Train: Perth - Adelaide

MasterPoo

I'm trying to plan a potential Easter 2016 trip and usually discuss things with my 2 side kicks, so I have just sent one of them this link:

http://www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/trains/the_indian_pacific/

Have any of you MSE people tried this? Any recommendations? He's pooh poohed the idea of a 2 nights/3 day train journey, where is his sense of adventure?????

I'm off to have a look on TA too.

Thanking you!

comeandgo

We did perth to sydney last year and would do it again tomorrow. Excellent journey, trips were not up to much though.

meer53

I've done Sydney to Melbourne by train. Never again, and that was only 10 hours. The most boring train journey ever. I'd drive if i were you.

EssexExile

You know about the young lady on the Australian train who asked the conductor how much longer the journey would be as she was almost due to give birth? He said she shouldn't have got on the train in that condition. She told him she wasn't in that condition when she got on.

cannyscot_2

We did Sydney to Melbourne last summer-it was ok but the train was a much scruffier than here and thee was a number of smelly people .

callum9999

While I've never been on them, the "iconic" trains like the Indian Pacific and the Ghan are nothing like the Vline "commuter" trains between Melbourne and Sydney - an experience I don't really want to repeat!

Whether they're much better however, I have no idea. They aren't really a great way to travel for the sake of getting from A to B, but if you want to experience a classic rail journey then I'm sure it will be fun.

mgdavid

We took the Indian Pacific back in 2010. Left Perth midday Sunday and arrived in Adelaide 07.30 on Tuesday. I loved it, wife wasn't that impressed. The stop in Kalgoorlie late at night was around 4 hours - long enough to take an organised tour to the 'big hole' which is well worth doing as it's a 24 by 7 operation and more impressive in the dark.
We had a Red Sleeper compartment for just the two of us, well appointed, good service. It helps if you've read a book or two about the early days of exploring and opening up the interior of the country, to put the size and space and harshness of the environment into context.

MasterPoo

Thank you all for comments.......

I'm struggling to find reviews with pictures, grrrrr?!?!?!?!

I found an article from 2013, no pix, great review around the refit/refurb/facelift it's received.

PompeyPete

Have you had a look at the very reliable maninseat61 website...

http://www.seat61.com/Australia.htm#Sydney-Adelaide-Perth

?

John259

MasterPoo wrote: »

I'm struggling to find reviews with pictures

FWIW there are quite a few videos of the Indian Pacific on YouTube, for example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2fzj-XqiKw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJRCYWhAvxY
I guess you realise that a lot the journey will be across the Nullarbor?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nullarbor_Plain
Disclaimer: I've never done this trip, in fact I've never visited Australia, so I'm just acting as a librarian in this post.

PompeyPete

Another trip by rail to consider, but without any la-di-daa tour groups for company...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vz2ByPeV8I

:beer: