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Michela Fantinel

Michela is a passionate traveller and outdoor enthusiast, who has been travelling solo for +30 years between Australia, Italy, Europe and more countries. She is keen to share her knowledge and best tips to help solo travellers travel more and plan their adventures in a simpler and smarter way. Michela is the founder and editor in chief of Rocky Travel.

16 Comments

  1. Escape
    November 30, 2014 @ 1:41 pm

    I would love to explore Australia thoroughly. By a combination of train, road vehicle and perhaps even bicycle!
    Would certainly take a few epic train rides across.

    Reply

    • rockytravel
      November 30, 2014 @ 3:57 pm

      Combining ways of transport is a great idea and the best way to explore Australia! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Iain at 100trains
    November 30, 2014 @ 4:43 pm

    Wonderful article Michela. I’m SO jealous….

    Reply

    • rockytravel
      November 30, 2014 @ 5:55 pm

      Glad you liked the article, Ian. I hope you can experience the Indian Pacific Train soon!:-)

      Reply

  3. Richard Coathup
    December 1, 2014 @ 5:17 am

    I agree with Rocky Travel assessment of the Indian Pacific. I too recently traveled on the Indian Pacific as a solo traveler departing Sydney New South Wales to Perth Western Australia, east coast to west coast and return. It is one of a couple of great rail journeys that you can experience throughout Australia. The Indian Pacific caters for the solo traveler in so many ways. You have you own cabin with fold out bed and wash basin. The only drawback is no en suite facility in the solo rooms. The lounge car is a hive of activity with so many travelers enjoying the hospitality of the free drinks and sharing stories of their travels. You are never really alone with so many new friends happy to chat and just sit back and enjoy the view as you traverse from one side of the county to the other. During meal times you are never short of a dinner party with your new found friends or pot luck who might be your dinner guest. But all fellow passengers have story’s to tell. Again 5 star dinning with a touch of class and well appointed menu to cater even to the fussiest eater. Menu is of local produce of Australia, salmon, lamb, beef and even kangaroo. There is no rush to eat as you may be lucky to take a wonderful sunset as you gaze out the window. It is so relaxing to just sit back and watch the Australian landscape change into the red dirt of the Nullabor. I have driven across the Nullabor on a few occasions and as a driver you need to be focused as you just sit there behind the wheel and sort of get white line fever. The Indian Pacific provides a different way to traverse Australia. The romance of train travel is very much alive. As a frequent train traveler around Australia it is number two on my list with the Sunlander travelling Brisbane to Cairns travelling Queenslander class only just wins out for superior appointments. Due to One restaurant car, one lounge car and accommodation car and a little more attention to detail.
    My next solo travel experience will have to be on The Ghan, I look forward to my next train adventure through the heart of Australia finishing in the top end Darwin.

    Reply

    • rockytravel
      December 1, 2014 @ 8:48 am

      Thanks for your spot-on report. I think you have captured the essence of what an experience on the Indian Pacific train is like! 🙂 You will love the GHAN, Richard and hope you can do that soon! I travelled 3 times and with no hesitation I would experience it again. With the new extended itinerary of 3 nights and 3 days, the GHAN is an epic train trip across Australia!

      Reply

  4. Red Nomad OZ
    December 3, 2014 @ 11:18 am

    I’ve been on the Indian Pacific only once. I was only four years old, and it was Christmas Day!! Even though I was so young, I still remember it – my sister and I LOVED the buffet car! There’s something so soothing about clicketty-clacking across the country, and I hope to travel that way again (hint, hint Great Southern Rail if you’re reading this :))

    Reply

    • rockytravel
      December 3, 2014 @ 2:41 pm

      I Love the soothing effect of the clickety-clack too! Hope you can travel soon again on the Indian Pacific Train! 🙂

      Reply

  5. Erika Dunn
    December 4, 2014 @ 3:31 am

    Wow, so inspiring! I never thought of Australia as a place to see by train, but your experience is giving me the urge to do so. Such a great way to meet people and see the local culture. 🙂

    Reply

    • rockytravel
      December 4, 2014 @ 3:44 pm

      Hi Erika, I am glad you liked the article and find it inspiring! 🙂 I hope you can experience the Indian Pacific Train soon and add it to your travel memories! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

  6. David
    December 30, 2014 @ 6:25 am

    Very well written article on Australia.I never thought that we can explore this place by by train.Love to get experience this.

    Reply

    • rockytravel
      December 30, 2014 @ 2:25 pm

      Thanks for your compliment! I can highly recommend a train journey in Australia! Either the Ghan or the Indian Pacific, or both, you will love it! 🙂

      Reply

  7. Duke Stewart
    November 1, 2015 @ 4:18 pm

    I’ve seen posts about driving around Australia via camper and all these other ways of getting around that massive island but wow, this is the first I’ve seen about train travel! This is my favorite way to get around and after taking a night train up the coast of Vietnam just a week or so ago, I think your route along the Indian Pacific sounds right up my alley. I loved the way you described that one “lives” on the train instead of occupying a seat for the trip. This was a wonderful way of presenting something I’d yet to read about. Thanks for sharing, Michela and take care.

    Reply

    • rockytravel
      November 2, 2015 @ 11:00 am

      Hey Duke, I’m glad you enjoyed the post and hope it has inspired you to travel by train in Australia too! Happy travels! 🙂

      Reply

  8. Stephanie Jane
    December 3, 2015 @ 10:52 am

    What a fabulous journey. I had never considered Australia for great train voyages, so must definitely rethink that!

    Stephanie Jane

    Reply

  9. rockytravel
    December 6, 2015 @ 6:22 pm

    Hi Stephanie, glad you enjoyed this post about train travel in Australia. I personally prefer train travel or a a road trip rather than flying within Australia. A train journey takes 3 days to travel across the country, if you have time, then it’s absolutely worth it! 🙂

    Reply

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