The Ghan
This transcontinental adventure offers an unsurpassed view of Australia - North to South over three unforgettable days.
Travel by rail between Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin and you are embarking on one of the great train journeys of the world. Named after the Afghan cameleers who once traversed this route, The Ghan will take you from one edge of this continent to the other, through the very centre of Australia.
A journey on The Ghan is an incomparable way to travel to the two jewels of Australia's Northern Territory – the Red Centre and the tropical Top End. No journey aboard The Ghan is complete without taking in both of these must-see destinations.
The Ghan's timetable makes the most of the daylight hours to offer unsurpassed views of the passing landscape. From the sweeping Adelaide Plains unfolding before your eyes to the majestic Flinders Ranges, this first stage of the journey offers a perspective on South Australia you simply can't afford to miss.
Each new day begins with a fresh panorama of this changing landscape. Red earth and cobalt blue skies – the essence of Central Australia takes on a character of its own with every passing hour.
Leave the train in Alice Springs to tour locations close to Australia’s heart with Whistle Stop and Optional Tours. These tours, which last from a few hours to a few days, include an extraordinary range of opportunities for discovering the region’s most fascinating sites.
Entering the Top End, the landscape mellows with subtropical flora staking its claim over the passing scenery. Whistle Stop Tours in the northern town of Katherine offer you the opportunity to experience the inspiring wonders of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) before your rail journey concludes in tropical Darwin, the relaxed capital city of Australia's Northern Territory.
Of course, you can always travel from Darwin to Adelaide - it’s just as impressive.
Journey Overview
Route: Adelaide – Alice Springs – Darwin
Duration: 2 nights in either direction
Distance: 2,979 kilometres (1846 miles)