Australia rail travel

Rail travel is a great option for long distance trips around Australia. It’s comfortable and affordable, with plenty of destinations serviced by a variety of rail companies.

Main interstate rail routes

The main interstate rail network connects Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns, Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine and Townsville. The main trains are below:

• Brisbane XPT between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane
• The Indian Pacific between Sydney, Adelaide and Perth
• The Ghan between Adelaide, Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin
• The Overland between Melbourne and Adelaide
• The Sunlander and Tilt Train between Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns
• The Spirit of the Outback between Brisbane and Longreach

Australia rail fares

Point to point rail fares are an option, but for travel over a longer period of time there are a number of rail passes available:

• Rail Explorer Pass
• Austrail Flexipass
• Backtracker rail pass ( for New South Wales)
• V/Line Victoria Pass (for Victoria)
• Sunshine Rail Pass ( for Queensland)

Rail travel centres

The main rail operators themselves will be able to provide you with further information regarding rail networks across Australia.

Great Southern Rail (The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland interstate trains) – 13 21 47

Countrylink (NSW state trains/buses and the XPT) – 13 22 32

Queensland Rail (QLD state trains) – 1800 806 468

Vline (VIC state trains) – 13 61 96

W.A Government Rail - 1300 662 205

For a little more information on Australian rail, click here: Australia railways