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Journey Beyond Rail · Luxury city stay plus rail journey

Adelaide Luxury Stay 2026 (The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin)

Adelaide luxury stay and The Ghan train to Darwin through the Red Centre

Illustration of Adelaide Luxury Stay 2026 (The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin)

Journey Beyond Rail pairs a three-night stay at the Sofitel Adelaide with a two-night sleeper journey aboard The Ghan to Darwin. Your Adelaide stay includes daily breakfast and a full-day wine tour of McLaren Vale led by Small Batch Wine Tours, visiting sustainably focused boutique wineries with lunch at a regional restaurant. On day 4, you board The Ghan at Adelaide Parklands Terminal and settle into your cabin as the train departs for the Red Centre. Over the next two days, the train traverses Australia's outback landscape with stops and Off Train Experiences at Marla, a remote outpost on the Oodnadatta Track; Alice Springs, the hub of the Red Centre; and Nitmiluk Gorge near Katherine, where you cruise through the ancient canyon. All meals and beverages aboard the train are included, along with private vehicle transfers between your hotel and the terminals. This package suits luxury-seekers and food-and-wine travellers looking for a balance of city comfort and famous outback rail travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • The first three nights are hotel-based in Adelaide; rail travel occupies days 4-6 only.
  • Barossa Valley wine tour on day 3 requires advance booking and additional payment; it is optional.
  • Advance Purchase fares are subject to availability and must be booked within certain terms; prices vary by season.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: 3 nights Sofitel Adelaide

    Arrive Adelaide

    Check in to accommodation in the heart of the Adelaide CBD. Evening free to explore Adelaide's restaurant scene.

  2. Day 2overnight: 3 nights Sofitel Adelaide

    McLaren Vale

    Full-day premium McLaren Vale wine tour with 'Small Batch Wine Tours', visiting boutique, sustainably focused wineries, with a restaurant lunch featuring the flavours of the region.

  3. Day 3overnight: 3 nights Sofitel Adelaide

    Adelaide

    Free day to explore Adelaide at leisure, visit Adelaide Central Market, or take the optional Barossa Valley premium wine tour (additional charge, pre-booking required).

  4. Day 4railovernight: 2 nights The Ghan

    Board The Ghan in Adelaide

    Check out and transfer to Adelaide Parklands Terminal to board The Ghan. Settle into the cabin as the train departs the city for the Flinders Ranges and beyond.

  5. Day 5railovernight: 2 nights The Ghan

    The Ghan, Alice Springs

    Sunrise at Marla, a remote outpost on the Oodnadatta Track. Arrival in Alice Springs early afternoon for an Off Train Experience.

  6. Day 6rail

    The Ghan, Katherine and Darwin

    A guided cruise Off Train Experience through Nitmiluk Gorge near Katherine, then arrival in Darwin bringing the stay to an end.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Visit boutique, sustainably focused wineries in McLaren Vale with Small Batch Wine Tours, including a restaurant lunch featuring regional flavours.
  • Day 5Day 5: Sunrise at Marla, a remote outpost on the Oodnadatta Track, then arrival in Alice Springs early afternoon for an Off Train Experience.
  • Day 6Day 6: Guided cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge near Katherine, an ancient landscape, before arrival in Darwin.

Included

  • 3 nights' accommodation in Adelaide, including breakfast daily
  • Small Batch Wine Tour 'Uncork McLaren Vale' premium full-day tour including lunch
  • Private vehicle transfer from hotel to Adelaide Parklands Terminal
  • All meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences aboard The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin)
  • Transfer from Darwin Rail Terminal to hotel
  • 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

Questions travellers ask

What train am I travelling on?
The Ghan, which operates from Adelaide to Darwin across Australia's Red Centre. You choose between Gold, Gold Premium or Platinum class cabins.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
The Adelaide stay is free-time based, though a McLaren Vale wine tour is included. The train portion includes Off Train Experiences (guided tours) at Marla, Alice Springs and Nitmiluk Gorge near Katherine.
What accommodation do I get?
Three nights at the Sofitel Adelaide in the CBD with daily breakfast, followed by two nights aboard The Ghan in your chosen cabin class.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily at the Sofitel; lunch from the McLaren Vale wine tour; all meals and beverages aboard The Ghan, including the Off Train Experience meals.
When do departures run?
Journey Beyond Rail does not publish a departure calendar in this package information. Contact them to confirm available travel dates and book your preferred cabin class.
What is the starting price?
AUD 3,920 for Gold Twin Advance Purchase fares in November, rising to AUD 4,660 in May-August. Platinum and Gold Premium fares are higher.

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