The Ghan Expedition, 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.

Start your morning off with a 'Welcome Experience' where, after being transferred by coach to the Darwin Convention Centre, you will check in, enjoy a light breakfast and mingle with the other guests before being taken to the train station. Depart Darwin and, once settled in your cabin, head to the restaurant carriage for lunch, including a selection of Australian wines. Your first stop is in the township of Katherine early afternoon, where you will hop off the train and head out to explore Nitmiluk Gorge on either a nature cruise or Indigenous art cruise.
You may also choose to upgrade your off-train experience today to a Nitmiluk Gorge Helicopter Flight. There is limited availability for this activity so please let your sales consultant know ahead of time if you would like to book this.
Back on board the train, you will journey through the night towards the Red Centre town of Alice Springs.

Tailor your journey with these exciting off-train Katherine adventures:

Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise Wind your way down the Katherine River on a relaxing cruise. Immerse yourself in ancient wonders as you find yourself surrounded by towering gorge walls. Sculpted by time and water, each bend unveils a more breathtaking vista. Listen to the cicadas serenade the canyons as your expert guide navigates the First and Second Gorges. These age-worn walls, etched by nature, cradle a wealth of unique plants and animals, all woven into the traditions of the Jawoyn people. Hear their captivating stories and gain a deeper understanding of their profound connection to this sacred place, Nitmiluk.

Nitmiluk Rock Art Cruise Nitmiluk Gorge offers a front-row seat to ancient Jawoyn stories. Cruise the First Gorge, where towering sandstone giants whisper secrets of the past.  Your guide will unveil Dreamtime tales of creation and the gorge's deep meaning to the Jawoyn people.  A short walk leads to a breathtaking rock art site, a testament to Jawoyn presence here for millennia, even during the Ice Age.

You can submit your preferences for the off-train experiences you will join on each day. Please indicate these to your sales agent as soon as possible.

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 this morning to stunning views of a sunburnt Red Centre. Spend your day off-train and exploring Alice Springs on either a coach tour of The Alice, an off-road cycle tour, a walking tour of the Alice Springs Desert Park, or a discovery walk of the magical Simpsons Gap.
Tonight you will meet your fellow travellers for dinner under a blanket of stars at the Old Telegraph Station, before boarding the train for your onward travel.
You can choose to upgrade your off-train experience today to an Uluru Fixed Wing Scenic Flight - please let your consultant know as soon as possible so that we can pre-book this for you to avoid missing out on this high demand activity.

Tailor your journey with these exciting off-train Katherine adventures:

Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise Wind your way down the Katherine River on a relaxing cruise. Immerse yourself in ancient wonders as you find yourself surrounded by towering gorge walls. Sculpted by time and water, each bend unveils a more breathtaking vista. Listen to the cicadas serenade the canyons as your expert guide navigates the First and Second Gorges. These age-worn walls, etched by nature, cradle a wealth of unique plants and animals, all woven into the traditions of the Jawoyn people. Hear their captivating stories and gain a deeper understanding of their profound connection to this sacred place, Nitmiluk.

Nitmiluk Rock Art Cruise Nitmiluk Gorge offers a front-row seat to ancient Jawoyn stories. Cruise the First Gorge, where towering sandstone giants whisper secrets of the past.  Your guide will unveil Dreamtime tales of creation and the gorge's deep meaning to the Jawoyn people.  A short walk leads to a breathtaking rock art site, a testament to Jawoyn presence here for millennia, even during the Ice Age.

You can submit your preferences for the off-train experiences you will join on each day. Please indicate these to your sales agent as soon as possible.

This is the Central Australian aventure you’ve been dreaming of. Departing Alice Springs Airport, you will fly south of Pine Gap, the United States and Australian Defence Space Research Facility. Take in the spectacular outback scenery and vastness of Australia with a unique bird’s eye view as you fly directly to Uluru – Kata Tjuta.​ On arrival at Ayers Rock Airport, you will be met by your tour guide to commence an immersive experience of Uluru. Rising out of the surrounding desert, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) dominate the landscape. World Heritage-listed Uluru is one of Australia’s most iconic natural landmarks. The ancient monolith is impressive; Uluru is 348 metres above the plain, more than 860 metres above sea level, and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometres.​
Enjoy lunch at the Sunset Lookout and stop for a picture-perfect postcard photo – the one to wow your friends with.​ Travelling around the base of Uluru, you’ll visit the Mutitjulu Waterhole, home of Wanampi, an ancestral water snake. For centuries, Mutitjulu was an important campsite for Anangu people at Uluru. On this walk, you will learn about Kuniya Tjukurpa – the great battle between Kuniya (woma python) and Liru (poisonous snake man). ​On return to Ayers Rock Airport, board your aircraft and take to the skies again, flying around Uluru for a different perspective and seeing Kata Tjuta from the air. ​
Kata Tjuta is a Pitjantjatjara word meaning ‘many heads’. The formation is made up of 36 domes, spread over an area of more than 20 kilometres. The tallest is Mount Olga, which rises 546 metres above the plain, or 1,066 metres above sea level. The ochre-coloured shapes are a mesmerising sight.

This morning you will make a stop at Manguri before alighting at the outback town of Coober Pedy. More than half of the population of this opal mining town live underground to escape the summer heat. Your off-train activities today may include a tour of the dramatic landscape of the Breakaways Reserve, exploration of the Coober Pedy township, or a half day tour of the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum.
You can choose to upgrade your off-train experience today to a scenic flight over the Painted Hills & Lake Eyre. Please let your consultant know so that we can pre-book this for you to avoid missing out on this high demand activity.

Step off The Ghan and explore the heart of the outback in Coober Pedy! Tailor your journey with these exciting off-train adventures:

Explore Coober Pedy: This full-day tour showcases the highlights of Coober Pedy, starting with a visit to the Serbian Orthodox Church, a subterranean place of worship. Carved from the earth, its ballroom-style design and stained glass windows make it a truly awe-inspiring structure. At the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, you'll explore the town’s history, see an underground ‘dugout’ home, and learn about the ancient Indigenous connection to the region. At Quest Mine, enjoy an underground lunch before donning a hard hat to try your luck finding opals. The tour concludes with a breathtaking view over the Breakaways, a vast plain of flat-topped mesas.

Opal Experience: On this shorter tour, discover the beauty and history of Australia’s national gemstone at the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, a top Coober Pedy attraction. Explore historic artefacts, underground caverns, hand-dug tunnels, and one of the original underground homes. At Quest Mine, don a hard hat and try your luck finding opals, followed by an underground lunch. Before leaving Coober Pedy, visit the Big Winch for spectacular views over the town. This iconic attraction, built in the 1970s, has played a key role in the town's tourism.

Painted Hills & Lake Eyre Scenic Flight (Optional Upgrade Experience) The Anna Creek Painted Hills are a stunning rocky outcrop that rises dramatically from the flat desert landscape. This unique experience includes a guided tour of the area, where few have set foot, and a scenic flight over Lake Eyre, the lowest point on the Australian continent. When the lake's water level is low, its glittering, crystallized surface stretches endlessly, turning a spectacular pink as the water evaporates. Enjoy a classic pub meal at the William Creek Hotel, in South Australia's smallest town. Afterward, fly over Coober Pedy for a bird’s-eye view of the underground town.

After you tour, arrive at Manguri siding in the early evening and have the opportunity to snap an photo of the iconic Ghan locomotive.

You can submit your preferences for the off-train experiences you will join on each day. Please indicate these to your sales agent as soon as possible.

This optional experience upgrade will see you fly over the dramatic outback landscapes of South Australia, a vision to be remembered forever. Transfer to Coober Pedy Airport to board a your flight and soar above the Anna Creek Painted Hills and the shimmering pink Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre), Australia's largest salt lake. Land at William Creek for a quintessential Aussie pub lunch, before taking to the skies again and circling back to Coober Pedy.

This morning wake up to the passing scenery as you travel through the many outback lakes near the remote towns of Tarcoola and Pimba, and watch as the landscape changes as you enter the small coastal city of Port Augusta. Farewell the sunburnt outback as you enjoy brunch on board with your fellow travellers, and welcome the farming plains and rolling countryside before you arrive into the beautiful city of Adelaide. Alighting at the Adelaide Parklands Terminal located 3km from the city centre, it is a short taxi ride to the heart of the Festival State.