BootsnAll Travel Community

I'll be in Australia from Sept. 18-Oct 25. I have relatives in Adelaide and friends in Cairns, with lots of places we want to see in between! We want to get to Uluru, and I've seen a backpacker's rate available for train fares and passes in Australia to members of "recognized backpakers and hostelling organizations." I assume Hostelling International-USA is one of these. Does anyone know about the backpaker rate on the Ghan or any of the trains in Australia? Ideas on the best way to buy a ticket? Any other tips in this early planning stage? All we have right now is air Perth-Sydney-Aukland. Thanks in advance for the advice!!

You could start here, I suppose. In my experience the rail companies in OZ are pretty good about answering international email.

Hi Tortuguita, if you have a YHA/HI card you will get backpacker fare. As an overseas visitor you can get a pass (valid for six months) which gives you unlimited rides on all GSR trains - the Ghan, Adelaide-Alice Springs-Darwin;
the Indian Pacific (known as the IP), Sydney-Broken Hill-Adelaide-Kalgoorlie-Perth; and
the Overland, Melbourne-Adleaide.

I've ridden all three and they are very good, more comfortable than being stuck on a bus.
Tip: At night the staff don't like people sleeping in the lounge car, so what I did, I take a book, bag etc. jacket for a "pillow" and pretend I'm reading a book and I haven't been caught out yet!

Countrylink: Melbourne - Syndey. two services daily, day & night. Used these ones too, I prefer the day service, there's no dining or lounge car.

for travel Sydney to Cairns I'd suggest flying. The train is expensive and imo not worth the time. I see Spiralout has given you the website, let us know how you get on.
Enjoy your time in my country and cheers mate.

Check out www.gsr.com.au for the prices, timetables etc. for Great Southern Rail which operates the long distance trains. I used to work on them, and red class is just a seat on a train, not something I'd really want to do for any longer than Adl-Melb.
Tiger Airways have got heaps of cheap seats from Adl-Melb, and there are always cheap seats going on Webjet, Virgin and through travel agents - sometimes cheaper than the train or bus.
Buses are good, but slow as well. Really, for the long distances, fly, and for 4 hour or less trips you can save your $$ and get buses.
Cheap wagons and combis are also a good way to go. Or, check out www.standbycars.com.au, for some really great deals on driving cars back to their home destination, from $1 per day!
YHA has a good booking service, for tours etc. too...

Forgot to add, on top of the backpacker fare there is a fuel levy charge, brought about because of the high cost of petrrol. Add on another AUD$10 per sector.
Cheers.

I did all the routes... I bought the 6 month backpacker/international pass - you just need to show your passport and will get the rate.

If you have the time and want to save money, the train is the way to go hands down. It is just the seat - no sleeping cabin - but that is part of the fun, and the affordable way to hit up all those destinations. Try to get to Darwin as well - it's worth the trip.