Rolling – on the Indian Pacific from inSYDnificant to PERfection

[JohnM]

Tomorrow it’s on the bird PER-SYD to – finally – get aboard the Indian Pacific for the trundle back to PER on Wednesday 1355h-Saturday 1500h.

While this trip follows my recent DRW-ADL journey on the Ghan (A gallop on The Ghan), its planning long preceded the organising of that.

I originally booked for about this time in 2020 but that was canned because of the ‘rona. I then re-booked with the credit in mid-2021 when the WA border reopened and the IP began to run again, only to have it again slammed shut a short time later.

For those unfamiliar with the Indian Pacific (and The Ghan), they are both entirely tourist experience trains, with no intended commuter function.

Off-train excursions are an integral part of the package. Those activities vary depending on direction of travel; each journey is not simply a mirror-image of the other (especially so for The Ghan which is three nights DRW-ADL, but only two nights ADL-DRW).

So, for anyone considering these journeys, it pays to look closely at the each-way offerings to gauge what is of more interest and book accordingly.

SYD-PER: Sydney to Perth - Journey Beyond Rail

PER-SYD: Perth to Sydney - Journey Beyond Rail

This map is generic, with the each-way offerings here: Indian Pacific Off Train Experiences - Journey Beyond Rail

I haven’t been to McLaren Vale for a while, so that will be my choice for the off-train excursion in Adelaide.



As my reader would know, I was abducted and brainwashed by aliens known as The Naughty Group while on The Ghan and subjected to unimaginable coercion into things against my will before they finally released me.

Now, I wonder if they or their ilk will also be lurking on the IP ready to snatch my delicate body and corrupt my innocent mind at the first opportunity? Time will tell…

 

[CaptJCool]

I too am flying to sydney Tuesday arr 1515 and a couple of sneaky G&Ts in the Syd J lounge before dining with my brother who’s up there from Hobart ! He departs 0740 Wednesday am to Melbourne. At this stage I’ll probably sneak out of bed early to see him (& partner) off.

I look forward to your report especially the ADL-sYd bit via BHP as that’s probably one Of my current bucket list items...

 

[Gladstone Tim]

Looking forward to this trip report very much, JohnM. I hae had similar booking exploits as you and will be on the first departure ex Sydney post-Christmas.

 

[JohnM]

I used the new train to get to PER. It worked well.

About to push back.

 

[Ade]

Adding this thread to my Watch list

 

[JohnM]

It’s the Lois - thankfully…

 

[Ade]

Lois

What's Lois? Name of the sparkling white?

 

[JohnM]

What's Lois? Name of the sparkling white?

Yes - but importantly signalling that it was not the Grant Burge swill…

 

[Ade]

Yes - but importantly signalling that it was not the Grant Burge swill…

I have never had a Lois before .. just googling it .. looks nice

 

[JohnM]

WiFi is slow today.

Tracking a little more N than usual.

On the wrong side of the bird to see Norseman, where my dad grew up and I spent many happy holidays rummaging around the old gold mines, bush and as a kid while staying with my gran.

 

[Daver6]

I used the new train to get to PER. It worked well.

More info on this experience please. Enjoy the walk from the station to the terminal?

 

[JohnM]

More info on this experience please. Enjoy the walk from the station to the terminal?

Errr… - why walk when you can take the 5min bus ride?

It’s easy-peasy. Recommended.

 

[JohnM]

Lunch. Two hot offerings - both chicken dishes - WTF?

I opted for the prosciutto salad, which I did enjoy.

The Thing in the Box and the Thing in the Wrapper, as usual, went back to where that cr@p belongs. Patrick, the CSM, served me ‘bakery’ without asking. That’s OK - but back it went - I don’t do ‘bakery’.

Heirloom Coonawarra CS hit the spot.

 

[JohnM]

More info on this experience please. Enjoy the walk from the station to the terminal?

Addendum.

I’m HLO and I took the bus from my place (150m walk to bus stop), 8 min bus ride, and then I had a 450m walk to the train station.

A wheeled case would be easy; less so for a large carry-case.

Exit the station and the bus stop for the quick run to T3/4 is right there.

From where you live, it would be a no-brainer doddle to take the train.

Of course, even easier for INT or VA at T1/2.

 

[Daver6]

Addendum.

I’m HLO and I took the bus from my place (150m walk to bus stop), 8 min bus ride, and then I had a 450m walk to the train station.

A wheeled case would be easy; less so for a large carry-case.

Exit the station and the bus stop for the quick run to T3/4 is right there.

From where you live, it would be a no-brainer doddle to take the train.

Of course, even easier for INT or VA at T1/2.

How frequently does the bus run from the station to terminal? Is it just an add on to the long term parking bus or a separate one?

 

[JohnM]

How frequently does the bus run from the station to terminal? Is it just an add on to the long term parking bus or a separate one?

I think it is frequent. I waited maybe 2 mins. It seems to be a dedicated service. Bus 292 IIRC.

Check the TransPerth app.

It worked seamlessly. Even a Gen X could figure it out, I reckon…

 

[RooFlyer]

where my dad grew up and I spent many happy holidays rummaging around the old gold mines

Well, I guess that's the interesting part of the TR done with ...

 

[Daver6]

I think it is frequent. I waited maybe 2 mins. It seems to be a dedicated service. Bus 292 IIRC.

Check the TransPerth app.

It worked seamlessly. Even a Gen X could figure it out, I reckon…

I preferred the days of no inflight wifi where we could get a rest from you

Looks like every 12 to 15 minutes Bus Route 292 Timetable

 

[JohnM]

Well, I guess that's the interesting part of the TR done with ...

So much for people one was previously inclined to call a friend.

 

[JohnM]

I preferred the days of no inflight wifi where we could get a rest from you

Looks like every 12 to 15 minutes Bus Route 292 Timetable

Once a pest, always a pest…