Transport in Australia is a highly significant part of the infrastructure of the Australian economy, since the distances are large and the country has a relatively low population density.

Railways

The railway network is large comprising a total of 33,819 km (2,540 km electrified) of track broken down into:

• Broad gauge: (1600mm) 3,719 km
• Standard gauge: (1435mm) 15,422 km
• Narrow gauge: (1067mm) 14,506 km
• Dual gauge: 172 km (1999)

National rail services

The Great Southern Railway, owned by Serco Asia Pacific, operates three trains: the Indian Pacific (Sydney-Adelaide-Perth), The Ghan (Adelaide-Alice Springs-Darwin), and The Overland (Melbourne-Adelaide) [1] (http://www.gsr.com.au/trains.htm). Since the extension of the Ghan from Alice Springs to Darwin was completed in 2004, all mainland Australian capital cities are linked by standard gauge rail, for the first time.

State and city rail services

• V/Line operates regional trains and buses in Victoria (See List of regional railway stations in Victoria)
• Connex Melbourne operates the Melbourne suburban railway network
• Yarra Trams operates the Melbourne tram network

• RailCorp is the government body responsible for all passenger rail services in New South Wales. It oversees two independent services:
  • CityRail operates the Sydney suburban railway network
  • CountryLink operates passenger trains in the remainder of New South Wales
  • See also Skitube Alpine Railway, a private railway in New South Wales

• Queensland Rail (QR) operates the Citytrain network, Brisbane's suburban railway network

• Transperth is the operating name for the Perth public transport system, including its suburban railway network, which is operated by TransWA (formerly known as "Westrail")

• TransAdelaide operates the Adelaide suburban railway network

All rail freight operators in New South Wales have been privately owned since 2002. The Rail Infrastructure Corporation is responsible for the development and maintenance of tracks, overhead wiring, etc.

Highways

Main article: List of Australian highways

The road network is again extensive comprising a total of 913,000 km broken down into:

• Paved: 353,331 km (including 13,630 km of expressways)
• Unpaved: 559,669 km (1996 estimate)

Waterways

8,368 km, mainly for small, shallow-draft craft

Pipelines

The are several pipline systems including:

• Crude oil: 2,500 km
• Petroleum products: 500 km
• Natural gas: 5,600 km

Ports and harbours

Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Devonport, Fremantle, Geelong, Gladstone, Hobart, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney, Townsville, Wollongong

See also: List of Australian ports.

Merchant marine vessels

The number of merchant marine vessels totals 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,657,194 GRT/2,206,574 DWT. With bulk ships (28), cargo (4), chemical tankers (4), container (1), liquified gas (4), passenger (2), petroleum tankers (8), roll-on/roll-off (6) (these are 1999 estimates)

Airports

Main article: List of Australian airports.

A 1999 estimate put the number of airports at 408.

Airports with paved runways

Total: 265

• Over 3,047 m: 11
• 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
• 1,524 to 2,437 m: 115
• 914 to 1,523 m: 120
• Under 914 m: 8 (1999 estimate)

Airports with unpaved runways

Total:143

• 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18
• 914 to 1,523 m: 113
• Under 914 m: 12 (1999 estimate)

See also

• Public Transport Users Association - public transport lobby group for Victoria

Sources

• Some information in this article has been taken from the CIA World Factbook, 2000 edition.

External links

• Railway maps (http://www.railpage.org.au/railmaps/)