The Ghan

The Ghan travels between Darwin and Adelaide, stopping off in Alice Springs, Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and the fascinating underground town of Coober Pedy. The entire journey, of 2,979km, is 3 days/2 nights onboard.

The cabins are private and comfortable, and some come with en suite bathrooms, TVs, DVD players, mini-bars and audio commentary on your journey. On your return from dinner in the evening, you’ll find your bed made up for you, including a cosy doona (duvet), and a nightcap and chocolates waiting on your bedside table.
Be lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the train as it travels over the rails, and wake up to a spectacular sunrise.

Lunch in the Queen Adelaide restaurant is bound to satisfy your tastebuds, from the hearty breakfasts (for those with a sweet tooth, we recommend the Belgian chocolate waffles with strawberries) to the tempting afternoon teas and gourmet three-course dinners, including regional seafood, lamb and a cheese plate featuring specialities from the Barossa Valley. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the kangaroo or the crocodile dishes (!).
Tuck into all this (alongside some fantastic wines and craft beers) as the sun sets over the Outback.
There are also catering trolleys, meaning you don’t even have to move from your seat if you don’t want to.

Relax in the café, restaurant and lounge, and sit back and enjoy the scenery.

As well as relaxing onboard and taking in the panoramic landscapes from the big screen windows, stopovers during your Ghan journey allow you to explore some of Australia’s vast diversity en route, with various options available, depending on what direction (north or south) you are travelling in.

In Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, enjoy a postcard perfect cruise, and there are also opportunities to experience the real Outback, where you can learn the didgeridoo, observe life on a cattle station and enjoy animal demonstrations and live music – or for a uniquely memorable experience, enjoy a scenic flight over Kakadu and Nitmiluk.

In Alice Springs, explore the town at your leisure, visit the wildlife at the Desert Park, or how about a camel ride or another scenic flight – this time over the majestic Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta, or a incredible helicopter trip over the MacDonnell Ranges? In the evening, dine on a traditional Outback pioneer dinner under the stars – including delicious steak and damper (bread), and learn about the stars from an astronomer, before hopping back onboard again to continue your journey.

At Coober Pedy, enjoy a guided tour of this unique opal mining town, where people live underground to avoid the scorching heat. Visit the underground church and the opal mine, do a spot of mining yourself, take in the Outback moonscape of the Breakaways and enjoy a subterranean lunch.

There is also plenty to do and see if you spend a few days in Alice Springs to break up the journey – how about a hot air balloon flight over the Outback? In Darwin, see the famous sunset and browse the markets on Mindil Beach, and in Adelaide, enjoy a winery tour in the Barossa Valley. We also recommend a visit to the beautiful Kangaroo Island.