The Ghan, Darwin to Adelaide

This legendary train evokes a frontier spirit, a romantic connection to the land, and travelling on it creates a moving and unforgettable life experience. The Ghan celebrates outback adventure, with its legend stemming from the 1930s when the first Afghan cameleers arrived in Australia. On that momentous journey, the train was dubbed ‘The Afghan Express’ and then shortened to the legend it is today, ‘The Ghan’.
Today you can become part of this celebrated history, following in the tracks of those pioneers as you journey through Australia’s red heart. Regarded as one of the world’s greatest rail journeys, The Ghan delivers so much more than an extended train ride. It promises access to parts of Australia no other holiday can come close to – the perfect balance of comfort and adventure culminating in an experience that will move you in every sense of the word.
Note: Throughout the course of your journey, there are a range off-train experiences at Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy. Preferences can be requested on booking, although not confirmed until onboard. It is best to indicate to your sales consultant as early as you can which experiences you would prefer to join. Alternatively, if you wish to upgrade your off-train experiences, these can be confirmed at the time of booking. Please ask your consultant which upgraded experiences are available to you.

Celebrate the start of your journey with a welcome drink and canapes and before you board, you’ll have the opportunity to take photos with The Ghan’s bold red locomotive. Settle into the comforts of The Ghan, relax in your cabin, or mingle with fellow travelers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. As The Ghan begins to travel south, enjoy a chef-prepared lunch ahead of your Off Train Experience in Katherine. In a region renowned for jaw-dropping natural assets, Katherine boasts one of the Top End’s best – the incredible Nitmiluk Gorge and a cruise is on offer to showcase the beauty of this spot. Alternatively, the Katherine Outback Experience lets you into the lives of those who call the Outback home, while the Cutta Cutta Cave system is home to a variety of native wildlife and is rich in Indigenous culture and modern European history. Or, take it all in from the air, with an optional upgrade helicopter flight over Nitmiluk.

This optional upgrade will provide views of the magnificent Nitmiluk Gorge unlike any other. Arriving in Katherine, alight the train and be taken to your awaiting helicopter. The Dreamtime story of the Traditional owners of this land tells of the gorge system's creation by Bula, an important figure of the Jawoyn people, who is said to have carved these gorges with his two wives as they were hunted across the lands. Flying over all 13 gorges, see if you can follow Bula's path as you appreciate the enormity & complexity of this landscape.

Wake up in the Australian outback as the train draws closer to the iconic town of Alice Springs. Enjoy a big breakfast one board before your arrival at the Alice, ready for a day of Off Train Experiences. There’s an experience to suit everyone, including an off-road e-bike adventure, the Alice Explorer tour that takes in the historic Telegraph Station and Royal Flying Doctor Service, a cultural experience at Standley Chasm, meeting the wildlife at the Desert Park, or taking in the astounding beauty of Simpson’s Gap with an optional upgrade scenic flight. After dinner on board The Ghan, stop at a remote outback location for an evening experience under the Milky Way.

This optional upgrade will see you experience the sheer magnitude of this ancient, sunburned land. Transfer to the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs and enjoy a drink by the pool while you wait for your flight. On boarding the helicopter, your pilot will take you up and over Alice Springs to experience once in a lifetime views and detailed commentary of the region's early explorers, now ingrained in Australian history and culture.

An optional camel tour upgrade that will take you into White Gums Station in the Australian outback. Your ride begins at the Pyndan Camel Tracks yards, following a track along an avenue Iron Bark and Mulga trees, across a clay pan flat, to reach sweeping views of the MacDonnell Ranges. On your return, sit back and relax with canapes, a cold drink, and the sounds of the bush lulling you to a sense of serenity.

You’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the Flinders Ranges before arriving in Adelaide, completing one of the world’s great rail journeys.

The vibrant heart of the Festival State, Adelaide is a beautiful and easily accessible city fringed by lush parklands, and a short distance from sandy beaches, world-renowned wine regions, and unique riverland vistas. Explore the surrounding areas, or immerse yourself in the artistic laneways, hidden gems, and highly acclaimed museums and galleries of the inner city.