Map PA - Outback Australia rail map.

This map covers the major part of Outback Australia, from the wet tropical zone around Darwin in the North, through the arid "Red Centre" and across the treeless nullarbor plain. The distances on this map are enormous, and the population centres very small. The train really is the most comfortable way to see this spectacular part of the country.

Great Southern Railway (GSR) operate the major trains in this region. The "Ghan" operates weekly Sydney-Adelaide-Alice Springs and a second weekly service Adelaide - Alice Springs. The "Indian Pacific" runs twice weekly Sydney-Adelaide-Perth. GSR's trains are locomotive hauled and offer a full range of on-board services including sleeping berths and a buffet and dining car. These trains are not generally speedy, but they are comfortable and are promoted as 'land-cruises'. The Indian Pacific takes about three days to cross the country, whilst the Ghan days one day to travel between Alice Springs and Adelaide.

The only tourist railway in this region is the The Ghan Preservation Socitey who operate occasional trains along a portion of the former narrow gauge route between MacDonnell and Ewaninga.

A printer-friendly version of this map in pdf format can be downloaded by clicking here.

Detailed maps of the Alice Springs to Darwin railway are available on the AARC website.