Perth and Start of Indian Pacific Train Ride

Start of the Indian Pacific Train Ride from Perth

Our initial plan was to take the train ride from Perth to Sydney. However, we decided to travel to Adelaide from Perth instead, since I have not been to Adelaide, and it was cheaper too. 

View of Indian Pacific Train from Cabin

The train departs from Perth on Sunday, and arrives at Adelaide on a Tuesday morning.

Map of Indian Pacific Route

Perth

We arrived in Perth on a rainy afternoon. We took a taxi to the hotel and the driver was rather grumpy so that wasn't a great start for the holiday.  Anyway, we arrived safely at the hotel ;). We walked to Chinatown for dinner and then back to the hotel It has been raining the entire day.

We walked to Perth East Terminal on Saturday morning just to make sure about the location for boarding the train. Then, we did a long walk to Leederville for seafood lunch. We took a train back to Perth, and strolled around the town centre before having dinner at a Japanese cafe.

Sunday, Day1: Aboard the Indian Pacific

We arrived early at Perth East Terminal, ready for our long adventure by train. At last, we were on our way to cross the continent. :)

Perth East Terminal

We checked in with the staff and got our carriage and cabin number.  There was a small tea reception on the platform for the passengers, who comprised mainly senior locals. There were barely any other foreigners there, so we stood out slightly. We were surprised by the lack of tourists in such an iconic train ride. Perhaps it's because tourists prefer to come during the peak(even more expensive) season?

We boarded the train and moved into our cabin. It was small but compact.

Train interior

Highlight for Day One was the stop at Kalgoorlie with an excursion to the Super Pit, once the largest open cut gold mine.

Day One Timetable

    The train departed from the terminal and we were soon out of the city. 

Departing From Perth

We excitedly explored the many compartments of the winding train as it took off. There was a small tea-room at the end of each carriage, 

Indian Pacific Train Interior

a lounge area with free drinks and snack,

Indian Pacific Train Lounge

and a dining carriage.

Indian Pacific Dining Car

The afternoon journey on the Train

An hour into our journey, we passed by more farms, plantations and open fields with blossoming flowers.

Then the train arrived and passed Northam after noon.

After about an hour, the landscape broadened before us as the number of trees dwindled, and we gazed instead upon expansive patches of grassland. We had our lunch, sharing a table with a friendly Australian retired couple, H.B. We chatted about our travel and countries till after dessert was served. (I was so engrossed in the chat I forgot to take photos of the lunch...)

We went back to our cabin. The 3G service was patchy, but we had the scenery to gaze at to pass time. Soon, we were about halfway to Kargoolie...

We passed a few double track crossings, and would stop for incoming trains to pass. At a crossing before southern Cross, there was a huge flock of birds and a group of joggers on the road. This was a rare sight between the long expanses of seemingly untouched grassland.

The Evening Landscape and Arrival into Kalgoorlie
All the way through to the evening, the scenery remained more or less unchanged. We had dinner, and sat with the same friendly couple, and once again I completely forgot to take photos of the food.

We arrived at Kalgoorlie after 8p.m. As enjoyable as it was traveling on the train, we were certainly glad for the chance to properly stretch our pairs of legs with a good walk and to be out of the confined cabin.

Lodging:

Hotel Mercure (with free breakfast promotion)

On the same trip:
Indian Pacific Train Ride:
Day1 :  Perth and Start of Indian Pacific Journey 
             Kalgoorlie Excursion 
Day2 :  Breakfast at Rawlinna 
             Off Train Excursion : Cook 
Day2/3: The journey and the Nullarbor Plain
Adelaide:
             Adelaide : Central Market, Chinatown, Walking and Food!
             A city within a Park - Walking Adelaide Oval, North Terrace and Botanic Garden 
             Glenelg : Tram trip from Adelaide to the Beach