vysean
Oct 12, 07, 9:05 pm
Have too little time and too many sites to see, but I'm really hoping to cram in a trip on one of the Australian and New Zealand rail routes. I was hoping those of you who have some experience could guide me in the right direction.
In Australia, I'd like to take either the Ghan or the Indian Pacific - the Ghan would be to or from Adelaide/Alice Springs, and the IP would be to/from Sydney/Adelaide. Both cost about the same and take about the same amount of time. I'm wondering if one is more scenic or an all-around better deal for any particular reason? In either case, I'd purchase a one-way airfare to start or to end the journey. Coordinating schedules is extremely difficult for me as I have to be in certain places on certain dates and I need to get my plans nailed down ASAP (hence the lack of preference on start or end point).
In New Zealand, I can take the Tranz-Alpine in one or both directions, the Tranz-Coastal in one or both directions, or possibly the Overlander. Again, looking for recommendations on which has the best scenery as cost is not really a consideration. I'm inclined to do the Tranz-Alpine only because of convenience - I can do a same-day return on it starting in CHC, and of course "Alpine" and "New Zealand" sound to me like great scenery and hopefully some good photo ops.
In both cases, travel would be early to mid-November (through the 20th), if that makes a difference.
Thanks in advance for any information or advice you can provide!
Sean
In Australia, I'd like to take either the Ghan or the Indian Pacific - the Ghan would be to or from Adelaide/Alice Springs, and the IP would be to/from Sydney/Adelaide. Both cost about the same and take about the same amount of time. I'm wondering if one is more scenic or an all-around better deal for any particular reason? In either case, I'd purchase a one-way airfare to start or to end the journey. Coordinating schedules is extremely difficult for me as I have to be in certain places on certain dates and I need to get my plans nailed down ASAP (hence the lack of preference on start or end point).
In New Zealand, I can take the Tranz-Alpine in one or both directions, the Tranz-Coastal in one or both directions, or possibly the Overlander. Again, looking for recommendations on which has the best scenery as cost is not really a consideration. I'm inclined to do the Tranz-Alpine only because of convenience - I can do a same-day return on it starting in CHC, and of course "Alpine" and "New Zealand" sound to me like great scenery and hopefully some good photo ops.
In both cases, travel would be early to mid-November (through the 20th), if that makes a difference.
Thanks in advance for any information or advice you can provide!
Sean