Australia is home to the world's longest straight stretch of railway, spanning 297 miles without a single curve.

The Nullarbor Plain is the world's largest single exposure of limestone bedrock, covering an area of approximately 200,000 square kilometers. This massive plateau was formed roughly 14 to 25 million years ago when an ancient seabed was uplifted by tectonic activity. Because the limestone is porous, rainwater drains underground into vast cave systems rather than forming surface rivers, preventing the erosion that typically creates hills and valleys.The Trans-Australian Railway was completed in 1917 to connect the goldfields of Western Australia with the eastern states. The famous 'Long Straight' begins at Mile 496, west of Ooldea, and continues for 478 kilometers (297 miles) to a point just east of Loongana. This engineering feat was possible because the elevation across the plain varies by very little, making it one of the most geologically stable and flat regions on Earth.Surveyors during the early 20th century had to account for the curvature of the Earth rather than physical landmarks when planning the route. Today, the Indian Pacific passenger train traverses this stretch, and drivers often describe the journey as hypnotic due to the lack of visual stimuli. The region remains a site of scientific interest, as the dry, flat surface is ideal for locating meteorites that have fallen over thousands of years.