Adelaide Hills Luxury Stay 2026 (The Ghan) : Adelaide to Darwin

Upon arrival into Adelaide, you will be transferred to your Luxury accommodation in the Adelaide Hills, Sequoia Lodge at Mount Lofty. Sequoia is an intimate, luxury lodge, nestled in the highlands of the glorious Adelaide Hills in South Australia. Designed as a private sanctuary with many exclusive amenities and bespoke onsite and personalised offsite activities, Sequoia will take you by the hand, sweep you off your feet, and will do everything to make this the trip of your lifetime. Your private open-plan suite is perched on the edge of the Piccadilly Valley, boasting panoramic views from the sunken lounge, bedroom and bathroom. Sink into the large bathtub, take a nap or relax on your spacious private balcony day bed with a bottle of sparkling wine and watch the wallabies and kangaroos forage beneath your feet as you indulge in losing track of time. After settling into your accommodation, you are invited to join the Sequia’s welcome event at sunset to hear the stories of the region over a glass of local wine overlooking the Piccadilly Valley. This is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow guests. A culinary degustation dinner experience to remember at the 3-chef hat Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant is included during your stay. (D) Please note, dinner can be arranged for either evening of your stay. Your dedicated Experience Curator will contact you before your arrival at Sequoia Lodge to confirm your preference.

Part of Sequoia’s philosophy is to connect you with the land and its people through a range of intimate and curated onsite experiences that are included in your stay. As part of these daily and seasonally changing experiences listen to ancient dreamtime stories, savour and learn from artisan producers or join a guided tour of the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. There are endless wonderful memories to be made, and you will receive a pre arrival call from the Sequoia Experience Curation Team to plan your escape and curate your bespoke Itinerary at Sequioa and exploring the region. Due to the nature of its exclusive experience offerings, Sequoia Lodge, only accommodates guests over the age of 18 years. (B)

This morning it is it time to farewell your luxurious retreat and be transferred to Adelaide Parklands Terminal. You’ll leave with a connection to the land, the people and the animals that make Adelaide’s hills so arresting - Sequoia will connect you to the South Australia you never knew existed. 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. (B,L,D) OVERNIGHT: 2 nights The Ghan

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. (B,L,D)

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. (B,L)