Indian Pacific

Back from Broome for a night in Perth and then the train journey to Adelaide. Over 2500km, this departs Perth Wednesday lunchtime and arrives (having made a couple of stops), first thing Friday in Adelaide. For those intrepid enough, you can continue on to Sydney arriving Saturday AM (making the whole journey 4,352km and 65 hours!).

The route has looked to move upmarket following competition from low price airlines that now provide an easy and cheap alternative for getting to/from Western Australia. As such it plays on the train experience rather than pure travel, with different classes (Red, Gold, Platinum) catering for different pockets. Food is surprisingly good and whilst its not the Orient Express (not that I have actually travelled on that) its a relaxed and comfortable journey.

Stops include:
Kalgoorlie which was the centre on the gold rush in the 1890's and is now the largest single open cut mining operation, including the Superpit Gold Mine which is more than 400m deep and over 3.3km long. Took a quick coach tour of this small but prosperous community, which still retains its mining charm (bar room brawls, brothels etc...).

Cook, once a thriving railway settlement, it now only has a handful of residents and is one of the most isolated outposts. Situated in the middle of the vast Nullarbor Plain, which is much of the backdrop for the journey during Thursday (including over 470kms of straight track).

Overall a very leisurely and enjoyable way to spend a couple of days. Photos here.