Commencement of Operations

Freight Services

The AustralAsia Railway Project was predicated on the provision of a competitive freight service that will deliver benefits to all Australians and ensure the ongoing viability of the line. The commencement of FreightLink's commercial services coincided with the official launch of the first FreightLink freight train to run from Adelaide on 15 January 2004, arriving in Darwin on 17 January. (First Train)

FreightLink Pty Ltd is the operating company of Asia Pacific Transport (APT) and the company that will operate the railway. FreightLink plans to be the preferred provider of cost effective and reliable rail transport services between Darwin and the rest of Australia. FreightLink will operate between Adelaide and Darwin, including the newly constructed 1,420 km line from Alice Springs, and manage the operation of cargo terminals at Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Darwin.

The first major business for the new line is expected to be existing Darwin-bound freight, which currently goes to Alice Springs by rail and then on to Darwin by road. The timetables and train schedules have been designed to suit the requirements of the various market sectors and connect with regular interstate schedules providing competitive transit times with road transport. The timetables and price structures have been provided to the major customers and are aimed at being competitive with road transport.

All inquiries regarding freight services should be directed to:
FreightLink Pty Ltd, PO Box 944, NORTH MELBOURNE VIC 3051
Telephone: 03 9326 6570 Facsimile: 03 9326 5573
Website: www.freightlink.com.au (OR)
FreightLink Pty Ltd, GPO Box 2750 ADELAIDE , SA 5001
Telephone: 08 8245 9100 Facsimile: 08 8396 7244

Passenger Services

Great Southern Railway (GSR), the operator of 'The Ghan' have made arrangements with FreightLink to access the AustralAsia Railway to extend their service to Darwin with the inaugural passenger service departing Adelaide on 1 February 2004, arriving in Darwin on 3 February. All inquiries regarding passenger services should be directed to GSR.

Completion

The AustralAsia Railway was constructed by ADrail, under a design and construct contract for Asia Pacific Transport (APT) and was practically completed on 31st October 2003.

Although the construction of the line was completed ahead of the contracted completion date of April 2004, commissioning processes and procedures needed to be carried out to ensure the line was ready for commercial operations to commence in January 2004. The commencement of operations was a milestone in the political, economic and social history of Australia. (see First Train)

Location of Passenger Terminals (see maps for NT Terminals)

The Darwin Passenger Terminal is adjacent to the Darwin Business Park, in the East Arm Development Area off Berrimah Road. The Berrimah terminal will be an interim facility that will support the initial start-up phase of a rail passenger service.

The NT Government will continue to review opportunities for a more permanent facility for the Darwin region as part of their transport policy development after extensive consultation with key stakeholders. Facilities were constructed in Tennant Creek and Katherine in the vicinity of the former sleeper factories. Whilst the prime business of the railway is transporting freight, the addition of a passenger service is welcome, however the appropriate level of facility to be provided is dependent on the frequency of service.

View images of terminal locations (pdf files) Darwin, Katherine, and Tennant Creek on our website.

Contact Details