Since the introduction of railways in Australia over 150 years ago, train travel has played an important role in Australian cultural life.

Great Railway Journeys of Australia explores the development of Australia's rail network and some of the most famous railway journeys.

Developed by The Workshops Rail Museum, the exhibition draws on the Museum's collection of objects, photographs and posters. The exhibition also includes loans from a number of other institutions (including RailCorp) and private lenders.

Great Railway Journeys of Australia is presented in two parts - 'Connecting the Cities and States' and 'Great Passenger Journeys of Australia':

Connecting the Cities and States
The first section takes visitors on a journey through the construction of Australia's railways. This includes components on Visions and Dreams, Constructions, the Gauge Muddle and Ceremonies.

Great Rail Passenger Journeys of Australia
The second section explores the grand travel experiences and the great rail passenger journeys of Australia and will includes components such as On-board Services, Working On-board and Key Journeys - the Queenslander trains, the Old and New Ghan, the Trans Australia Railway and the Indian Pacific, to name a few.

Resources for students and teachers
Great Railway Journeys of Australia is complemented with an Education Kit, specially designed to provide activities for a younger audience. This kit includes activities to do while visiting the exhibition and back in the classroom.

The exhibition is supported by Visions of Australia, an Australian Government Program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of cultural material across Australia.