Discover Outback Australia on "The Indian Pacific" Train

Imagine sipping a red, enjoying a sumptious meal and the company of fellow travelers from all over the world, as the spectacular Australian outback glides past. This is the unique Indian Pacific experience.

The Indian Pacific is one of the world's great train journeys. It crosses the vast Australian continent between Sydney on the Pacific Ocean and Perth, on the Indian Ocean in a shade over three days. You will experience the real Australia from majestic mountains to rolling pastures to the harshness of the outback.

The Indian Pacific is not a high speed dash across Australia. It is a tourist train designed to help you explore this country at your leisure and in comfort.

Kalgoorlie.

My journey was from Perth to Adelaide and our first stop, Kalgoorlie, provided a fascinating insight into Australia's early gold rushes.

The discovery of gold in Kalgoorlie in the late 1800s played a major role in the early development of Western Australia and to this day, it is still a major gold producer.

Nullabor Plain.

The following morning, we were on the Nullarbor Plain, in the heart of the outback. Cabin attendant Nikki, welcomed me with a cup of tea and advised of the day's events, including traveling on the longest straight stretch of railway track in the world (478km) and stopping at Cook, one of the most isolated railway stations in Australia.

The 1 hour stop at Cook highlighted the extreme summer heat of the outback. Before she opened the carriage door, Nikki warned us with a glorious piece of understatement, "It's pretty hot out there". She wasn't joking! We stepped from the comfort of an air conditioned train to searing 47 degree (120F) desert heat!

When the oven like blast hit me, it took me back to my childhood days when I was invited on to the footplate of a steam locomotive. I watched in awe and cringed as the fireman opened the grate door and shoveled coal into the furnace.

My first thought was how people managed to live in these conditions. For some guests, the heat was too much. They retreated to the cosseted environment of the train while the hardy (or should I say foolhardy!) souls took the opportunity to explore this tiny settlement, once a major railway maintenance centre with even a school, but now largely a ghost town with a total population of 4.

Sharing Experiences.

Our dinner conversation in the restaurant car that evening focused on the harsh beauty of the Australian Outback. Most of the guests I met at mealtimes were from North America or Europe. They spoke enthusiastically about the journey, the quality of the meals and the unique feeling of experiencing the true outback.

The remaining guests were fellow Australians, including 4 who had been on the journey more than 6 times. "We never tire of it" said Brad and Margo from Brisbane. "We lead busy lives and it gives us the chance to take time out, enjoy the experience of complete relaxation and meet interesting people".

Early the following morning, on the final stages of the journey, I had time to reflect on the adventure. I remembered the brilliant outback sunsets, the soaring Wedge-tail eagles (the train's symbol), the friendships formed with fellow guests and the friendly, attentive staff, who made us all feel so special.

But most of all, I remembered the indelible impression the train and the country it traversed, made on overseas visitors. Many regarded it as the highlight of their trip to Australia. Some planned to return and continue their outback adventures on "The Ghan" from Adelaide to Darwin.