The most amazing train journeys in Australia

Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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These trains are so much more than a way to get from A to B.

Lonely Planet has launched Amazing Train Journeys, a book spotlighting 60 incredible scenic railways around the world. Impressively, Australia has scored four mentions that span classic tourist rail journeys to regular commuter trains.

In an era of travel where we are more eco-conscious than ever, trains are the perfect way to slow down and see more. So, whether you’re trying to leave a lighter footprint, or simply appreciate the romance of the railway, here are four of Australia’s most amazing train journeys, as listed in Lonely Planet’s Amazing Train Journeys.

The Ghan

As the old adage goes, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey". And although it may be a cliché, it’s never felt truer than onboard one of Australia’s most luxurious trains. The Ghan is an Australian icon, cleaving the country’s Red Centre as it travels between Adelaide and Darwin.

The Ghan train in Australia
The Ghan is a locomotive with some serious history. (Image: Matt Munro/Lonely Planet)

Over three to four days (depending on the direction of travel) and nearly 3000 km, passengers will experience a cross-section of outback wilderness in complete comfort, from the onboard fine dining options to the Art Deco-inspired bar car that recalls the romance of rail travel. The Ghan is a locomotive with some serious history. Named for the Afghan Cameleers transporting freight around the country, the Ghan was constructed between 1878 and 1929. 2024 marks 95 years of The Ghan adventuring through the outback.

the bold-red landscape aboard the legendary Ghan
Embark on an exhilarating adventure aboard the legendary Ghan.

The South Coast Line

To Sydneysiders, this regular commuter train line may not sound special. But according to Lonely Planet, the views from the South Coast Line line that connects Sydney, Wollongong and Bomaderry on the NSW South Coast, are some of the country’s prettiest.

South Coast Line
The South Coast Line is one of Australia’s prettiest commuter rail lines., (Image: State of NSW – Transport for NSW)

The train skirts the Royal National Park before dazzling views of the Pacific Ocean open up on the onward journey towards Thirroul. There are plenty of places worth stopping, whether at the pretty townships of Berry, or the beaches of Gerringong and Kiama to watch the whales migrate in autumn.

Aerial view of South Coast Line train in NSW
There are plenty of gems along this train route. (Image: State of NSW –  Transport for NSW)

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The West Coast Wilderness Railway

The West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tasmania is not just a scenic route, but a feat of human engineering. When it was built in the 1890s to transport copper to Strahan’s port from Queenstown, the task seemed near impossible due to the density of the terrain.

Tas West Coast Wilderness Railway
Steam between Strahan and Queenstown on the West Coast Wilderness Railway. (Image: Tourism Tasmania & Nick Osborne)

Now, riding the West Coast Wilderness Way couldn’t be further from the toil and sweat of the train’s mining history. Onboard the vintage steamer, you’ll chug through the rainforest as staff hand out glasses of bubbly. On the train’s outdoor balcony, the air is fragrant with Huon Pine and cool in the shade of the rainforest canopy. This is one for nature lovers, as well as the railway buffs, too.

West Coast Wilderness Railway
The luxurious West Coast Wilderness train passes through the temperate forests of Huon Pine. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Kuranda Scenic Railway

Starting from Cairns, the 37-kilometre railroad to Kuranda was hand-hewn in the late 1880s by 1500 labourers using just picks and shovels. The only thing more impressive is the captivating vistas taken in on the train journey, from tropical rainforests to the tumbling waterfalls of Barron Gorge.

Kuranda scenic railway
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a must-see in Tropical North Queensland. (Image: Queensland Rail Travel)

Begin your journey with breakfast in an authentic antique train carriage at Freshwater Train Station, where you can enjoy views of the surrounding mountainscapes before you embark on an unforgettable jaunt through the tropics on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Currently, Kuranda Scenic Railway is running weekend services only but will reinstate a full timetable from 2 March.

Kuranda scenic railway
The Kuranda Scenic Railway takes in tropical rainforest and waterfalls. (Image: Queensland Rail Travel)

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Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.