Adelaide Transportation Tips by pchamlis

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: This is just a little note to explain that there are TWO railway stations in Adelaide. One is downtown, and serves all of the regional railways, along with being a conduit for bus traffic connections.

But, if you're taking one of the large interstate trains (The Ghan, The Indian Pacific or The Overland), you'll need to head out to Keswick Station. It's located approximately 2 km west of the city center. (a cheap taxi ride. :)

Keswick itself is clean, comfortable and has a few little eateries and shops on site. Nothing huge, mind you.... but you'll have your opportunity to get a meat pie or a burger and drink, and you can buy yourself a "Ghan" t-shirt or cap.

So, when you get into a cab, tell the driver which train you're on or where you're headed before you just say "TRAIN STATION". : )

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Phone: Great Southern Rail, 13 21 47

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: All three of Australia's great interstate trains (The Ghan, The Overland and The Indian-Pacific) service Adelaide. The Ghan crosses Oz, on a north-south axis, running from Adelaide (on the Great Southern Ocean) to Darwin (on the Indian Ocean).

The Ghan's most appropriate motto is "The legendary journey through the heart of Australia".

The Ghan runs from Adelaide to Alice Springs twice a week, and one of those times, it goes on north to Darwin. So from Alice Springs, you have two opportunities per week to travel to/from Adelaide, and one to travel to/from Darwin.

If you have the time and the knack for an adventure, I seriously suggest that you take the Ghan either into or out of Adelaide.

If you're traveling in first class (Gold Kangaroo) and you make advance booking, you can bring your automobile along on the train's motorail for a reasonable cost...something like A$100.

For all you train lovers, here are a few Ghan facts, courtesy of "Platform Magazine", published by the Great Southern Railway Company of Australia...

Adelaide to Alice, one night, 1559 km
Alice to Darwin, one night, 1420 km

Average length of train, 403 meters, 15 passenger cars + locomotive + motorail

Average speed of the Ghan 85 km/hr
Max speed of the Ghan 115 km/hr

Weight of the train is 735 tons. (It gets heavier after dinner. : )

The basic routing of the train, starting with Adelaide and continuing to Darwin is as follows:

Adelaide - Coonamia - Port Germein - Port Augusta - Tent Hill - Pimba - Kingoonya - Coondambo - Tarcoola - Manguri (near Coober Pedy) - Kulgera - The Iron Man - Finke River - ALICE SPRINGS - Tennant Creek - Katherine - Pine Creek - Adelaide River (a long way FROM Adelaide, mind you...) - Darwin

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Phone: 13 21 47 or 08 8213 4329
Website: www.trainways.com.au

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: All three of Australia's great interstate trains (The Ghan, The Overland and The Indian-Pacific) service Adelaide. The Indian-Pacific crosses Oz, on an east-west axis, running from Perth (on the Indian Ocean) to Sydney (on the Pacific Ocean). Adelaide's "slightly mid-point" status on the run is basically the "end" of civilization (until you reach Perth) heading west, and the first signs of city folk when you're headed back east. I'm sure, however that the citizens of Port Augusta and Cook would take issue with that notion.

The Indian-Pacific's motto is "The adventure that spans Australia". We didn't ride on the Indian-Pacific during this visit. However, having ridden on the sister line, the Ghan, we feel completely competent in recommending the Indian-Pacific to those travelling anywhere across Australia on the Sydney-Adelaide-Perth line.

The Indian-Pacific makes the Sydney-Perth journey twice weekly in both directions. If you have the time and the knack for an adventure, I seriously suggest that you take the Indian-Pacific on at least part of your transcontinental journey. I'd think that the Adelaide-Perth run across the desert of Western Australia would be awe-inspiring.

If you're traveling in first class (Gold Kangaroo) and you make advance booking, you can bring your automobile along on the train's motorail for a reasonable cost...something like A$100.

For all you train lovers, here are a few Indian-Pacific facts, courtesy of "Platform Magazine", published by the Great Southern Railway Company of Australia...

Sydney to Perth, 4352 km (one way), the trip takes 65 hours.

Average length of train, 403 meters, 15 passenger cars + locomotive + motorail

Average speed of the Ghan 85 km/hr/max speed 115 km/hr

Weight of the train is 735 tons.

The emblem of the train is the wedge-tailed eagle. Its massive two meter wingspan symbolizes the epic journey of the Indian-Pacific.

The basic routing of the train, is as follows:

Sydney - Broken Hill - Adelaide - Port Augusta - Cook - Kalgoorlie - Perth

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Phone: 13 21 47 or (08) 8213 4329
Website: www.trainways.com.au

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: All three of Australia's great interstate trains (The Ghan, The Overland and The Indian-Pacific) service Adelaide. The Overland provides first-rate rail service between Melbourne and Adelaide. The century-old term "Overland" comes from the affectionate term "overlander", which means an adventurer who has travelled all around Oz.

We didn't actually ride on the Overland during this visit. However, having ridden on the sister line, the Ghan, we feel completely competent in recommending the Overland to those travelling between Melbourne and Adelaide who'd prefer a gentle and relaxed journey to the hubbub of catching a plane or driving. : ) The Overland makes the Melbourne-Adelaide journey four times a week in both directions.

For all you train lovers, here are a few Overland facts, courtesy of "Platform Magazine", published by the Great Southern Railway Company of Australia...

Melbourne to Adelaide, 828 km (one way), the trip takes 10.5 hours.

Average length of train, 361 meters, 13 passenger cars + locomotive + motorail. (Speaking of motorail, if you're traveling in first class (Gold Kangaroo) and you make advance booking, you can bring your automobile along on the train's motorail for a reasonable cost.

Average speed of the Overland 85 km/hr/max speed 115 km/hr

Weight of the train is 640 tons.

The emblem of the train is the kookaburra, which is meant to reflect the symbol of the new day.

The basic routing of the train, is as follows:

Melbourne-Geelong (North Shore)-Ararat-Horsham-Dimboola-Bordertown-Murray Bridge-Adelaide

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Phone: 13 21 47 or (08) 8213 4329
Website: www.trainways.com.au

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Here's your transportation deal in Adelaide, people... F R E E

The Adelaide Free Bus/Shuttle provides reliable and timely transportation throughout the Central Business District starting in the morning and continuing into the early evening. Generally, the buses seem to run about every 15 minutes or so, and they run in each direction. So, ask someone to point out the closest free bus shuttle and check out the route map. The bus, combined with Adelaide's general ease of pedestrian navigation, will make it a snap to get anywhere you'd like in this beautiful South Australian city.

FYI, many if not all of the public buses in Adelaide are handicap-accessible.

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Phone: 08 8210 1000