A Traveller's Guide to Train Travel in Australia

Australia is such a geographically vast country, and many visitors take planes in an attempt to see all of it. Sadly, they miss the places between the airports and the cities around them – the parts that give Australia its character. Train travel in Australia will help travellers explore this beautiful country more thoroughly. 

People are often focused on the destination when they board a plane. The in-flight movies and beverages will pass the time until their vacation begins, while trains boast a different atmosphere. Travellers unwind the moment they step on board, realizing the journey is as important as the destination as they gaze out the windows. 

You can feel relaxed when travelling in comfort. The large, padded seats on trains with plenty of legroom are much more comfortable than the cramped seats on airplanes or buses. Sleeper cabins with private bathroom facilities add extra luxury.  

Trains will also take you to places in Australia that planes will never go. Of course, trains visit all the capital cities, but rural routes really help set them apart from air-based travel. Plus, who wants to visit Australia without seeing the Outback?  

Train travel is also one of the greenest options for tourists. According to research from Perth’s Murdoch University, Australian buses use three times more energy than trains to carry a single passenger 0.6 mi (1 km). Trains are typically diesel or electric, creating fewer greenhouse emissions than planes and rental cars that use oil-based fuel.

The Types of Trains 

Australia’s passenger trains are an affordable way to see the countryside, while scenic services offer a more luxurious travel experience. 

Passenger Trains 

Passenger trains connect Australia’s largest capital cities to regional areas within their state and beyond. New South Wales (NSW) has NSW TrainLink. Its CityRail trains travel from Sydney to Newcastle, Wollongong, and the Southern Highlands. NSW TrainLink also operates regional trains travelling farther to areas within NSW, including Dubbo, the Blue Mountains and the North Coast, plus Brisbane, Melbourne, and Canberra.  

Victoria‘s V/Line takes travellers from Melbourne to its suburbs and on to the Shipwreck Coast in the southwest, the Victorian goldfields in the west, the Nagambie Lakes in the northeast, and Gippsland in the east.  

A passenger train’s services depend on the distance the train travels. Trains travelling no more than an hour are relatively basic, although they typically have toilets and luggage space. Tickets are priced accordingly, with most two-hour journeys costing less than AUD $10. Day and weekly tickets with capped rates can help tourists save money. Food facilities are found only on trains travelling longer distances. Economy passengers have basic seats and access to a kiosk selling snacks and simple meals, such as meat pies and sausage rolls. First-class passengers get more legroom and access to gourmet food. First-class passengers can also upgrade to a sleeper. 

Scenic Trains 

For a more opulent train experience, take a scenic train. The Indian Pacific travels from Sydney to the Western Australian coast, while the Ghan runs from Adelaide to Darwin.  

Unlike passenger trains, where passengers begin their journey anywhere and get off only at their destinations, luxury trains transport travellers taking a similar vacation. These trains make extended stops at key sites so passengers can get off and explore the area around them. High-quality meals are available or included in the fare, depending on your ticket type. Many passengers also have cabins with private sleeping quarters and bathroom facilities.

What You’ll See 

Along Australia’s Coast 

What you’ll see on an Australian train trip largely depends on your route. Australia has such a diverse landscape that you could gaze at bustling city streets, a foreboding desert, lush green mountain ranges, or azure waters lapping the coastline.  

If you’re looking for beauty, consider the Spirit of Queensland, one of Australia's most picturesque train journeys. This train follows the eastern coastline, passing through the Sunshine Coast‘s hinterland and the rugged landscapes of Central Queensland before arriving in Cairns, your gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. 

Australia’s Interior 

Enjoy a train journey and explore areas including Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy. In Katherine, you could take a helicopter flight over the majestic Nitmiluk Gorge or learn more about indigenous cultures from the friendly locals. Alice Springs is home to the flora and fauna of the Alice Springs Desert Park. This park features rare and endangered species few tourists see, including the mala and bilby. It is also home to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which provides health care to remote Australians. Coober Pedy is one of Australia’s most famous opal mining towns, where you’ll learn more about this industry at Umoona Opal Mine and Museum or the Quest Opal Mine.  

Whether you choose a passenger or scenic train, you’ll be rewarded with views of an ever-changing Australian countryside. You’ll see the parts of this vast landscape that so many visitors miss, plus you’ll gain a greater appreciation for this continent and its citizens. Planes might be more popular, but if you really want to discover Australia, travel by train.