Australia’s Indian Pacific adventure is changing – and here’s how
One of the world’s most epic rail journeys – from Perth to Sydney via Adelaide – is being extended by a day and a night, and there’s a new style of accommodation for clients keen to explore the Outback in style
The Indian Pacific, Australia’s iconic transcontinental train, is upgrading its Perth to Sydney itinerary next year. The expedition will change from a four-day itinerary to a five-day one, meaning an extra day and night onboard, and more off-train experiences.
Richard Howarth, business development manager, UK & Europe at Journey Beyond, which owns and operates the Indian Pacific as well as The Ghan and the Great Southern services, told TTG: “From January 2025, we will add a stop at gold-mining town Kalgoorlie in Western Australia; and we will make our stop at a ghost town called Cook – the only point we stop on the Nullarbor Plain – into more of an event. We’ll light a bonfire, serve drinks and our staff will be able to point out the amazing constellations in the sky.”
He added: “The Nullarbor Plain has the longest section of straight railway track in the world. Its nothingness is mesmerising – guests tend to sit in the lounge car, chatting, looking out for the occasional tree, or a kangaroo hopping along.”
As well as introducing a visit to Seppeltsfield Estate for wine tasting in the Barossa Valley, another new addition will be Broken Hill, Australia’s first heritage-listed city, which has featured in films including Mad Max and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Howarth added: “Broken Hill is a silver mining town and a fun place to visit. We will offer an escorted walking tour of the town with a local drag queen.”
The Blue Mountains will be the final stop before the Indian Pacific arrives into Sydney.
Travelling in the opposite direction, the Sydney-Perth itinerary will remain at four days, with no stop in the Blue Mountains, different options in Adelaide and a shorter call in Cook.
Howarth urged agents to highlight these differences between the itineraries with their clients: “It’s true of all our journeys that we like to offer something a bit different. People do come back and we do have clients who come back to take the train in the other direction.”
Introducing Gold Premium
Journey Beyond will also be introducing a new level of service across its train journeys. Slotting in between the existing Gold and Platinum levels is a new Gold Premium class. Howarth said this presented an upselling opportunity for agents given that Platinum was a big step up, “like first class”.
Gold Premium offers newly refurbished carriages, exclusive access to the Gold Premium lounge and dining car, premium beverages and amenities, and preferences on tour selections.
The new contemporary cabins are already available on the Ghan, which runs between Darwin and Adelaide from March to November. From December to February, it will feature on the Great Southern service.
“By next April, when it debuts on the Indian Pacific, it will be available on all three trains,” said Howarth. “The Brits are booking for 2025 now anyway.”
While the individual rail brands are strong in their own right, now that Howarth is the face of Journey Beyond in the UK, he urged agents to reach out for help in selling the experiences. “There’s a romantic side to seeing Australia by rail, especially with the way Journey Beyond has established these journeys, with their high level of service and so much included.
"Australia is such an enormous country and travelling in luxury by train lets you slow down and enjoy the scenery at a nice pace.”
The Journey Beyond portfolio also includes scenic cruises, attractions, camps and lodges. The company’s newest acquisition is the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, a living museum, which features as a signature off-train dining experience on The Ghan.
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