Tour Title: Indian Pacific Coast to Coast (Sydney to Perth)
Tour Company: Journey Beyond Rail
Travel Distance: 4,352 kilometres
Room: Carriage K Room 6
Passengers: 127 (38 crew)
Off-Train Excursions: Broken Hill, Adelaide, Cook, Rawlinna
Dates: 11 November 2026 to 14 November (3 Nights | 4 days)
Rating: 4 / 5
Indian Pacific Journal Entries
I took this tour as part of the Indian Pacific to Perth All-Inclusive with Rottnest Island trip, booked with Discover Australia Tours. Journey Beyond runs the Indian Pacific. I had previously travelled on The Ghan (Darwin to Adelaide) back in 2022.
This type of train travel is not about getting from A to B in the fastest possible time but rather about the journey, the experiences, and the food. It is expensive for sure but can be well worth it given how unique this type of travel is in the modern era, how it forces you to slow down and how it allows you to see more of remote outback Australia. For this particular train, it is also about crossing a continent and travelling from one ocean (the Pacific) to another (the Indian).
Timetable
Wednesday: Depart Sydney 14:15
Thursday: Arrive Broken Hill 06:30
Thursday: Depart Broken Hill 09:00
Thursday: Arrive Adelaide 16:30
Thursday: Depart Adelaide 22:15
Friday: Arrive Cook 15:00
Friday: Depart Cook 15:30
Friday: Arrive Rawlinna 19:00
Friday: Depart Rawlinna 21:00
Saturday: Arrive Perth 14:30
Meals and Drinks
Meals are all inclusive. The ‘on train’ meals for passengers travelling in Gold Class are taken in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant. On Day 1, we had a Buffet Lunch at the Eternity Restaurant at Sydney Central Station Terminal, with Dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Carriage.
On Day 2, we had Breakfast and Lunch on the train, with dinner provided on our chosen Adelaide excursion; for me this was at the Adelaide Central Market during our After Dark Tour. Dinner was made up of produce that the market sold and was a great night.
On Day 3, we had Breakfast and Lunch on the train, with dinner provided off the train and under the stars at Rawlinna, in a community-table-style arrangement.
Finally, on Day 4 we had Brunch on the train and a light afternoon tea option (which I did not use) just before disembarking in Perth.
Drinks are also included, and outside meal times you can order them in the Outback Explorer Lounge. Staff were also happy to make cocktails on request. In the lounge, you could also get some snacks to go with your drink.
Cabin
On that day, the Gold Class twin cabin was configured for seating. Your Cabin can be forward-facing or backward-facing. I requested a forward-facing cabin, which was allocated for the Adelaide to Perth stage but was backward-facing for the Sydney to Adelaide stage. The cabin also has a shower and toilet area; while small, it is manageable to navigate, and the water pressure is good and the water warm. If you are in a Gold Class single cabin, you have to use the shared carriage shower instead.
For the evening, your cabin is transformed into two bunk beds, with the seating area converting into one bunk bed and the other bunk bed emerging from the wall above. There is one power outlet for charging devices and an audio system with 5 channels and various music options. There is no USB charging.
There is very limited storage space in your cabin, so if you have a bigger bag, it will need to be checked into storage, and you won’t have access to it during the trip. Pack carefully with a daypack or a similar bag. I found sleeping was okay from day 2 onwards, but the temperature varied from a little cold to a little warm on different nights. The first night going through the Blue Mountains was very bumpy, and I struggled to sleep for extended periods.
Note: There is no wifi in cabins. Wi-Fi is available in the lounge; however, it relies on the Telstra network, so it is spotty at best. This is something they should fix in an era of satellite internet access so you have internet access all the time, and it should be extended to the carriages.
Excursions
There are multiple excursions at the two stops. You select your preferred options about two weeks before boarding. You list a first and a second preference, so you have a backup. No excursions on the Indian Pacific required additional payment (on The Ghan, several did).
Broken Hill Excursions
1) STEP INTO THE SILVER CITY
I selected this excursion
Description
Step into the story of the Silver City on a guided walking tour through Broken Hill’s historic heart. Uncover the resilience and character that shaped this remarkable outback town, from its pioneering beginnings to the thriving community it is today.
Stroll through heritage-lined streets where grand façades and enduring landmarks stand as proud reminders of Broken Hill’s mining legacy. Along the way, hear tales of determination, mateship and cultural evolution that continue to define this iconic regional centre.
Your morning concludes at the historic Trades Hall, a powerful symbol of the town’s working-class roots. Here, pause for a relaxed morning tea, enjoying freshly brewed tea and coffee accompanied by a selection of baked delights, as you soak in the atmosphere of one of Broken Hill’s most storied institutions.
2) BROKEN HILL ON SHOW
Description
Discover the creative heart and curious spirit of the Silver City on a morning filled with flavour, laughter, and local character. Your experience begins at the Tipsy Camel, where the atmosphere is as lively as the company. Led by Broken Hill’s charismatic drag queen, Shelita, enjoy a vibrant morning of entertainment, games and good humour — a joyful nod to the town’s artistic soul.
While you sip and snack, join award-winning chef Lee Cecchin for a hands-on cooking experience celebrating the flavours of the outback. Learn how to weave native ingredients and bush spices into modern cuisine, uncovering the cultural stories that make each dish so distinct.
As the morning unfolds, discover how this remarkable outback town has inspired icons like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert before stepping aboard your coach for a scenic town tour. From striking desert landscapes to grand heritage architecture, this journey through Broken Hill reveals why the Silver City continues to captivate travellers, artists and storytellers alike.
Adelaide Excursions
1) ADELAIDE HILLS
Description
Set within the elevated landscape of the Adelaide Hills, this Off Train Experience offers a relaxed introduction to one of South Australia’s most celebrated food and wine regions.
Begin at The Lane Vineyard, where panoramic views stretch across rolling vines and valleys. Here, enjoy a guided tasting that showcases the region’s character, with each wine reflecting the balance and finesse the Adelaide Hills is known for.
From there, continue to the historic township of Hahndorf for dinner at The Haus. This local gem brings a contemporary approach to traditional German fare, with generous, flavour-driven dishes complemented by regional wines in a warm, welcoming setting.
2) CENTRAL MARKET AFTER DARK
I selected this excursion
Description
Step inside the Adelaide Central Market after hours for an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes of one of the city’s most beloved institutions. While the market is closed to the public, some of its most passionate traders are on hand exclusively for you, sharing their stories, expertise and the produce that has made the market an Adelaide icon.
Begin your experience by rolling up your sleeves for a hands-on butter-making experience, churning cultured cream and finishing your creation with a selection of salts and flavours, ready to enjoy with warm, freshly baked sourdough.
From here, the experience deepens with a Cheese and Wine Masterclass, led by Valérie Henbest and her team of expert cheesemongers. Blindfolded, explore a curated selection of cheeses and wines, guided by flavour, texture and aroma.
As live music fills the market, indulge in a relaxed, produce-led dinner showcasing South Australia’s abundance. Thoughtfully prepared with ingredients from the market’s celebrated traders and paired with regional wines, dinner offers a delicious finale to an evening of food, stories and discovery, enjoyed within the market’s unique surrounds after hours.
3) ICONS OF ADELAIDE
Description
Experience Adelaide’s charm on this exclusive evening designed for Indian Pacific guests. Start with a behind-the-scenes tour and tasting at Coopers Brewery, Australia’s largest family-owned brewery. Then, enjoy a scenic city drive showcasing Adelaide’s historic architecture and parklands.
As evening falls, indulge in a three-course teppanyaki dinner at Shiki, where expert chefs showcase premium local produce paired with South Australian wines. Finally, stroll across the illuminated Torrens River Bridge to the iconic Adelaide Oval before returning to the Indian Pacific, taking with you a taste of Adelaide’s vibrant spirit and unforgettable flavours.
4) MOUNT LOFTY SIPS AND SUMMITS
Description
Designed exclusively for guests of the Australis and Aurora Suites, this intimate Off Train Experience invites you to discover Adelaide in elevated style.
On arrival, travel by luxury vehicle with fellow suite guests to Mount Lofty in the Adelaide Hills, where sweeping views unfold from the city’s highest vantage point. From here, continue to the elegant Mount Lofty House, a historic estate rich in heritage and charm.
Enjoy a welcome drink as you explore the property’s storied past, before a curated tasting showcasing wines from South Australia’s renowned regions. The evening concludes at Hardy’s Verandah with a remarkable dinner celebrating the finest local, seasonal produce. Afterwards, return to the train, your journey enriched by the landscapes, flavours and quiet sophistication of the Adelaide Hills.
Cook
For Cook, you get to explore this mostly abandoned ghost town for 30 minutes.
Rawlinna
For Rawlinna, you get off the train for a dinner under the stars. You can also explore a little of this area while off the train.
Excursions Summary
I really enjoy both my excursions to Broken Hill and Adelaide. The Broken Hill excursion provided some rich Australian history, especially about the struggles of workers. The Adelaide Market was even better. I was very impressed by the Market itself, but the hands-on butter-making lesson, combined with wine and cheese pairings, followed by dinner using produce sold at the market, was exceptional. Added to this were the music and trivia, combined with passionate speakers and performers, and I was left humming.
Summary
This is a good companion to the long-distance train trip I did on The Ghan in 2022. The staff were again friendly and excellent; the passengers, who, while older, were very keen to be here, were a good mix of people; the meals were good to excellent, and the excursions offered you a way to explore these unique areas quickly.
The cabins need some updating, with their age showing in some spots (carpet worn down in places), need more power points, preferably USB, and internet access should always be available at this price.
I’m glad I had this experience, but if I could only pick one multi-night train experience in Australia, I’d still go with The Ghan, as its stops and excursions were more interesting.
Leave a Reply