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COUNTRYLINK
he distance
FLIGHTS RAIL TRAVEL
Australia is such a huge country that flying is the Australia claims to be the only continent which
only option for short-term visitors who want to see can be crossed by rail from north to south as well
more than one part of it. as from east to west.
Passengers taking international flights with Its most famous trains are the Ghan (Adelaide-
codeshare partners Qantas and British Airways can Alice Springs-Darwin) and the Indian Pacific
usually include domestic sectors at a low price, (Perth-Sydney, via Adelaide). Both are operated by
while low-cost Virgin Blue is another option. Rail Australia, while the Sunlander is operated by
Qantas sells Walkabout or Dreamtime fares for Queensland Rail from Brisbane to Cairns.
under £1,000 including two or three domestic The distance covered on all these trains is long,
sectors and a choice of stopovers. especially the Indian Pacific, which takes four days
Qantas Holidays’ market development manager, to cover the 2,800 miles from west to east coast.
Esther Ward, says: “The cheapest Qantas domestic But train travel is central to the experience rather
fare is £31 for routes such as Sydney-Melbourne. It than simply a means of getting from A to B. Clinch
can be cheaper to fly than to drive.” that sale with talk of gourmet meals, comfortable
New Zealand’s shorter distances and scenery cabins, the opportunity to meet other passengers
make overland travel more appealing, but air pass in lounge cars, and short “whistle stop tours”.
deals are also available. Air New Zealand’s South Rail Australia trains feature Platinum and
Pacific Airpass is based on zonal fares depending Gold Service cabins, and also Red Service,
on destination, from £35 per sector up to £306.
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go to www.ttglive.com
TTG Knowledge AUSTRALASIA December 2008
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