See Rail travel in Australia for general information about travelling by train in Australia

The Ghan arriving in Darwin

Australia can be crossed by two great railway journeys, The Ghan, which crosses north to south straight through the heart of Australia, from Darwin to Adelaide, and the Indian Pacific, which crosses east to west, from Sydney to Perth.

了解

“ The Indian Pacific she goes rollin' down the track. Five thousand miles to travel before she's there and back. ”

—Slim Dusty - "Indian Pacific"

The Ghan 历史

The Ghan is named after the Afghan cameleers that transported goods to Australia's remote centre prior to the construction of the railway. The sand and heat made the trip entirely unsuited to horses. The cameleers overwhelmingly weren't from Afghanistan, they were just known as Afghans in the Australian vernacular.

The construction of the original Ghan from Adelaide started in 1878, with Oodnadatta reached in 1891 and, after a thirty-year break, Alice Springs in 1926. A separate but unconnected track from Darwin to Katherine in the north was also completed in the same year; this line was closed in 1976.

The original Ghan was twisty, narrow-gauge and built straight through many valleys prone to flash floods that washed away tracks and bridges. A decision was thus made to rebuild nearly all of the line in standard gauge, over 100 km to the west. The new line to Alice Springs opened in 1980, and the remaining 1,420 km (880 mi) section across the continent to Darwin opened in 2004.

Indian Pacific 历史

一条连接珀斯和澳大利亚主要东部城市的铁路，由联邦政府资助，是1901年澳大利亚联邦成立时，为吸引西澳大利亚州加入联邦而提出的诱惑之一。新铁路的路线勘测始于1907年，标准轨距的横贯澳大利亚铁路建设始于1912年，施工队伍从卡尔古利向东推进，并从奥古斯塔港向西推进。修建这条铁路是一项艰巨的任务，因为纳拉伯平原的极端偏远和荒凉使得后勤工作非常困难，施工队伍必须在距离最近城镇数百英里的地方作业。施工队伍住在轨道沿线的帐篷城，由运送水和补给的“茶水和糖火车”供应，而建筑材料则由马匹和骆驼运输。此外，由于第一次世界大战于1914年爆发，采购劳动力和建筑材料变得困难。尽管如此，两支队伍最终于1917年10月17日在奥尔迪亚会师，标志着铁路线的完工；这里立有“铁轨连接纪念碑”，从印度太平洋号列车上可以看到。第一班全程运行此线路的火车于1917年10月22日从奥古斯塔港开往卡尔古利。

在联邦成立之前，澳大利亚的铁路大多由各个殖民地修建，每个殖民地采用不同的轨距；新南威尔士州采用标准轨距，维多利亚州采用宽轨距（1600毫米），而昆士兰州、西澳大利亚州和塔斯马尼亚州则采用窄轨距（1067毫米）。南澳大利亚州采用了两种轨距；在阿德莱德附近人口较多的地区以及连接维多利亚州的线路采用宽轨距，在偏远的内陆地区采用窄轨距。在1917年铁路完工时，从悉尼到珀斯的乘客必须绕道阿尔伯里、墨尔本、阿德莱德、戈勒、特罗维、彼得伯勒、夸恩、奥古斯塔港和卡尔古利，并在阿尔伯里、特罗维、奥古斯塔港和卡尔古利设有换乘站。

随着新铁路线的完工，旅程时间逐渐缩短，使得路线更加直接。矿产重镇布罗肯希尔于1888年通过窄轨铁路连接到皮里港（阿德莱德以北），但直到1927年才与新南威尔士州的标准轨距铁路网（从悉尼出发）连接。新的连接意味着乘客可以绕过墨尔本和阿德莱德，而是通过布罗肯希尔选择更直接的路线从悉尼到彼得伯勒，布罗肯希尔作为换乘站。1937年，阿德莱德到皮里港的宽轨铁路连接完工，同年晚些时候，横贯澳大利亚铁路从奥古斯塔港延伸至皮里港，导致夸恩被绕过，皮里港取代奥古斯塔港成为换乘站。您可以在布罗肯希尔的硫化物街铁路博物馆、彼得伯勒的蒸汽镇以及皮里港老车站的博物馆看到这段历史。皮里港的铁路线一直延伸到城镇的主街。

Subsequently, all of Australia's interstate railway lines were progressively converted to standard gauge. The Perth to Kalgoorlie segment was dual gauged to accommodate both standard and narrow gauge trains in 1968, while the segment from Broken Hill to Port Pirie was converted to standard gauge in 1970, allowing through services between Sydney and Perth for the first time. The first direct train departed Sydney for Perth on 23 February 1970, and it was named the Indian Pacific after the Indian and Pacific Oceans that it connected on each end of the route. The Adelaide-Port Pirie line was converted to standard gauge in 1982, albeit with the junction being shifted eastward from Port Pirie to to Crystal Brook, and the town centre of Port Pirie being bypassed. The Indian Pacific was re-routed in 1986 to include a stop at Adelaide on its way between Sydney and Perth.

Some towns along the line enjoyed several services a day during their heyday. The full Sydney to Perth service ran three times a week during its heyday, but today has bee reduced to just one train a week in each direction. Today, however, the irony is that railway buffs can see more of the rail history of the line and the towns along it travelling by car than by train. You can spend a good half day exploring the history of Peterborough and Port Pirie, but passenger trains no longer stop in either of them.

准备

规划时间

These are not high-speed transcontinental trains. They are slow, laid back and luxurious trains that know how to take their time and let you enjoy the scenery. The trains are privately run by Journey Beyond. The current iteration of both routes was not built for passenger traffic, but rather to serve the very lucrative freight business.

省钱攻略

Any way you look at it, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific are expensive. The more economical "Red Service" has been discontinued, and both trains now cater exclusively to the luxury market with an all-sleeper configuration. The lowest class of service is "Gold Service", which has single cabins (shared shower), twin cabins (shower en suite) and includes all meals in the dedicated restaurant car. This will set you back at least $2,115 on The Ghan, and $2,475 on the Indian Pacific in the low season, increasing to $2,845 on the Ghan and $2,835 on the Indian Pacific during the peak season. Add another $2000-4000 on top, and you can get a double-sized "Platinum Service" cabin, which also gets you a quieter dedicated lounge on board, and complimentary transfers from and to your place of accommodation at the start and end of your journey respectively.

If you have a car in Australia, the value proposition can improve slightly, if you take your car with you. On the premium fare there are often deals available to take a car for $99 extra, which you can then offset against the price of renting a car at your destination, or if you drive one way, the prospect of the 3000 km drive home. Taking your car with you is only possible when travelling from Adelaide to Perth and vice versa on the Indian Pacific, and when travelling from Adelaide to Darwin and vice versa on The Ghan. You will need to call Journey Beyond to make arrangements in advance if you want to take your car with you.

You cannot get off and board a few days later at most intermediate stations, as these trains are meant to be luxury rail cruises rather than practical modes of transportation. The exceptions are Adelaide, which is allowed as an intermediate stopping point for passengers on the Indian Pacific, and Alice Springs, which is allowed as an intermediate stopping point for passengers on The Ghan. Both these intermediate stops have to be arranged in advance, and you will need to book each leg separately if you want to stop off.

抵达

Darwin and Adelaide can be reached by plane from all major Australian cities and a few international destinations like Singapore, Denpasar, or Kuala Lumpur. Darwin does not serve any other passenger trains, while other passenger trains in Adelaide are limited to a twice-weekly service from Melbourne and its suburban rail network.

Sydney and Perth are well-connected by air, each with services to all other Australian capital cities and international destinations. There are public train services from the country towns of New South Wales to Sydney, as well as trains from Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne. Perth is also served by trains connecting it to nearby country towns in the southern part of Western Australia.

The Ghan

The Ghan

This itinerary assumes you start from Darwin and head south, but it's also possible in the opposite direction. The Ghan takes 54 hours to travel 2,979 km (1,851 mi). The Ghan only operates between March and November, and does not operate between December and February as that is the rainy season in northern Australia.

• 1 达尔文 — 从达尔文出发（0 公里），每周三上午10点有一班发车，运营时间为3月至11月。全程三天两夜的旅程大约需要50 小时。车站距离达尔文市中心约20 分钟车程。铁路的主要目的是货运，线路直达东码头港，不经过任何居民区。有专门的巴士连接市中心的米切尔街巴士总站和火车站，需额外付费。乘坐出租车也可以，但价格昂贵。没有Scheduled bus。

From Adelaide (2979 km), departures are on Sunday 12:15PM between March and November, with an additional train on Wednesdays at the 12:10PM between April and October.

• 2 凯瑟琳（312 公里）— “马车”号在此停靠约五小时，并提供可选的“汽笛声之旅”。从前，从达尔文到凯瑟琳的铁路经过市中心的凯瑟琳，您还可以参观火车站的旧址。您可以沿着旧铁路线步行，走过凯瑟琳河上的高架桥。然而，从旧车站到新车站大约有10 公里，所以如果您想看看凯瑟琳，这次旅行可能是您最好的选择。您不能在此开始或结束您的旅程。

• 3 爱丽斯泉（1420 公里）— 爱丽斯泉是“马车”号以前的北端终点站，也是沿途规模最大的城镇。火车在此停靠约四小时，足够您快速游览小镇。车站位于中央商务区边缘，步行几条街即可到达托德购物中心。许多人选择在此停留几天，然后前往约400 公里外的乌鲁鲁，但即使您不去“岩石”，在爱丽斯泉及其周边地区也有很多值得游玩的地方。爱丽斯泉拥有所有必要的服务设施。

• 4 马尔拉 — 马尔拉是一个专门为公路服务中心设计的地点，除此之外只有公路、铁路线和车站。任何访问这里的亮点是看“马车”号经过，以及远处延伸的沙漠，如果您真的在“马车”号上，看着远处延伸的沙漠，最好留在车上。只有北行的火车在这里停靠，期间您可以下车伸展双腿，观看日出，但不能在此开始或结束您的旅程。

• 5 芒古里 — 只有南行列车在此停靠，并且仅在3月至11月期间的旅程中停靠，您可以下车伸展双腿，仰望星空，但不能在此开始或结束您的旅程。

• 6 阿德莱德（2979 公里）— 终点站— 除非您换乘“印度太平洋号”列车继续前往珀斯或悉尼，或者换乘“君主号”列车前往墨尔本。原名凯斯维克车站，现已更名为阿德莱德公园lands航站楼，因为它位于阿德莱德城市绿化带的外部。阿德莱德公园lands航站楼与市区的阿德莱德火车站之间没有市郊火车服务，最近的巴士站距离阿德莱德公园lands航站楼步行约15分钟。打车去市区很贵，大约20澳元，或者您可以叫Uber。车站附近没有真正的设施或景点。车站本身非常简陋，其唯一目的是为每周抵达几次的“印度太平洋号”、“马车号”和“君主号”列车服务，唯一的值得注意的便利设施是Journey Beyond的礼品店。您可以在这里下车，并在两个横贯大陆的服务之间换乘。

印度洋太平洋列车

The route of the Indian Pacific

Indian Pacific at Sydney Central

This route connects the Perth on the Indian Ocean with Sydney on the Pacific Ocean. The 4,352 km trip takes about three days and is distance-wise by far the longest in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the longest domestic rail journeys in the world. It's notable for the 478 km long section across the Nullarbor Plain, which is the longest straight railway stretch in the world. Unlike The Ghan, the Indian Pacific runs year-round. From Sydney, the train departs every Wednesday at 1:55PM, while from Perth, the train departs every Sunday at 10AM. Motorail service (taking your car onto the train) is only available between Perth and Adelaide.

• 1 珀斯 — 珀斯是“印度太平洋号”旅程的终点或起点，是一个有用的终点站。“印度太平洋号”列车从东珀斯航站楼出发，距离珀斯市中心的火车站仅三站，位于珀斯市郊铁路网的米德兰、埃伦布鲁克和机场线上。这座城市 caters for all levels of travellers，从位于市火车站以北的北桥地区的经济型背包客旅馆，到迎合高消费人群的市中心酒店。
• 2 卡尔古利 — 只有东行列车在此停靠。TransWA的“前程号”列车也提供每日从卡尔古利到珀斯的日间服务，但速度比“印度太平洋号”快一倍。卡尔古利火车站本身步行即可到达市中心和住宿。在火车停靠期间，东行列车上的乘客可以下车游览小镇，但西行列车乘客无法享受此服务，因为列车在深夜通过。列车在珀斯和卡尔古利之间穿过风景优美的埃文河谷。
• 3 劳林纳 — 只有西行列车（珀斯方向）在此停靠，并且有现场音乐表演在站台上进行。夏季，晚餐在站台上供应；一年中的其他时间，您将在火车上用餐。
• 4 库克 — 最初是为了服务铁路而建立的，如今已成为一座鬼城，您可以在火车加水时在车站周围散步。
• 5 阿德莱德 — 南澳大利亚州的首府拥有许多景点和设施，并且是更多景点的门户。您可以选择在此开始或结束您的旅程，并提供前往悉尼或珀斯的乘客的旅游。如果您选择巴罗萨谷之旅，您将在长平原下车，并在晚餐后乘坐巴士前往阿德莱德，然后重新登车。
• 6 布罗肯希尔 — 只有西行列车在此停靠。在火车停靠的几个小时内提供当地旅游，大巴会同时到达车站。如果您不选择巴士游览，火车站就在市中心，您可以轻松步行，花时间浏览几家画廊的橱窗，然后返回车站享用早餐。
• 7 维多利亚山 — 只有东行列车（悉尼方向）在此停靠。乘客可以下车参加蓝山的旅游，之后您将乘坐NSW TrainLink的火车前往悉尼。
• 8 悉尼 — 橙色的悉尼中央火车站位于中央商务区的南部，比您预期的要小。除了是“印度太平洋号”的东部终点站外，它也是该市公共交通系统的主要枢纽之一。车站本身可以看到悬挂在天花板上的澳大利亚各州和地区的州旗，以及澳大利亚铁路历史的小型展览。如果您刚乘火车抵达，请从主入口出去，一直往前走大约半小时，您会在右边看到歌剧院，左边看到海港大桥。

注意安全

Though the journeys are long, and there are few chances of people just wandering in onto the train like in other countries, it is nevertheless wise to secure your room or items.

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搭乘连接列车

The Overland (which is also a Journey Beyond train) operates between Adelaide and Melbourne. Unlike the Indian Pacific or The Ghan, The Overland is a day trip and takes 10 hours, and it also stops at more intermediate stations to pick up and let off passengers. As it is subsidised by the Victorian and South Australian state governments, fares tend to be cheaper than for Journey Beyond's other trains.

悉尼和珀斯都有乡村铁路服务，连接到各个乡村城镇。悉尼的乡村铁路服务由NSW TrainLink运营，而珀斯的乡村铁路服务由TransWA运营。NSW TrainLink还运营从悉尼到墨尔本（经堪培拉）的“墨尔本XPT”列车，以及从悉尼到布里斯班的“布里斯班XPT”列车。从布里斯班，可以轻松乘坐昆士兰铁路的市郊网络前往黄金海岸，昆士兰铁路还运营长途列车“昆士兰精神号”，一直开往凯恩斯。

看看你错过了什么

Australia's pioneers had a grand vision for the railways, to cover a continent, and there are many places where this grand history can be seen. If you are catching the train one way, and travelling by car the other way, you can catch up with some of the interesting railway history you may have missed.

The Oodnadatta Track basically follows the original alignment of the Ghan before it was moved. There are sections of track still in place, and you can walk on large sections of the alignment from the road. The Oodnadatta station looks largely unchanged from when it saw its last train service 40 years ago.

Rail transport in Australia