Journey back into the gold rush era aboard Victoria Goldfields Railway's steam heritage train that chugs between the historic towns of Castlemaine and Maldon in central Victoria. Opt for the excursion class or go for first class to ride in style in spacious Edwardian-era compartments that grant access to an open observation deck at the front.
The 10.5 mile (17km) trip takes about 50 minutes each way with the train from Castlemaine spending two-and-a-half hours at Maldon, plenty of time for exploring its heritage sites. For serious train lovers, this attraction offers a chance to ride alongside the driver or even to drive a heritage steam or diesel locomotives while in charge of a goods train themselves.
From transporting copper to top Tassie attraction, The West Coast Wilderness Railway runs 22 miles (35km) between the old mining town of Queenstown and the port of Strahan on the island’s wild west coast. It’s a short but spectacular trip aboard restored heritage trains, running through tracts of dense ancient rainforest and up some seriously steep slopes. At present it’s not possible to travel the length of the railway in both directions, but this will resume in 2023.
For now, the half-day itineraries see passengers board at either Queenstown or Strahan and track along to Dubbil Barril before returning to their departure station. The train makes stops at remote train stations along the way for walks into the rainforest and panning for gold. Highlights include seeing the train being turned on the turntable at Dubbil Barril, climbing one of the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest tracks, crossing the Iron Bridge and traversing the deep chasm of the King River Gorge.
All aboard, foodies: Victoria’s Q Train is quite the hot culinary ticket. Travelling along the 10 mile (16km) Bellarine Railway from the historic Drysdale station, this railway journey is all about drinking in the views as you savour wines and produce from the bucolic Bellarine Peninsula. Over a luxurious three-hour trip between Drysdale and Queenscliff, passengers feast on a six-course degustation menu while seated in refurbished rail dining cars.
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One of the world's most famous train journeys, the Ghan is a truly epic ride. Linking Adelaide in the south with Darwin in the north (or vice versa), the Ghan crosses the length of Australia on a three-day journey, spanning 1,851 miles (2,979km). Striking through the red heart of Australia, passengers have the option to add an extra day to their journey to go underground at an opal mine at Coober Pedy, stop at fascinating outback centre Alice Springs, or go on a boat tour through the Katherine Gorge.
Traversing the entire width of Australia, the Indian Pacific journeys from Sydney on the east coast to Perth on the west coast (and vice versa) with a stop-off in Adelaide along the way. Spanning four days, three nights, three time zones and a distance of 2,704 miles (4,352km), the train passes through some diverse landscapes. The scenic Blue Mountains (pictured), outback country around Broken Hill, the vast, parched Nullabor Plain and goldfields of Western Australia are among them.
Travellers aboard Spirit of the Outback embark on a 26-hour trip that follows the Queensland coastline from Brisbane to Rockhampton until it turns west into the outback to pass through a string of quaint rural towns before terminating in Longreach. Covering 823 miles (1,325km) in total, the train rattles through ever-changing scenery and increasingly rugged terrain.
Passengers can choose between an economy seat or a first-class sleeper cabin, with the latter enjoying meals in the dining carriage, the Tuckerbox Restaurant. Economy passengers can purchase meals and refreshments for the trip in the galley. The train leaves Brisbane on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Longreach on Mondays and Thursdays.
Take a look at Australia's eeriest abandoned towns and villages
Scenic train journey options are fairly limited in Western Australia, but the narrow-gauge railway service between Perth and Bunbury in the south is a fun adventure. The Australind, as it's known, covers 112 miles (181km) over the course of two-and-a-half hours and runs south from Perth, passing through a fragrant fruit-growing area that's also renowned for its abundance of wild flowers. There is a dining car on board, should hunger strike.
Running for more than 130 years, The Overland has long been a popular mode of transport for passengers travelling between the cities of Adelaide and Melbourne. The inter-state journey takes a leisurely 11 hours to complete and the train passes through an enthralling range of landscapes, from rugged shrublands to lush green fields and by the lower reaches of mighty Murray River.
The two-hour journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway runs from Cairns to Kuranda up in the Atherton Tableland and takes visitors through one of the world's oldest rainforests. The tropical scenery takes in waterfalls, mountains and ravines as well as one of Queensland's most popular national parks, Barron Gorge. In the village of Kuranda, visitors can tour the historic train station, which is more than 100 years old, plus visit a butterfly sanctuary, the Koala Gardens and local markets.
On what is a popular day trip from Cairns Railway Station or Freshwater Railway Station, many passengers combine a one-way ride on the railway with a trip on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. It's a wonderful way to experience the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland from different angles.
Replacing the much-loved Sunlander in 2014, the Spirit of Queensland travels 1,044 miles (1,681km) over 25 hours, connecting Brisbane and Cairns. The long-distance rail service passes through gorgeous tropical landscapes and connects passengers with coastal Queensland's spectacular destinations including hop-off points to explore the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays.
Modern and efficient, the Spirit of Queensland can travel at speeds of up to 99 miles per hour (160km/h) and promises those aboard a smooth ride. It offers passengers an airline-style experience with a choice of either premium economy seats or a RailBed (seats that convert into a lie-flat bed at night) with different dining options.
Often named Australia's finest heritage railway, this is one for serious train fans and history buffs. Harking back to a by-gone era when steam locomotives ruled the rails, Puffing Billy is a relic of the 1920s that still races through the Dandenong Ranges on a one-and-a-half-hour journey. The only survivor of a failed attempt at introducing a series of narrow-gauge lines by the then-named Victorian Railways, Puffing Billy is a piece of living history. The journey goes from Belgrave into Sherbrooke Forest, to the intermediate station of Emerald and onto the historic township of Gembrook.
It's also a hugely popular family outing too. The Puffing Billy is famed for its open-side carriages where people can sit on the carriage sills and dangle their legs, all while taking in the views of the hills, forests, lush gullies and the railway's soaring timber trestle bridges. Trains run daily with one train offering a lunch service. Dinner service is available on Fridays and Saturdays – it's advised to book well in advance. The railway also has doggy specials known as the Puffing Billy Dog Express.
Located in the southern part of the spectacular Flinders Ranges in South Australia, Pichi Richi is a tourist heritage railway that gives passengers a glimpse of what it would have been like to travel along the original Ghan route. The train runs between the small outback town of Quorn to Port Augusta at the head of Spencer Gulf via the Pichi Richi Pass.
As well as taking in the epic landscapes and picturesque country towns of the Flinders, it's a brilliant insight into the country's rail heritage. All Pichi Richi Railway trains use historic steam or diesel locomotives or railcars or immaculately restored timber carriages, some of which are more than 130 years old.
Australia's newest luxury long-distance train journey, Great Southern takes its passengers on a magnificent trip to explore the east and southern coasts of mainland Australia. Running between Brisbane and Adelaide, the luxurious bright orange train travels past rugged coastlines, sun-kissed beaches and forested peaks over a course of three days and two nights.
If the scenery is too enticing, a variety of off-train activities can be arranged for passengers aboard this slick service to explore Victoria's Grampians, Canberra and the Hunter Valley and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. These include outdoor dining experiences, guided nature walks, vineyard tours and visits to cultural and historic sights in the nation's capital.