Check Availability

The Ghan Train - Alice Springs to Darwin

Available in English

Activity Schedule

  • When does it run?

    01 Apr - 05 Jun & 30 Aug - 31 Mar: Monday
    06 Jun - 29 Aug: Monday & Thursday

  • Duration

    Approx. 24 Hours (4 hour stop in Katherine)

  • Start time

    1800h (6:00pm)
    Duration: Approx. 24 Hours (4 hour stop in Katherine)

  • Meeting Point
    Your journey starts from Alice Springs Train Station, George Crescent, Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
    Please report at the meeting point 1 hour before the start time. This is mandatory to allow time for pre-departure briefing.
  • Ending Point

    Your journey ends at Darwin railway station.

Key Highlights

  • Ride the train to Darwin on an epic travel adventure!
  • If you love the romance of rail then this one is for you!
  • Your chance to travel the newest section of Australia′s most famous railway
  • Choose from super de luxe Gold or comfortable Red Services
  • An exciting opportunity for sightseeing at Katherine

Overview

After almost 100 years of planning and billions of Australian dollars, the 882-mile stretch of the legendary Ghan Railway from Alice Springs to Darwin finally opened in 2004 and was an instant success.

Seize your chance to take this epic journey from the arid red rock landscape of Alice to the tropical greenery of Darwin.

Sit back in comfort and enjoy the magnificent scenery as the ‘steel wheels’ rattle across the immensity of the Outback. Look out for wild kangaroos, dramatic landforms, plunging gorges, towering termite mounds and much more. Plus there's a great opportunity for sightseeing when the train stops at Katherine.

For the ultimate in luxury choose the Gold Service with meals included and spacious accommodation; or travel in comfort in Red Service but without the meals and some of the added extras.

Whichever option you choose, you can be sure that the Ghan journey will be the travel adventure of a lifetime!

Itinerary

Experience one of the greatest train journeys in the world when you take The Ghan from Alice Springs to Darwin. If you are wondering how the service got its name – it is an abbreviated version of its previous nickname ‘The Afghan Express’, which comes from the Afghan camel trains that trekked the same route before the advent of the railway.

For nearly 100 years Darwin's residents have been waiting for the Ghan railway to link them to Alice Springs. The 882-mile Alice-Darwin section was finally opened in February 2004 and has been a huge success.

This incredible journey takes you through the Red Centre to the tropical environment of Darwin. Sit back in comfortable seats and enjoy panoramic views across the immensity of this beautiful continent.

In the early days of the Ghan, the driver would stop the train and set off into the bush to shoot something for the passengers to eat! Needless to say this doesn’t happen now and the great trains have beautifully decorated and comfortable restaurant cars, each with its own special historic theme.

The Ghan provides two main levels of service – Gold Service and Red Service.

Gold Service:
All meals are included in all options under the Gold Service fare and are served in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car. The superb meals are served by friendly waiters, on elegant china, accompanied by fine glassware and cutlery. Excellent wines and beverages are available for purchase. Breakfast meals include a choice of cooked or continental, lunch is a two-course meal with various choices, and dinner is a three-course meal with a number of dinner options.

The three options within the Gold Service are listed below:

Gold Superior Cabin: This super deluxe accommodation includes an extra large cabin with a double bed and additional fold-down single bed plus bar-fridge, complimentary wine with dinner and many other delightful extras. Two adults and one child can be accommodated in each cabin.

Gold Single Cabin: This provides superior, well appointed day and overnight single cabin accommodation including a lounge chair converting to a single sleeping berth with shower and toilet facilities located at the end of each carriage. The maximum number of passengers per cabin would be one child and one infant. A complimentary toilet bag, magazine and souvenir Certificate of Travel certificate are provided.

Gold Service Twin Cabin: These cabins are about half the size of the ones provided under the Gold Superior Cabin option. The twin cabins feature a three- seater lounge converting to upper and lower sleeping berths plus ensuite facilities with toilet, washbasin and shower. The cabins in this category can accommodate two adults and up to two infants.

Red Service:
Meals are not included in the Red Service fare but the Red Service provides a bright, cheery Diner Car where affordable, tasty light meals and drinks may be purchased. The Diner and Buffet Car are fully licensed. DVD players are available for hire at minimal cost. Showers and toilet facilities are at the end of each carriage with towels and soap provided. A complimentary onboard magazine is provided.

Red Day/Night Seat: Seating is in comfortable two abreast reclining chairs upholstered in pure woolen cloth trim, with individual reading lights. There is generous leg room and the seats can swivel to face each other. Overhead racks cater for hand luggage. DVD players are available for hire at minimal cost.

At around 0900h (9:00am) on Tuesday (or Friday) the train will arrive at Katherine and will stop there for about 4 hours. Passengers can leave the train and go sightseeing and a number of tours are available.

At 1300h (1:00pm) the train will set off again and arrive at Darwin at 1730h (5:30pm) on Tuesdays or 1830h (6:30pm) on Fridays.

Inclusions

  • Train ticket from Alice Springs to Darwin
  • Gold Service Superior
  • Extra large cabins
  • Double bed plus additional fold-down single bed.
  • Private lounge area with table, arm chairs, DVD player plus a selection of titles, dressing gown, slippers, deluxe compendium, deluxe toiletries, complimentary Haigh's chocolates, fruit bowl, plunger coffee, bar-fridge stocked with complimentary refreshments.
  • All meals included and served in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car.
  • Complimentary bottle of wine with dinner.
  • Reserved seating at dinner or optional room service for meals and a complimentary bottle of wine with dinner.
  • Gold Servcie Single Cabin
  • Superior, well appointed day and overnight single cabin accommodation.
  • All meals included and Australian wines, beers, base spirits and non-alcoholic beverages are served in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car.
  • Single Cabins feature a lounge chair converting to single sleeping berth with shower and toilet facilities located at the end of each carriage.
  • Cabins are fully serviced by carriage attendants with fresh sheets, pillows and doonas.
  • In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary available
  • Cabins feature 3 pin/ 240 volt power point, wardrobe, full length mirror, reading light and foldaway table.
  • Complimentary toiletry bags and onboard magazine.
  • Certificate of Travel and 'collector' stick pin upon disembarkation.
  • Gold Service Twin Cabin
  • Superior, well appointed day and overnight twin -cabin accommodation.
  • All meals included and Australian wines, beers, base spirits and non-alcoholic beverages are served in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car.
  • Twin Cabins feature 3- seater lounge converting to upper and lower sleeping berths plus ensuite facilities with toilet, washbasin and shower.
  • Cabins are fully serviced by carriage attendants with fresh sheets, pillows and doonas.
  • Cabins feature 3 pin/ 240 volt power point, wardrobe, full length mirror, reading light and foldaway table.
  • Complimentary toiletry bags and onboard magazine.
  • In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary available
  • Certificate of Travel and 'collector' stick pin upon disembarkation.
  • Red Day/Night Seat
  • Comfortable recliner lounge chairs with generous leg room.
  • Individual reading light.
  • Video entertainment.
  • Toilet and shower facilities at the end of each carriage.
  • Towels and soap provided.
  • Complimentary on-board magazine

Exclusions

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Meals (Red Service options only)
  • Beverages

Additional info

The confirmation voucher includes the local activity operator’s contact details and local telephone numbers at the destination. They will happily answer any logistical questions you may have.A rollaway or sofa-bed will not be classified as existing bedding unless otherwise stated. Gold Superior Cabin: Maximum passengers per room: 2 adults and 1 child. Bedding configuration (subject to availability): 1 Double sleeping berth and 1 fold-down single sleeping berth.Gold Single Cabin: Maximum passengers per room: 1 adult and 1 infant. Bedding configuration (subject to availability): 1 single sleeping berth (converts to lounge chair).Gold Service Twin Cabin: Maximum passengers per room: 2 adults and up to 2 infants. Bedding configuration (subject to availability): 1 upper single sleeping berth and 1 lower single sleeping berth (converts to 3 seater lounge).Luggage for both Gold and Red Services: Due to cabin space constraints, it is recommended guests take an ‘overnight bag’ containing all requirements for their journey with them in their cabin and check-in all other luggage. Guests are permitted to check-in a maximum 40kg luggage free of charge (2 items not exceeding 20kg each). Checked-in luggage cannot be accessed during the journey.Hairdryers: are available on loan. A small deposit is required

travel inspiration from guidebook

Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. To find out more, please read our Cookie Policy. Accept