Sydney to Perth by train

Andrew Westbrook spent 66 hours on a train from Sydney to Perth –
going by his criminally bad puns it must have sent him a little bit mental

However much we crave an easy ride, travelling wouldn’t be much fun if we just arrived effortlessly at our destinations. So when I had to get from Sydney to Perth, the choice seemed obvious.

Forget about jumping on a plane for a few hours. The only way to go is on the Indian Pacific – all 4,352km of it.

Crossing the entire width of Australia, from the Pacific Ocean all the way through the Outback to the Indian Ocean, it’s truly one of the world’s great train journeys.

That said, I’m not hugely excited about meeting the chair I will call home for the next three nights – or 66 hours in total.

All I can think about is a passage from Bill Bryson’s Down Under, when he took the Indian Pacific and thought he was going to get eaten alive by sullen passengers with sunken eyes.

So I’m amazed to find spacious seats, a lounge car, even hot showers! Wow, I’ve stayed in worse hostels.

Heaving onto the luggage rack the six litres of water I’ve just panic bought round the corner, I even notice a fresh water tap just down the aisle. Bugger.

And there was me thinking the weird looks were just people jealous at how well prepared I was. Oh well, it’s all good training (sorry).

Anyway, back on track (sorry again) we’re soon drifting away, out of Sydney and into the dusk.

July 14th, 2008

Member since: 12 November 2007 Author of: 99 articles

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