Check Availability

The Ghan Train - Darwin to Adelaide

Available in English

Activity Schedule

  • When does it run?

    01 Apr - 05 Jun & 02 Sep - 31 Mar: Wednesday
    06 Jun – 01 Sep: Wednesday and Saturday

  • Duration

    Approx. 51 Hours

  • Start time

    Wednesday: 1000h (10:00am)
    Saturday: 0900h (09:00am)
    Duration: Approx. 51 Hours

  • Meeting Point
    Your journey starts from Darwin Train Station, Berrimah Road, East Arm, Northern Territory.
    Please report at the meeting point 45 minutes before the start time. This is mandatory to allow time for pre-departure briefing.
  • Ending Point

    Your journey ends at Adelaide railway station.

Key Highlights

  • One of the world′s greatest train journeys
  • All the romance of rail plus creature comforts
  • Choose from super de luxe Gold or comfortable Red Services
  • Stunning panoramas as you cross the continent from north to south
  • Great opportunities for sightseeing at Katherine and Alice Springs

Overview

Take the greatest rail journey in Australia! Board the celebrated Ghan train in tropical Darwin and roll hundreds of kilometers south to cool temperate Adelaide.

The terrain you cross on the way is the stuff of legend. After all, you are following the route plied by Afghan camel drivers who supplied the interior in the days before the railway!

Sit back in comfort and watch the scene change from lush greenery of the north to the red central desert to the fertile countryside around Adelaide. This is the ultimate journey through the heart of the continent.

Your fascinating journey takes two days. Plenty of time to enjoy the 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 you get the chance for sightseeing at Katherine and Alice Springs.

For the greatest 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.

Itinerary

Experience one of the great train journeys of the world when you take The Ghan Train all the way from Darwin to Adelaide. 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.

This incredible journey takes you from the lush tropical greenery of Darwin, through the arid red heart of Australia to the cool temperate countryside around Adelaide. Sit back in comfortable seats and enjoy panoramic views across the immensity of this beautiful continent.

There will be two stops on the way. You will have a 4-hour stop in Katherine and a 3 hour 30 minute stop in Alice Springs. At both stops you will have the opportunity to go sightseeing and a number of tour options are available.

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.

After travelling for two days and nights and making stops at Katherine and Alice Springs, you will arrive in Adelaide at around 1230h (12:30pm) on Friday (if you departed Darwin on Wednesday) or on Monday (if you departed Darwin on Saturday).

Inclusions

  • Train ticket Darwin to Adelaide
  • 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.
  • In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary available
  • All meals included and Australian wines, beers, base spirits and non-alcoholic beverages are 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • In-cabin music channels and journey audio commentary available
  • 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.
  • 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

  • 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