It has to be said that given there are a number of great rail journeys to be had in Australian (Indian Pacific from coast to coast, The Overland from Melbourne to Adelaide and The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin) Australia's trains, though comfortable, do not offer luxury with a capital "L". The scenery out of The Ghan window - red desert for mile upon mile - is truly awe-inspiring but the cabins even in Platinum Class, (and you don't want to travel anything else) are not. They are spacious but not opulent. Sometimes the train runs special carriages, usually for private or corporate hire and life aboard The Chamberlain, Sir John Forrest or, best of all, the Prince of Wales carriage, is a different story.