{"id":51057,"date":"2026-06-18T14:46:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T04:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/?p=51057"},"modified":"2026-06-18T14:46:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T04:46:50","slug":"what-to-expect-indian-pacific-train","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/what-to-expect-indian-pacific-train\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Expect Onboard the Indian Pacific"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why fly across Australia when you could take a luxury train across the Nullarbor?  <\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traversing the Trans-Australian Railway across 4,352 kilometres and named after the two coasts it reaches, the Indian Pacific<\/a> is one of the country\u2019s most luxurious ways to travel: think sophisticated suites, sumptuous dining and endlessly time for relaxation. Starting in Perth<\/a>, the 1,390 tonne train with 26 carriages travels across the Nullarbor, through the Flinders Ranges to the vineyards of the Barossa Valley<\/a>, the sparse terrain of New South Wales\u2019 Far West and ending in the towering eucalyptus trees and vivid green grass of the Blue Mountains<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curious to know what it’s like travelling along the world’s longest straight stretch of railway? Here’s what I found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cabins are small but mighty <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My Platinum Cabin onboard\u00a0is\u00a0stylish,\u00a0open\u00a0and\u00a0incredibly\u00a0functional.\u00a0Two velvet green armchairs\u00a0positioned in front of a large window\u00a0give the ideal vantage point from\u00a0which\u00a0to\u00a0soak up the passing scenery.\u00a0Both\u00a0convert\u00a0to a\u00a0plush\u00a0single bed\u00a0by\u00a0staff\u00a0while\u00a0I\u00a0am at dinner.\u00a0The ensuite bathroom\u00a0has\u00a0all the comforts of home like a hairdryer,\u00a0robe\u00a0and\u00a0Jurlique\u00a0amenities.\u00a0Even on the bumpiest parts of the journey, my cabin always felt still comfortable and cosy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m\u00a0surprised\u00a0at the\u00a0amount of storage in my humble cabin.\u00a0Next to my armchairs\u00a0is\u00a0a small closet that\u00a0fits both of\u00a0my coats and day bag, and there is a smaller cupboard beneath for my shoes.\u00a0Three small drawers nestled between\u00a0armchairs\u00a0double as a bedside table at night\u00a0and there\u00a0is\u00a0a small safe for valuables.\u00a0When I want\u00a0to stretch out my legs,\u00a0I reach for two pull-out footrests concealed by\u00a0the coffee table.\u00a0In the bathroom,\u00a0there is\u00a0a magnetised cupboard\u00a0that doubles as a full-length\u00a0mirror.\u00a0Now\u00a0this<\/em>\u00a0is a set up.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Turndown
Turndown service in my Platinum Suite onboard the Indian Pacific.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The dining onboard is out of this world<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I had heard food onboard Journey Beyond trains was good, but I am blown away by how good it is. A team of six chefs, led by executive chef Joel Cousins, cook to the landscape the train travels through with a menu that changes every day \u2013 each dish pulls something from the region outside the window, including desert lime, beetroot, bush tomato and broccoli. The dishes I give five stars? Melt-in-my-mouth grilled Pacific Ocean swordfish with a fragrant green lemon myrtle curry sauce is a standout, as is a vegetable and chickpea galette with flaky pastry and a spiced, almost buttery filling served on crisp asparagus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Grilled
Grilled Pacific Ocean swordfish, served at the Platinum Club onboard the Indian Pacific.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Afternoon tea is an event: pumpkin and lemon myrtle pasties, caramel slice and decadent carrot cake, accompanied by Bollinger champagne for Platinum Suite passengers of course. I also can\u2019t forget about dessert: the opera cake with its paper-thin layers of sponge cake, and the bold orange citrus tart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of each carriage, there is a small compartment with complimentary tea and coffee that guests can access at any time, which I frequented multiple times each day to get my green tea fix. If you are after something a little stronger or more decadent, Indian Pacific staff are stationed in the lounges at all times of day, waiting in the wings to make you your favourite brew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Platinum Club onboard the Indian Pacific.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Explore towns with a heart of gold (or silver)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I am a sucker for the atmosphere and characters of a country town, and the Indian Pacific itinerary did not disappoint with its included tours and experiences. Kalgoorlie has the jaw-dropping Super Pitt, an enormous open-cut gold mine 600 metres deep. From the lookout at sunrise, I can still see trucks crisscrossing into the mine, heaving with energy despite the rest of town being asleep. I can also still hear the roar of machinery despite being so high up. I\u2019m overwhelmed by the sheer size of the mine and in awe of the rhythm of the workers in full swing down below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broken Hill is home to silver miners, union movements and Shelita Buffet, the town\u2019s premiere drag queen historian. This excursion takes our group first on a walking tour of the town to see filming locations from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert<\/em> (more than 50% of the movie was shot here) and uncover the personality of Broken Hill, with a bit of drag bingo thrown in at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
On our offboard excursion in Kalgoorlie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Expect personalised service and VIP experiences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I am delighted by the service I receive onboard. On my journey, 180 guests are attended to by approximately 48 staff members, with four crew members dedicated solely to looking after guests in Platinum Suites. This meant my glass is never empty, my questions never go unanswered and my bed is turned down every night while I’m at dinner night choosing my itinerary for the next day. A nightcap of my choosing appears on the bedside table too. The attention to detail is just as much a part of the Indian Pacific experience as the engine or the wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It continues off train too. Thanks to my Platinum Suite status, I am treated to an exclusive wine and food tasting at the renowned Seppeltsfield Wines in the Barossa Valley<\/a>, hosted by executive chef Owen Andrews. We also sample a 100-year-old bottle of fortified tawny. In Cook, a tiny ghost town just over the South Australian border with a population of four people, the whole train is treated to a late-night bonfire with stargazing and a nightcap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll see how diverse Australia\u2019s landscape truly is  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you took away the luxury finishes and experiences of the Indian Pacific, it would still be an exceptional journey for one reason \u2013 the scenery. From the comfort of your cabin, you watch the landscape metamorphise: from the sparse tufts of saltbush and bluebush that touch the horizon on the Nullarbor Plains to the soaring hills of the Flinders Rangers, to the desolate dryness of Broken Hill and the shamrock shades of the Blue Mountains. It was like watching slow TV in the best possible way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With limited reception throughout the trip and Wi-Fi located in the lounge carts, this gives me ample opportunity to take in the incredible scenery unfolding before me. Having so much time to read, relax and stare out the window was my highlight of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Platinum
My Platinum Suite onboard the Indian Pacific.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s\u00a0all about the journey not just the destination\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What makes the Indian Pacific so magical is the fact that doing nothing really is the point. Whenever I return to my cabin after off-train excursions, I am in awe about how much time I have to do whatever I want. The ever-changing landscape outside provides the perfect backdrop for reading my book, listening to a podcast or taking an afternoon nap with the sunshine streaming in. Each day I feel a calmness and serenity that lasted long after I left the train.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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