The Ghan: Adelaide to Darwin

Overview

Departing from Adelaide, journey through Australia’s Red Centre on a three-day adventure aboard the legendary Ghan. Watch the landscape transform from lush greenery to the bold, sunburnt hues of the outback. Along the way, stop in Marla, Alice Springs and Katherine to explore the rich history, culture and natural beauty of these fascinating and remote destinations. It’s Australia at its most dramatic and unforgettable.

Inclusions

2 nights aboard the Ghan - Adelaide to Darwin

Enjoy All-Inclusive Meals, fine wines and beverages

Immersive Off Train Experiences in Marla, Alice Springs and Katherine

Itinerary

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Intro Map

The Ghan - Adelaide to Darwin

Day 1 The Ghan Journey: Adelaide

Board The Ghan in Adelaide for an incredible showcase journey of inland Australia. As the train leaves the city heading for the Flinders Ranges and beyond, the dramatic changes in landscape from pastoral land to arid outback scenes will ignite your imagination. Lunch is served on board – this is the first of many superb, chef-prepared gourmet meals, showcasing regional flair and seasonal flavours. Spend the rest of the day settling into life on train and getting to know your fellow travellers, and as afternoon turns to evening, dinner service begins with another chef-prepared gourmet meal and selection of Australian wines, beers and non-alcoholic beverages for you to choose.

Overnight stay aboard The Ghan.

Lunch, Dinner

All-inclusive dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant

Day 2 Alice Springs

After your first night enjoying the fine dining and relaxed comfort of this iconic train, you’ll wake to an unforgettable outback sunrise at Marla – a remote outpost 160 kilometres from the Northern Territory border that marks the start of the Oodnadatta Track. With red dirt at your feet and a bonfire warming the morning air, you’ll have some time to appreciate the remote part of Australia you find yourself in.

Reboard the train for brunch and enjoy the magnificent scenery as you make your way onwards to Alice Springs. Here you’ll have a selection of Off Train Experiences to choose from. There’s an experience to suit everyone, from an off-road mountain bike adventure across ochre-coloured earth, to the Alice Explorer tour taking you to the town’s major attractions, a cultural experience at Standley Chasm, meeting the wildlife at the Desert Park, or taking in the astounding beauty of Simpson’s Gap. Alternatively, take it all in from the air, with an optional upgrade helicopter flight.

You’ll return to the train late afternoon where you’ll have time to rest and refresh before dinner is served.

Overnight stay aboard The Ghan.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Simpsons Gap Discovery Walk

Day 3 Katherine and Darwin

Your day dawns in the tropical north and when the landscape transforms into rocky gorges and fast-flowing canyon streams, prepare to experience one of the Top End’s most impressive natural wonders on a boat cruise along Nitmiluk Gorge. Making this experience even more memorable is the commentary that explains the significance of Nitmiluk to the Indigenous Jawoyn people and the many stories that celebrate their spiritual connection to the gorge. There is also a helicopter flight upgrade available, for those wishing to see Nitmiluk from an aerial perspective. Alternatively, the Katherine Outback Experience lets you into the lives of those who call the outback home, with a fascinating day of discovery showing what it’s like to live and work on a huge cattle station.

After the day’s activities, you’ll reboard the train and continue to Darwin, where your journey exploring Australia by train concludes.

Breakfast, Lunch

Nitmiluk Gorge, Katherine

Accommodation

The Ghan

Upgrade available

GOLD

Immerse yourself in the world of romance that epitomises rail travel with Gold Service.

Choose between Gold Twin or Single cabins, both of which provide the perfect place to relax and recharge after a day’s journey. Spend hours deep in conversation with new friends in the shared Outback Explorer Lounge, sipping on barista made coffee, or a glass of white wine. Later make your way to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant to dine.

Gold includes hearty breakfasts, two-course lunches and three-course dinners. You may also choose to complement your meal with our selection of premium wines and beverages, all included in your fare.

Gold Twin Cabins

Gold Twin offers a comfortable sleeper cabin featuring private ensuite and upper and lower berths that convert to a three-seater lounge by day.

Power outlets in cabin
In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary available
All-inclusive dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant
All-inclusive Australian wines, beers, base spirits and non-alcoholic beverages
All-inclusive Off Train Excursions
Luggage allowance is 60kg per guest
Complimentary Shuttle bus transfers available in Darwin to selected hotels in the city centre

Room Upgrades

Gold Single Cabin

Your stylish and ultra-modern cabin cleverly accommodates your belongings with a series of compartments and shelving options incorporated into the compact design. Your comfortable seat with full leg extension bench seat by day converts to a cosy bed by night.

The soulful, reflective and contemplative nature of moving across the continent by train is ideally suited to travelling solo but you can be as quiet or as social as you wish and with your included choice of Off Train Experiences allows you to join fellow guests as you experience the amazing places you visit together.

Inside your cabin, choose from six music and journey commentary channels to add background ambience to your travels, and you have numerous power supply outlets to keep your devices charged. Complimentary shuttle bus transfers are available between Darwin Terminal and the city centre, with a checked luggage allowance of 60 kg per guest (2 pieces at 30 kg each).

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Gold Premium

For travellers who want that little bit more, Gold Premium delivers an enhanced journey experience. Accommodated in newly designed, contemporary cabins, guests have exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge and Gold Premium Restaurant for meals and socialising. Enjoy delicious breakfasts, two-course, regionally inspired lunches and delectable four-course dinners in beautiful surrounds, accompanied by a selection of premium beverages.

Gold Premium offers some special touches to make the journey special, like priority check-in and an increased luggage allowance, a private ensuite, LaGaia amenities, tour preferencing and more.

Choose between a Gold Premium Twin cabin or Gold Premium Suite, which has a little more space. Whichever cabin you choose, Gold Premium offers a step up to a whole new style of train travel.

Gold Premium Twin cabin

A newly designed, contemporary cabin that converts from a lounge by day into sleeping berths at night.

Gold Premium Suite

The Gold Premium Suite has a three-quarter-size double bed plus a fold-down upper berth and a lounge area, with extra room to relax.

Gold Premium (Twin & Suite) service includes:

Private en suite with LaGaia amenities, luxuriously soft linen and satin eye masks
Exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge and Gold Premium Dining carriage
Two-course, regionally inspired lunches and four-course dinners
All-inclusive premium Australian wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages
All-inclusive Off Train Experiences and preferences on tour selections
75kg checked luggage allowance per guest (3 x 25 kg each)
Priority luggage check-in
Power outlets in cabin
In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary
Complimentary shuttle bus transfers available in Darwin and Brisbane to selected hotels in the city centre

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Platinum

Tailored for the discerning traveller, Platinum sets a refined and elegant tone throughout your journey. Stylishly appointed and spacious cabins provide comfort after a day’s exploring, while the Platinum Club carriage offers a sophisticated setting for meals, relaxation and socialising. As you’d expect, the food and wine is of the highest standard. Enjoy hearty breakfasts, two-course lunches and five-course dinners, all regionally inspired and paired with champagne and premium wines.

And it all begins before you’ve even stepped aboard. Platinum guests receive private transfers before and after your journey, beginning the adventure in style. Platinum cabins offer luxe extras, such as a full-size ensuite, expansive window views from the train. Add to that the luxurious linen, Champagne Bollinger, premium Jurlique amenities, Bracegirdle’s chocolates, a nightcap at turndown and more, and you’re in for an exceptional experience.

Platinum service includes:

Spacious Double or Twin cabin almost twice the size of a Gold Premium Twin or Gold Twin cabin
All-inclusive dining, beverages and Off Train Experiences
By day, cabins are set up lounge-style with a moveable table and two ottomans
By night, lounges are converted to double or twin beds
Luxuriously soft linen and satin eye masks
Ensuite equipped with separate shower, vanity with cupboard space, and toilet
Premium Jurlique amenities
Power outlets and in-cabin safe
In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary
Panoramic windows offering views from both sides of the train
Access to the exclusive Platinum Club for dining and socialising
Freshly prepared continental breakfasts served upon request in-cabin
Refreshments served in-cabin
Transfers at the start and end of your journey available for guests within 60 km of the terminal (Platinum transfers in Alice Springs, Darwin and Brisbane are provided in shared vehicles)
90 kg checked luggage allowance per guest (3 x 30 kg each)
Priority luggage check-in

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Aurora Suite

The Aurora & Australis Suite, the first of their kind in Australia, a moving luxury stay like no other, inspired by the residential qualities of contemporary architectural movements. A rich and layered design is expressed through bespoke detailing, decorative timber accents, stone masonry, iron filigree, and coved ceilings that reference traditional cornices. Available from April 2026, there is no finer way to see, taste and experience Australia.

Sophisticated Australian hospitality leads the way with a dedicated butler offering personalised service. In-Suite you’ll enjoy an exclusive unpacking service, pillow menu, a private bar curated according to your preferences and in room dining. When off train, you’ll be immersed in exclusive and intimate experiences connecting you to a sense of place, and when you return to the train, you’ll be greeted with a chilled flute of Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année.

The Aurora Suite is double the size of a Platinum cabin and features a fixed queen-sized bed, lounge set and ensuite with premium Jurlique amenities. You’ll also have a wardrobe and plenty of room to move throughout the Suite allowing for a luxurious stay. Additional features include:

Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année
Premium Australian wine selection
Personalised in-suite bar
In-room dining available
Butler service
Luxurious bed linen and pillow menu
A range of exclusive Off Train Experiences
Platinum Club lounge and dining carriage access
Private chauffeur for your arrival and departure of the train
Unlimited luggage allowance

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Australis Suite

The Australis Suite is the most luxurious suite in Australian train travel. At three times the size of a Platinum cabin it features a separate bedroom with a fixed queen-sized bed, full lounge set, personal bar and ensuite with double vanity and premium Jurlique amenities. This Suite also has a writing desk as well as a wardrobe and ample room to stretch your legs or host friends and family in-suite. Additional features include:

Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année
Premium Australian wine selection
Personalised in-suite bar
In-room dining available
Butler service
Luxurious bed linen and pillow menu
A range of exclusive Off Train Experiences
Platinum Club lounge and dining carriage access
Private chauffeur for your arrival and departure of the train
Unlimited luggage allowance

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Additional information

Excluded

International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

FAQs

Can I request a forward-facing seat?

Yes, you are able to request forward facing-cabins aboard The Ghan at the time of booking; however, as approximately half the cabins face forward, we are unable to guarantee a forward facing cabin depending on the number of requests received for any given departure.

Can someone with mobility limitations travel on the The Ghan?

The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern have a Gold Access Cabin available for wheelchair bound/physically impaired guests travelling in Gold Service. This cabin is subject to availability and assessment of the guest’s Fitness to Travel. Please ask us for more information.

What are the meal times onboard the train?

In your cabin when you first board the train, you will find a card with the breakfast, lunch and dinner meal times for your journey. Your On-Board Attendant will advise you of the process. If you have any special requests regarding meal times, please speak with a member of the On-Board team when travelling.

Does the train have Wi-Fi?

Limited Wi-Fi is available in the Outback Explorer Lounges and Platinum Club carriages.

Please note that Wi-Fi availability is dependent on mobile network coverage, and as we travel through some remote locations it may not always be available.

What special dietary requirements can be accommodated on board the train?

Most special dietary requirements can be accommodated – including vegetarian, gluten free, lactose free and vegan. Please ensure this is advised at the time of booking.

Is there a dress code when onboard The Ghan?

It’s your holiday and we want you to be comfortable so smart casual attire is recommended.

We also recommend:

Warm clothes for Outback Experiences as mornings and evenings in the Outback can be cool
Hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes for your Off Train Experiences.

Can I smoke onboard?

No, smoking is not permitted onboard The Ghan.

Do I need to check-in prior to arrival?

Check in opens approximately 2 hours prior to your scheduled departure time.

We ask all guests to check in at least 60 minutes prior to departure to be welcomed onboard. Please bring your travel itinerary and Photo I.D.

Are there luggage restrictions?

Luggage limits apply for both carry on and checked luggage. These limits vary depending on the level of service you are travelling in and by train.

While on board The Ghan, you can access one piece of hand luggage plus a garment bag, cabin bag or briefcase per person, and store this within your cabin.

Checked luggage cannot be accessed during your rail journey and will be stored on a separate part of the train.

Will I need travel insurance?

As with all holidays and trips abroad, we strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. Please consult with our agents at time of booking and we can assist you with this.

The Ghan: Adelaide to Darwin (Tour code: 11564)

Highlights

Overview

Inclusions