Group Tour Highlights
- Travel coast-to-coast across the Australian continent.
- Cross the legendary Nullarbor Plain by rail.
- Signature dining experiences in renowned wine regions.
- Explore historic mining towns and heritage cities.
- Visit the iconic Blue Mountains.
- Experience Australia's remote Outback under star-filled skies.
- Gourmet regional cuisine paired with premium Australian wines.
- All-inclusive rail experience with immersive Off Train Excursions.
Tour Overview
Train Journey Overview
The Indian Pacific train journey links the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean on one of the world’s great transcontinental rail adventures. Over 4 days and 3 nights, the train travels 4,352 kilometres from Sydney to Perth and crosses almost the entire width of Australia. You’ll roll past the Blue Mountains, stop in the silver-mining city of Broken Hill, spend an evening in Adelaide and cross the vast, treeless Nullarbor Plain. Yampu Tours plans your journey as a private, tailor-made trip and arranges your hotels, transfers and extensions around your departure date.
About the Indian Pacific Train Journey
Journey Beyond operates the Indian Pacific, which takes its name from the two oceans it connects. On board, you set the pace. You wake to changing outback views, dine on regionally inspired menus paired with Australian wines, and step off the train for guided experiences along the way. Your fare covers all meals, drinks and off-train experiences, so once you board, you have nothing left to plan.
Route & Stops: Sydney to Perth by Train
The classic westbound route takes you from Sydney through the Blue Mountains, Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook and Rawlinna to Perth. Each stop shows you a different side of Australia:
- Blue Mountains: The train climbs out of Sydney past sandstone cliffs and eucalyptus valleys.
- Broken Hill: Explore an outback mining town with a strong heritage and arts scene.
- Adelaide: Spend an evening in South Australia’s capital. Taste wine in McLaren Vale or join a food tour of the Adelaide Central Market.
- Cook: Step out at a near-deserted railway outpost in the middle of the Nullarbor.
- Rawlinna: Dine outdoors under the stars at this remote station (in season).
- Perth: Arrive in the sunny west-coast capital on the Swan River.
Prefer to travel east? You can also ride the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney.
Crossing the Nullarbor Plain
For many travellers, the Nullarbor Plain is the highlight of the Indian Pacific train journey. Its name comes from the Latin for “no tree”, and here the train follows the world’s longest straight stretch of railway track: about 478 kilometres without a single curve. Red earth, saltbush and huge skies fill an empty, silent and surprisingly beautiful landscape. At night, far from any city lights, the stars put on an extraordinary show.
Extend Your Australia Rail Journey
Spend a few nights in Sydney before you board, or continue from Perth to the beaches and wineries of Margaret River. For the ultimate Australian rail adventure, pair the Indian Pacific with The Ghan, which runs north–south between Adelaide and Darwin. Or add our Wine and Dine Australia tour to explore more of the country’s top food and wine regions.
Inclusions
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Places You'll See
Perth
Perth is a scenic and sophisticated city, renowned for its abundant sunshine, relaxed lifestyle and easy-going manner. The city’s modern skyline blends with magnificent colonial architecture, housing excellent retail outlets. King Street, a historic and lovingly restored commercial precinct, is known for its fashion houses, cafes, art galleries and specialist book stores. The city’s prime position, flanking the broad reaches of the Swan River, provides an excellent setting for enjoying alfresco dining in one of the many outdoor restaurants and cafes. Visitors to Perth also have a choice of more than 80km of white sandy beaches within easy reach.
Kalgoorlie
One of Australia’s most iconic gold-mining towns, Kalgoorlie blends rich Gold Rush history with modern mining operations. Visitors can explore historic streets, heritage buildings, and the immense Super Pit, one of the world’s largest open-cut gold mines.Cook
Hidden deep within the Nullarbor Plain, Cook is a remote former railway settlement that offers a fascinating glimpse into Australia’s pioneering rail history. Today, its peaceful isolation and brilliant, star-filled skies make for a truly memorable Outback stop.Nullarbor Plain
Stretching across southern Australia, the Nullarbor Plain is one of the world’s largest limestone landscapes. Endless horizons, dramatic desert scenery, and vast open spaces showcase the remarkable scale and beauty of the Australian Outback.Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is located an hour’s drive from Adelaide City and is one of Australia’s premier wine regions. The area consists of many small towns. Nuriootpa, meaning “the meeting place” is surrounded by vineyards. The town’s vine-lined main street becomes an amazing array of colours during autumn and is the business centre of the Barossa as well as home to some of the region’s best-known cellar doors including Penfolds, Elderton and, just a few kilometres from the town, Wolf Blass Visitor Centre.
Broken Hill
Australia’s first heritage-listed city boasts a fascinating mining legacy, thriving arts scene, and colorful Outback character. Its striking desert landscapes, historic architecture, and cultural attractions offer an authentic taste of inland Australia.Blue Mountains
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountains captivate visitors with dramatic sandstone escarpments, eucalyptus forests, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking panoramic lookouts. Scenic walking trails and charming mountain villages complete this iconic Australian destination.Adelaide
South Australia’s capital blends colonial architecture, vibrant markets, acclaimed restaurants, and nearby wine regions. It offers a relaxed, culturally rich atmosphere and serves as the gateway to Australia’s rail journeys.Rawlinna
Located on the edge of Australia’s largest sheep station, Rawlinna offers a quintessential Outback experience in an incredibly remote setting. Guests enjoy unforgettable sunset views and signature dining beneath one of the clearest night skies in the Southern Hemisphere.Sydney
Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Cruise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24/7 fun.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before your Indian Pacific Train Journey, Australia
How does Yampu customize my itinerary around the train journey?
A dedicated Yampu Tour Consultant will build a complete travel experience around your Indian Pacific journey. Your pre- and post-train hotel stays, city tours, and additional experiences are entirely customized to match your travel style, preferred travel dates, and specific interests.
When is the best time of year to take the Indian Pacific?
The Indian Pacific operates year-round, with every season offering a unique perspective of the Australian Outback and coastal cities. Your Tour Consultant can help you select the ideal month to travel based on the other destinations included in your custom Australian itinerary.
What is included in the onboard experience?
The Indian Pacific is an all-inclusive rail experience. Guests enjoy comfortable accommodations, gourmet regional cuisine, and premium Australian wines. It also includes signature dining experiences and spectacular views of the changing landscapes.
Are off-train excursions included, and what do they entail?
Yes, immersive Off-Train Excursions are part of the journey. Depending on your exact route, experiences can include exploring the immense Super Pit in Kalgoorlie, dining under star-filled Outback skies in Rawlinna, wine tasting in the Barossa Valley, and exploring the sandstone escarpments of the Blue Mountains.
What key stops and destinations are included along the journey?
The train connects some of Australia’s most iconic cities and remote regions. Key stops and highlights include Perth, the historic gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie, the remote outposts of Cook and Rawlinna, Adelaide, the Barossa Valley wine region, the heritage city of Broken Hill, the Blue Mountains, and Sydney.
How long is the Indian Pacific train journey?
The full Sydney to Perth journey takes 4 days and 3 nights and covers 4,352 kilometres.
Hotel Options
Testimonials
Bryony and Peter C, from Australia
Traveled April, 2013
Everything went completely to plan and we cannot speak highly enough of all our guides
Just letting you know that we arrived safely back in Australia today. We would like to thank you for arranging such a great trip through central-america for us. Everything went completely to plan and we cannot speak highly enough of all our guides. We were picked up and dropped off at the advised times with the minimum of fuss, tours were excellent, well planned and our guides were extremely knowledgeable and easy to get on with. Our accommodation was very good and all included meals were of top quality and organized for our requests.
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Chris
Traveled July, 2007
Thank you so much for looking after us so well.
My girlfriend, Annie, and I had the most awesome time in South America. We arrived to snow which was a bit of bonus for me, coming from Australia. Apparently it was the first time in 80 years that they had had snow in BsAs (Buenos Aires).The Kempinski Hotel was absolutely fabulous. They had a helpful staff, and it was probably the best position in town for us. They looked after our luggage while we went off to Iguazu Falls and Uruguay, and couldn’t have been more helpful.In fact, all arrangements were on time in Argentina (apart from Aerolinas’ flights!) and after that first hiccup I must say we were impressed.Iguazu Falls, what can I say? You booked the Grand Adventure for us and I shall never forget the boat trip and seeing the falls for the first time from the water! It was awesome. I am so glad we booked the Sheraton Hotel for its situation.Staff at all hotels were excellent. Mabel and Mercedes at Colonia sorted out our vouchers and travel details for us, and we found that one of the male members on staff at The Balmoral spoke excellent English and even tuned the TV in so that we could watch the BBC World News.I would definitely recommend the tour we did and we are even talking about seeing more of Argentina later on, perhaps combining it with a trip to Chile.We met some very interesting people and thoroughly enjoyed all our tours. Thank you so much for looking after us so well.
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Paul from Australia
Traveled March, 2013
Thanks again for your co-ordination of our trip
Just to advise you that we arrived home in Australia yesterday after another successful trip to Chile and Argentina (plus a short side trip to Uruguay!). Apart from a couple of hiccups in the first half of the trip that you were aware of, the trip overall went very well. All the connections worked out, the hotel/hospedaje accommodation was overall very good, with some outstanding (e.g. Tierra Atacama, KKala, Nothofagus, Entre Hielos) and we lucked a presidential suite (without the President) at the Hotel Antofagasta. Bahia Bustamante was also a refreshing highlight. The guide services also worked out well and as it eventuated, all aspects of the original itinerary were met, including the remote area crossing from Chile into Argentina from Cochrane to Los Antiguos. There were many geographic, geological and cultural highlights and we were generally very fortunate with weather conditions. Thanks again for your co-ordination of our trip. Graham and Anita were spending an extra couple of days in Santiago and return to Australia tomorrow.
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