We went to book a passage on the Indian Pacific from Adelaide to Broken Hill for four people. We were attended to almost immediately by one of the friendly staff who went through all the details in a thoroughly professional manner. We were told the cost including any incidentals, details of the train and the trip and even booked us into a motel at our destination all in one meeting. Her manner and courteousness made us thoroughly relaxed and at ease as she went about our business. Now with all the bookings and arrangements done and paid for all we need to do it turn up at the terminal next week, board the train and look forward to a great trip, all thanks to the staff at Great Southern Rail head office.

EDIT 21/6/2012: After booking our trip on the Indian Pacific (see above) we headed to the Adelaide Park-lands Terminal booked in our luggage and awaited the call to board. After boarding, there was a short wait before the train began to move. There was an air of excitement within us as we have not travelled on a long train trip before other than the local trips in Perth and Brisbane, the Adelaide local trains do not even come close. As the giant train eased past Wingfield and Dry Creek it picked up a bit of speed as it headed out past Parafield and Salisbury and snaked its way toward Elizabeth. As it picked up more speed we could see the lush green fields and paddocks of yellow canola flowers which looked like a giant tapestry as we headed further north past the Snowtown wind farms, Crystal Brook, Gladstone and past the old gaol arriving at Peterborough for a short stop to make a pick up. We were advised to get up and stretch our legs and we were permitted to traverse limited areas of the train so we ambled to Matilda's Cafe where they had snacks and light meals available plus hot and cold beverages which could be consumed at any available table. If there was no room the refreshments could be taken back to our seats and consumed there. The scenery outside was now decidedly drier with with bushy shrubs and trees and the tell tale signs of some recent rain with muddy pools and puddles dotting the tracks and fields. As we got closer to Broken Hill the scenery had turned very dry and barren looking with hardly a speck of greenery. We arrived in Broken Hill about 90 minutes late due to several stoppages caused by track work and rail maintenance. For the return journey the train was also late but as the station master told us that his trains are never late and that once they were rescheduled they were on time. More track works between Sydney and Broken Hill were once again the reason for the late arrival. The return journey was much the same arriving back in Adelaide, once again about 90 minutes late. All in all this was a fantastic experience and if you are a pensioner why would you not take advantage of your Centrelink concession to make this trip. It cost only $12 each person each way for the fuel tax and the only other expense was the accommodation at the end, plus any meals. If it wasn't for the concession we probably would never have made this trip. A thoroughly worthwhile, exciting and probably a once in a life time experience.