P'rea Press

The “Indian Pacific” train traverses the vast loneliness of the Australian interior, referred to by H. P. Lovecraft in “The Shadow Out of Time.” It’s a journey of 66 hours and 4352 kilometres/2698 miles, coast to coast, including the Nullarbor Plain, with traditional serviced sleeper comfort and gourmet meals!

Charles Lovecraft caught the train in February 2012, heading to Western Australia’s capital city, Perth, in drought and with summer temperatures of 38 C +. Highlights of the expedition:

• Trek to Kellerberrin to meet the Smiles family and see N & A Smiles’ fabulous collection of Arthurian Literature, Australiana, Collectible Paperbacks, Horror, J. R. R. Tolkien, Medieval Studies, Myths and Legends, Science Fiction. http://www.abebooks.com/home/smilesbooks
• Talking fantasy literature and life with Ben Szumskyj in the seaport of Fremantle.
• Wave Rock, Cervantes, Hyden and The Pinnacles, rock formations which inspire strange thoughts in even the most sensible of minds ...
• Art work of the talented Norton family. Lynne Norton’s QANTAS painting commissions are large, brilliantly-colored coastal scenes and waterscapes. Audrey Norton’s paintings of unique W.A. wildflowers, such as kangaroo paw and leschenaultia, are stunning. Frank Norton, Australia’s first official Naval artist, war artist for WWII and the Korean War, Director of the W.A. Art Gallery, painted wonderful marine scenes and landscapes; and he was among the first to preserve Australian Aboriginal cultural artifacts such as pukamani (funerary) poles.

So for anyone who dreams, and Australia is the land of the Dreaming, (pinch me), visit Western Australia!