Tripped booked over a year ago to get the early bird discount! After a couple of days in Sydney to catch a Swans game and catch up with some friends. We arrived at Central Station at about midday to catch the train across the country! Inclusive lunch and drinks at the Eternity Cafe at Central, then it was time to board the train. Cabin was cosy but comfortable with Couch/Settee converting to two bunks at night, but to be honest didn’t spend much time there except for sleeping. Most of the “Action” was in the bar and restaurant cars.
Our fellow travellers were a nice bunch of people from all over Australia, as well as a young honeymoon couple from Portugal. Left Sydney via the western suburbs, then the long slow climb up through the Blue Mountains. Getting dark by the time we went through Katoomba, so not much to been seen from the train. First night was quite bumpy/rocking so took some getting to sleep.
First stop the next morning was Broken Hill. Having spent quite some time in BH previously, we opted to stay on the train for a leisurely breakfast. Think we were the only ones, as it appeared we had the train to ourselves and did seem to cause some confusion with the train staff. After breakfast it was time to watch the country go by from the bar/observation car. Bloody Marys’ to start the day seemed appropriate, and soon many fellow passengers decided that was a good idea and joined in. Trend setters as usuall (ha ha). Food was pretty good for each meal, with a good selection of well presented dishes. Next Stop Adelaide.
Arrived in Adelaide for our first off train excursion. Clearly had not eaten or drunk enough during the day, as this was a trip to the Barossa Valley to taste some wine and then enjoy an enormous German meal in Handorf, complete with Umpah band. Good fun, but way too much food! Back on the train for overnight onto the Nullarbor.
First stop on the plain, was the railway ghost town of Cook. Once a thriving community of over 100 people, complete with school and a swimming pool. Now a decaying open air museum to days gone by, with only about 5 semi-perminent rail workers living there. Interesting, but a bit sad. Back on board for more food and watching the Nullarbor roll by with a refreshing beverage in hand (certainly better than the drive across!). Final Stop of the trip was supposed to be an open air dinner beside the train at Rawlina Station (largest sheep station in Australia). The weather had other plans, with rain forcast and all around, we stopped for evening drinks (Port or Baileys was the somewhat strange choice), a couple of fire pitt barrels (that needed a bit of help to get going) and some live music from the performers off the train (Think Buddy Holly does Country and Western). It was then back on board for another great meal, an evening night cap (or two), and then rocked to sleep by the movement of the train.
Final day on the train, was the run through Kalgoorli-Boulder, then slowly back to civilisation or Perth (you decide). Farewells and a few phone numbers exchanged, then a fairly quick exit from the train as it had to be cleaned and serviced for the trip back. Uber to Freemantle, for an overnight stop before a few nights on Rottnest Island (see next Travelogue).
Overall verdict – Well worth doing, especially if you get a discounted fair as we did. Quality of the food excellent, good selection of unlimited drinks and a very relaxing way to see the country. Staff (mostly very young) were excellent, friendly and made us feel very at home. Probably even better with more daylight during the summer months, but probably why those dates are more expensive. Like many trips such as this, a lot depends on fellow travellers, as you will spend time in close proximity for much of the trip. Luckily our bunch were good fun, mostly our age or older, except for the Portuguese Honeymooners, but pretty sure they had a good time!