THE GHAN
MORE RAIL IDEAS
Australia's Great Train Journeys
TRAVEL IDEAS WITH RAIL
- Waltzing Matilda Escorted Tour
- Classic Australia 14 days
- Three Capitals Classic 7 days
- Trans Continental Classic 12 days
- Sydney Mtns Reef & Rainforest 18 days
- Sydney Mtns Wine & Orient Express 7 days
SAVINGS IDEA
When you travel across the outback on board The Ghan you save on accommodation costs, air fare costs. Also, since stations are downtown, you save on airport transfers.
Australia
GREAT TRAIN JOURNEYS
THE GHAN
Introduction
The legendary train was named after the hardy Afghans and their camel trains which provided the only means of transport into "The Red Centre" in the early days. The journey is now a comfortable 24 hours from Adelaide to Alice Springs and 52 hours from Adelaide to Darwin, a world class train trip!
Depart from Adelaide, pass through the "Wheat Belt" to Port Pirie, follow the scenic Flinders Ranges to Port Augusta, and then head north from Tarcoola through the MacDonnell Ranges, approaching Alice Springs through Heavitree Gap, a narrow pass which accommodates the railway line, the road and the Todd River.
From Alice Springs the train continues its northward journey crossing that well known line on the map, the Tropic of Capricorn. The rocky ranges soon give way to the dry, spinifex and ti tree country skirting the vast Tanami Desert. You are now in the very heart of the Australian continent, a harsh, sparsely populated region of the outback. Pass through the gold mining settlement of Tennant Creek en route to Katherine where the train stops for about 4 hours. There is time to take an optional boat cruise or helicopter tour* at spectacular Katherine Gorge in the nearby Nitmiluk National Park. From Katherine The Ghan makes its way through the lush green tropics, crossing the Adelaide River and arriving at journeys end in Darwin, port and capital city of the Northern Territory.
Travel in style in Gold Service aboard The Ghan. Enjoy fine dining in the Stylish Restaurant and relax over a drink in the Lounge before retiring to your private sleeper cabin. The Ghan travels once a week between Adelaide and Darwin and twice weekly between Adelaide and Alice Springs. The full journey from Adelaide to Darwin takes 52 hours in total.
* tours are at extra cost and purchased on the train
