Australia was transfixed for 3 hours by the Indian Pacific

It was three glorious hours of a train travelling from one side of the country to the other. And it gave Australia many thoughts!

Australia is transfixed by taking it slow on the rails. Source: SBS

Last year Australia was confused by The Ghan. And then Australia watched it and kept watching. Then they loved it. This year Australia was on board from when the Indian Pacific left the station.

Watching for three hours as the train made its way from one end of the country to the other, viewers from across Australia were mesmerised by the Indian Pacific as it sped across the country for the slowest TV experience imaginable. 

This year, the fans were out in force on Twitter:

Which isn't to say that there weren't some skeptics:

Some were quick to get started on Logies talk:

And then there were those viewers obsessed with the drivers tasty-looking meal of beans:

Election guru Antony Green is used to predicting how things will play out. And once again he nailed it:

While others immediate reaction was to share the joy of the Indian Pacific with the former US President:

But, for some Australians, they were changed forever:

Your Slow Summer at SBS is just getting started, with three more weeks of gloriously slow telly planned - including the full 17-hour Indian Pacific train journey:

The Indian Pacific: Australia’s Longest Train Journey

All day version: Saturday 12 January - SBS VICELAND

The Kimberley Cruise: Australia’s Last Great Wilderness
3 hour version: Sunday 13 January, 7.30pm - SBS

Saturday 19 January - SBS VICELAND

All Aboard! The Canal Trip

Sunday 20 January, 7.30pm - SBS

The Ghan
Saturday 26 January, all day, SBS VICELAND

North to South
3 hour version: Sunday 27 January, 7.30pm - SBS 

All day version: Saturday 2 February - SBS VICELAND