{"id":862316,"date":"2025-07-13T23:12:53","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T04:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/13\/cant-afford-the-indian-pacific-try-this-bargain-outback-train-instead\/"},"modified":"2025-07-13T23:12:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T04:12:53","slug":"cant-afford-the-indian-pacific-try-this-bargain-outback-train-instead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/13\/cant-afford-the-indian-pacific-try-this-bargain-outback-train-instead\/","title":{"rendered":"Can\u2019t afford the Indian Pacific? Try this bargain outback train instead"},"content":{"rendered":"<header><\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"article-body-top\">\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\">\n<h3><b>The train: Prospector, WA<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><b>The journey <\/b>East Perth Terminal to Kalgoorlie Station, Western Australia<\/li>\n<li><b>The operator <\/b>Transwa<\/li>\n<li><b>Frequency <\/b>Daily, twice-daily Monday and Friday<\/li>\n<li><b>Travel time <\/b>Six hours, 35 minutes to cover 653 kilometres<\/li>\n<li><b>Class <\/b>One class<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"494\" width=\"740\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"512\" width=\"768\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Prospector, on track from East Perth to Kalgoorlie.\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.738%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_31\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/582027fa2797a1d39ad15838fae3ae4a20c5de9d\" height=\"390\" width=\"584\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>The Prospector, on track from East Perth to Kalgoorlie.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><b>The journey<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever wanted to experience the Indian Pacific, Australia\u2019s famous transcontinental journey traversing the breadth of the country from Perth to Sydney, the Prospector Train offers a cheaper, truncated version. While it won\u2019t get you the high-end service for which the Indian Pacific is renowned \u2013 or across the border, for that matter \u2013 it does deliver identical scenic views. The Prospector Train travels from Perth to the gold mining town of Kalgoorlie on the same rail line as the Indian Pacific, passing through the picturesque Avon Valley and the state\u2019s Wheatbelt. To explore Kalgoorlie\u2019s gold rush history without all those hours behind a steering wheel, the train is a pleasant alternative with a comparable journey time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\">\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"494\" width=\"740\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"512\" width=\"768\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Amid the landscape aboard the Indian Pacific.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.594%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_1%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/576940e40756b783f2a70fbe0c02e294c31fbc29\" height=\"390\" width=\"584\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>Amid the landscape aboard the Indian Pacific.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span> <\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><b>Boarding <\/b><\/h3>\n<p>There are only two carriages on this Monday afternoon service. Mine is at the head of the train and has 40 passenger seats in a forward-facing, two-by-two configuration. The carriage also has a buffet, chilled tap water and an accessible bathroom with baby-change facilities. The train is spotless, but they\u2019re a little overzealous with the air-conditioning.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>The seat<\/b><\/h3>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"494\" width=\"740\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"512\" width=\"768\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Seat size is generous \u2026 and so are the features.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.596%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_3%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4c95b043f1ccf096728b547bf004ca061a898cdc\" height=\"390\" width=\"584\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>Seat size is generous \u2026 and so are the features.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span> <\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-body-bottom\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\">\n<p>Seats are randomly allocated and mine is 23, by the window on the right-hand side of the train. The upholstered recliner seats have a footrest, armrests, drop-down tray table, storage pouch and window curtain. I\u2019m surprised by their generous size and features. More akin to premium economy on a plane, my seat is spacious and has headrest entertainment with disposable headphones, dual power points (but no USB), a reading light and adjustable air vent. There\u2019s a small selection of movies, TV shows and music channels to choose from, as well as an information portal, real-time route map tracker and a driver cam (though this isn\u2019t working properly). The free on-board Wi-Fi is patchy.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Baggage<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Passengers are permitted one piece of hand luggage up to 7kg that can be stowed in overhead compartments. I\u2019m naughty and have a small carry-on suitcase in the compartment and a backpack at my feet, though there\u2019s plenty of room for it up top. Larger bags, up to 20kg, can be stored in a luggage compartment at the front of the train, and one of the attendants will gladly take this from you on the platform.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Food + drink<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>The buffet has various snacks and a small range of hot and cold ready-made meals. I\u2019m on an afternoon\/evening service (3.15pm to 9.50pm) and opt for a simple Mrs Mac\u2019s meat pie ($4), a step up from a Four \u2019n Twenty. Also available are sandwiches and wraps, microwave meals, salad, yoghurt, packet chips, chocolate bars and muffins. Beverages include hot drinks, juices, soft drinks, beer and wine. The prices are refreshingly cheap, given the train has a captive market.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\">\n<h3><b>One more thing<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><\/span><span>Loading<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>East Perth Terminal is an easy 15-minute train journey from the airport (included in your ticket). The station has some interesting historical displays and artefacts to enjoy, including an 1876 railway carriage used on Western Australia\u2019s first rail line, the Northern Railway, from Geraldton to Northampton. Be sure to check out the Super Pit gold mine in Kalgoorlie (<a href=\"http:\/\/kalgoorlietours.com.au\">kalgoorlietours.com.au<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h3><b>The price<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Typically $201.70 return for adults. A summer half-price special was available on my journey.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\">\n<h3><b>The verdict<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>A surprisingly comfortable journey on a scenic route to the West Australian Goldfields, with friendly and attentive service.<\/p>\n<h3><b>OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n<p><i>The writer was a guest of Transwa. See <a href=\"http:\/\/transwa.org.au\">transwa.org.au<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Sign up for the Traveller newsletter<\/p>\n<p>The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. <a href=\"https:\/\/login.myfairfax.com.au\/signup_newsletter\/10078?channel_key=zHE9EWDHf1XPuz3Phk0YIg&#038;callback_uri=\">Sign up now<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<section aria-busy=\"true\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<header>\n<h2>Most viewed on Traveller<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p><span><span><\/span><span>Loading<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/traveller\/reviews-and-advice\/can-t-afford-the-indian-pacific-try-this-bargain-outback-train-instead-20250602-p5m46s.html?ref=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_source=rss_feed\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The train: Prospector, WA The journey East Perth Terminal to Kalgoorlie Station, Western Australia The operator Transwa Frequency Daily, twice-daily Monday and Friday Travel time Six hours, 35 minutes to cover 653 kilometres Class One class The Prospector, on track from East Perth to Kalgoorlie. The journey If you\u2019ve ever wanted to experience the Indian<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":862317,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23771,706],"tags":[11489,6651],"class_list":["post-862316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afford","category-cant","tag-afford","tag-cant"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/862316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=862316"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/862316\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/862317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=862316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=862316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=862316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}