Culture

Rail riders can now get the entire Blue Mountains experience in style, as the Indian Pacific pulls into Mt Victoria each week.

The optional off-train excursion for passengers travelling from Perth is the result of a new partnership between Fantastic Aussie Tours (FAT), Great Southern Rail which owns the iconic Indian Pacific touring train, Scenic World, Blue Mountains Guides and the Trippas White Group which owns The Lookout Restaurant at Echo Point.

FAT managing director Jason Cronshaw says the Blue Mountains excursion is now an option each Wednesday, with passengers alighting the train at Mt Victoria after breakfast.

A FAT bus then transports the train passengers to Scenic World to experience the range of thrilling rides or a trek through awe-inspiring landscapes along Prince Henry Walk with Blue Mountains Guides.

Following the thrills of the morning, passengers can assemble for lunch at The Lookout Restaurant near The Three Sisters overlooking the Jamison Valley before returning to the Indian Pacific in a FAT bus and continuing their rail journey to Sydney.

``For many years, Indian Pacific passengers caught glimpses of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area as they hurtled through the bush and the villages,’’ says Mr Cronshaw.

The package has taken five years to finalise, with the main challenge reserving a rail pathway in the increasingly busy Blue Mountains rail line timetable.

``This is a fantastic coup for the businesses directly involved in this package including us of course, but it has the potential to bring hundreds of visitors to the region who will hopefully return to stay at least one night in a hotel or B&B, eat out in our cafes and restaurants and visit the attractions and retail outlets throughout the area,’’ says Mr Cronshaw.

Each train has a potential load of 252 passengers. Indian Pacific manager Penelope Milne says there are further plans to expand the daytrip option to an overnight stay by 2019.

In the meantime, the excursions encourage longer return visits among passengers. In fact, one passenger on the inaugural trip on April 4 spent the night in the Blue Mountains before returning home via the public rail network.

Head to greatsouthernrail.com.au/trains/the-indian-pacific/off-train-excursions/blue-mountains to secure your seat on the Indian Pacific. For further information on Fantastic Aussie Tours head to fantastic-aussie-tours.com.au.