish of grilled swordfish, or an apple and wild rosella flower strudel for dessert.
Evenings usually begin in the Outback Explorer Lounge where you can sink into couches with a glass of wine or browse books decoding the country’s wildflowers.
How to get there: There are flights to Sydney and Perth from all major capital cities.
The details: The Indian Pacific operates in both directions across the country all year round. NRMA’s Indian Pacific Adventure trip includes the train journey in Gold Service, all meals on the train, and excursions and outback experiences.
