6 unsung train journeys you need to know about

Elizabeth WhiteheadBy Elizabeth Whitehead
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When it comes to epic train journeys, Australia is a lucky country.

Australia’s train journeys are more than just a way to get from A to B. Many are steeped in history and take in some of the country’s most beautiful scenery. And there’s nothing quite like watching the landscape roll by from the window seat.

However, for a country famous for its epic train journeys, we often take our passenger trains and regional railways for granted. Here are six unsung train journeys that warrant an excursion, from regular commuter trains to sections of outback railway.

1. The South Coast Line, NSW

Journey time: Two hours and 10 minutes.

For lucky locals on the NSW South Coast, the train line that connects Sydney, Wollongong and Kiama is just an everyday mode of transport. But it also takes in some of the prettiest views of the country as it skirts the Royal National Park before following the glittering ocean.

Enjoy the scenery as the train winds down to Kiama, where you can alight to explore blowholes, beaches and whale-watching spots. 

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)

2. The XPT, Qld to NSW

Journey time: Five hours.

XPT is short for “express passenger train". These trains connect the East Coast’s state capitals as well as the regional hubs of Casino, Grafton and Dubbo.

On a jaunt between Brisbane and the blissful coastal town of Coffs Harbour, you’ll journey through the emerald Byron Hinterland, forests of stringy gumtrees and rolling pastures flecked with grazing sheep and livestock. It’s the stuff of dreams.

For those who want to experience the same scenery in total comfort, The Great Southern is a luxury train adventure that passes through the region on its journey between Brisbane and Adelaide.

an aerial view of the Great Southern train passing through Coffs Harbour
Pretty scenes on the railway passing Coffs Harbour NSW’s North Coast.

3. Melbourne to Ballarat, Vic

Journey time: One hour and 55 minutes.

The V Line train from Melbourne to Ballarat is certainly a picturesque one. On the way to this UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, you’ll traverse rolling golden plains, farmland and native bush.

Ballarat railway station is a heritage relic, with most of its original 19th-century features still intact. Spend a day wandering around the heritage streetscapes and be sure to drop into the country’s oldest regional art gallery.

exterior view of Ballarat Railway Station
Ballarat Railway Station opened in 1862.

4. The Gulflander, Qld

Journey time: Five hours for a full trip. Two hours for short trips.

Affectionately dubbed the train from “nowhere to nowhere," The Gulflander is a passenger train between the outpost towns of Normanton and Croydon in Northern Queensland. The entire line is isolated from the rest of Queensland’s railway network, making this a unique and truly remote adventure.

Along 151 kilometres, the train takes in outback scenery that’s stunning in its sprawling vastness. Both stations of Normanton and Croydon are heritage-listed, making this a great one for history buffs.

The gulflander
The Gulflander travels “from nowhere to nowhere" in outback Queensland.

5. The North Coast Line, NSW

Journey time: One hour and 20 minutes.

Taking the beauty of the Hawkesbury River by rail is a special sight to behold as the train skirts along the river’s edge. From the window, you can admire the little river shacks perched upon the shores, the boat-flecked bays and the dense native bushland.

The view overlooking the Hawkesbury River A woman coming out of a tent in the Glenworth Valley camping grounds in Central Coast, Australia
The train takes in the Hawkesbury River’s beautiful boat-flecked bays.

On this journey, you’ll cross the Hawkesbury Bridge, a 19th-century feat of engineering that was the final jigsaw piece to connect the railway between Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. 

On the kilometre-long ride over, it feels as if you’re hovering over the water. There’s an express from Sydney to Woy Woy, or take the regular route and alight at Hawkesbury River station to explore the charming town of Brooklyn.

Aerial view of Hawkesbur River Rail Bridge
The Hawkesbury River Bridge is a 19th-century feat of engineering. (Image: Elias Bitar via Getty Images)

6. Melbourne to Bendigo, Vic

Journey time: Two hours.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Bendigo. Australia’s fourth-largest regional town won the title of Australia’s top town this year, due to its impressive arts, culture and food scene in a heritage backdrop.

And to add to that, the train ride from Melbourne is a picturesque one, as you pass through the Macedon Ranges and pretty gold rush towns on the way.

grand architecture in Bendigo
Bendigo is rich in gold-rush history and grand architecture.
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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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

    Jennifer EnnionBy Jennifer Ennion
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    The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

    Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts  that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

    A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead.
    Dine in the heart of nature.

    Your guide to Lake Argyle

    The backstory

    With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

    The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

    Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

    A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation.
    Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

    The rooms

    A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

    The facilities

    There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

    If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

    Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

    Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

    Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks.
    Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

    Your guide to El Questro

    The backstory

    One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

    The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

    A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity.
    Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

    The rooms

    Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

    At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

    Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

    Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below.
    Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

    The facilities

    Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

    Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

    A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty.
    Experience thrilling nature activities.

    Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.