www.gsr.com.au

This is what I'm on about! Thinking of doing the Perth to Adelaide but wondered if anyone had any experience of this? Budget would mean I'd have to use the 'red kangaroo' day/sleeper chairs - they're the budget chairs - has anyone sed them?

no, but it looks really cool...and depending on time of year, will probably be cheaper to get to some places via the train...I looked in to it when i was in Australia, probably should have taken it to get to perth oh well

Well, the reason we've started looking into it is that we are meeting people in Sydney for New Year but we land in melbourne on Dec 1st so we've a month to get from Melbourne to Sydney basically. People we've spoken to have said this is plenty of time so we're thinking of redirecting our route to fly to Perth then make our way to Sydney via Adelaide, Melbourne - possibly Tasmania. Are we going from one extreme to another, trying to pack TOO MUCH in? What do you think?

Ok well my opinion is that a month to do melbourne and Sydney or to get to sydney is too much time. I would say a week in Melbourne is more than enough, the areas in between Melbourne and Sydney there is not a whole lot.

As far as extremities are concerned it will be hella hot in Perth but it won't be that cold in Melbourne, it will be seasonably cooler but for the rest of your time it will be pretty similar after Perth in regards to adelaide, melbourne, sydney, tassie would be cooler than the above.

I think if you started in Perth spent some time in the surronding area, hopped on the train for a few days to get to adelaide (again adelaide lots of wineries and churches, not a whole lot), then go to Tasmania for a few days, then to Melbourne for like a week or less then to Sydney for a week...I find that to be much better and more practical for using your month in Australia for sure.

I don't think weather should deter you here...I know other people might suggest that the climate's will be drastically different between Perth and SA and Victoria, I just think that going from 35 celcius to 25 thats like going from 100 to 85 or 80 still in the ballpark

hope that helps

hiya
that really helps! I'm liking the idea more and more of getting the train!

Thanks for your opinion
nic
x

no problem...I do also, and very jealous that i didnt have a chance to do it. I think it allows you to see parts of the country you otherwise would fly over and probably sleep through!

Have not used the day/sleepers on the IP niknak but had first class similar grade in Europe overnight and recliners anywhere do not make for the best sleep anywhere unless you are dead tired and/or full of grog.

I ended up trying the floor in Europe first class one time much to the horror of Europhiles - another time in a compartment I had to myself, being able to stretch out was far better.

There's a piano bar, lounge bar and all that so maybe allnight partying is the go and there's not much in the way of scenery to be missed across the nullabor.
It is a long way to go in my book just to come back again within a month, and as good as there are areas over there, also plenty to be seen eastcoast way for a month/

Consider heading just as far as South Australia, www.igawarta.com if you want a good insight into indigenous culture in Flinders Ranges.
Wine country of Clare and Barossa Valleys, and south on Fleurieu Peninsula and you can take a tour over to Kangeroo Island, see www.waywardbus.com.au and also think www.wildlifetours.com.au is another and you could also do the drive Adelaide to Melbourne that way too or hire a vehicle with www.rentforless.com.au and places like Victor Harbour, Robe, Beachport (high salt content lake) Grampians, and the Great Ocean Road, ferry across to Mornington Peninsula and up to Melbourne that way is about a weeks worth.

Have a look at www.underdownunder.com.au and Tasmania you could stay in a month alone if wanting to some treks, but just touring about, anything less than two weeks and not everywhere will be visited.

Melbourne to Sydney, there's a mix of Coastal and alpine country with some beaut locations, Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontary, Tarra Valley/Bulga Park to cut back across to Latrobe Valley coalfields and if you want to see some big man made holes, there are lookouts about, but Walhalla an old Gold mining village is a lovely near hidden gem before moving onto Lakes Entrance, 90 mile beach, and either turn at Cann River to take some of the route inland or continue on to Mallacoota Inlet, stay overnight at Gypsy Point Hotel where Kangeroos graze in the carpark or the Sea Horse Inn near Eden (nice spot for a drink/meal at least).

And then going up the east coast to Sydney, you could enjoy yourself for easily another week, there being some great beaches, national parks, historic villages, even a boat ride out of Narooma to swim with some seals if you like, horse riding in coastal rainforests, plenty of stuff to do.

Wow - so much information, that's fantastic. We are thinking of doing the Overland Track in Tasmania but it all boils down to cost :-(

Hi ya
I have done this trip with them personally I'd say don't train had no air conditioning both ways.
Think twice, your stuck on a train with drunks and some really strange people.
O gosh i forgot to mention lack ok sleep.

Enjoy your trip

I have used the GSR to travel between Adelaide and Darwin. I bought a GSR pass that allows you unlimited miles on the train for 6 months for 700 bucks. Depending on how long you are in Australia this could be an affordable way for you to travel around the country.

The train I was on had air conditioning, the seats were fairly comfortable, though I recommend bringing a good pillow with you in order to sleep in the chair. The food in the train's dining car was wasn't bad for the $10 average they were asking for. The train also has a lounge car where you can stretch out and hook up your laptop if you want. You can also take a shower on the train as well. Something that helps break up the trip is the whistlestop tours. The train at certain stations has to stop to take on supplies and during the four hour break you can sign up for a tour of the area. For example in Katherine I took the Katherine Gorge cruise during this break.

My overall opinion is that train travel is for those who really want to do it because the journey is much longer than taking a plane but you do get to see parts of the country side you wouldn't normally see. I'm actually taking the Indian-Pacific train to Perth next month. I'm looking forward too it.