Five great scenic train journeys

Canada's Rocky Mountaineer rail routes offer sights of glacier-fed lakes, majestic mountains and powerful rivers. Photo / Supplied

Searching for the trip of a lifetime? Book a seat aboard one of these magnificent trains ...

Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

Choose from five rail routes if you're taking this train through Canada. The flagship journey carries passengers between Vancouver and Calgary via the resort towns of Lake Louise and Banff. You'll see glacier-fed lakes, majestic mountains and powerful rivers. The journey takes two days and the train stops for the night in the delightfully named small town of Kamloops.

TranzAlpine, New Zealand

You can't really beat our own beautiful South Island in terms of breathtaking scenery, and the TranzAlpine is a great way to see lots of it in a short time without having to worry about driving on mountainous roads. Travelling between Christchurch in the east and Greymouth on the West Coast, the trip goes over the Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass.

The Royal Scotsman, Scotland

Scotland's Highlands are home to historic castles, picturesque mountains and lochs, and pretty villages and gardens, not to mention famous distilleries. The Royal Scotsman offers several routes, and tailor-made tours including golf and whisky journeys.

Maharajas' Express, India

This is, without a doubt, one of the best ways to explore India's northwest - the Maharajas' Express, one of the world's most luxurious trains, offers five routes, the longest of which take eight days. The Indian Panorama journey leaves from Delhi and visits Jaipur, Ranthambhore, Agra (where you can visit the Taj Mahal), Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho, Varanasi and Lucknow before returning to Delhi. Think fortresses, palaces, jungle, wildlife, and plenty of opportunities to view the Ganges.

The Ghan, Australia

Travelling between Darwin in the Northern Territory and Adelaide in South Australia, the Ghan train has just updated its route from three days, two nights, to four days and three nights. You'll alight in Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy as you make your way through the heart of Australia, but you won't just see miles and miles of red dust: there's plenty of varied scenery and lots of wildlife.