Sydney to Perth Indian Pacific Rail Journey

The Journey

Travelling between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean for over 40 years, this truly is one of the world's great train journeys.

Named after the two great oceans it joins and symbolised by the magnificent wedge-tailed eagle that so often soars above it, the mighty Indian Pacific traverses 4,352km (2,698 miles) between Perth and Sydney or vice versa.

More than three million guests have already enjoyed this epic journey, which spans a continent, travelling the whole distance in three days and three nights. Setting off from Perth, your train climbs through the scenic Avon Valley and into Western Australia's expansive wheat belt, before arriving late evening at your first stop in the city of Kalgoorlie.

Next day, you'll discover the landscape takes on a richer hue as the journey moves through the mallee scrub into the ancient Nullarbor Plain, with the landscape unmarked by the passing millennia.

Stepping off during a brief pause at Cook in the middle of the Nullarbor Plain, you will experience Australia's vast open spaces from a unique perspective.

Arriving in Adelaide the following morning you can choose to break your journey for a few days touring this picturesque city, or continue directly on to Broken Hill, with its countless tales of riches won and lost.

From here you'll travel through some of Australia's most productive farming country and into the arid outback as the sun sets. Next morning is the finale of your journey through the spectacular Blue Mountains. Naturally, you can also do this journey from Sydney to Perth � it's just as unforgettable.

Whether your final destination on the Indian Pacific is west to Perth or east to Sydney, you'll have many opportunities to leave the train and take in some of the region's highlights. With so many wonderful sights to enjoy, this isn't just one of the longest train journeys in the world, but also one of the most memorable.

All Great Southern Rail guests also have the opportunity to enhance their journey with one of Australia's Great Train Holiday packages. Choose from one of our pre-structured options or build your own by selecting from our comprehensive range of touring and accommodation packages.

Journey Overview

Route: Sydney - Adelaide - Perth
Duration: Three nights in either direction
Distance: 4352 kilometres

Taking Your Car

Vehicle Types Carried:

• Cars *
• Campervans and Camper Trailers (subject to approval)
• 4WDs (Sydney to Perth & v.v) *
• Trailers *

* height/width and wheel track restrictions apply

Vehicle Check-in / Collection points:

Sydney

Enjoy the convenience of having your own vehicle with you at the end of the line for touring and discovering new places. With our $99 to $299 (valid 1.4.11 to 31.3.12) Motorail offer, taking your car with you is easy and affordable - offer valid with purchase of 2 Gold Service tickets. Prices confirmed on booking.

Accompanied Fares (Indicative only – prices confirmed on booking)

Motor Vehicle check-in Times on Day of Travel: 10.30 am - 12.30pm

Note: Rates for unaccompanied vehicles are available on request. As of 1 April 2009 unaccompanied Motorail cannot be booked from one train to the other. Unaccompanied Motorail can only be booked on the same train on an entire journey with no stopovers. Maximum width 2.2m. Maximum height: Sydney - Adelaide 1.54m, Adelaide - Perth 1.94m. Roof racks, wind deflectors, louvers etc must be removed before loading. The length of any towbar should be included. Caravans, including pop tops and boats are not able to be conveyed by Motorail.

Compare Service Levels

Red Daynighter Seat

The Red Service Day/Nighter Seats are two-abreast reclining chairs that can swivel to face each other if you'd like to socialise. You can take in the views, enjoy the entertainment and information on the video screen or even relax with a drink and a meal in the Red Service Diner.

To make the most of the space available, there's plenty of room for your hand luggage in the overhead racks.

Red Service Day/Nighter Seat features include:

• Recliner lounge-style chairs with ample leg room and individual reading light. Travel pillows and blankets available for purchase
• Access to the Red Service Diner offering meals, snacks, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks for purchase
• Shower and toilet facilities available at the end of your carriage.

Red Service Sleeper Cabin

For affordable comfort, these air-conditioned twin share Red Service Sleeper Cabins have two facing lounge chairs that easily convert to snug upper and lower sleeping berths at night. Your twin berth sleeper has a wash basin, while showers and toilets are located nearby at the end of each carriage. If you'd like a drink, a snack or simply a change of scenery and the chance to stretch your legs, you have full access to the Red Service Diner.

Because Red Service Sleeper Cabins are twin share, you may be required to share with a fellow traveller if you're travelling alone.

Red Service Sleeper Cabin features include:

• Compact twin share day berth converting to twin sleeping berths at night
• Seating comprises two facing lounge chairs
• Wash basin facilities in your cabin, with toilets and showers at the end of each carriage
• Access to the Red Service Diner offering meals, snacks, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks for purchase
• Free 'Platform' magazine
• Red Service Concession Fares available.

Gold Kangaroo Service

Rail Accommodation

• Well appointed day and overnight sleeper accommodation
• Choose from an elegant twin or single sleeper cabin combinations
• Twin Cabins feature 3 seater lounge converting to upper and lower sleeping berths plus ensuite facilities with toilet, washbasin and shower
• Single Cabins feature a lounge chair converting to single sleeping berth with communal shower and toilet facilities located at the end of each carriage
• Cabins feature 3 pin/ 240 volt power point, wardrobe, full length mirror, reading light, foldaway table
• Complimentary toiletry bags and onboard magazine provided in all Gold Service cabins

Platinum Service

Platinum Service offers a new level of comfort to elevate your onboard experience to a truly global standard of luxurious travel. Enjoy our new spacious private cabins complete with plush, high quality fittings and en suite; elegant dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car; along with flourishes of service, attention and indulgence that turn a holiday into a life-enhancing experience. Our new Platinum Service typifies the hospitality and attention to detail that have made Australia's Great Train Journeys world famous.

Once onboard, you set your own pace. Start with a continental breakfast served in your cabin, then spend a lazy day with a good book as the landscape rolls by, or maybe meet, greet and swap stories with your fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge.

The sheer convenience of on-call Cabin Steward Service and in-cabin menu makes this new service level a five-star travel and accommodation experience.

In our newly refurbished, world-class carriages, Great Southern Rail's Platinum Service is the ultimate Australian rail adventure with unparalleled service in luxury surrounds. The rail travel experience of a lifetime awaits you.

Platinum Service Cabin features include:

• An exclusive new service, limited to just 25 Platinum Cabins on The Indian Pacific departing Adelaide twice weekly
• Your cabin is a private lounge during the day with a movable table and two ottomans, offering plenty of room to entertain or simply relax and enjoy the journey
• By night your private cabin converts to your choice of comfortable double or twin beds with quality bedding
• All en suites are equipped with premium fittings, full size shower, vanity with cupboard space, mirror and toilet facilities
• An oversized panoramic window in your cabin offers you a unique perspective on the ever-changing Australian landscape
• Enjoy views from both sides of the train, as each cabin features an additional interior window
• Set the tone, dim the lights to your personal preference and settle in for the night with in-cabin entertainment
• For your convenience and peace of mind each cabin offers a lockable door and in-cabin safe.

Your Dining Experience

Platinum Service guests dine in the elegantly themed Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car. At each meal you will be offered a choice of fine food freshly prepared by the onboard chefs. The seasonal menu features distinctly Australian mouth-watering dishes such as saltwater barramundi and grilled kangaroo fillet. You may choose to complement your meals with a selection of premium Australian wines and beverages available for purchase.

Included in your fare are full or continental breakfasts, all onboard lunches and a la carte dinners. Vegetarian and special dietary requirements are also available on request at time of booking.

Further Information

Concession Fares

Pensioner: To receive concessional travel fares, Great Southern Railway is required to confirm your eligibility for the concession electronically with Centerlink. If you do not want this to happen you will need to contact Centerlink or the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) to obtain a Pension Concession Letter as proof of your eligibility for the concession and provide this directly to Great Southern Railway before the concession can be given.

Rail Saver payment is required at time of booking. No changes permitted. Non refundable (100% cancellation fee). Subject to availability.

Child fares are available to children aged 4 - 15 years inclusive or where a child occupies a seat of berth.

Student fares full time students aged 16 years and over must hold a current ID card from a recognised institution.

Luggage

40 kilograms of luggage may be conveyed free of charge in the luggage car. This allows 2 items not exceeding 20 kg each and not exceeding 180 linear centimetres. Excess luggage prices on application. Due to space constraints, guests should only take on board hand luggage required for their journey. Remaining luggage should be checked in up to 30 minutes before departure. Unchecked luggage is carried at owner's risk. Cardboard, plastic or wooden boxes, garbage bags or tea chests will not be accepted as baggage. Bags should be secured and carry the owner's name, destination and contact phone number both inside and outside the bag. Explosive, combustible and inflammable materials are prohibited. Items such as foodstuffs, plants, animals and furniture cannot be accepted as personal luggage.