All aboard… for a journey from Adelaide to Darwin on the prestigious Ghan
8 May 2020
Discover the romance and relaxation of rail travel, from the moment you step aboard you will feel worlds away. Everything is taken care of, first, you will be shown to your cabin; where your carriage steward will run through your itinerary for the following days of your journey, making dinner reservations for you and confirming your off-train excursions. You will immediately notice the impeccable attention to detail, displayed throughout the train and the exceptional and personalised service of the staff onboard.
Today you will depart Adelaide and journey across the pastoral lands of the North East. Watch from your window as the sun sets into the paddocks before joining your fellow travellers in the dining car. Sit down to a regionally inspired three-course fine dining meal accompanied by local wines. After indulging in a lemon meringue tart, make your way back to your room where you will find turndown service has been and gone and your snuggly white linens and pillow, (after dinner mint atop) are waiting for you to rest and recuperate for the journey to come.
Wake up to the silence of the outback and step off the train in Marla to watch the sunrise over the vast red plains whilst enjoying a warm tea or coffee and fresh pastries. Back aboard for brunch as you continue your journey north, making your way through the MacDonnell Ranges and stopping in Alice Springs. Explore the secrets of Alice Springs on one of the included off-train excursions, wander Simpsons Gap on a discovery walk or learn about the native desert dwellers at the Alice Springs Desert Park. Or book an upgraded excursion and take off on a fixed-wing aircraft soaring above the red centre marvel that is Uluru. After a day of exploring retreat back to the train for another marvellous locally inspired dinner as you start your journey towards Katherine.
Marvel at the change in landscape as you draw back your blinds this morning, the vast red plains of the desert have now transformed to the lush greens of the tropical north. Enjoy a delectable two-course breakfast and get ready to explore the wonderful township of Katherine. Discover the waterways of the Nitmiluk Gorge on board a river cruise, learn about local indigenous rock paintings and gain insight into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people, or discover authentic outback life on a cattle station. If you are feeling a little more adventurous upgrade your off-train excursion to a scenic helicopter flight through the gorge. After exploring the waterways head back to the train to continue your journey. As evening sets in you will arrive in Darwin, completing your red centre Australian experience.