2011 Readers' Choice Awards: Best Train Journey

Australian Traveller’s first-ever Readers’ Choice Awards for 2011; results for Best Train Journey in Australia. THE WINNER:

The Ghan
The Ghan received the most resounding response for any category in these awards, with more than half of our readers voting for the train journey from Darwin to Adelaide. It covers just under 3000km in three days, passing through a diversity of ecosystems – from the tropics of the Top End to the Red Centre and across the Flinders Ranges into Adelaide. “It’s incredible to watch the changing vegetation,” says one reader. Platinum-class service was praised, with readers reporting that they were treated like VIPs. The food is apparently pretty good, too. One reader says he put The Ghan on his wishlist after his retired parents took the trip: “My dad won’t shut up about it!” he says.
THE DETAILS 13 21 47; greatsouthernrail.com.au

RUNNERS-UP

2 INDIAN PACIFIC
Another Great Southern Rail journey, this time crossing the country the other way, from Sydney to Perth. greatsouthernrail.com.au
3 KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAY
A historic track from Cairns to Kuranda in Queensland that dates back to the tin-mining period of the late 1880s. ksr.com.au
4 PUFFING BILLY
Kids love this relaxed, century-old steam journey through the glorious rainforest of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges. puffingbilly.com.au
5 TILT TRAIN
This high-speed Queensland train service runs from Brisbane to Cairns via the Whitsunday coast and Townsville. queenslandrail.com.au