There’s something deeply special about waking up early for a train trip — especially one that only happens once in a while. This morning, I found myself at the rather unremarkable Midland Station in Perth’s eastern suburbs, ready to board the rare and fascinating TransWA AvonLink, a regional train service connecting Midland with the charming country town of Northam in the heart of Western Australia’s Avon Valley.
This wasn’t just any AvonLink journey. Today’s train was a once-off special Sunday daytime service running exclusively for the Northam Cup — the marquee horse racing event on Northam’s annual calendar. Usually, the AvonLink operates just once daily, Monday through Friday, catering to commuters. But today, it had a very different energy: a festive, dressed-up crowd heading east for a day at the races.
I’d been wanting to ride this service for years, and finally, the stars — and timetables — had aligned.
Getting to Midland: A Journey Before the Journey
Getting to Midland today wasn’t exactly straightforward. Due to ongoing Metronet construction and the Midland Line shutdown between Bayswater and Midland, I had to navigate a bit of a public transport obstacle course: catching the Ellenbrook Line, a train replacement bus, another train on the Mandurah Line, and finally a local bus.
Two trains and two buses later — an hour and forty minutes of commuting, ironically longer than the 1 hour 20 minute AvonLink journey itself — I finally arrived at Midland.
Midland Station has seen better days. Built in 1968, it’s long overdue for replacement, though thankfully a brand-new facility is being built nearby as part of Perth’s massive Metronet project, set to open in 2026. For now, however, the existing Midland station feels like a construction maze — with fences, diversions, and the unmistakable hum of heavy machinery shaping its future.
Despite its current state, Midland remains a key node in Western Australia’s regional transport network. Beyond serving as the terminus of the urban Transperth Midland Line, it’s also the boarding point for several TransWAservices — including the MerredinLink, the Prospector to Kalgoorlie, and of course, today’s AvonLink to Northam.
A Quiet Station, a Special Train
When I arrived, the atmosphere was unusually quiet — eerily so. Because of the line shutdown, the only passengers around were those bound for the AvonLink. No bustling commuters, no whirring trains coming and going, just a few groups in fascinators and suits ready for race day.
The TransWA staff were friendly and efficient, checking tickets and chatting with passengers about the unusual Sunday operation. A temporary TransWA platform had been set up, giving today’s departure a pop-up, almost exclusive feel.
Standing on the platform, I got my first proper look at today’s train — and it was an absolute beauty.
Meet the AvonLink: Western Australia’s Commuter Gem
The AvonLink operates with WEA/WEB diesel multiple unit railcars built by UGL in the mid-2000s. They’re part of the same family of rolling stock as the TransWA MerredinLink and the Prospector, though configured differently depending on route and distance.
For such a small, regional service, these trains are seriously impressive. They can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h, though on this winding route through the Avon Valley, operational speeds rarely exceed 160 km/h.
Today’s train consisted of just two cars — a compact, modern, and comfortable setup perfect for this short journey. Boarding was smooth and efficient. My ticket placed me in Car 2, and I was greeted with the kind of surprisingly high-quality seating that TransWA’s regional services are known for.
Onboard Experience: Comfort Beyond Expectation
For a journey of just over an hour, the AvonLink’s comfort level is truly impressive. Each car features 2-2 seating, with 60 seats in Car 2 and 56 in Car 1, and the seats themselves wouldn’t look out of place in an airline’s premium economy cabin — or even a short-haul business class setup.
The seat pitch is generous, easily comparable to 40 inches, offering plenty of legroom and recline. The recline mechanism is smooth and generous — far better than what you’d expect on such a brief route.
One surprise was the dual tray table setup. Each seat has a fold-out tray from the seatback in front and an additional pull-out side tray — a thoughtful touch rarely seen outside of intercity or long-distance trains.
There are regular power outlets available on the left-hand side, allowing you to charge devices easily, and the train includes toilet facilities in both cars, with Car A being fully accessible. Add in onboard water fountains, and you’ve got a well-equipped setup for regional travel.
Settling into my seat, I couldn’t help but feel impressed by how refined this small operation is. The AvonLink may not have the onboard entertainment or buffet car of the Prospector, but what it does offer — comfort, space, and serenity — it does exceptionally well.
Departing Midland: Through Perth’s Eastern Hills
As we gently rolled out of Midland, the city began to fade into a patchwork of suburban rooftops, light industry, and the bushland that marks the gateway to the Perth Hills. The rhythmic hum of the diesel engines was almost soothing.
The landscape quickly transformed into rolling hills, winding rivers, and golden farmland — a quintessentially Western Australian backdrop. The line snakes eastward, tracing parts of the route shared by the Prospector and MerredinLink services, before diverging toward the Avon Valley.
It’s a route full of charm, with wide skies, distant ranges, and open farmland dotted with gum trees. This is where the AvonLink truly shines — a simple, unhurried ride through some of WA’s most peaceful countryside.
A Brief Stop at Toodyay
About an hour into the trip, we made our one and only intermediate stop at Toodyay — another beautiful country town known for its historic architecture and local artisan scene. A handful of passengers disembarked, while a few locals joined the train, dressed sharply for the Northam Cup festivities.
After a short pause, we were rolling again, the train’s quiet hum blending with the landscape as the Avon River came into view, sparkling beneath the morning sun.
This stretch between Toodyay and Northam might just be one of Western Australia’s most underrated rail journeys— short, yes, but stunningly scenic.
Arrival in Northam: The Heart of the Avon Valley
Just over 80 minutes after departure, we glided smoothly into Northam Station, right on schedule. The platform buzzed with excitement as passengers spilled out, most of them bound for shuttle buses heading directly to the racecourse.
Within minutes, I found myself one of the few still lingering on the platform — the crowd had dispersed almost instantly. The town of Northam, though small, radiated country charm, framed by wide streets, heritage buildings, and that fresh inland air that instantly feels different from the coast.
While many passengers headed straight for the races, I opted instead to explore Northam itself. With nearly six hours until the return journey at 6 p.m., I had ample time to wander. The station sits conveniently close to the town centre — just a short walk away — making it easy for travellers to explore without a car.
Exploring Northam: Beyond the Rails
Northam is one of those towns that reveals its character slowly. It’s the largest inland town in Western Australia, and the Avon River that flows through it gives the town a relaxed, picturesque quality.
From the suspension bridges that span the river to the well-preserved Federation-era architecture, there’s a quiet beauty here. Cafés, galleries, and bakeries line the main street, and on a sunny October day, it’s easy to see why this is a favourite day-trip destination for Perth locals — if only the train times allowed it more often.
As I wandered the quiet streets, I couldn’t help but think how much potential the AvonLink has as a leisure route, not just a commuter service. A few weekend daytime trips like today’s could easily turn this into one of Western Australia’s best short scenic rail journeys.
Pricing and Value: Better Than You’d Expect
One of the most pleasant surprises of the AvonLink is its affordability — particularly when you factor in TransWA’s occasional discount codes and the inclusion of free Transperth network travel on the day of your trip.
The standard fare from Midland to Northam sits at around $22.31 each way, which isn’t cheap compared to some east coast services like V/Line in Victoria, but it’s perfectly fair given the distance, comfort, and rarity of regional train travel in WA.
Thanks to a 25% promo discount, my ticket came down to around $17 each way, or about $34 return, which felt like excellent value considering the comfort and quality of the experience.
Final Thoughts: A Hidden Western Australian Gem
The TransWA AvonLink might just be one of the most underrated train journeys in Australia. It’s short, yes, and somewhat limited by its commuter-oriented schedule, but what it offers is a genuine slice of Western Australian rail travel at its most relaxed and scenic.
From the comfortable seats and smooth ride to the friendly service and charming Avon Valley views, there’s very little to fault. Even without a buffet car or onboard entertainment, it’s a train that succeeds by keeping things simple and well-executed.
For those who love rail travel — or just want a peaceful day trip into the country — the AvonLink is an absolute delight. Hopefully, TransWA will one day expand weekend operations, because services like today’s special race day run show just how enjoyable and popular this line could be if given the chance.
As I waited for my evening return service, the sun dipping behind Northam’s gum trees, I couldn’t help but reflect on how perfectly balanced this trip was — scenic, comfortable, and refreshingly low-key.
For a train that’s often overlooked, the AvonLink proves that sometimes, the smallest journeys leave the biggest impressions.
Disclaimer: This article has been repurposed from the original transcript of my own train review on the Aussie JetSetter Youtube channel with the assistance of AI technologies. Please be advised whilst I have taken the utmost care to review and revise this article where necessary to reflect the upmost of accuracy at time of publication please be advised my reviews whether written or in video form are for entertainment and general information purposes only. They reflect the objective views in good faith of the person only whom is presenting them unless otherwise noted. Any decisions you make resulting from consuming my content must take into consideration your own circumstances, research and responsibility as I can not be hold responsible for any inaccuracies or future changes effecting the relativity of such reviews. All Rights Reserved by Aussie JetSetter from 2022 >
