We are planning a trip to Oz and want to incorporate the train journey from
Adelaide to Perth across the Nullarbor. Do you know how long it takes and
who sells it in the UK? Pam Delaney, Oxford
Sunday Times travel expert, Richard Green, responds: The great India
Pacific rail journey from Sydney to Perth takes 65 hours, but the most
popular part is the 38-hour stretch you are after, west from Adelaide.
The word "Nullarbor" is derived from the Latin for "no trees" and there's an
especially desolate, swerve-free section of track there that lasts for a
staggering 297 miles. It's the longest bit of straight railway line in the
world that's like catching a train from Southampton to Newcastle without
once being driven round a bend.
Along the 16,00 miles of track, there's a short stop in the tiny settlement of
Cook, with a population of four people, and another at the historic mining
town of Kalgoorlie, from where there's the chance to grab a one-hour whistle
stop tour.
The train departs Adelaide at 6:40pm on Sunday and Thursday and arrives Perth
at 9:10am on Tuesday and Saturday. Austravel
(0870 166 2070) sells the journey from £153pp one-way in a Red Kangaroo
Daynighter Seat. This includes two nights in a reclining two-abreast
lounge-style seat. Or you can upgrade to a cabin with the Gold Kangaroo
Service from £578pp (based on two sharing a twin cabin), with en suite
facilities and all meals.
You should consider The Ghan too. It runs north/south from Adelaide to Darwin,
through Alice Springs. Named after the doughty Afghan camel trains that
trekked down from the north, it passes right through the Red Centre, with
swift stops at Alice Springs and Katherine Gorge. But The Ghan scores above
the India Pacific in that you can break the journey by three days at Alice
Springs, giving you time to visit Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
The trains covers the 1,851 miles from Adelaide to Darwin in 53 hours, with
twice weekly departures; at 12:20pm on Sunday and Wednesday, arriving 5:30pm
on Tuesday or 6:30pm on Friday. Fares are from £265pp one-way for a Red
Kangaroo Daynighter Seat (as above), or from £759 for the Gold Kangaroo
Service.
For general information, and to book, visit website of the Great
Southern Railway. Or for bookings plus help planning your trip at either
end of the train journey, contact Austravel
(0870 166 2070), Trailfinders
(0845 0585858), or Bridge and
Wickers (020 7483 6555).
