The Ghan Expedition

Begin in Darwin with a welcome experience of light refreshments, barista coffee and sparkling wine before boarding The Ghan for the journey south. After settling into your private cabin, enjoy a chef-prepared lunch as the landscape unfolds towards Katherine. Here, choose from several Off Train Experiences: cruise beneath the sandstone walls of Nitmiluk Gorge, discover outback life at the Katherine Outback Experience, or venture underground among the limestone formations of Cutta Cutta Caves. An optional helicopter flight offers a spectacular aerial perspective over Nitmiluk before returning to the train for dinner.

Wake to the vast horizons of Central Australia before arriving in Alice Springs for a full day of exploration. Choose an off-road e-bike adventure, discover the town’s landmarks on the A Town Called Alice tour, or journey through Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap while learning about landscapes of deep significance to the Arrernte people. Alternatively, encounter desert wildlife at Alice Springs Desert Park or take an optional scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. As darkness falls, gather at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station for The Ghan’s signature dinner beneath the stars, complete with fine food and live entertainment.

Begin the morning at the remote outpost of Manguri, pausing to experience sunrise across the South Australian outback before continuing towards extraordinary Coober Pedy. Spend the day discovering a desert town shaped by opal mining and an unusual underground way of life, including a gourmet lunch served beneath the earth. Choose to explore the dramatic Breakaways, delve into Coober Pedy’s distinctive local sights, or uncover the history of opal mining on the Opal Experience. An optional flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre offers another perspective before you return aboard The Ghan for your final dinner and evening on the rails.

Enjoy a leisurely final morning aboard The Ghan as the colours beyond your window begin to transform. The rich ochre landscapes of the outback gradually give way to greener South Australian countryside, with the train travelling through the spectacular Flinders Ranges on its approach to Adelaide. Settle in for brunch while enjoying the final views from the train before arriving in the South Australian capital, bringing an extraordinary transcontinental rail journey through Australia’s vast interior to a close.