Travelling on a sleeper train is an exercise in space management

Australia by train: it’s a romantic step back in time on board a rattling silver snake that winds its way across the continent. It’s also an exercise in space management, with cabins on the Indian Pacific, The Ghan and the Great Southern demanding clever use of room storage in a cabin footprint that’s remained the same since 2008. Here’s the inside scoop on making the most of your space from the crew who do it every day.

There’s even a place for your hat.Credit: Illustration: Greg Straight

Pack light

Start small and stay small. Indian Pacific journey manager Brittney Howe says this is the secret to a manageable and enjoyable cabin experience. There’s only really floor space for a soft duffel bag or a very small wheelie bag, so be conscious with your clothing and pack things that you can wear multiple ways.

“You’ll be far more comfortable with a duffel bag – something soft that can pack away,” says Howe. “Then you’re not navigating and moving [bags] around the ladder and moving them every time you need to open the bathroom or cabin door.”

Unpack with intention

The snug cabins are designed with nooks for your bits and bobs. In the Gold Twin cabin, which features two bunks and a private ensuite, that includes a slimline hanging space, a fold-out table, a book nook above your bed and even a designated hat rack for your Akubra. Space is limited in the private bathroom, so Howe makes more from the get-go.

Gold twin cabin on the Ghan made up for the day.

“For me, it’s hanging my towels straight away and that opens up all of that cupboard space [for toiletries],” she says.

Other hot tips? Put your shoes in the cavity beneath the bottom bunk to keep the floor space free. Keep your toothbrush and toothpaste in the wall-mounted cup-holder above the sink. Use the space above the bathroom (where extra blankets and pillows live) for bulky or lesser-used items, like the puffer coat you won’t need during warm Nullarbor afternoons.

“Try to unpack your belongings and then put your bags away,” says Howe. “You’ve got little cubbies, the fold-down-and-up table: some people put that down but I personally keep it up and store bags underneath to try to keep things in one corner.”

Customise your space

When the cabin is in a seating configuration, move armrests, lower and lift the table, adjust blinds for the best light exposure for pictures and pick your favourite radio station (jazz is on channel 4, FYI). At night, opt for one, two or four pillows on your slimline bunk and set mood lighting. In the single chair-to-bed cabin, set the bed up during the day so you can stretch out for better viewing (and fewer chances of a neck crick).

“You can ask the staff to put your bed down at any time. We’re happy to do that as many times as you need,” Howe says.

Keeping your cabin door open means you’ll be able to see out both sides of the train, capitalising on dramatic views for the duration of the 4352-kilometre Indian Pacific cross-country odyssey. When you’ve had enough of your own space, head down to the lounge car to swap tips, tricks and cocktail orders with your fellow passengers – or just revel in the great wide expanse outside the window.

The new Indian Pacific five-day journey travels from Perth to Sydney, and vice versa, with cabins from $4300.

The writer travelled as a guest of the Indian Pacific and Journey Beyond. See journeybeyondrail.com.au