As an Australian, I would love to explore the country and especially on a long train journey. However, the costs for these journeys is so expensive that it is beyond reach of most of us. I sometime wonder if we price ourselves out of the market and that is why people find it cheaper to head off overseas for far less cost. I am glad you liked the trip although I would have been disappointed with missing out not he full train journey and being bused to another station.

I love it when my favourite travel channels do videos about my favourite mode of transportation. I know you use to do more than cruise videos, but this was still an unexpected yet very pleasant surprise! Hopefully we get to see more train and/or excursion specific videos in the future!

I'm Australian and went on the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney. I found the food was exceptional, the staff amazing, the stops fun and informative. A totally fantastic experience.

I've just returned from a 3 week trip to Japan. I spent $670 on three JR passes which provided 19 days of unlimited travel on Japan Rail's superb network. I am glad I travelled on the Indian-Pacific back in the early 70s so I can say I've done the journey. There is no chance I will ever travel on the IP again. Vastly overpriced these days.

We were on the same journey as you, and we featured in your clip at least four times. We were in the other Platinum cabin (the rowdy lot), such a shame we didn't meet. Agree with the start of the journey, and the rocky first night sleep. However, the staff were so beautiful and helpful. Food was good, the experience was indeed terrific. It was worth it in our mind, and we would probably return one day to experience the Ghan. Happy travels, we may indeed meet again on a future journey.

I did this train in 1972 when it was the cheapest way to cross the country. I couldnt afford the sleeper and bought a seat. The staff were great and let me sleep on the bench seats in the lounge. The train was full of youngsters like myself and it was non stop party all the way. So glad I had that experience then as it was memorable and affordable. I would go again today if I didnt have to pay for all the extras, side trips, alcohol etc which really boosts the price and no longer appeals. Plus you need to book years in advance to get the comfy bed - no bunk beds for me anymore! I dont enjoy tours and buffets prefering to do it my way. As I do love train travel, we take regular trains whenever we can. Affordable, comfortable, with the ability to be flexible, it is my favourite way to travel.

When I moved to Sydney (from Adelaide) my dads "fee" to bring my car across was to return on the Indian pacific.

I rode the Indian-Pacific in the early 80s when it was a normal train - no tourism frills. My compartment was large. Very early 60s style furnishings. Food was plain. You met real Australians, very friendly, not wealthy international tourists. Price was very reasonable. Prices you quote are insane.

It’s a shame that the beginning of your trip was changed but Journey Beyond have no control over track maintenance. There are two versions of platinum carriages. Yours was an older style. The new ones have multiple power points and usb points. Also, platinum guests have an extra course at every meal. The non alcoholic sparkling was a Maggie Beer one. She owns a property in Adelaide and had a tv show called “The Cook and the Chef.

Glad you enjoyed the trip. As Australians, we would never go on this trip at the high prices being charged.

Happy Birthday Sally 😊 Loved the trip recap!

Great video Gary. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us.

I was so thrilled to see a vlog about a train journey. I love your coverage of cruises, and you did a fantastic job of covering, in detail, the train journey! It looks very interesting! Thanks!

Tbh I have always wanted to go on it but as an Australian I find it expensive as well and not convinced it’s value for money. The one time I was close to booking it I looked at the prices and ended up going to Europe thinking ‘ similar price’

My husband and I cruising Hawaii to Sydney and then the Ghan in October. This video was very helpful.....and we can't wait. Love all of your travel reports! Stu from San Diego

What A great pair. Giving mum/mum inlaw a trip of a life time. Nothing else matters.

Gary it was fun to see Mark's Mother enjoying the train. It's clear she enjoyed it because she was smiling in every video. We enjoy your train excursions they add value to your channel.

To say it was Platinum standard what was that woman doing putting her bare feet up in the lounge car? Disgusting? !

Would love to do it ,BUT there is no way I'd pay such a crazy price .

I loved watching this video. This is probably my favorite of your vlogs!

I didn’t know that the train stopped at places along the way. Much More interesting than I had thought! Thank you for the video!

We overcome the outlet dilemma by having a converter cube which has 4 USB ports on top. Even travelling within the US, these extra ports come in handy for phone, watch and whatever charging all at once.

Your videos are SO well done and SO informative…thank you! Been following you for years. Now you’ve whet my appetite for this train trip!

A good and extensive video, thanks. Many Australians put this journey on their "bucket list" so the cost is not exorbitant for them. It's a long trip, but the scenery is fascinating. The crew and the food are exceptional and for drinkers that is an excellent wine list.

I've been on both the original Ghan, on the narrow guage in 1980 and the new Ghan to Alice Springs in 1986, plus a leg of the IP from Parkes to Sydney. In those days the train carried sitting cars as well as sleepers, and was used as a way to actually get places. Now all the trains, except the Overland, are for tourists, 1st, 2nd and last. Only cashed up retirees take the trip as locals, the majority are overseas visitors. Wish we still had normal trains doing long distance travel here. Sadly missed.

Thank you for your review. It was very comprehensive. I’m glad you liked the food and experience. Regards

Loved this video!

Adelaide is totally underrated! Great place

Great video! Thanks.

Looks like a lovely trip! The food choices and the tours look very nice. The lady with her bare feet on the seat in the lounge though!🫣 I hope your mother in law had a great time!

My daughter ( who is 18) and I did this trip in June last year and traveled in Platinum. Was one of the best trips I’ve ever done . I’m an avid cruiser and had never done train travel before . Definitely a convert ! Ps .. we also did the Drag Queen walking tour in Broken Hill !! Such fun !

Great video as usual

I enjoyed this video. I look forward to seeing more on your channel about excursions. The trains, artic, and a few other excursions such as glimpses of the Paul Gaugin activities are very interesting.

Wow that was an awesome video, thank you sharing ❤

I like watching your videos while I do chores or relax. I live alone, so it's nice to have calm, interesting videos

Thanks for the video dude. Nice work.

What a great video! I'm really glad you enjoyed the journey. The food looked delicious! I live about 60ks north of Adelaide about 100 metres from the track and love watching the trains pass by. Ill give you a wave next time! 😊

Great review and thanks for the Video credit on the footage you used. The Nullarbor is a magical place and Rawlinna (Pronounced Raw-Linna) is an amazing pastoral operation smack bang in the middle of some of the most beautiful country southern Australia has to offer. A touch under 3 million acres which in its peak has shorn 75 -80 thousand sheep. I'd suggest if you ever have the time, driving across the Nullarbor so you can take in all it has to offer at your own pace, it's history and the beautiful desolate landscapes. Look forward to seeing more of your travel reviews.

Loved the video. Happy birthday to Sally.

Very timely video, thanks. I will be traveling on the Indian Pacific from Sydney on the 29th of May. I will be traveling in a Gold Single, so I paid much less than you paid, but from reviews that I got from others who have taken the same trip, they said that Gold Class was very comfortable, I hope so. I am very much looking forward to the adventure. I found that working with the folks at Journey Beyond was very good and they have been very responsive to all of my inquiries.

As an Aussie, so proud you - as such an intrepid traveller - love the Adelaide Central Market so much ❤

I’ve wanted to do the Indian Pacific and the Ghan for years. I decided it wasn’t worth mortgaging the house for. I’ll have to be satisfied with having seen the IP at Central one time and seeing the Ghan when i was passing through Alice Springs a few years back. Which was a lucky fluke, we were running a couple days ahead of schedule! I hope you and Mark had a lovely time here though. And happy birthday Sally! What a wonderful birthday present 😄

I’m an Aussie, absolutely love rail travel and I was expecting something special about your trip, I must say you are very diplomatic. Those meals were shocking by normal Australian standards, worse than standard cafe fare. The cabin quality very poor compared to Europe and Japan. Sadly for that completely overpriced fare I’m embarrassed to think this is what we can come up with. At least I know this is not a journey I’ll be taking.

Thanks for this.. on it in December 2024. Can’t wait

I did the Sydney to Adelaide stretch last year. Beyond alright - beyond disappointed. And I love trains!

Love the drag tour so fun

Just a note on the time: WA, NT and Queensland do not use Daylight Saving Time whereas everywhere else does. Under normal circumstances Perth is 2 hours behind Sydney and 90 minutes behind Adelaide. Your video was obviously during DST, so those times extend by an hour. Currently there is no DST in Australia.

That was a surprise,, I actually thought you were going to whinge about the trip. As a former frequent Ghan traveller, (tour host) I loved the train experience,, yes it’s expensive, yes it’s slow, yes it’s not particularly luxurious,,,, but it’s an amazing journey echoing a bygone era. Everyone should experience travel this way at least once , IF you can afford it.❤

Did the return trip in about 1972 with my mother and older brother and sister visiting our WA relatives from Melb, I was about 10yo and the only young one, there were plenty of people middle aged but I still enjoyed it. Adelaide to Perth is the best part as it is the real desert not just pastoral paddocks, I suggest fly to Adelaide and skip the rest and it'd be cheaper too. Also looks like price fluctuates a lot depending on the month.

Thank you very much for all your comments. No stop in Kalgoorlie?

Thank you very much! So interesting!

Great review

Big Thanks for your review .

Sally is such a trooper! Hope she can join you more often!

Great video. Someday I will take this trip. The hazelnut chocolate tart looks to die for.

Thanks for the video Gary❤ The experience looks a bit too touristy and “curated” for me personally but I’m glad you all had a great time!

I travelled on the Trans back in 1977. The experience was markedly different back then. The only stop was in Broken Hill to change engines and drivers... LOL. The service was great and there was even a butler if you wanted tea or dinner in your cabin [first class]. They also carried out the reconfiguration of the cabins for night time use. After a day of using the 'platinum' lounge, my wife [of 1 week; just married] and I spent a lot of time in the second class lounge because the age group was decidedly younger, like us. Without the stops we pretty much made our own entertainment and it was a fun trip.

We really enjoyed this video. We're not "cruisers" (our furthest jaunt is the Northlink ferry from mainland Scotland to Shetland) but we still enjoy watching your cruise videos. We are definitely more "train" and "fly n explore" travellers although this particular train trip is a bit out of our reach financially. So, it was great to live it through your video. Thanks!

Really enjoyed this review.

Fantastic video

Your content is great, but y'all are doing fantastic doing other travel content as well.

It looked okay, but personally if I was spending that sort of money I would want to do something a bit better than just eating and drinking on a train. It seems very expensive for what it was

Hi Gary, enjoyed the video very much. I could not find the link to the video you mentioned at the end of this video were talk about other train trips to do. Do you know where I can find that link? Thank you.

Great video! Mark really looks like his mum!

Hooray for train videos! Please consider others (e.g. Rovos)

Thanks Gary - good review. I wanted to do the trip this year, but alas booked out. I think I would need to book further in advance than my typical levels of personal planning supports. Oh well, maybe next year I'll get lucky. I did do the Overland last year, which isn't really comparable though. It seems everything is expensive in Australia these days

Thanks for sharing your trip Gary, I did this trip in 1996, I was my mums carer so it was a lot cheaper. That’s one crazy price for the 3 days! We loved our trip but it was a bit different to what is today. As a family in the 70s, we did Sydney to perth via nullabor a couple times as we went from Perth to the tip of Queensland return by car. The Indian Pacific I see has changed as when we settled in as our trip started we had someone come and ask us what beverage we liked for the mornings cuppas and what time, then being brought it to our cabin. We never got off and loved the commentary on board and the dining lounge. I'm glad you enjoyed it overall though. But I too don't like kangaroo meat. How crazy that we eat our national emblem!

I absolutely love the world of luxury train travel. Haven’t made it onto one yet, but hoping to start with the Caledonian Sleeper (yes, MUCH more basic than what you’ve shown us here 😂) This experience looks SO interesting - thanks for sharing with us - great to see you not on a ship!

I worked for the rail way in New South Wales and booked several trips to Perth and return. I also done the trip myself one way to Perth While the track closure would be dissapointing, it is necessary to do work. Just as a road needs repair so do rail lines. Australia has a good safety record with rail. Thank you for your thoughts and experiances. While it may be expensive, compare it to driving a car, booking motels and dinning. If you are international car higher also. Back in 1972 i think it was around $600 per person. Hope to see more of you videos.

Love your videos. Your MIL looks fantastic for 80.

A lovely reminder of our trip last year. We travelled Gold and really enjoyed the scenery and the company. Having started with two nights in Sydney, after the train we had two nights in Perth, two in Melbourne and back to Sydney for an 11 night Celebrity Cruise to New Zealand in a balcony cabin. For two we paid £5500 each including our UK and domestic flights, so I must assume Premier is a huge price jump if you paid £2000 each just for the train.

oh nice nice the tracks are almost fully repaired then - when I did this early last year, the tracks were washed out all the way to broken hill, so we actually bypassed it and went to Adelaide via Mmelbbourne

looked quite the experience glad you enjoyed it after spending all that money!

I love when travel bloggers take their mothers with them. Great video as always. Thanks

That is the best trip I have ever done! I’ve never done platinum but I’m saving up for it, just the night between Sydney and Adelaide though. I’ve been on the Indian Pacific several times and it’s two sister trains as well only done the Great Southern once but I want to do it again. I never have any complaints about these trips because they’re all just so great. Sorry you had to catch a bus to meet the train, but unfortunately, when work has to be done it has to be done

As a rail fan, and someone interested in Australia, I really enjoyed this video both as a review and as a daily diary of your trip. I know your cruise reviews are generally summations of the overall experience, but I do get vicarious pleasure from the "diary' approach. I'm really looking forward to a video about your upcoming voyage on the Queen Anne. It looks like a real departure from the styles Cunard has referenced since the Queen Mary2 was introduced, and I'll be interested to know if you think it is successful. (We are already booked for Summer, 2025).)

A tip you can use for cruises trips hotel stays We always take a power board and if overseas an adaptor as you found on the train only had one outlet. Handy for multiple devices

Nice review. I also did platinum class on the Indian Pacific - but Perth to Sydney as a solo traveler. Regrettably our Rawlina stop was cancelled due to traffic scheduling (which we were advised about in the weeks prior). This was a real shame. Additionally, same as you but in reverse, we had to bus it from Lithgow to Sydney due to weather/flooding. Both of these combined took a bit of the shine off the journey infortunately although I'm aware these issues are outside of the control of Journey Beyond. Still a very memorable trip and on the back of that I'm doing the Ghan Adelaide to Darwin in June - but doing the substantially cheaper Gold Class single this time around.

You also need to save up for the Ritz sailing. Thanks for the video

Thank you Gary!

Skoonma looks good for 80. My partner and I are doing the Perth to Sydney trip next month in platinum as well. Holding thumbs for a good trip.

It's a handful of years back but I did the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney as a single in Gold Class. I had much the same experiences as you did but some differences. We stopped in Kalgoorlie on the way out for a coach tour of the deserted town at night and were then taken to an outdoor mining museum where a small show was put on which was interesting and then to the mine itself. It was at night, dark and although you could get to judge the depth of the mime there wasn't much to see, except the lights of some moving vehicles. Bed and the next stop was in the morning for a wonderful outdoor breakfast at Rawlinna. We stopped at Cook, population: Human -2 Flies, 2 billion. Not the most wonderful place. I also walked up to see the engine but we were stopped from going to see the front for some obscure reason. Our next stop was Adelaide and like you I went to the market. It was early morning and the place was being set up by the stall holders. A decent breakfast with the excellent tour guide, and I was able to buy a few things to take back onto the train including some Kangaroo Island Gin, which I used as a night cap in my room. We stopped at Broken Hill and I went to the Drag show bar where a couple of the queens put on a short show, and those who wanted it had their photos taken with the artists. My tour was the first to offer the stop in the Blue Mountains, Those who chose the tour would be bussed back to Sydney. I had already a flight to Cairns booked that evening and there was no guarantee that I'd get back to Sydney in time to connect to the flight if I did the Blue Mountain tour. In gold (single) I found the accommodation cramped and we had to share showers. The food was great, I enjoyed the other passengers both Aussie and International. Would I do it again? Yes but in the direction you did it and I'd upgrade to Platinum. I enjoyed your video, and will look out for more. PS I'd also like to do the Ghan some time.

I hope you got to check out the Perth Mint. Have you been on the Orient Express?

$8000 buys a Fab week long Cruise including a full Beverage package.

Did the trip in July 2022 and it was fantastic!

We loved that trip from Perth to Sydney. We hope to be on Al Andalus in Southern Spain next year and are already booked on Golden Eagle Danube Express in Eastern Europe in 2026. Expedition cruising with Lindblad (our favorite), we get a nice mix of transport and experiences. Rail in Spain will be combined with land-based exploring in Morocco.

Very interesting video, as my wife and I are always talking about doing the Indian Pacific (we used to live in Perth, and would watch it come and go occasionally, but now live in Tasmania). The price has always been a stumbling block, though ... even for Gold. But your concluding comments (saying it's worth it) are encouraging. Was the other Platinum Lounge / Dining carriage much busier than yours, since it had its full complement of 30 guests?

I live near the railway line that goes from Sydney city to Lithgow. It often has to close for maintenance. As it is also a very busy commuter train line during the week, these maintenance times are usually scheduled for the weekend and at fairly late notice. The trainline that goes between Penrith and the Blue Mountains needs regular maintenance due to the topography of the area. Plus recently we have had a lot of rain n flooding. I am very certain that had the provider been able to travel from Sydney city via the train they would have. The trip via the Bus between the City to Penrith can be high traffic on the M4. However, when you cross over the Nepean River and get on the Great Western Highway and go through the Blue Mountains. It is actually quite lovely. Can't say the train trip from the City to Penrith is all to scenic, so you aren't missing much. When the train gets to the mountains it often runs parallel to the road so most of the view from the train or bus would be pretty much be the same. Yes you don't have your own cabin on a bus, but it isn't a long trip time wise in comparison to the whole journey to Perth. I personally love the drive up the through the Blue Mountains. Thanks for showing us your travels, it sounded lovely.

I’m surprised that most guests weren’t drinking the wine at the Central Market … when I did this tour (admittedly in gold), almost everyone on my table did the wine tasting. I appreciate that not everyone drinks or is interested, but as you say, Adelaide is known for its wines and just because you don’t choose a wine tour doesn’t mean you don’t want to try food matched to local wine. 🤔

The train used to have a sit-up carriage, or two at one time, and there were second class sleepers with the toilet down the corridor. I think cheap plane fares skilled the sit up option and perhaps the second class sleepers. With no express buses now between Sydney and Perth the only. realistic publlc transport is flying or absurdly-priced trains. There is the occasional cruise ship, but they are expensive and spasmodic. When I first went from Sydney to Perth by train we had to catch five trains, and not long before that it was six. But it was fun and not too dear.

Thank you for pointing out the vegetarian options on the train! I do hope you, your partner, and your dear Mother had a lovely trip.

It's very scenic on the train going up through the Blue Mountains which you missed out on going by coach to Lithgow. I think the views from the train are probably better than the road. The kangaroo usually tastes better than the like best beef, so I wonder if it just wasn't a good recipe, cooking or piece of meat. It looks okay in the picture. The Barossa Valley in South Australia is very picturesque and peaceful, i loved it even though not a big wine drinker, we went to the famous brand wineries and looked around the lovely establishments. I also bought a small coffee table made of old wine barrels at a great wood crafts shop.

I have been on the Indian Pacific twice and each time I have large suitcases. We were only asked if we wanted them checked in and we said no we would take them into our cabin. There was no problem doing this. We were in Gold so the cabins were smaller even so we managed to store all our cases. Sorry you missed the Blue Mountains by train but you would have seen them by coach anyway.

Two items: I always bring a power strip because, like you, I have been in accommodation with very few outlets. Finally, I'm surprised there wasn't an outdoor viewing car at the back of the train. Those cars are fantastic for seeing the scenery (and for smokers having a light during designated times). As for the cost, yes, start saving because it isn't just the train, but the planes (or ship) and hotels getting there and back. I think a cruise from the US to AU and then another to the UK with a train trip would be wonderfully delicious.

This was a great review. I did the trip between Perth and Adelaide in 1969 with my family when it was cheaper than flying, and have wanted to do it ever since, but it's too expensive these days. I'd love to hear about your experience in Perth,

My sister and I did the reverse of this trip (Perth to Sydney) 18 months ago. I think they change the menus seasonally as ours was quite different.

Did Gold between Perth and Adelaide back in 1986 for $110 one way as a single-sleeper cabin (you could even buy just a seat for $55 back then). Train had 2 locos pulling and was 1.5km long and when we stopped in Cook, my cabin was directly in front of the station sign. There was no platinum back then...it was either first class or cattle class.

Ive been on both The Ghan and Great Southern Gold Class. I wouldn’t waste my money on Platinum. We had a dedicated bar carriage as well as the Queen Adelaide dining car. The service on all Journey Beyond trains is fabulous. The best part for me is meeting people and it seems to us the the Gold Class passengers had the chance to mix a lot more with other passengers. We met some lovely people on both trains. I’m from Adelaide btw, so I suppose I’m a bit biased.

It sounds like you were on the West Bound trip immediately after our East Bound trip over Christmas 2023, we left the train for buses at Lithgow for Central. Whats very obvious is that the East Bound and West Bound itineraries are very different and you missed out on standing on Kalgoorlie Station at 1am on Christmas Morning waiting for “the tran” but that’s what memories are made of ~ seriously, people considering this trip should read the itineraries carefully, EastBound V Westbound appear to be two different experiences. PS ~ we have done The Ghan northbound too, personal opinion, I preferred The Ghan

Gary, you have some travel budget between this trip and all of your cruises. Glad you can make it work for Mark and yourself.