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Luxury train journeys: a guide

A luxury train journey turns distance into the destination. Here’s what to expect on Australia’s two great rail routes.

Aerial view of modern red train on Landwasser viaduct in alpine mountains

Australia’s two great rail journeys

The Indian Pacific runs east to west, connecting Sydney and Perth via Broken Hill, Cook and Kalgoorlie over four nights. The Ghan runs north–south between Adelaide and Darwin via Alice Springs, covering 2,979 kilometres of Red Centre and tropical Top End. Journey Beyond’s Aurora Australis Suites, launched in 2025, sit at the top of either train’s offering – private bar service, a Katherine Gorge helicopter reserved for suite guests, and Bollinger poured throughout the journey.

What to expect on board

Both trains offer multiple cabin tiers, from Gold Service through Platinum to the Aurora Australis Suites. The Queen Adelaide Restaurant produces food that holds up well for a moving kitchen, and the pace is deliberately unhurried.

How to book a luxury train journey

Peak season departures – winter on The Ghan, autumn on the Indian Pacific – book out well in advance, particularly for the limited Aurora Australis Suites.