Day 3 Friday 21 August 2015

Rising early to be greeted by sunrise and the beautiful and impressive views of salt lakes whizzing past our window as the train heads westward, lifts my spirits.

We are becoming accustomed to dining in the Lounge Carriage. There are advantages. We have great views of the landscape through windows on both sides of the train and the air temperature is more comfortable than in our cabin. Breakfast is delicious.

Today we have a whistle-stop in Cook, South Australia. The former town was created in 1917 when the railway was built and is named after the sixth Prime Minister of Australia, Joseph Cook. Today, it is said to have a resident population of four, and is essentially a ghost town. The town was effectively closed in 1997 when the railways were privatised and the new owners no longer needed a support town here. Cook offers little other than curiosity value for passengers and an opportunity to stretch legs and take in some fresh air. Passengers can climb off the train and walk around town.

This evening we stop at Rawlinna, Western Australia, for an ‘outback dining under the stars’ experience. I was advised during the AHR conciliation process I am unable to de-train at either location because neither stop has a station platform. I’m reconciled to the limitations the infrastructure imposes, however I am disappointed I’m unable to participate when I know a simple solution would be for GSR to provide a ramp from our carriage to the ground. Nevertheless, as our journey continues, I am enthralled by the Nullarbor landscape. It is completely different to what I had imagined with more vegetation than I expected and constantly changing panoramas. The vivid colours are amazing ….. Our country is vast, stunningly beautiful and uniquely Australian.

Unable to de-train in historic Cook, I am able to appreciate limited views from the train. Thankfully, my travel companion takes many photos.

After our brief stop in Cook, the train journey, and my delight in the passing scenery, continues for the remainder of the day.

After sundown we pull into Rawlinna, a remote railway siding. The Indian Pacific calls at the siding twice a week in each direction. It's now dark, so there's no view from the train. Forewarned I’m unable to participate in the ‘outback under the stars’ dining experience when we stop in Rawlinna (because there is no platform or ramp from the carriage to the ground), I opt to have dinner in my cabin. I’m assured food is the same as served ‘under the stars’. However, without the atmosphere and conviviality of fellow passengers, and once again, delivered draped in aluminium foil, the quality of the meal is quite ordinary.

My travel companion enjoyed the off-train experience but upon her return, I was taken aback to learn the food was delivered from the train to the diners via a ramp!!!! There may have been a reason the use of this ramp was not an option for me, but an explanation was not offered. As a result, I felt extremely disappointed I had been, perhaps unnecessarily, excluded from participating in this experience.

With everyone once again on-board, we leave Rawlinna. Tonight will be our final night onboard the Indian Pacific. My journey across the Australian continent is almost over. Tomorrow afternoon, we are due to arrive in Perth.