Arrive at Cairns Trinity Wharf at 4:00pm, where there is time to settle into your stateroom before our 5:00pm departure. Join your fellow explorers on the Sun Deck for Captain’s Welcome Drinks and sit down to the first of many delicious dinners.
Lizard Island | Dyiigurra
Explore secluded Lizard Island, one of the most beautiful islands on the Queensland Coast, and venture into the crystal clear waters for swimming and snorkelling or take a walk along the white sand beach. Enjoy an optional hike to ‘Cook’s Look’.
Stanley Island & Davie Cay | Yindayin
Visit Stanley Island (Yindayin) in the Flinders Group and view the isolated Endaen Aboriginal rock art, which depicts the first sailing ships to visit Queensland's shores. Hear stories from a traditional owner of the Yiithuwarra people. At Davie Cay, enjoy swimming and snorkelling.
Forbes Island | Wuthara National Park
Enjoy the morning exploring Forbes Island, an excellent spot for swimming or snorkelling from the pristine sandy beaches. Take a walk to the grave of beche-de-mer fisherman Frederick Lancaster.
Thursday Island
Today, experience a rich multicultural heritage through cultural sites, including the Japanese Pearl Divers Memorial and the Torres Strait Flag monument. Visit and purchase art from renowned art centres and view exciting cultural performances.
Badu Island
Have the unique opportunity to visit Badu Island. Visit the fabulous art centre and enjoy the hospitality of the Badu islanders.
Gulf of Carpentaria
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with time to attend informative presentations by our guest lecturers.
Yirrkala & Hole in the Wall
Visit Australia's most significant Aboriginal art centre, the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, and meet artists creating bark paintings that carry ancient stories. In the afternoon, travel through the narrow channel between Raragala and Guluwuru Islands, known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’.
Elcho Island | Galiwin'ku
The friendly locals of Elcho Island proudly welcome us to their community at Galiwin’ku. Visit the art centre and meet some of the local artists, some of whom have their unique art exhibited in famous art galleries around the world, including the Louvre.
Cobourg Peninsula, Victoria Settlement
The Garig Gunak Barlu National Park is a pristine wilderness. Now it is virtually uninhabited, and here we will explore the ruins of historic Fort Victoria and hear the stories of the failed settlement. On a nature walk, learn about bush tukka plants and look for monitor lizards and crocodiles.
Tiwi Islands
Be welcomed to the Tiwi Islands with a smoking ceremony and dancing. With local Tiwi guides, learn about the unique Tiwi culture and visit the art centre. Enjoy a cultural performance and a demonstration of painting or basket-weaving.
Day 12 | Arrive Darwin
Arrive and disembark at Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf at 8:30am. Post cruise transfers to CBD hotels or the airport are included.
Day 13 | The Ghan Expedition, Katherine
Celebrate the beginning of your journey with a welcome drink and light refreshments and pause for a photo with The Ghan’s iconic red locomotive before stepping on board, Settle into your home for the next few days, enjoying the comforts of your cabin, or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. As The Ghan begins to travel south, a chef-prepared lunch awaits before your Off Train Experience in Katherine.
Here you’ll choose how to explore this remarkable region. Cruise through the towering sandstone cliffs and dramatic beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge and uncover its deep cultural significance. Alternatively, step into the Katherine Outback Experience for an authentic glimpse into the lives of those who call the outback home. Or venture underground at the Cutta Cutta Caves, where fascinating limestone formations, native wildlife and stories of Indigenous culture are waiting to be shared. For a different perspective, upgrade to a helicopter flight and take in the scale of Nitmiluk from above. (L,D)
Day 14 | The Ghan Expedition, Alice Springs
Wake to the wide-open skies of the outback as The Ghan draws closer to the iconic town of Alice Springs. After a hearty breakfast on board, step into the heart of Central Australia with a choice of Off Train Experiences designed to suit every traveller.
Take to the red dirt on an off-road e-bike adventure, join the A Town Called Alice tour to uncover the town’s major landmarks, or immerse yourself in culture with a guided journey through Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap. Here, sheer rock walls blaze red in the sunlight and ancient landscapes hold deep spiritual significance for the Arrernte people. Wildlife lovers can meet desert creatures at Alice Springs Desert Park, while those seeking a grander perspective can opt for a scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
As night falls, the hallmark experience of The Ghan Expedition awaits. At the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, dine beneath a canopy of stars, surrounded by the red earth of the desert. With white tablecloths, fine food and live entertainment, it’s an evening you’ll never forget. (B,L,D)
Day 15 | The Ghan Expedition and Coober Pedy
Today brings you to the extraordinary outback town of Coober Pedy, where life is anything but ordinary. Known as the opal capital of the world, this desert settlement hides its treasures both above and below, and more than half the population live underground.
Your adventure begins with a morning stop at the remote outpost of Manguri to take in the sunrise, before continuing on to Coober Pedy for a day of exploration. A highlight is a gourmet lunch enjoyed underground, a dining experience as unique as the town itself. Off Train Experiences include visiting the striking Breakaways, uncovering the town’s quirky attractions, or learning the fascinating history of opal mining on the Opal Experience. For an unforgettable view, upgrade to a scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre.
Back on board for your final night, dinner is served in the dining carriage before one last nightcap in the lounge with fellow travellers as The Ghan journeys towards Adelaide. (B,L,D)
Day 16 | The Ghan Expedition and Adelaide
This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the Flinders Ranges before arriving in Adelaide.
Stepping off the train, you’ll carry more than memories of extraordinary landscapes. You’ll take with you the stories shared, the connections made, and the sense of wonder that only a journey through the heart of Australia can bring. (B)
