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Is a High-Speed Train From Adelaide to Cairns Realistic?

January 31, 2025Tourism1713
Understanding the Feasibility of a High-Speed Train from Adelaide to C

Understanding the Feasibility of a High-Speed Train from Adelaide to Cairns

In recent years, discussions about a high-speed rail link across Australia have gained traction. Namely, proponents often suggest a route from Adelaide to Cairns, passing through major cities like Melbourne, Canberra, and up the Pacific coastline. However, this idea faces several challenges that cast doubt on its feasibility.

Challenges and Obstacles

The primary hurdle lies in the diverse railway gauge sizes across the country. At the current date of October 30, 2024, there would be at least one gauge size difference, which complicates the vision of seamless and high-speed travel without frequent switching and delays.

Additionally, the nationalization of railways under the Australian Constitution only grants federal control, a power that has never been exercised. Even if such control were in place, the necessity to build a new line from Victoria to Canberra adds significant complexity and cost to the project. Cost-effectiveness is another major concern—upgrading and maintaining the entire East Coast rail corridor, let alone extending into South Australia, is not financially viable considering the low passenger demand and limited tourist traffic.

The Logical Flaws of the Idea

The premise that a state like Queensland, where Cairns is located, represents the majority of Australia's population is fundamentally flawed. Cairns has a population of around 150,000, which is equivalent to only a fraction of many cities. For context, the population of Canberra, a city often cited in such discussions, is less than one million. The infrastructure for such a high-speed train is simply not justifiable for such a small and dispersed population.

Moreover, significant infrastructure already exists in major metropolitan areas like Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne. These cities already have well-developed and efficient air travel networks that connect them to major urban centers. Investing billions in a high-speed rail system that would be slower and more expensive would likely not be a wise use of resources, given the current economic realities and existing alternatives.

Previous Attempts and Current Stance

The idea of a high-speed rail between Melbourne and Sydney, which are the most densely populated areas in Australia, has been proposed and re-proposed for decades. Despite numerous reports and studies, the project has consistently failed to gain momentum due to high costs and logistical challenges. State governments have struggled to reach agreements on issues like track routing, further delaying any potential implementation.

Given the current transportation and technological landscape, it is clear that alternative modes of transport, such as air travel, offer a more practical and cost-effective solution for long-distance travel within Australia. The infrastructure, cost, and maintenance aspects of a high-speed rail project simply do not align with the current demands and needs of the population, especially considering the already well-established air travel systems in key cities.

Conclusion

The idea of a high-speed train from Adelaide to Cairns is, at best, unrealistic and, at worst, a costly misallocation of resources. The existing transportation systems in Australia, particularly air travel, provide efficient and affordable solutions for long-distance travel. Future discussions on infrastructure development should focus on enhancing existing systems and fostering more sustainable and cost-effective solutions to meet the needs of the Australian population.