Indian Pacific Railroad trip - Read Howard Hillman's tips

Indian Pacific Railroad

Travel tips you can trust

Why the
Indian Pacific Railroad
trip is special

The Indian Pacific Railroad is one of the most famous train journeys on earth. It crosses the entire Australian continent, much of it through the Outback.

Indian Pacific Railroad
tips and insights

Name

It gained its name because it travels between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It goes from Perth to Sydney with a quick dip into Adelaide. See map below.

Idea for train devotees

This journey is a must for train lovers (though other travelers may find it a bit tedious).

Length

The
Indian Pacific Railroad of Australia is 4352 kilometers (2700 miles) in length. One stretch goes 478 kilometers (300 miles) without a single curve, a world's record.

Trip time

The entire trip takes about 65 hours, not counting en route delays, which are not uncommon for trains traveling in the Outback.

What you see

You pass a variety of landscapes, including the flat, treeless and almost featureless Nullarbor Plain in southwestern Australia.

Along the way you see kangaroos, feral camels, and the huge wedge-tailed eagles.