(press archives - November 2009, United Kingdom)
Australia by rail for less than £1 per day
Rail Australia alliance partners CountryLink, Great Southern Rail and Queensland Rail offer travellers to Australia great value and choice with 4 rail passes. All passes are 10% cheaper when prepurchased overseas, prior to arrival in Australia. Passes also provide great flexibility as well as value for money in allowing travellers to upgrade to other levels of accommodation by sector (surcharges applicable).
The national rail pass, Ausrail Pass, allows 6 months unlimited travel on all rail services operated by the 3 long distance rail operators as well as connecting coach services operated by CountryLink and Queensland Rail.
Great Southern Railâ??s Rail Explorer Pass allows unlimited travel for up to 6 months on Australiaâ??s most popular long distance trains The Ghan and Indian Pacific as well as The Overland. In addition, a special backpacker rate means that travellers can explore this vast continent in relaxed comfort for as little as £1 per day.
On the east coast you can also choose between 2 regional rail passes. The Backtracker Rail Pass allows travel throughout New South Wales linking Sydney with Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra as well as Broken Hill and Dubbo. CountryLink serves over 350 destinations throughout the region with rail and connecting coach services â?? all available to Backtracker Rail Pass holders over 14 days, 1, 3 or 6 months. The East Coast Discovery Pass allows travellers to travel in one direction between Melbourne and Cairns and various points inbetween. Travellers can choose between 6 different sector options including Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Brisbane for travel up to 6 months.
Luxury rail travel boom
Travelling on The Legendary Ghan continues to be popular with travellers from Australia and around the world. This 3 day / 2 night rail experience between Darwin in the Northern Territoryâ??s Top End and Adelaide, the capital of South Australia can be experienced in an authentic luxury Australian style called â??Platinum Serviceâ??.
In September 2008, Platinum Service was launched on The Ghan to great fanfare, becoming the most luxurious train in Australia and rivaling some of the great trains of the world. The inaugural departures in both directions were soon sold out. Platinum Service is now available on all departures of The Ghan for travel April through October. In November 2009, Platinum Service will be reintroduced onto the Indian Pacific for travel between Perth and Sydney via Adelaide on selected services through to the end March 2010.
The Success Story So Farâ?¦the UK leads the way
Platinum Service delighted over 800 guests in 2008 and by the end of September 2009 in excess of 3500 guests have travelled in Platinum Service. About a quarter of Platinum guests reside outside Australia with about 40% of those international travellers coming them from the UK.
Looking Forwardâ?¦
In January 2010, Platinum Service will also be available on the new outback adventure touring train offered by Great Southern Rail â?? The Southern Spirit, creating yet another milestone for this luxury level of service. The Southern Spirit will embark on two 11 days rail journeys in south eastern Australia starting with the The Grand Tour departing from Uluru on 9 January 2010.