Iconic train journeys seem to be on most people’s bucket list.
We are lucky in Australia to have a few of these – The Indian Pacific, The Ghan and the more recent addition of the Great Southern.
All owned by Journey Beyond they offer travellers the opportunity to explore our vast continent in comfort.
Experience these live aboard trains which include all meals and beverages, and the trains stop along the tracks to take you off to explore somewhere of interest, these excursions are also included.
Onboard your compartment is in either Gold or Platinum class.
Gold class offers twin upper and lower berth compartments or a few double-bedded options all with a small ensuite bathroom.
Solo travellers have their own lower berth cabin with shared bathroom facilities at the end of each carriage. Platinum cabins are more spacious and offer an extra level of comfort and luxury.
All meals are made from fresh local produce onboard, and meals are taken in the delightful dining car.
Meet your fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge over a coffee or a predinner drink, read a book, play trivia or enjoy the lowkey entertainment.
Like minded travellers enjoy the experience and several of our clients have taken all of these trains, some have taken the same journey more than once!
The Indian Pacific operates across Australia stopping at Journey Beyond’s hub of Addelaide enroute.
Travelling east to west the journey is four days/ three nights and from 2025 the eastbound trip from Perth to Sydney will be five days /four nights, stopping at Kalgoorlie, Broken Hill and the Blue Mountains along with an outback town and Adelaide.
The Great Southern started a few years ago and this trip operates from December to February with three days/ two nights from Adelaide to Brisbane and four days /three nights from Brisbane to Adelaide stopping for a spectacular oceanside dinner at Coffs Harbour, exploring the wine district of the Hunter Valley and rural Victoria.
The Ghan (pronounced with a hard ‘a’ as it is named after the Afghan migrants who brought camels to the outback!) operates between Adelaide and Darwin.
This wonderful journey is three days/two nights north bound stopping in the outback, Alice Springs and Katherine to visit spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge. The southbound journey is four days/three nights and adds a stop in Coober Pedy – a fascinating underground town where they mine for opals.
The Ghan is on special.
If you book and deposit by August 31 for travel in 2025 you will receive free a three night Darwin stopover on the northbound journey or a three night Adelaide stopover on the southbound journey.
Stopovers include a train to hotel transfer, accommodation with daily breakfast, and a sunset cruise in Darwin or a Barossa Valley tour from Adelaide.
Other options on special are the Top End Explorer with a few days trip to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, save $1,580 per couple.
Outback Spectacular is always popular, hop off the southbound trip in Alice Springs and join a small group trip for a week to Alice Springs, Uluru, Kings Canyon and more; save up to $1,930 per couple. The Great Southern save up to $1,640 per couple.
All specials are based on booking and depositing no later than August 31 or travel in 2025. Contact Travelling Places for details by phone 5545 1600 or email travel@travellingplaces.com.au.
