As I stepped aboard the famous Indian Pacific, I felt that I was in for an epic adventure. The 68-hour train ride is not the fastest way to get from Sydney to Perth, but it is one of those trips where it is all about the journey, not the destination. It is a journey defined by contrasts, from the lush hills of the Blue Mountains, to the unimaginable barrenness of the Nullarbor.
As the changing scenery passed by my cabin window on this three-night ocean-to-ocean ride, I discovered how vast the beauty of Australia was.
Day One
We set off from Sydney’s Central Station. After settling into my cabin, I found a vacant lounge chair and spent the rest of the afternoon gazing out the window, as the sandstone cliffs and eucalyptus forests slowly gave way to the arid plains. Later that evening, as I enjoyed my dinner, I realized why this was the tastiest train journeys in the world.
Day Two
I woke up just in time to admire the famed sunrise over the Broken Hill area. After pulling into the station, we made a one-hour whistle-stop tour to the Living Desert Reserve. The area covers 180 hectares of breathtaking scenery and views, highlighted by 12 sandstone sculptures, made by artists from around the world. The flora and fauna sanctuary, which is bordered by an electric predator-proof fence, offers you a unique chance to be up close and personal with the wilderness of the Outback region.
Back on the train, I watched the horizon, as occasional emus and kangaroos greeted us on our way to Adelaide. A dramatic change in landscape was soon brought by the green fertile plains and olive trees.
Adelaide’s picturesque streets, lined with colonial buildings, were a pleasant surprise for me, so I decided to skip the Barossa Valley tour, and instead strolled down North Terrace and through the Botanic Garden. Although I was tired, I could not allow my sore feet to stop me from exploring this garden of Eden, so I found the nearest hoverboard Segway renting spot and continued the adventure. I can honestly say that I was having the time of my life—exploring the beauties of the scenery, feeling the light breeze in my hair.
Late evening found us in the ghost town of Cook. The train pulled in only briefly, so I did not dare wander too far away. Besides, the sound of crickets and abandoned buildings of this ghost town were not very inviting.
Day Three
The world’s longest straight stretch of railway tracks runs through the awe-inspiring Nullarbor Plain. In Latin, Nullarbor means ‘no trees’, and it really serves its name. My mind could not grasp the flatness of this seemingly limitless land. I was overwhelmed.
We arrived at the gold capital of Australia, Kalgoorlie, in the evening and had just enough time to see the world’s largest open cut mine, the Super Pit.
Day Four
As I woke up the next morning, I was once again greeted by the blue skies and green vales. We were hurtling across the Avon Valley. After 4352 km, we finally reached Perth. As I was pulling my luggage along the station platform, I was excited about meeting the sunny Perth, but at the same time sad that my epic journey had come to an end.
Photo by Tobias Keller
Emma Lawson
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