There’s something romantic about jumping aboard a train and watching the countryside whizz past from your own cabin. Australia, being as large as it is, is privy to a whole variety of scenic train journeys that stretch from one part of this big brown land to the other. If you want to see Australia, but want to do it in comfort, style and with a bit of a pizzazz, then take a look as these seven unforgettable train journeys you can only see in Australia.
Read more: Book your ultimate train journey now
There aren’t many railway journeys that are as historic, romantic and spectacular as The Ghan. This iconic railway journey makes its way across 2,979km from Adelaide in the south all the way up to the outback in the country’s north on the way to Darwin. The entire journey takes 46 hours, but with the views that come with it, you’ll be wishing it was longer.
The only direct transcontinental railway journey in the world, the Indian Pacific is a whopping 4,352km ride from Sydney to Perth. The train passes through some of the most remote areas of the country, stopping off at the Blue Mountains, the Nullarbor Plain, Kalgoorlie and Broken Hill along the way.
Departing from Brisbane, this 1,300km journey ends up in the wide open spaces of Longreach and is the perfect railway journey for those who like their history. The train passes through towns like Winton, which is where Banjo Paterson wrote his much-loved poem, Waltzing Matilda.
A classic 1960s train, the Savannahlander makes its way between Cairns and Forsyth three times a week. This is the type of railway journey for those who like to take things at a much slower pace, as it reaches just 50km per hour on this two-day journey.
For those who like things a bit faster, then the Kuranda Scenic railway journey might be for you. The 34km track takes just two hours to cover and provides some of the most spectacular views that you’re likely to see, including waterfalls and World Heritage-listed rainforests.
The Westlander covers the same path that Queensland’s explorers once traversed through the Great Dividing Range, the Darling Downs and Charleville. The 777km-journey takes 17 hours and includes meals and refreshments. But don’t forget your camera if you want to take photos of the changing Australian landscape along the way.
Still operating every day except Christmas Day, Puffing Billy is one of the best preserved steam trains and a much-loved railway journey in Australia. The century-old steam train winds its way through to the Dandenong Ranges, some 40kms east of Melbourne.