Cruise Talk: Princendam/Indian Pacific rail

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»	Cruise Talk » Mid-Ships Lounge » Princendam/Indian Pacific rail

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Topic: Princendam/Indian Pacific rail

bmajor
First Class Passenger
Member # 1754

posted 02-24-2005 10:11 PM

Today Princendam is in Adelaide,and a friend of mine, on the World Cruise ,is taking an exciting Shore Excursion/Tour.
She leaves the ship and boards the Indian Pacific Rail,for the trip to Perth,meeting up with ship on Tuesday.
How great to to include one of the Great Train rides in the world ,with the World Cruise.
400 miles of dead straight rail track across the Nullabor Plains.
I think the tour must also include a night or two in either Adelaide or Perth,so she will be able to have a good look around,plus a break from the ship.

[ 02-24-2005: Message edited by: bmajor ]

Posts: 1371 | From: Orewa.New Zealand. | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

bulbousbow
First Class Passenger
Member # 4440

posted 02-25-2005 12:11 AM

Thanks for pointing this out bmajor. A great alternative to just cruising the Great Australian Bight for 3 days. Adelaide is also the starting point for The Ghan which travels northwards to Alice Springs and Darwin. If you prefer to go east, you can take The Overland to Melbourne or the Indian Pacific to Sydney. Plenty of options if you are a train lover.

******

Cheers

Posts: 6866 | From: Adelaide, Australia | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

bmajor
First Class Passenger
Member # 1754

posted 02-25-2005 01:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by bulbousbow:
Plenty of options if you are a train lover.
******
Cheers

I am a lover of Cruising both on the sea and land.
The rail system in Australia is amazing....
I have done (?) the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney......
next goal is the Ghan
right up to Darwin.......

[ 02-25-2005: Message edited by: bmajor ]

Posts: 1371 | From: Orewa.New Zealand. | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

phil_a
First Class Passenger
Member # 3679

posted 02-25-2005 04:37 AM

yes an interesting shore excursion... but would i give up 2/3 days of my cruise to do it? *(after all you do still pay for these days)

on a world cruise i can understand taking a few days off... but any other situation i wouldnt. I guess a rail/sail package would be good - ie rail to sydney then cruise or rail to darwin? etc

Posts: 850 | From: W. Australia | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

nevadaflip
First Class Passenger
Member # 1682

posted 02-25-2005 11:45 AM

In 1965 I spent 3 months in your wonderful country of Australia (my only visit unfortunately) and I seem to recall that at that time the railroad from Melbourne to Sydney had a minor problem. As each state built their own system, Victoria and New South Wales had decided on different track gauges. Therefore, at the border, one had to change trains. I imagine that has long changed as from the preceeding it sounds like you now have a great rail system. Is there a "fast" train between those two cities today?

I'd love to try it out and visit again. Are the fares expensive compared to air for the rail services to Perth from the east coast cities? And how about the north/south routes along the east?

Thanks,

Jerry

Posts: 280 | From: Minden, NV, USA | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

CGT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3531

posted 02-26-2005 06:21 PM

I love it. More rail talk. Why are there no RAIL TALK forums?

Posts: 2760 | From: New York, New York, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 02-27-2005 02:58 PM

If I'm ever lucky enough to do a World Cruise (extremely doubtful) I'd take the train excursion......just love train travel.

I have rode The Ghan from Alice to Adelaide, spent a few days there and then joined The Overland to Melbourne - and there, of course, did The Tram Dinner Ride.

Wonderful, wonderful experience!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

bulbousbow
First Class Passenger
Member # 4440

posted 02-28-2005 08:11 AM

Jerry, information on Australia’s most famous trains, Indian Pacific, The Ghan and The Overland can be found at: Great Southern Railway.

Other Australian railway sites to visit are:

New South Wales to Queensland rail travel: CountryLink

Queensland rail travel:
Queensland Rail and Traveltrain Holidays

Victoria, South Australia and Canberra rail travel: V/Line

For Australian domestic airlines check out:

Qantas
JetStar (Qantas owned budget carrier)
Virgin Blue
OzJet (business class only carrier starting in August 2005)

******

Cheers

Posts: 6866 | From: Adelaide, Australia | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

nevadaflip
First Class Passenger
Member # 1682

posted 02-28-2005 10:55 AM

Thanks, Bulbousbow, for the links.

Jerry

Posts: 280 | From: Minden, NV, USA | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

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