Australia by Train
Trains - Tickets - ToursA Travel Guide For Train Travel In Australia.
Here you will find information for Australia about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets, and more.
Useful Information
Population: 24.6 million
Currency: Australian Dollar
Language: English
Capital: Canberra
Country Code: +61
Time Zone(s): Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) and Australian Western Standard Time (AWST).
Train Companies
The long-distance trains are operated by Great Southern Rails. Trains in New South Wales are operated by NSW Train Link. Trains in Victoria are operated by Public Transport Victoria (PTV). Trains in Queensland are operated by Queensland Rail. Trains in Western Australia are operated by Transwa.
Copyright: RAILWAYHERO
Train Tickets
Buy your train tickets for long-distance trains in Australia online at Journey Beyond Rail.
Buy your train tickets for Australia online at International Rail.
Rail Passes
Queensland Explorer Pass
Discover Queensland, the second largest state in Australia. With the Queensland Explorer Pass, you can use all the rail services in Queensland within one or two months. Starting in the south in Brisbane, travel north along the country’s east coast to Airlie Beach or the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, or west to experience a bit of the outback.
Queensland Coastal Pass
Along the most beautiful coast of Australia. With the Queensland Coastal Pass, you can travel between Cairns and Brisbane by train along the coast, with plenty of beautiful stops along the way such as the Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands, and Townsville. You have the choice between the validity of 1 or 2 months.
New South Wales Discovery Pass
With the NSW Discovery Pass, you can use the train and bus network in the Australian state of New South Wales. You can travel from Brisbane to Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne. The validity for this pass can be for 14 days, 1, 3, or 6 months.
TrAIN tYPES
Regional Trains
The major rail network in Australia is composed of the following trains:
Intercity trains connect large cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth to its surrounding cities and towns
- 2nd class offered, 1st class offered on most services
- No reservations required
- Trains are equipped with air-conditioning, toilets, and some services are equipped a buffet car.
XPT Trains are express trains connecting Sydney to Brisbane*, Casino, Dubbo, Grafton and Melbourne.
- Seating Carriages:
- 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1), offering more leg room
- 2nd Class: Rows of four seats (2+2)
- Sleeping Carriages**:
- 2 berth rooms inclusive of a shower, toiletries, bedding, towels and a light breakfast. Toilets are adjacent to the rooms.
- Trains are equipped with power outlets, Wifi, and air conditioning. Most trains are also equipped with a dining car offering a range of snacks, hot foods, and drinks otherwise there is a food trolley.
* A bus connection is necessary to access the Brisbane city center.
** Sleeping accommodations cannot be booked online, call NSWLink or use a booking agency.
XPLORER Trains are express trains connecting Sydney to Armidale, Broken Hill, Canberra, Griffith, and Moree.
- Seating Carriages:
- 1st Class: Rows of three seats (2+1), offering more leg room
- 2nd Class: Rows of four seats (2+2)
- Sleeping Carriages*:
- 2 berth rooms inclusive of a shower, toiletries, bedding, towels and a light breakfast. Toilets are adjacent to the rooms.
- Trains are equipped with power outlets, Wifi, and air conditioning. Most trains are also equipped with a dining car offering a range of snacks, hot foods, and drinks otherwise there is a food trolley.
* Sleeping accommodations cannot be booked online, call NSWLink or use a booking agency.
The Ghan
Indian Pacific
The Great Southern
Spirit of the Outback
Spirit of Queensland
The Overlander
The Inlander
The Westlander
The Gulflander
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Routes
Frequent Travelled Routes In Australia
National
| From > To |
Duration (h) | Change | Trains |
| Darwin to Adelaide | 50:00 | Direct | The Ghan |
| Perth to Adelaide | 42:50 | Direct | Indian Pacific |
| Perth to Sydney | 74:00 | Direct | Indian Pacific |
| Melbourne to Adelaide | 10:25 | Direct | PTV Overland |
| Melbourne to Sydney | 11:17 | Direct | XPT |
| Sydney to Canberra | 4:10 | Direct | NSW TrainLink |
| Sydney to Brisbane | 14:12 | Direct | NSW TrainLink |
| Sydney to Adeleide | 26:20 | Direct | Indian Pacific |
International
There are no international train connections in Australia. You can take a plane to visit other countries.
Australia travel routes
Australia: Big City Breaks and Coastal Fun
Main Train Stations
- Canberra
- Brisbane
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Adelaide
- Perth
- Darwin
Train Tours in Australia
Good to know
Best Time To Travel To Australia
Australia is a year-round destination for all sorts of activities, adventures, and sightseeing. We recommend traveling anytime to Australia but if you prefer to avoid scorching heat maybe aim to visit between September and November, or from March to May for more optimal weather. Since it’s a big country make sure to check up on the region you’re heading to beforehand. Since its size is often underestimated, the train is a perfect way to get yourself across the country while seeing real Australia.
If you’re interested in surfing, diving, laying on beautiful white-sand beaches, hiking, visiting sacred aboriginal locations, taking a trip through the real Outback, seeing native Australian wildlife in their original habitat, or much more, then Australia is here waiting for you.
- High Season: December – February
- Low Season: June – August
- Northern Coastal Australia Wet Season: November – April
- Northern Coastal Australia Dry Season: April – November
Accommodation In Australia
Booking
The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE
Hostelworld
If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE
Guidebooks For Australia
Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.
