The Ghan Expedition & Top End

On arrival in Darwin, please make your own way to your hotel where you will be staying for the next 3 nights.  The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Darwin is Australia’s only tropical capital city and is the largest city in the Northern Territory. It is a former frontier outpost and is treasured country to its traditional owners, the Larrakia people, who are prominent and active members of the local community. A multicultural city, it boasts a population made up of people from more than 60 nationalities and 70 different ethnic backgrounds.    

This morning, embark on a captivating half day tour of Darwin, immersing yourself in the city's rich history. Your tour includes the Darwin Aviation Museum & the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), a treasure trove of artistic and scientific excellence. Stroll through the tranquil Darwin Botanic Gardens, one of the few in the world that has marine and estuarine plants naturally in its grounds.    

This evening, enjoy a 2-hour Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise on Darwin Harbour during sunset.  

This morning, join a day trip to explore Litchfield National Park waterfalls.  First stop is Florence Falls, where you have the opportunity for a scenic and interpretive bush and monsoon vine forest walk. There is also the chance for a swim by making your way down the stairs to the plunge pool below.

Continue to Tolmer Falls for a magnificent view of the water cascading to the deep waterhole at the base of the falls. Time for lunch at the Litchfield Cafe. Finally, you'll visit Wangi Falls, with its large crystal-clear pool, another relaxing spot for a swim (swimming is seasonal and opening is controlled by NT Parks).  A highlight of your visit will be the fascinating termite mounds.  

Depart Darwin and travel along the Arnhem Highway and its major river systems and wetlands to World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Located 250 kilometres east of Darwin, this national park covers 20,000 square kilometres of landscape from rocky escarpment, historic Aboriginal rock art dating thousands of years, to floodplains abundant with wildlife.

Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to view the informative displays depicting the traditions of the Aboriginal people in Kakadu. Join your local guide on a cruise of Yellow Water Billabong. Search for saltwater crocodiles and the colourful range of birdlife for which this region is renowned. Enjoy lunch at Cooinda Cafe. Stop at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), where your Driver Guide will lead you on a walk to view the many different forms of Aboriginal rock art at this site.

There is the opportunity for a 50-minute scenic flight (own expense). This is a wonderful way to experience the vastness of the wetlands, waterfalls and towering cliffs.  

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.  Please make your own way to your hotel for the next 3 nights.  This afternoon, be sure to head to the Adelaide Central Market. 

Escape the city on the Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf Hideaway Tour, a relaxed day of scenic beauty and local flavours.

Travel into the Adelaide Hills, stopping at Mt Lofty Summit for sweeping views across Adelaide and the surrounding plains.  Continue to the Beerenberg Farm Shop, where you’ll discover why this family-owned icon is loved for its jams, sauces and preserves. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Hills as you visit local cool-climate wineries, sampling wines the region is celebrated for.  Indulge your sweet tooth at Melba’s Chocolate Factory, where heritage equipment is still used to craft classic treats, before tasting award-winning cow, goat and buffalo cheeses at the Woodside Cheese Cellar (closed Wednesdays). The day concludes with free time in Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest German settlement, perfect for browsing galleries, cafés and boutique shops.  

Enjoy a day at leisure in Adelaide, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Wander through leafy streets and parklands, browse boutique shopping and galleries, or relax at one of the city’s many cafés and restaurants.

If you’d like to make the most of the region’s famous wine scene, contact us to arrange an optional winery tour to the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale. Otherwise, enjoy the day exactly as you please — the choice is yours. 

After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel & make your own way to Adelaide Airport for your flight home.