The Indian Pacific obtained its name from the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The Indian Ocean on the west coast, and the Pacific Ocean on the east coast. The train takes three days to travel from Perth to Sydney (or from Sydney to Perth).

Just after my 21st birthday, I decided to fly to Perth and then catch the train back. A railway journey that would take three days. This was a spur of the moment decision. Two days prior to the day, was when I made the decision. The airline ticket was the cheaper part.

A long railway journey is a lot of fun. It gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of people, talk, have fun, and see the sights on the way. Travelling by train is by far my preferred method of travel. Pity it can be so expensive.

East Perth Station. This is where the Indian Pacific departs for its three day journey to Sydney.

The early morning sun in Western Australia. The train's been travelling all night, and is only a short distance from Kalgoorlie station.

Announcing the arrival of the Indian Pacific at Kalgoorlie Station.

Another shot of the Western Australia countryside. It's quite barren, really.

The Nullarbor Plain. A picture of total desolation. This is probably one of the most inhospitable places in the world. Certainly the most inhospitable in Australia. If you end up stranded out here, you have very little chance of survival.

Another shot of the Nullarbor Plain.

A third shot of the Nullarbor Plain.

The Indian Pacific at Port Augusta Station, in South Australia.

I think this is also at Port Augusta Station.

Keswick Station, South Australia. This is Adelaide's railway station for rural and interstate railway services.

Another view of Keswick Station, South Australia.

Part of the Adelaide skyline. Adelaide is the state capital of South Australia.

The Indian Pacific making its way through South Australia.

Gladstone railway station, South Australia.

Western New South Wales. This shot shows waters from recent flooding.

Another view of Western NSW. Certainly nowhere near as barren as the Nullarbor Plain in Western Australia/South Australia.

More of Western NSW.

And yet another view.

The Indian Pacific at Lithgow railway station, New South Wales. This is where electric services from Sydney end. Sydney is another couple of hundred kilometres away.

All photographs are property of Stephen Jones.
Please do not take them, unless you have prior authorisation.