It’s the trip of a lifetime so if you get the opportunity, do what we did and jump on board.
Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions is what travel dreams are made of. Being transported in luxurious comfort from one side of Australia to the other on the longest stretch of railway in the world is next level. Crossing desert plains, lush landscapes, goldfields and capital cities, it’s a once in a lifetime experience — and if you can do it more than once, why wouldn’t you?
Imagine being rocked soundly to sleep on board The Indian Pacific, The Great Southern or the world famous Ghan? All three trains have specifically curated experiences designed to fully immerse you in the beauty and romance of train travel.
The on and off train experiences help to connect you with the region you’re travelling through — whether it’s through food, wine or guided tours — and all your senses will zing like they never have before.
Fit for a queen
Onboard, you can expect nothing less than five-star service. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served in the stunning art deco Queen Adelaide Restaurant, and the multi-course menu is expertly crafted depending on the region you’re travelling through. In South Australia, you’ll be feasting on fresh, local produce and wine — with chefs and farmers working closely together to make sure their food tells the region’s story. When crossing into other states like Western Australia, Northern Territory or New South Wales, the flavours change again to salute the area.
It’s an all-inclusive experience, which means you can leave your purse at home — it’s like a real life fairytale where cocktails, bubbles and coffee are all taken care of.
Exceptional excursions
It doesn’t matter which train you find yourself on, Journey Beyond know how to plan a sensational day out.
On the Indian Pacific, you’ll dine under the stars on Rawlinna Station — the biggest sheep station in the country, with a tiny population of three. There’s live music, amazing food and wine flowing the whole time. Feel free to start a dance floor, like we did — guests will be dancing on tables in no time.
On the Great Southern, you might stretch the old legs and enjoy a guided tour through the scenic town of Halls Gap in the Grampians; or set out on the Venus Baths Loop Walk — a relaxed 2.5 kilometre walk, with magnificent scenery along the way.
One of the Ghan’s many excursions is a Katherine River Gorge cruise, which takes you through Nitmiluk, home to the Indigenous Jawoyn people. You’ll listen to Dreamtime stories about the creation and significance of the Gorge while taking in awe-inspiring rock formations and sandstone cliffs.
The experiences are all part of your train adventure and you’re taken care of every step of the way.
Oh, the people you meet
Everyone has a story to tell as to why they found themselves on the train with you.
There are lovers, soaking up the romance and drama of train travel; there are people who have lost their life partner and have decided to live every day to the fullest with no regrets. There are those who have had an Australian rail holiday on their travel bucket list for their whole lives and have waited for retirement to tick it off. There are mums and daughters, sisters and lifelong besties; and then, there are solo adventurers who have found the beauty in travelling the world alone.
The Indian Pacific is a national treasure and without a doubt, one of the most glorious travel experiences you can do in Australia. But don’t wait too long to tick it off your holiday hit list, this journey is worth every cent.
So, jump online here and get a sneaky peek into the world of luxury train travel with Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions.
Hayley x
