Amazing Australian Rail Journeys
Crossing Australia by train is one of the best
ways to really see the country, and there are some amazing long
distance journeys to be experienced.
We also have a selection of shorter steam
train trips here for the enthusiast, including
one where you get to drive the train yourself!
Ghan
This train ran from Adelaide, S.A. to Alice Springs,
N.T. but since end 2003 has been continued another 1420 km.
all the way to the top to Darwin. It now stretches nearly 3000
km. and is named the Ghan after the Afghan camel drivers that
first opend up the harsh central desert territory thanks to
their camels.
The Ghan is a great way to get to Darwin and see the outback
in comfort, it departs Adelaide on Fridays and Sundays, the
return journey starts in Darwin on Wednesdays. More info on
gsr.com.au and
trainways.com.au
Gulflander
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The Gulflander at Normanton railway station.
Photo by Glen Evans
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Once upon a time some people thought they had
a great idea and instead of sailing ships from England all the
way around Cape York and down the east coast they would land
them at Normanton in the Gulf country and then travel down to
Sydney and Melbourne by train. The original plan was to build
the railway to Mount Isa to link up with the existing line but
then gold was discovered in Croydon so the plans were changed
and 140 km. of rail to Croydon was laid, but then the gold ran
out again and so did the money and the rail way has never been
linked to any other network. Train enthusiasts come from all
over the world to ride this train which only does a couple of
runs every week, if you're interested check out the
timetable. Though this may be a remote location and a trip
that is not connected to the rest of the network around the
country, this train is fully booked a lot of the time throughout
the dry season. Another interesting fact is that this railway
has steel sleepers instead of timber ones.
Croydon railway station
Photo by Rob Lapaer
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Blackbull railway station
Photo by Rob Lapaer
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Normanton railway station
Photo by Glen Evans
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Indian Pacific
The train journey between Sydney, N.S.W. and Perth,
W.A. covers a distance of 4353 km. It is the longest and one
of the greatest rail journeys on earth; an ocean to ocean cross-continent
adventure in a comfortable three day journey.
After leaving Sydney, the train passes through the Blue Mountains,
the countryside of New South Wales, Broken Hill, Adelaide, the
Nullarbor Plains, the longest straight railway track in the
world (478km), Kalgoorlie, and finally Perth.
If your time is limited you can do only
the Sydney to Broken Hill leg on this tour;
Your adventure begins with an overnight journey aboard the Indian
Pacific from Sydney to Broken Hill, experiencing one of the
greatest railway journeys in the world! Arrive into Broken Hill
for a day full of touring. The City of Broken Hill, lies in
the center of the sparsely settled New South Wales Outback,
close to the South Australian border. Discover the spectacular
Sculpture Symposium that crowns a hill to the west of the City.
Visit the Royal Flying Doctors Service and some of Broken Hill's
wide range of art galleries.
A highlight of touring with Broken Hill's Outback Tours is
the abundance of wildlife that will be seen throughout this
region. From big red kangaroos, emus, eagles, and a wide range
of bird life. The variety of wildlife will vary depending on
the time of the year and the areas you visit, however there
is ample opportunity for photography of Australia's outback
wildlife and landscapes. More
info....
Kuranda Railway
The Kuranda railway was a great achievement
at the time, long before many modern day machinery was invented
thousands of labourers built this railway, including several
tunnels, through the mountainous terrain. Up in the rainforest
village Kuranda you can browse the markets for crafts and
souvenirs and then return on the Skyrail. Buses will take
you from the Skyrail base station back to the city again.
More
info.... Northern Territory Railway
After more than a hundred years of talking about
it the N.T. railway has finally been built and was completed
in October 2003. By November 2003 already five million dollars
in bookings was made for the first passenger service planned
to start around february 2004. See the Ghan
above or read more on this engineering
feat...
Puffing Billy, Victoria
Puffing Billy Steam Train
© Australian Pacific Touring
Puffing Billy is Australia's oldest steam train
and runs from Belgrave to Gembrook through the the scenic mountains
and valleys of the Dandenongs 40 km. east of Melbourne.
Click
here for more info...
Savannahlander
Runs from Cairns to the tiny town of Forsayth
and vice versa. Passengers can overnight in the Einasleigh Hotel,
a rambling hotel being restored by an antique dealer in a near
ghost town of 40 residents. Main tourist attraction of this
town, besides the pub, is the gorge across the road from the
pub. The only other highlight, the leaning townhall, started
to lean a bit too much a few years back and fell over, narrowly
missing the pub.
Zig Zag Railway, New South Wales
The Zigzag is an engineering masterpiece of the
19th Century. It was built between 1866 and 1869, and was constructed
to enable produce to be taken to Sydney from the prosperous
farming areas beyond the Blue Mountains and to develop the coal
and iron ore deposits found in the Lithgow Valley. This railway
is located on the western side of the Blue Mountains and runs
between Clarence Station at the higher point and Bottom Points
Station at the lower point. Clarence Station has no main line
railway connection, and is the access point for passengers arriving
by road.
Photos by Robyn Holder
The track passes over three magnificent sandstone viaducts,
through two tunnels. There are striking views over the surrounding countryside.In
1972 a group of railway enthusiasts formed a Co-operative, started to
rebuild the track and buy suitable rolling stock. The Zig Zag Railway
Co-op Ltd. still owns and operates the railway. Trains first ran again
in 1975 on Middle Road only. In 1986-7, with the aid of a NSW Bicentennial
Grant, the track was extended along Top Road to Clarence, opening in 1988.
Until 1994 the railway operated on weekends, public holidays and NSW school
holidays only using steam. Since then the railway has expanded operations
and now runs daily with vintage diesel Railmotors providing midweek services.More
info...
Have you been on any amazing Australian rail
journeys?
Are you a railway enthusiast and would like to contribute to
this page?
Then contact us!
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