I spose mostly anything is possible if you are prepared to pay for it.
That said, by the time you cost in the trip over and cost of train etc back it might just work out cheaper and easier to cabin it or small motel in smaller towns etc it. Then just drive your car there and back. Just a thought and probably worth a sit down at the kitchen table with pen and paper and do some sums. Ya just never know.
It would be interesting to read an update at the end of your trip.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
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We did Sydney to Perth and return back in 2017. We had to drive to Adelaide to put the car on the Indian Pacific as they don't take cars from Sydney. We caught the train from Adelaide to Perth and then drove from Perth to Sydney. We had a Camry sedan on that trip and the cost to put the car on the train was $449.00. It may pay to give them a call and see what they say now.
We can't really take months off work at this stage, but 2-3 weeks is manageable.
If I wanted to drive from Sydney to Perth for example, but come back on the train. Is that doable? Or a mad idea?
For a Sprinter size campervan (not motor home)
Just found a random service online and they quoted $4,000.......
Anyone every tried this? Putting a campervan on rail?
Nothing is impossible, but racing across to Perth in a couple of weeks is insanity, in my opinion. You'll see nothing at that speed, and the freight cost to get the van back is just over $2000. BUT you've also got to get yourselves back at whatever price. Unless you have a desperate need to go to Perth IMO you'd be far better to go for a relaxing trip through the NSW outback, or up to Western Queensland. Holidays should be holidays, not a mad race to be somewhere so you can then turn around and come back. Recently a member related a story of a friend of his who'd done "The Lap" in 4-5 weeks. Pointless. If you're going to see nothing you may as well stay at home and spend your fuel money at the pub! Good luck, no matter what you choose to do. Cheers
I understand that first class passengers on the Indian-Pacific train can take their cars for free! There may be a size limit for cars, meaning that a camper van might be considered oversize. Also, maybe the deal only applies for two people.
Of course, the difference in the cost of first class tickets and second class is quite substantial.
I drove from Sydney to Perth & picked other half from the airport & we drove back. I really enjoyed the drive by myself & would have no issues doing it again if necessary.
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I understand that first class passengers on the Indian-Pacific train can take their cars for free! There may be a size limit for cars, meaning that a camper van might be considered oversize. Also, maybe the deal only applies for two people.
Of course, the difference in the cost of first class tickets and second class is quite substantial.
Murray
Either it has changed to that since we went or we were ripped off as we went Platinum.
For the short time of 2/3 weeks, I would fly over...hire a car.....spend some time in Perth...spend most of your time in southern WA (plenty to do and see)
Drive back to Sydney...then you "have done the Nullarbor" Stay in cabins, as you are still working...no great cost.
Ideas by Dougwe and Collo might be worth considering. Another option, I do know of people who took their vehicle one way, then a plane trip home. They had trusted friends or relatives who flew to their destination and then did are return journey home with the vehicle, having a nice travelling holiday as well. The owners heading back to work.
-- Edited by watsea on Tuesday 14th of June 2022 07:39:11 PM
Nothing is impossible, but racing across to Perth in a couple of weeks is insanity, in my opinion. You'll see nothing at that speed, and the freight cost to get the van back is just over $2000. BUT you've also got to get yourselves back at whatever price. Unless you have a desperate need to go to Perth IMO you'd be far better to go for a relaxing trip through the NSW outback, or up to Western Queensland. Holidays should be holidays, not a mad race to be somewhere so you can then turn around and come back. Recently a member related a story of a friend of his who'd done "The Lap" in 4-5 weeks. Pointless. If you're going to see nothing you may as well stay at home and spend your fuel money at the pub! Good luck, no matter what you choose to do. Cheers
You may well be right! LOL
Though we are a bit insane I think.
We really like to be 'on the road' rather than static.
So 4-6 hours drive per day is quite comfortable and leaves us a bit of sight seeing time each day.
We're not really deckchairs under the awning types at all.
If you are happy with your original idea go for it and check it out. When we were younger (parents with kids) we did Toowoomba, Blackall, Longreach, Mt. Isa, over to the three ways, down to Alice Springs, Ayres Rock as it was then known, Coober Pedy, Port Augusta, over to Broken Hill, through central NSW to home in 2 weeks during school holidays. We were in a car and tent mostly and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, saw a lot. If you got months - take months, if you got 2/3 weeks - take that time and see and do what you can. Don't, not do something because someone said you shouldn't. You don't know what's around the corner. All your tripping, no matter the time frame is an experience not to be missed. Cheers.
Our round trip was 4 weeks stopping at Roadhouses for the nights and doing only a few hours driving each day and doing as much sight seeing as possible. We could have spent triple the time and still not have seen all on the track.
Comes down to whether or not you want the bragging rights to say 'I've driven across the Nullabor'.
Driving West to East is the better option because of the sun. Driving at night is a no no unless you
are in a semi.
Wait for an opportunity whereby you can do this without rushing.
The train is quite slow and very expensive. I don't think it would save you any time over coming back in the campervan. I went on it a long time back, and it stopped at all these "middle of nowhere" places, it didn't just chug a lug along without stopping. Plane tickets would be cheaper if you get a "deal". 2 people and a campervan would cost a bomb. I've occasionally looked it up because I like trains and I'd have liked to do it again, but it's expensive. Flying back, and getting somebody else to drive your van back would be a cheaper and more time-saving option, if you could find somebody who wanted to drive the nullarbor.
This IS a big country with that attitude you may as well fly both ways ?? . Its the journey not exactly the cost etc . I took 2 weeks crossing the Nullarbor and could have easy used up another week !! So much to see once you look around ! We only had mountain bikes, motorhome . Yes your limited to time ! Wait till your retired ? Its still the SAME !!
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Wednesday 15th of June 2022 09:52:32 AM
It took us 39 hours from Adelaide to Perth on the train. It took us 24 hours from Sydney to London on the Plane. The train was half the cost of the plane and it was ten times more fun. Its all about the journey rather than the destination.
I am very happy to see that campervans can be put on the train. A couple of years ago I looked up the Indian Pacific train hoping to put our caravan on the train but it seemed to say that wasn't allowed. Now it seems that was wrong.
This IS a big country with that attitude you may as well fly both ways ?? . Its the journey not exactly the cost etc . I took 2 weeks crossing the Nullarbor and could have easy used up another week !! So much to see once you look around ! We only had mountain bikes, motorhome . Yes your limited to time ! Wait till your retired ? Its still the SAME !!
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Wednesday 15th of June 2022 09:52:32 AM
2 weeks to cross the Nullabor is what I'm planning...........
Sadly I can't leave everything till I retire. I may not be able to......long story.
We took the train from Sydney to Perth with our car on the train. We took platinum level which included a larger room including a lounge area. The cost to transport the car was extra. We drove back from Perth to Canberra along the Nullarbor. The train trip was wonderful, even the part where we got covered in champagne when we opened the train shaken bottle. Wisely we had opened it in the ensuite so it didnt matter that the champagne hit the ceiling! Our car was only short so we could take it on the train. The height limits for the Indian-Pacific are 1.79 metres, and for the Ghan are 1.94 metres, so we couldnt take our present car, Patrol Y62 with roof-rack, on either train.
