Two Australian railway journeys have been included in a global list of the 15 most “most beautiful” and they couldn’t be more different.

The list, compiled on behalf of British travel insurance company, InsureandGo, named far-north Queensland’s Kuranda Scenic Railway in 12th spot, beating out iconic rail service The Ghan in 15th.

The findings were based on research that analysed multiple landscapes from each train route that tracked viewers’ eye movements to see which scenery was the most eye-catching and which held their attention the longest. 

Japan’s Sagano Romantic Train was named as the world’s most visually appealing train route. Both sides of the train offer scenic views of the Hozugawa River valley and Arashiyama’s lush mountains.

The Sagano Romantic Train was named the most scenic. Photo: Sagano Scenic Railway

The Bernina Express and Glacier Express, both in Switzerland, claimed second and third place respectively.

The authors described the two Australian routes as “the study’s surprise entry”.

For a country with relatively little rail tourism compared to Europe, Australia has two routes in the global top 15 – the Kuranda Scenic Railway and The Ghan, “offering visitors views from ancient tropical rainforest to the red outback desert”, they said.

Constructed in 1891, the Kuranda Scenic Railway runs from Cairns, over the Great Dividing Range to the town of Kuranda on the Atherton Tablelands.

The Kuranda Scenic Railway takes in stunning mountain views on its 37-kilometre journey. Photo: Wikimedia

The route 37-kilometre route – which operates every day of the year except Christmas Day – passes through the Macalister Range and takes in several waterfalls as it makes its way up and back down the range.

Perhaps Australia’s best-known rail journey, The Ghan is the opposite of the Kuranda Scenic Railway in almost every way.

The Ghan traverses Australia’s outback. Photo: Wikimedia

The Ghan departs Adelaide usually once a week and takes 53 hours and 15 minutes to travel its 2979-kilometre route.

The scenery is also definitely not tropical as the train bisects Australia, taking in Alice Springs on its way to Darwin.

Top 15 most eye-catching train journeys

1. Sagano Romantic Train, Japan

2. Bernina Express, Switzerland, Italy

3. Glacier Express, Switzerland

4. West Highland Line, Scotland

5. Alishan Forest Railway, Taiwan

6. Serra Verde Express, Brazil

7. Serra Verde Express, Canada

8. Semmering Railway, Austria

9. Coast Starlight, US

10. White Pass and Yukon Route, US/Canada

11. Central Andean Railway, Peru

12. Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia

13. TranzAlpine, New Zealand

14. Blue Train, South Africa

15. The Ghan, Australia