All aboard the new Indian Pacific itinerary: longer, slower, better

To label the Indian Pacific one of the grandest journeys in Australia is to under-value the experience. This is one of the greatest journeys in the world, with very few, if any, peers.

It is one of only a few truly transcontinental journeys in the world and the only one that is easily completed from one carriage in less than a week.

What started life as a pragmatic passenger train 50-plus years ago is now unquestionably a journey of epic experiences . And more remarkably still, it continues to improve.

Indian Pacific train — The *Indian Pacific* journey is brimming with old-world charm. (Image: Journey Beyond)

Launching in 2025, the new Perth to Sydney journey is now four nights (Sydney to Perth remains three nights) with a host of unforgettable experiences: bonfire and nightcap in the middle of the Nullarbor, a full morning in Broken Hill and Blue Mountains and the combination of two Aussie icons, The Indian Pacific and Seppeltsfield to host a memorable evening in the Barossa Valley.

Seppeltsfield dinner, Barossa Valley, SA

Indian Pacific Seppeltsfield Signature Dinner Drone Barossa Valley — The exclusive Seppeltsfield dinner is the signature moment. (Image: Journey Beyond)

The signature moment from this new and improved four-day itinerary is the exclusive dinner at Seppeltsfield in the Barossa on the third evening.

Having traversed half the country, 24 hours of which is the mesmerising Nullarbor plain, we pass through the wheatfields of South Australia to arrive at the suitably named Long Plain.

Seventy-five kilometres north of Adelaide in the heart of the Yorke Peninsula’s wheat country, an endless carpet of golden stubble stretches out before me; the remnant of the lush fields of wheat left by the industrial headers who slashed off the valuable seed heads last January.

The 25 carriages of the Indian Pacific slow to walking pace before the unexpected jolt required to finally exhaust the inertia of a train that stretches further than the eye can easily see, brings us to a standstill. We amble the eight carriages from our Gold Class Premium lounge car to a suitable disembarking spot for the one-hour (60-kilometre) coach drive to Seppeltsfield.

JBR Accommodation Gold Premium Lounge — The Gold Class Premium lounge car is the perfect meeting spot. (Image: Journey Beyond)

We toast our good fortune on the manicured lawns and private gardens of the historic winery estate with bubbles and gourmet popcorn as the sun sets, flanked by several of the 2000-plus iconic Seppeltsfield palm trees that line the property.

Seppeltsfield’s Executive Chef Owen Andrews is flipping the racks of beef eye fillet over the charcoal as we enter the Barrell Room – a cavernous, corrugated iron shed. Strings of lights are stretched over six long tables surrounded by barrels and a dance floor; it feels like a feasting hall for Vikings.

In about two hours, the guests will form a Congo line almost as long as the Indian Pacific itself, encouraged by the band that has belted out all the hits to get the crowd on the dance floor

Indian Pacific Seppeltsfield Signature Dinner Barossa Valley SA — The Seppeltsfield fest is world-class. (Image: Journey Beyond)

But first, we feast. Platters of eye fillet and pesto chicken breast are joined by roast potatoes, honey carrots and a green salad. Iconic Barossa shiraz and Eden Valley shiraz are in plentiful supply, and of course, the port barrel preserved cheese platter to finish is accompanied by the equally renowned Para Grand Tawny.

A closely guarded bottle of 1925 Vintage Para Tawny sits on one of the bars. For a charge, guests can sip the rare antique nectar.

Before the dance kicks off in earnest, Seppeltsfield’s Master Cooper Andrew Young fires up a flamethrower to demonstrate the art of turning a wine barrel into a whiskey barrel.

The drive back to the Indian Pacific in Adelaide starts with much shiraz, riesling and port-induced merriment and mirth that peters into the rhythmic bass of snoozing.

Broken Hill, NSW

The morning after the extravagant meal at Seppeltsfield, we arrive in the mining town that gave birth to the “Big Australia", BHP, Broken Hill.

Today, the town and I celebrate its more recent fame as the setting for iconic scenes from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

In a flurry of pastel pink, silver and turquois sequins Shelita Buffet (I am embarrassed to admit as I write this I have just got the pun, She’ll Eat A Buffet) exits her parked 4×4 ute, pauses dutifully at the zebra crossing before striding across in her white high heeled ankle boots to greet waiting Indian Pacific guests at Broken Hill station on a crystal-clear Monday morning…

It is an entrance befitting the queen of the city. She is built to play front row for the NRL and is all sass and fun as she leads our merry band on a walking tour of the city, mixing the industrial history of the town with a more contemporary context.

Indian Pacific trip — The Broken Hill stop is a cultural experience like no other.

“The Royal Theatre is now the only nightclub in town; sticky floors and smells of disappointment." She quips on one of the early stops before stating the establishment was the largest theatre outside Sydney for a long time and has hosted some of Australia’s most celebrated rockers, Cold Chisel being the most recognised.

Discussing the many movies that have been filmed in Broken Hill, Shelita is full of pithy commentary. “Wake in Fright is about a man who is stuck in Broken Hill drinking every day and can’t escape… it is the story of my life".

Not entirely true. I find out later at the Tipsy Camel from Shelita’s mother, who is serving up drinks and light refreshments in between songs, trivia, bingo and games as part of Shelita’s show, that she returned from a life as a chef in Adelaide to build her show in her hometown of Broken Hill. Her builder brother not only helps with the renovations to the former brewery but also helps Shelita into her figure-hugging costumes between songs.

Kalgoorlie, WA

Rail Gold Premium Cabin Day — Wake up to views of the desert. (Image: Journey Beyond)

The new Indian Pacific itinerary now connects two of Australia’s greatest outback mining towns in one journey, Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie. On the first morning after leaving Perth, I opt for the Hannan’s North Tourist Mine experience.

Grabbing a fine dirty chai from the lounge before disembarking, we are greeted at Hannan’s by Jason Dimer. He delivers a poignant Welcome to Country at the small onsite theatrette before revealing how his Irish grandfather and First Nations grandmother’s relationship brought two tribes together at the beginning of the 20th Century.

We leave the small theatre and head to the two-up shed where local historian Danny Sheehan entertains with the numerous stories of two-up shenanigans in Kalgoorlie.

Back onboard, brunch is a welcome sight. In anticipation of the three-course meal, I decided the breakfast BLT with hollandaise sauce may be a little lighter than the gammon steak, but I immediately have food envy when I spy the two dishes on a table next to me.

Indian Pacific Rail Gold Premium Dining — Dine onboard the *Indian Pacific*. (Image: Journey Beyond)

Aysha, our waitress, takes matters into her own hands for dessert. She delivers both the natural yoghurt parfait as I ordered and a second plate of blueberry, apple and pear toast “just because it is so good". Three-course brunch is now three and a half courses of superb dishes.

Meanwhile, the Nullarbor creeps into view as the Great Western Woodland recedes from sight.

Cook, Nullarbor, SA

Indian Pacific On Train View Nullarbor — Spend hours admiring the view of the Nullarbor. (Image: Journey Beyond)

The feature-filled Nullarbor is today’s backdrop. Endless red sand, shrubs and the occasional flitting bird interrupt the seemingly lifeless landscape. We laze in the lounge car reading books and chatting with fellow travellers, or retire to our Gold Class Premium cabin to read, watch the Nullarbor like an endlessly flickering fire and nod off. No reception is a welcome enforced disconnect.

I rouse myself for afternoon tea and trivia with an onboard musician before lazing and lolling to be roused again for dinner. This unavoidable, disconnected, slow pace is liberating.

Indian Pacific Experience Cook SA — Spend the evening in ghost town, Cook. (Image: Journey Beyond)

After dinner, the highlight of the day and the new journey is a stop at Cook in the middle of the Nullarbor for a bonfire, nightcap and stargazing.

This is big sky country, the quintessential Australian outback vastness that overwhelms most Westerners’ preconception of the possibilities of landscapes.

And, here in the middle of the night, I get to look up, around and beyond into the solar system, with a glass of port and a chocolate almond or three.

Blue Mountains, NSW

Uncle David King tour in the Blue Mountains off train experience Indian Pacific — Uncle David King’s mother is part of the Stolen Generation. (Image: Quentin Long)

The Blue Mountains excursion on the fifth and final morning is proof of the original thinking used to create this new, more immersive off-train experience-led itinerary.

After passengers disembark for morning and lunch in the mountains, the train itself continues to Sydney Central Station. We will make the final two-hour journey to Sydney on a chartered passenger regional train.

Uncle David King leads our cultural tour of the Scenic World rainforest. He speaks in the forthright, passionate manner of an experienced elder who has connected thousands of interested visitors to the ancient culture and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal Australia.

The world's steepest railway — The world’s steepest railway. (Image: Quentin Long)

His mother, part of the Stolen Generation, only started sharing her culture and experience with her children in 1996, waiting until “she felt culturally safe"; when she felt it would not be a burden to her children and accepted by a more accepting modern Australian community. Uncle David shares this uncomfortable narrative with such obvious pride and humour, focusing on the positive that he is now custodian of such knowledge, devoid of judgement that his acquisition of the knowledge was challenging.

His positivity and humour make the simple 90-minute tour a delight. Sitting on the verandah, Uncle David passes around a weighty nulla and equally dangerous boomerang designed not to return but break the legs of mammals.

Descending the world’s steepest railway, we stroll the easy boardwalks among the rainforest as Uncle David’s commentary ranges from modern to ancient. “That is the toilet paper tree, but not big enough for me."

Indian Pacific Perth to Sydney is more than a journey of a lifetime

Indian Pacific drone shot in Lake Julia, WA — The *Indian Pacific* is a transcontinental journey that demands a place on every traveller’s bucket list. (Image: Journey Beyond)

The facts of the Indian Pacific are undeniable: a transcontinental journey accompanied by outstanding food and wine and superb service. In four nights of relative comfort and luxury on the Indian Pacific, you gain an intimate understanding.

But more than that, the Indian Pacific is a journey across the formative landscapes that have shaped the people, from First Nations to industrial and agricultural pioneers.

Indian Pacific Perth to Sydney new itinerary

The new four-night, five-day itinerary is as follows:

Day 1

Board Perth at 4pm and depart at 6pm. Dinner onboard.

Day 2

Arrive in Kalgoorlie at 6am for off-train experiences.

Brunch back onboard at 10.30am.

Afternoon tea and trivia.

Dinner onboard.

Arrive at Cook for bonfire, stargazing and nightcap.

Day 3

Breakfast and lunch onboard, crossing the Nullarbor.

Arrive at Long Plain and board the coaches for a one-hour drive to Seppeltsfield.

Depart Seppeltsfield at 10pm and reboard the train in Adelaide.

Day 4

Breakfast onboard, arrive at Broken Hill.

12.30pm depart Broken Hill.

Lunch and dinner onboard (prime emu spotting).

Day 5

Breakfast onboard, disembark for Blue Mountains experiences at 9am.

Lunch at Echo Point.

Join a chartered commuter train for the journey into Sydney.

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.