Backtracker Pass
Explore New South Wales, Australia's first state - from $217.80
The Backtracker Pass gives you unlimited Economy travel on all CountryLink train and coach services for 14 days, one month, three months or six months.
See where NSW takes you
Sydney is the biggest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia - and one of the most vibrant and exciting cities on earth. Its sparkling harbour, dazzling beaches and sunny, Mediterranean climate are matched by an array of splendid museums and galleries, spirited nightlife, relaxed lifestyle and rich architectural heritage.
Quintessentially Australian settlements founded by gold miners, graziers and farmers and now attracting lovers of food and history anchor the Heart of Country, stretching across the sunny western plains from north to south.
Farthest west is the Outback, rich with Aboriginal heritage and the magic of the desert.
The North Coast provides a taste of classic Aussie surf culture, while the South Coast has more than 30 national parks, marine parks and reserves.
You can also use your Backtracker Pass to visit CountryLink destinations in Brisbane, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Canberra.
Pricing
| Purchased | 14 days | 1 month | 3 months | 6 months |
| Outside Australia | $217.80 | $250.80 | $272.80 | $382.80 |
| Within Australia | $232.00 | $275.00 | $298.00 | $420.00 |
Buy your Backtracker Pass from your nearest CountryLink agent before you arrive in Australia and you'll save around 10%.
This product is not available to residents of Australia.
Buy now
Buy your Backtracker Pass with CountryLink online.
Backtracker Passes are available from your nearest CountryLink Travel Centre or agent.
Using your pass
To book travel on a train or coach service using your pass, call CountryLink on 13 22 32 or e-mail bookings@countrylink.nsw.gov.au.
CountryLink services
The CountryLink train and coach network connects more the 365 destinations across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.
Melbourne XPT
Federation Square, Melbourne. Photo: Lincoln Fowler / Tourism Australia
CountryLink's Melbourne XPT is a twice-daily service connecting Australia's two largest cities - and plenty in between.
Explore the picturesque Riverina cities of Wagga Wagga and Albury, gateways to food, history and the arts.
South of the border, take in world-renowned music and art - as well as old-fashioned country hospitality - in the Victorian High Country towns of Wangaratta and Benalla. And experience Melbourne, Australia's shopping, sporting and cultural capital: a maze of hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants and off-the-beaten-track boutiques.
- Find out more about destinations in NSW's Heart of Country and Victoria's High Country
- Find things to see and do in Sydney and Melbourne
- View the Melbourne XPT timetable.
North Coast XPT services
Surfers at Port Macquarie. Photo: Greater Port Macquaire Tourism
CountryLink's three North Coast XPT services run along the coast north from Sydney each day - connecting Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Brisbane.
The NSW North Coast is where the world's largest expanse of subtropical rainforest meets mountains forged from ancient volcanoes. A sparkling coastline of endless beaches offers surfing, whale-watching, frolicking dolphins and flocks of seabirds.
Our North Coast XPTs and connecting coach services will take you from alternative, indulgent Byron Bay to the exciting, sun-drenched Gold Coast - and on to vibrant, free-spirited Brisbane.
- Find out more about destinations on the NSW North Coast and Queensland's Gold Coast
- Find things to see and do in Sydney and Brisbane
- View North Coast train and coach timetables.
Armidale/Moree XPLORER
Ebor Falls. Photo: Hamilton Lund / Tourism NSW
CountryLink's Armidale/Moree XPLORER is a daily service connecting Sydney, the Hunter Valley, New England and the Northern Tablelands.
Explore a world of wineries, waterfalls and wheatfields. Experience Armidale, a centre for culture and learning; Glen Innes, the heart of Australia's Celtic Country; Moree, home to natural artesian hot springs; Tamworth, Australia's country music capital; and Tenterfield, the "birthplace of the nation".
- Find out more about destinations in NSW's Heart of Country
- View Armidale XPLORER and Moree XPLORER timetables.
Broken Hill Outback Explorer
Walls of China, Mungo National Park. Photo: Don Fuchs / Tourism NSW
CountryLink's Broken Hill Outback Explorer is a weekly service connecting Sydney, the Central West and the outback city of Broken Hill.
The vivid reds of the region's landscape, set against a flawless azure sky, have long attracted explorers, artists and filmmakers. Here you'll see paintings and sculptures old and new, spanning 40,000 years of creative endeavour. You'll meet colourful characters and get a taste of frontier life on this harsh continent.
Whether you're looking for serenity or adventure, outback NSW has something for you.
- Find out more about destinations in the NSW Outback
- View the Broken Hill Outback Explorer timetable.
Canberra XPLORER
Parliament House, Canberra. Photo: Lincoln Fowler / Tourism Australia
CountryLink's Canberra XPLORER connects Australia's political and commercial capitals up to three times a day in each direction.
Canberra is the home of the Australian story, where national attractions and hidden gems deliver an array of unexpected delights. See what it means to be Australian through our culture, history, politics, sport, natural wonders and national celebrations.
- Find out more about things to see and do in Canberra
- View the Canberra XPLORER timetable.
Dubbo XPT
CountryLink's Dubbo XPT is a daily service connecting Sydney with the Central West towns of Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo.
Dubbo is famous for its Taronga Western Plains Zoo - a safari adventure in the heart of NSW. Orange is an emerging culinary capital famed for cool-climate wines, fresh produce and creative chefs. Bathurst, centre of the goldrush in the 1850s, today serves as the spiritual home of Australian motorsport.
- Find out more about destinations in NSW's Heart of Country
- View the Dubbo XPT timetable.
Griffith XPLORER
Riverina grape vines. Photo: Trevor Creighton / Tourism NSW
CountryLink's Griffith XPLORER is a weekly service connecting Sydney with the state's Riverina.
The region's five great rivers - the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan, Edward and Darling - make this Australia's food bowl. Surrounded by fragrant orchards and rich in migrant Italian culture, the city of Griffith is a perfect blend of cuisine, culture and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
- Find out more about destinations in NSW's Heart of Country
- View the Griffith XPLORER timetable.
Travel pass conditions
- The passes are issued to and accepted by the person named on the ticket, subject to the railways acts, by-laws, regulations and General Conditions of Carriage in force in each railway system to which the travel applies.
- The passes are valid for use on specified rail and coach services operated by the following railway systems:
- CountryLink (Economy seats)
- Great Southern Rail (Red Service Day/Nighter seats)
- Queensland Rail (Economy Class seats).
- Travel must commence and the pass validated within six months of the date of purchase.
- Travel must be completed within the stipulated length of time (that is either three or six months) from the date of validation endorsed on the pass at the initial departure point.
- The holder may upgrade to travel in First Class, Business Class or Red Premium Service seats and sleeping berths on payment of the applicable upgrade amount.
- A reservation is essential prior to the use of the pass and entitles the passenger to only one allocation on any service. The travel pass is a receipt only and does not guarantee travel. A reservation for each individual sector of travel is necessary to obtain a valid travel ticket.
- The passes must be presented with the passport of the holder at the ticket office of the departure point of the initial journey for validation and endorsing of the total period of availability on the pass document. The passport with ticket is to be produced by the holder for all subsequent journeys at either the ticket office or to onboard staff for verification.
- For full Conditions of Carriage and important travel tips please refer to the information provided on each operator's website:
- Pass product is available at the published rate and no further concessions apply.
- The pass may be subject to a fuel price surcharge per sector booked on The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland.
- Passes are not transferable. One passenger per pass only.
- No refund is payable on passes that have been validated, nor are refunds allowed on lost or stolen passes. Applications for refund on passes not yet validated must be submitted to the issuing office within 12 months of the date of issue. For passes purchased overseas, refunds cannot be obtained in Australia.
- Passes lost, stolen or misplaced will not be available for replacement.
