Top 10 Best Train Journeys in Australia

From vintage sleepers to steam locomotives, see more of Australia by train with these epic rail adventures.

Forget packed flights where you don’t see anything between points A and B. Don’t even consider the drawn-out car journeys with too much traffic and not enough detours. Long gone are the days of long security lines and not enough room in the boot.

The best way to see Australia is by train, with a jam-packed itinerary and everything you need taken care of. Spread across carriages that traverse Australia’s most diverse landscapes, guests can wine and dine, rest and relax and discover somewhere new. Find 10 of the best (in no particular order) below.

1. The Ghan

Known as one of the most legendary rail journeys Australia has to offer, The Ghan traverses some of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. Those choosing to travel on the tracks can pick between Darwin to Adelaide, Adelaide to Alice Springs and Darwin to Alice Springs, each trip being reversible. Both on- and off-train experiences are designed to heighten your experience, from your spacious cabin and onboard restaurant and lounge to the stops you make along the way.

The Ghan in Outback Australia — The Ghan is one of the best railway journeys on offer in Australia. (Image: Tourism NT/Steve Strike)

2. Indian Pacific

Go coast to coast on this transformative, transcontinental journey from Sydney to Perth via Adelaide or vice versa. Named after the two oceans it connects, the Indian Pacific charts 4352 kilometres across 65 hours. Enjoy a range of luxe experiences both onboard and off, from Barossa Valley wineries and The Nullabor to Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.

The Indian Pacific in Outback Australia — Witness some of Australia’s most jaw-dropping landscapes onboard the Indian Pacific. (Image: Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions)

3. Great Southern

The Great Southern takes guests from one underrated capital city to another in sleek style and comfort. Travel from Brisbane to Adelaide and uncover some of Australia’s best-kept secrets along the way; the Grampians, Hunter Valley and Coffs Harbour. Along the way, indulge in fine dining, premium wines and cosy accommodation onboard as you travel through Australia’s diverse landscape.

Great Southern train — Uncover some of Australia’s best-kept secrets on the Great Southern.

4. The Overland

If you’re down for a shorter trip, The Overland is perfect for you. This daylight service travels between two very vibrant but very different cities, Adelaide and Melbourne. Throughout the trip, enjoy visits to small yet mighty Aussie towns like Murray Bridge, Horsham and Geelong. Guests will still enjoy a range of dining options, with semi-reclining seats for your comfort along the way.

The Overland train — The Overland is a daytime service perfect for families. (Image: Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions)

5. Spirit of Queensland

Take in Queensland’s distinctive landscape on the Spirit of Queensland railway journey, running between Brisbane and Cairns. Enjoy seat service, in-transit entertainment, a galley car, showers and convertible chairs into beds, you’ll arrive at your destination relaxed and refreshed. Along the way, discover the delights of the Whitsundays, Townsville, Bundaberg, and the Fraser and Sunshine Coasts.

Spirit of Queensland train — The Spirit of Queensland traverses the landscape between Brisbane and Cairns.

6. Vintage Rail Journeys

Vintage Rail Journeys’ three rail tours showcase the diversity of Australia in vintage style. Get comfy on a restored 1960s Aurora Australis sleeping train to explore everywhere from Orange to the Blue Mountains in the Golden West; the Riverina, where you’ll get a taste of Australia’s food bowl; and the North Coast, which serves up a mix of coastal and inland beauty from Port Macquarie to the Northern Rivers.

Aerial view of the Blue Mountains — Take in the verdant views of the Blue Mountains onboard with Vintage Railway Journeys. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Scott Mcgregor’s Railway Adventures

Join Aussie presenter, producer and writer Scott McGregor and his experienced guides on fully escorted train tours across the continent . Head down to Tassie for an 11-night circumnavigation of the island state, relive the golden age of rail and river transport in Victoria on Puffing Billy or ride the Savannahlander and other historic railways in outback Queensland.

the legendary steam train Puffing Billy passing through a mountain track — Travel onboard the legendary steam train Puffing Billy with Scott McGregor’s Railway Adventures.

8. Kuranda Scenic Railway

Immerse yourself in the heritage-listed rainforest of Tropical North Queensland’s Wet Tropics, beginning at sea level in Cairns and winding up to the pretty mountain village of Kuranda , at 328 metres. Enjoy locally sourced refreshments as you zoom through one of the world’s oldest rainforests and past waterfalls plunging into deep ravines.

a train passing through the Kuranda Railway — Journey over the scenic Robbs Monument at the Kuranda railway. (Image: Journey Beyond)

9. Puffing Billy

With four epic adventures to choose from, Puffing Billy is the perfect option for families. Whether you pick Belgrave to Lakeside, Belgrave to Menzies Creek, Lakeside to Gembrook or Belgrave to Gembrook, you’re in for a treat. Puffing Billy, known as Australia’s favourite steam train, was built in 1900 and is based in the stunning Dandenong Ranges.

The Puffing Billy train in the Dandenong Ranges — Puffing Billy is known as Australia’s favourite steam train.

10. Spirit of the Outback

The Spirit of the Outback traverses the heartland of Queensland’s outback from Brisbane to Longreach. Delve into the history and culture of the state via towns like Bundaberg and Emerald. All customers onboard can enjoy a variety of amenities. Single- and twin-cabin guests have access to the Shearers Rest lounge.

Spirit of the Outback train — Delve into the history and culture of Queensland.

Winding down in the Yarra Valley, where ‘work from home’ becomes ‘work from wine country’.

Steam from my morning coffee curls gently into the cool valley air, mist-veiled vineyards stretch out in neat rows below me. Magpies warble from trees, and the morning’s quiet carries the soft bleating of lambs from a nearby paddock. Midweek in the Yarra Valley has its own rhythm. It’s slower, quieter, with more empty tables at cafes and cellar doors, and walking trails I can claim all to myself. It’s as if the entire region takes a deep breath once the weekend crowd leaves.

walking trails in the Yarra Valley — You’ll find walking trails are less crowded during the week. (Image: Visit Victoria)

I haven’t come here for a holiday, but to do a little work somewhere other than my home office, where I spend too much time hunched over my desk. Deadlines still loom, meetings still happen, but with flexible work evolving from ‘work from home’ to ‘work from anywhere’, I’m swapping the view of my front yard to the vineyards.

A quiet afternoon at Yarra Valley Dairy

holding a glass of wine at Yarra Valley Dairy — Wine time at Yarra Valley Dairy, where you can enjoy a toastie or bagel in the cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With the Yarra Valley just over an hour from the CBD, many Melburnians could drive here in their lunch break. I arrive late in the afternoon and am delighted to discover the Yarra Valley Dairy still open. On weekends, I’ve seen queues spilling out the door, but today there’s only one other couple inside. There’s no need to rush to secure a table; instead I browse the little store, shelves stacked with chutneys, spices, artisan biscuits and gorgeous crockery that would look right at home in my kitchen. It’s hard not to buy the lot.

a cheese tasting plate atYarra Valley Dairy — A cheese tasting plate at Yarra Valley Dairy.

I order a coffee and a small cheese platter, though the dairy has a full menu, and choose a wooden table with bentwood chairs by a wide window. The space feels part farm shed, part cosy café: corrugated iron ceiling, walls painted in muted tones and rustic furniture.

Outside, cows meander toward milking sheds. If pressed for time, there’s the option of quick cheese tastings – four samples for five dollars in five minutes – but today, I’m in no rush. I sip slowly, watching a grey sky settle over the paddock. Less than an hour ago I was hunched over my home-office desk, and now my racing mind has slowed to match the valley’s pace.

Checking in for vineyard views at Balgownie Estate

Restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate has views across the vines.

As my car rolls to a stop at Balgownie Estate , I’m quietly excited, and curious to see if my plan to work and play comes off. I’ve chosen a suite with a spacious living area and a separate bedroom so I can keep work away from a good night’s sleep. I could have booked a cosy cottage, complete with open fireplace, a comfy couch and a kettle for endless cups of tea, but as I am still here to get some work done, I opt for a place that takes care of everything. Dinner is served in Restaurant 1309, as is breakfast.

oysters at Restaurant 1309, Balgownie Estate — Oysters pair perfectly with a crisp white at Restaurant 1309.

On my first evening, instead of the usual walk about my neighbourhood, I stroll through the estate at an unhurried pace. There’s no need to rush – someone else is preparing my dinner after all. The walking trails offer beautiful sunsets, and it seems mobs of kangaroos enjoy the view, too. Many appear, grazing lazily on the hillside.

I wake to the call of birds and, after breakfast, with the mist still lingering over the vineyards, I watch two hot-air balloons silently drift above clouds. Perched on a hill, Balgownie Estate sits above the mist, leaving the valley below veiled white.

kangaroos in Yarra Valley — Spotting the locals on an evening walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Exploring the Yarra Valley on two wheels

the Yarra Valley vineyards — Swap your home office for a view of the vineyards. (Image: Visit Victoria/Cormac Hanrahan)

Perhaps because the Yarra Valley is relatively close to where I live, I’ve never considered exploring the area any way other than by car or on foot. And with a fear of heights, a hot-air balloon is firmly off the table. But when I discover I can hop on two wheels from the estate and cycle into Yarra Glen, I quickly realise it’s the perfect way to step away from my laptop and experience a different side of the region.

COG Bike offers pedal-assist e-bikes, and while the bike trail and paths into town aren’t particularly hilly, having an extra bit of ‘oomph’ means I can soak up the surroundings. Those lambs I heard calling early in the morning? I now find them at the paddock fence, sniffing my hands, perhaps hoping for food. Cows idle nearby, and at a fork in the bike path I turn left toward town.

It’s still morning, and the perfect time for a coffee break at The Vallie Store. If it were the afternoon, I’d likely turn right, in the direction of four wineries with cellar doors. The ride is about 15 kilometres return, but don’t let that put you off. Staying off the highway, the route takes you along quiet backroads where you catch glimpses of local life – farmers on tractors, weathered sheds, rows of vines and the kind of peaceful countryside you don’t see from the main road.

A detour to the Dandenong Ranges

legs hanging over the sides of the train, Puffing Billy Railway — The iconic Puffing Billy runs every day except Christmas Day.

The beauty of basing myself in the Yarra Valley is how close everything feels. In barely half an hour I’m in the Dandenong Ranges, swapping vineyards for towering mountain ash and fern-filled gullies. The small villages of Olinda and Sassafras burst with cosy teahouses, antique stores and boutiques selling clothing and handmade body care items.

I’m drawn to RJ Hamer Arboretum – Latin for ‘a place for trees’. Having grown up among tall trees, I’ve always taken comfort in their presence, so this visit feels like a return of sorts. A stroll along the trails offers a choice: wide open views across patchwork paddocks below, or shaded paths that lead you deeper into the quiet hush of the peaceful forest.

The following day, I settle into a quiet corner on the balcony of Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis and soon hear Puffing Billy’s whistle and steady chuff as the steam train climbs towards town. Puffing Billy is one of Australia’s most beloved steam trains, running through the Dandenong Ranges on a narrow-gauge track. It’s famous for its open carriages where passengers can sit with their legs hanging over the sides as the train chugs through the forest. This is the perfect spot to wave to those on the train.

After my midweek break, I find my inbox still full and my to-do list not in the least shrunken, just shifted from one task to another. But I return to my home office feeling lighter, clearer and with a smug satisfaction I’d stolen back a little time for myself. A midweek wind-down made all the difference.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Balgownie Estate offers everything from cellar door tastings to spa treatments and fine dining – all without leaving the property.

Playing there

the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley — Visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wander through Alowyn Gardens, including a stunning wisteria tunnel, then explore the collection of contemporary artworks at TarraWarra Museum of Art . Cycle the Yarra Valley with COG Bike to visit local wineries and cellar doors.

Eating and drinking there

Olinda Tea House offers an Asian-inspired high tea. Paradise Valley Hotel, Clematis has classic pub fare, while the iconic Yering Station offers wine tastings and a restaurant with seasonal dishes.

seasonal dishes at the restaurant inside Yering Station — The restaurant at Yering Station showcases the best produce of the Yarra Valley. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Australia’s top 10 epic train journeys