The Ghan Deluxe Railway Experience: Darwin to Adelaide | 4 Days 3 Nights

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THE GHAN EXPEDITION

Day 1: Darwin and Katherine

Your adventure begins with a morning departure from Darwin. After settling into your private cabin, take the opportunity to meet fellow travellers or enjoy the exceptional food, wine, and service onboard. As lunchtime approaches, indulge in a regionally inspired menu with all-inclusive wines and beverages. By early afternoon, the train arrives at Katherine, a charming township in the Top End.

Here, you'll have the chance to embark on a relaxing cruise through the spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge, a place rich in ancient natural beauty and Indigenous culture. As the day concludes, please return to the train for a delicious dinner while the outback sunset casts its golden hues over the landscape. When you retreat to your cabin, you’ll find your bed turned down and ready for a restful night, lulled by the rhythmic movement of the train as it glides onward.

Choose Your Off-Train Experience:

You may select one of the following included excursions, or upgrade to a premium experience:

Included Experiences (Choose One)

① Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise
Glide along the Katherine River on a peaceful cruise, taking in the awe-inspiring scenery of Nitmiluk Gorge. The towering sandstone walls and geological formations tell a story of time and natural forces, while your guide shares fascinating insights into the cultural and spiritual significance of the gorge for the Jawoyn people.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – approximately 2 km of walking over rocky paths. Guests must board and disembark the boat unassisted.

② Nitmiluk Rock Art Cruise
Discover some of the Top End’s most compelling Indigenous rock art on this leisurely cruise. Drift through the First Gorge as your guide reveals the ancient secrets of the Jawoyn people. A short walk leads to a stunning rock art site, with works dating back thousands of years.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – 2 km of walking and 28 steps to climb.

③ Cutta Cutta Caves (April–October, Limited Availability)
Explore the Cutta Cutta Caves, located 15 metres below ground. Marvel at the sparkling limestone formations and the native wildlife, including rare species of bats. The caves hold deep cultural significance for the Jawoyn people.

Recommended Fitness Level: High – navigation of steep stairs and walking in low-light conditions.

④ Katherine Outback Experience (April–October, Subject to Availability)
Step into the heart of outback life with this captivating experience. Witness cattle dog demonstrations, horse-breaking displays, and live music performances that bring the stories of Australia’s cattle stations to life.

Recommended Fitness Level: Low – conducted in a seated, undercover arena.

Optional Upgrade

⑤ Nitmiluk Gorge Helicopter Flight – $275 per person (Limited Availability)
Soar above all 13 gorges of Nitmiluk National Park on a breathtaking 15–20-minute helicopter ride. Witness the gorge’s remote waterfalls and rock pools from the skies and learn the Dreamtime stories of the Jawoyn people. After the flight, visit the Top Didj Aboriginal Art Gallery for a deeper cultural experience.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – guests must board and disembark the aircraft unassisted. Weight restrictions apply.

Note: This upgrade replaces the included off-train experiences and is non-refundable.

Day 3: Manguri and Coober Pedy

From your early morning stop at the remote outpost of Manguri, you’ll venture into the unique and fascinating opal mining town of Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground. Enjoy a day of exploration, culminating in a gourmet underground lunch. Dinner is served back aboard the train, where you can relax with a nightcap as your journey continues.

Manguri

While not a formal Off-Train Experience, Manguri offers an exceptional bonus when included. Located 30 minutes outside Coober Pedy, the Manguri siding is a place where darkness works to your advantage. The clear, pitch-black skies of the outback, free from light pollution, make the stars truly awe-inspiring.

Upon arrival after dinner, guests are invited to enjoy a nightcap around a bonfire, soaking in the brilliance of the starry sky. This brief stop provides a rare and memorable experience, offering a unique moment during your journey on The Ghan.

Choose Your Off-Train Experience:

Select one of the following tours, or upgrade to the premium experience for an additional cost:

① Explore Coober Pedy (Included in Fare)

This full-day tour covers the highlights of Coober Pedy, beginning with a visit to the Serbian Orthodox Church. Carved into the earth, this awe-inspiring subterranean church features a grand "ballroom" design and beautiful stained-glass windows.

At the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, you’ll discover the town’s fascinating history, tour a ‘dugout’ home, and learn about the deep Indigenous connection to the area.

Next, try your luck at the Opal Quest Mine with a hard hat on and enjoy an underground lunch.

The tour also takes you to a stretch of the Dog Fence, the world’s longest continuous fence, which runs 5,000 kilometres across Australia.

Lastly, enjoy a visit to the Breakaways, a vast plain of flat-topped mesas once part of an inland sea.

On your return to Manguri siding in the early evening, capture a memorable photo of The Ghan locomotive.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – requires navigating stairs, steep inclines, and underground tunnels. Warm clothing is advised as underground spaces can be cold. Sturdy enclosed shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers, and long sleeves are recommended.

② Discover the Majestic Breakaways (Included in Fare)

The Breakaways Reserve’s colourful hills appear to have ‘broken away’ from the higher ground, creating a surreal landscape that changes colours with the sun’s movement. This once inland sea is now a dramatic setting, perfect for photography.

The tour includes a visit to the Opal Quest Mine, where you can try your luck finding opals and enjoy an underground lunch.

At the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, you’ll learn about opals and Aboriginal history.

A guided tour of the museum lets you explore underground tunnels, hand-dug shafts, and an original dugout home.

Return to Manguri siding in the early evening to snap a photo of The Ghan locomotive.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – involves approximately 500m of walking and standing at the Breakaways. Warm clothes are advised for underground spaces, and the Breakaways can be windy. Sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a hat, trousers, and long sleeves are recommended.

③ Opal Experience (Included in Fare)

This shorter tour focuses on the allure of opals, starting with a visit to the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum. Learn about the gemstone’s beauty and history, and explore underground caverns, hand-dug shafts, and tunnels, including an original dugout home.

At the Opal Quest Mine, don a hard hat and try your hand at finding opals, followed by an underground lunch.

Before departing Coober Pedy, visit the Big Winch, a landmark offering spectacular views over the town.

Return to Manguri siding in the early afternoon and capture a photo of The Ghan locomotive.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – involves stairs, steep inclines, and walking through underground tunnels. Warm clothing is recommended for the underground areas. Sturdy enclosed shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers, and long sleeves are recommended.

④ Painted Hills & Lake Eyre Scenic Flight (Optional Upgrade – $1,250 per person)

For an unforgettable aerial adventure, take a scenic flight over the Anna Creek Painted Hills and Lake Eyre. The Painted Hills, a stunning rocky outcrop, offers a bird’s-eye view of the desert landscape. Fly over Lake Eyre, the lowest point in Australia, which displays a striking pink hue when the water evaporates.

Enjoy a classic pub lunch at the William Creek Hotel in the tiny town of William Creek.

Before returning, take in a different perspective of Coober Pedy from the air, seeing the underground homes from above.

You’ll return to Manguri siding in the evening, where you can snap a photo of The Ghan locomotive.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – requires the ability to board and disembark an aircraft unassisted. There will be guided walks at two locations with standing required. Weight restrictions apply – individuals must weigh under 130kg. Warm clothing is recommended for the flight and tours. Sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a hat, trousers, and long sleeves are highly recommended.

Note: This upgrade replaces the included Off-Train Experiences and is non-refundable.

Day 4: Adelaide

Cabin Fare Classification:

PLATINUM

Platinum offers a level of sophistication that truly elevates the romance of rail travel. Designed for the discerning traveller, it combines elegance with comfort for an exceptional journey. Stylish and spacious cabins are complemented by discreet, personalised service, along with exclusive access to the Platinum Club carriage for dining, relaxation, and socialising. As expected, the food and wine are of the highest quality, featuring hearty breakfasts, two-course lunches, and four-course dinners, all inspired by regional flavours and paired with champagne and premium wines.

The luxury begins even before you step aboard, with private transfers provided for Platinum guests before and after the journey, ensuring a stylish start to your adventure.

Platinum cabins offer an array of luxurious extras, including a full-size en suite, expansive window views, and exclusive access to the Platinum Club carriage. The experience is further enhanced with luxurious linen, French Champagne, Bracegirdle’s chocolates, a nightcap at turndown, and more—making this an unforgettable experience.

GOLD PREMIUM

For travellers seeking an enhanced journey, Gold Premium on The Ghan and Great Southern offers an upgraded experience. Accommodated in newly designed, contemporary cabins, guests enjoy exclusive access to the Gold Premium Lounge and Gold Premium Dining carriage for meals and socialising. Indulge in delicious breakfasts, two-course regionally inspired lunches, and delectable four-course dinners in stylish surroundings, all complemented by a selection of premium beverages.

Gold Premium offers several special touches to make the journey truly memorable, including priority check-in, an increased luggage allowance, luxury amenities, and tour preferencing.

Guests can choose between a Gold Premium Twin cabin or a Gold Premium Suite, which offers additional space. Whichever cabin you select, Gold Premium provides a step up to an elevated style of train travel in 2024.