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Journey Beyond Rail · Luxury city stay plus rail journey

Adelaide Luxury Stay 2027 (The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin)

Adelaide wine stay plus The Ghan rail to Darwin through the Red Centre

Illustration of Adelaide Luxury Stay 2027 (The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin)

Journey Beyond Rail combines an urban wine-country escape with Australia's most celebrated luxury train journey. Spend your first three days based at the Sofitel Adelaide, a five-star hotel in the city centre, with time to explore Adelaide's restaurants and markets, plus a full-day premium wine tour through the boutique wineries of McLaren Vale. Then board The Ghan at Adelaide Parklands Terminal for three nights crossing Australia's Red Centre to Darwin. The train stops at Port Augusta for an off-train exploration of the Flinders Ranges, its dramatic gorges and native wildlife. Day six features sunrise at the remote outpost of Marla and your choice of off-train activities in Alice Springs, with optional helicopter upgrades. On the final day, cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge with cultural commentary on the Jawoyn people, or explore Katherine's outback experiences or caves before arriving in Darwin. All meals, beverages, and on-train experiences are included throughout the journey, making this trip suited to luxury seekers, wine enthusiasts, and those seeking comfort on a long-distance rail adventure.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price (AUD 4,590) applies to March and November departures only; May to August costs range up to AUD 8,990 for Platinum class.
  • Day 2 in Adelaide is free and unguided; the Barossa Valley wine tour is optional and requires separate pre-booking and payment.
  • Helicopter flight upgrades in Alice Springs and Katherine are optional and incur additional charges.
  • The itinerary includes three free nights in Adelaide before boarding The Ghan; confirm your arrival and transfer logistics with the operator.

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

    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).

  3. Day 3overnight: 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.

  4. Day 4railovernight: 3 nights The Ghan

    Board The Ghan in Adelaide

    Check out and transfer to Adelaide Parklands Terminal to board The Ghan. By early evening, disembark at Long Plains for a special dinner experience in a celebrated South Australian wine region before returning to the train.

  5. Day 5railovernight: 3 nights The Ghan

    The Ghan, Flinders Ranges

    Arrival into Port Augusta, then a full day Off Train Experience exploring the Flinders Ranges: rugged ranges, dramatic gorges and native wildlife.

  6. Day 6railovernight: 3 nights The Ghan

    The Ghan, Alice Springs

    Sunrise at Marla, a remote outpost on the Oodnadatta Track. Choice of Off Train Experiences in Alice Springs, with an optional scenic helicopter flight upgrade.

  7. Day 7

    The Ghan, Katherine and Darwin

    A cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge with cultural commentary on the Jawoyn people, the Katherine Outback Experience, or the Cutta Cutta Caves, with an optional helicopter flight upgrade. Reboard and continue to Darwin, where the journey concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Full-day premium McLaren Vale wine tour with Small Batch Wine Tours, visiting boutique wineries and dining on regional cuisine.
  • Day 4Board The Ghan at Adelaide Parklands Terminal and disembark at Long Plains for a special dinner in a South Australian wine region before returning to the train.
  • Day 5Off-train exploration of the Flinders Ranges, featuring rugged ranges, dramatic gorges, and native wildlife.
  • Day 6Sunrise at Marla on the Oodnadatta Track, followed by choice of off-train experiences in Alice Springs, with optional scenic helicopter flight upgrade.
  • Day 7Cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge with cultural commentary on the Jawoyn people, or choose the Katherine Outback Experience or Cutta Cutta Caves before arriving 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
  • 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is the train included?
Yes. The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin is fully included, along with all meals, beverages, and off-train experiences aboard. The from-price also covers three nights' accommodation at the Sofitel Adelaide and a full-day McLaren Vale wine tour.
What is The Ghan and which class is offered?
The Ghan is Australia's luxury overnight train running Adelaide to Darwin. Journey Beyond Rail offers Gold, Gold Premium, and Platinum cabin classes, with prices ranging from AUD 4,590 to AUD 8,990 depending on class and season.
How much walking or physical activity is required?
Off-train experiences in the Flinders Ranges, Alice Springs, and Katherine involve exploration and sightseeing; no mandatory hiking is specified. Optional helicopter flights are available in Alice Springs and Katherine.
Are meals included?
Yes. Breakfast daily at the Sofitel Adelaide, all meals and beverages aboard The Ghan, and lunch during the McLaren Vale wine tour are included. The itinerary specifies six breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners total.
What accommodation is provided?
Three nights at the Sofitel Adelaide in the Adelaide CBD with daily breakfast, and three nights aboard The Ghan in your chosen cabin class.
When does this trip run?
Journey Beyond Rail publishes this package for 2027, with pricing varying by season; March and November are the most affordable, while May to August cost more. Confirm current 2027 departure dates with the operator.

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