The Indian Pacific - a Great Rail Journey Part 2

We woke refreshed after being rocked to sleep, although rocking probably wasn't needed. For some-one who eats a minimalist breakfast I really enjoyed the three course offerings in the dining car, not that I ate three courses after the first day!

Then we settled into enjoying the scenery, although many gathered in the lounge for music or activities.

  
If you are thinking this trip was all about food then you are probably correct. Lunch time and I chose camel curry and a gelato. Just as we were enjoying our curry the waiter drew our attention to the herd of camels out the window. Only a glimpse but all we saw of the supposed 400,000 camels in Australia.

Early afternoon  we arrived at the ghost town of Cook. Cook is in the middle of the 478 km straight stretch of railway line across the Nullarbor Plain. Cook was an active town but now has a population of four and the train stops here to re-stock and re-fuel. We had ninety minutes to wander about enjoying the location, the outdoors and the uniquely Australian atmosphere.

The Wedge Tailed Eagle is the emblem of the Indian Pacific as it symbolizes the scope, range and significance of each epic journey.

Now we were in Western Australia.

At around sunset we pulled into Rawlinna Station where we 'de-trained' for drinks and canapes with more country music.  In the warmer weather they have dinner at Rawlinna where they have permanent tables set up.

Rawlinna Station, not the train station but the sheep station, is the largest sheep and wool growing property in Australia. It covers 10, 117 square kilometres or 2.5 million acres.

 

 The singer acquired a male backing group and some female dancers, so as the saying goes 'A good time was had by all.'

By now we had met several different couples at the meal table and on our last night we were again seated with a couple with whom we had lots in common. Dinner lingered and our last night was most enjoyable.

We passed through Kalgoorlie during the night and by morning we had left the desert scenery and were travelling through wheat belt towns. Somehow I spent the time looking out the window but didn't take any photos. I think there was too much vegetation in the foreground to successfully capture the scenery.

We arrived in Perth at 3 pm, to the minute, after 65 hours of travel. Well done!

Yes, the Indian Pacific rail journey IS one of the great rail journeys of the world, never dull and yet never over planned. All food, drinks and off- train tours are included in the fare which makes this a trip worth doing and one that should be on your bucket list, if it isn't already.

P.S You can do the trip in reverse, stopping at different locations.