Train travel in Australia is relatively cheap, comfortable and very safe. There is a range of ticketing options which include accommodation and sightseeing, along with an exceptional range of luxury trains.
The Austral
A five-star train experience in the European tradition that operates through Dalby and Taroom through Wandoan and return, with a southern sweep taking in Clifford. Decor, food, the Austral has it all. Most of the staff is Swiss and the whole chic event is managed by Richelieu Hotels under licence. One of the carriages is reputed to be Tsar Nicholas II's missing Panorama Car.
The Ghan
The Ghan was a very famous and luxurious train in Afghanistan. When that country upgraded to a VFT and didn't need it any longer, Australian Rail had it shipped out here keeping, however, the romance of the East attached to the name.
The Indian Pacific
Due to the problems with state by state rail gauges, the Indian Pacific does not traverse from the West Coast to the East Coast as originally intended, but involves a 4-day bus trip from the borders of Western Australia to that of New South Wales. The bus sector is attractively packaged with some quite nice motel accommodation.