Sydney- Broken Hill – Adelaide – Cook – Kalgoorlie - Perth
3 days rail
Nothing beats the romance of seeing Australia on a classic rail journey like the Indian Pacific. Board at Sydney and hop off for whistlestop tours of Broken Hill, Adelaide and gold-rich Kalgoorlie. Or join in Perth and cut the continent the other way, from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. Pass through the spectacular Blue Mountains, stop in the remote outpost of Cook and travel almost 500 kilometres through the stark Nullarbor Plain. Whatever your direction, you’ll wake to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, watch fiery sunsets and fall asleep to the train’s rhythmic sway.
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The journey day-by-day
Day 1 – Sydney to Broken Hill
Depart Sydney mid-afternoon
Board at Sydney’s Central Station and settle into your cabin or lounge chair. Watch the sandstone cliffs, forested valleys, escarpments and waterfalls of the Blue Mountains morph into the more arid landscapes of the New South Wales outback. See a fiery sun sink into rugged ranges, mulga bush and desert plain as you relax in the dining car.
Arrive Broken Hill early morning
Marvel at the clear light and beautiful colours that have drawn many artists to this area on a one hour whistle-stop tour. This former mining town known Silver City sits amidst distinctive desert landscapes and an oasis of lakes. Learn about the rich mining history and visit the Royal Flying Doctor Base. See the Living Desert Sculptures and one of the impressive art galleries. |
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Day 2 – Broken Hill to Kalgoorlie
Arrive Adelaide mid-afternoon
Explore the elegant colonial buildings lining North Terrace and stop for a café on bustling Rundle Street. You’ll also whiz past Montefiore Hill, Colonel Light's Lookout, Adelaide Oval Cricket Ground and Lake Torrens.
Arrive Cook evening
Stretch your legs in one of the world's most isolated outposts. Once a thriving railway settlement, Cook now only has a handful of residents and sits in the middle of the vast treeless Nullabor, around 1,500 kilometres from Perth.
Arrive Kalgoorlie evening
Do a night tour of the floodlit superpit goldmine, more than 400 metres deep and over 3.3 kilometres long. Hear stories of bandits and brothels, fortune and hardships as you wander past the grand old pubs of Hannan Street. It was named after Irishman Paddy Hannan who first discovered the region’s gold riches in 1893. |
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Day 3 – Kalgoorlie to Perth
Arrive Perth evening
Make the most of your first morning in Perth with an Indian Pacific tour along the Swan River and past the carefully restored colonial buildings. It’s just a glimpse, but there’s so much to explore after you’ve settled into your accommodation. Cruise the Swan River to the vineyards of the Swan Valley or the Perth Zoo. Discover the lookouts and landscaped gardens of huge Kings Park and soak up the carnival atmosphere of historic Fremantle. Bike ride or kayak to Rottnest Island’s secluded beaches and bays. Then swim, surf, fish, windsurf and sail on clean and uncrowded beaches such as Cottlesloe or Scarborough. |
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