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Firebird Tours · Group tour

Arnhem Land Adventure with The Ghan Expedition Train

Remote Arnhem Land wilderness and Aboriginal culture, then The Ghan train to Adelaide

Illustration of Arnhem Land Adventure with The Ghan Expedition Train

Firebird Tours' 16-day Arnhem Land Adventure combines remote northern Australian wilderness exploration with a 3-day passage aboard The Ghan Expedition Train. The journey starts in Cairns and flies you to isolated lodges across East, West, and North Arnhem Land, where you will spend 12 days on guided safaris, boat cruises, and cultural excursions. You will attend a Welcome to Country ceremony with the Yolngu people, explore 40,000-year-old Aboriginal rock art galleries at Mount Borradaile, fish on the Liverpool and Tomkinson Rivers, and observe hundreds of thousands of waterbirds in the Arafura Swamp. On day 13, you board The Ghan in Darwin and travel overnight through the Red Centre, stopping for off-train experiences at Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy before arriving in Adelaide. A Tour Director and expert local guides lead the wilderness days; hotels, meals, transport, and train fare are included. The pace is fast and the activity level high, with daily excursions across remote terrain and wetlands. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, history enthusiasts, photographers, and those seeking authentic Indigenous and outback experiences.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 12,311 covers the package including rail, hotels, and activities; confirm which specific off-train experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy are included in your booking, as the itinerary lists multiple options
  • Pace is fast with daily excursions and frequent hotel changes; expect an active itinerary suited to travellers comfortable with long days of travel and outdoor activity
  • Solo supplement pricing is not stated; contact Firebird Tours to confirm single occupancy costs

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Walkabout Lodge, Nhulunbuy

    Cairns to Nhulunbuy

    Flight from Cairns to Nhulunbuy; on arrival, explore the frontier village and visit the Roy (Malpi) Marika Lookout over the Gove Peninsula and Gayngaru Wetlands.

  2. Day 2overnight: Walkabout Lodge, Nhulunbuy

    The Gove Peninsula Tour

    'Welcome to Country' ceremony at Wirrwawuy Beach, visit to the BukuLarrnggay Mulka Centre and Yirrkala, lunch and a Bush Medicine and Women's Healing demonstration at Shady Beach.

  3. Day 3overnight: Murwangi Safari Camp

    Departure to Murwangi

    Drive south-west along the Central Arnhem Road to the Goyder River and Arafura Swamp, arriving at the exclusive Murwangi safari camp on the floodplain.

  4. Day 4overnight: Murwangi Safari Camp

    Arafura Swamp Cruise & 4WD Murwangi Discovery Tour

    Cruise on the Arafura Swamp lagoon, home to up to 300,000 waterbirds, followed by a 4WD adventure around the swamp edge with Indigenous guides.

  5. Day 5overnight: Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge

    Bula'bula Art Centre & Departure to Barramundi Lodge

    Visit Bula'bula Art Centre in Ramingining, then cross the Blyth and Cadell Rivers to Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge on the Liverpool/Tomkinson floodplains.

  6. Day 6overnight: Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge

    Fishing Adventure & Cultural Tour

    Guided barramundi fishing on the Liverpool and Tomkinson Rivers, then Maningrida Arts and Cultural Centre and the Djomi Museum.

  7. Day 7overnight: Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris, Mount Borradaile

    Departure to West Arnhem

    Drive through the stone country of west Arnhem Land, crossing the Goomadeer and Liverpool Rivers to Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris at Mount Borradaile.

  8. Day 8overnight: Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris

    Mount Borradaile Rock Art Tour

    Open-back 4WD exploration of Mount Borradaile's rock art galleries, the eroded sandstone 'catacombs', and Cooper Creek wetlands.

  9. Day 9overnight: Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge

    Departure to Garig Gunak Barlu National Park

    Travel to Port Essington and take a boat transfer across to Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge on the Cobourg Peninsula.

  10. Day 10overnight: Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge

    Port Essington & Historic Victoria Settlement

    Boat exploration of Port Essington aboard the MV Arafura, visiting the ruins of the historic Victoria Settlement.

  11. Day 11overnight: Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge

    Trepang Bay Marine & 4WD Adventure

    Half-day fishing in the Cobourg Marine Park, then a 4WD safari through Garig Gunak Barlu National Park to Trepang Creek and Gunners Quoin.

  12. Day 12overnight: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

    Departure to Darwin

    Scenic flight across Van Diemen Gulf to Darwin; check in and take a Charles Darwin sunset dinner cruise.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Aboard The Ghan Expedition Train

    Board The Ghan Expedition & Off Train Experience in Katherine

    Transfer to the Darwin rail terminal to board The Ghan; Off Train Experience in Katherine (Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, Katherine Outback Experience or Cutta Cutta Caves).

  14. Day 14railovernight: Aboard The Ghan Expedition Train

    Alice Springs Off Train Experience

    Off Train Experience in Alice Springs (Telegraph Station, Desert Park or Standley Chasm), dinner under the stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

  15. Day 15railovernight: Aboard The Ghan Expedition Train

    Coober Pedy Off Train Experience

    Stop at Manguri for an Off Train Experience in Coober Pedy (the Breakaways, town tour, or Opal Experience) and an underground lunch.

  16. Day 16rail

    Adelaide Arrival

    Pass through the Flinders Ranges for a leisurely brunch before arriving in Adelaide, completing the rail journey.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Welcome to Country ceremony at Wirrwawuy Beach with the Yolngu people and visit to the BukuLarrnggay Mulka Centre
  • Day 4Arafura Swamp cruise with Indigenous guides observing up to 300,000 waterbirds
  • Day 8Open-back 4WD exploration of Mount Borradaile's 40,000-year-old rock art galleries and eroded sandstone formations
  • Day 13Board The Ghan Expedition Train in Darwin and enjoy an off-train Nitmiluk Gorge cruise or Cutta Cutta Caves visit at Katherine
  • Day 14Dinner under the stars at Alice Springs Telegraph Station after exploring the Desert Park or Telegraph Station

Included

  • Exceptional downtown hotel accommodations
  • Guided sightseeing tours with expert English-speaking guides
  • Delicious breakfasts at your hotels
  • In-depth exploration of best landmarks
  • Tickets and intercity transportation as per itinerary
  • Professional meeting services at the airport
  • Dedicated support team before and during your trip

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The 3-day Ghan Expedition Train journey from Darwin to Adelaide via Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy is included in the package price, along with overnights aboard the train.
Is this tour guided or independent?
It is a fully guided group tour. Firebird Tours provides a Tour Director throughout the wilderness portion of the journey and expert English-speaking guides at each location.
Which train is used?
The Ghan Expedition Train, which runs from Darwin to Adelaide, stopping at Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy.
Where do we stay before boarding the train?
Days 1 to 12 include lodges across Arnhem Land: Walkabout Lodge (Nhulunbuy), Murwangi Safari Camp, Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge (Maningrida), Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris (Mount Borradaile), Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge (Garig Gunak Barlu National Park), and one night at Hilton Garden Inn Darwin before boarding the train.
What activities are included?
The itinerary includes Aboriginal rock art tours, Welcome to Country ceremony, boat cruises through wetlands and marine parks, 4WD safaris, guided fishing, art centre visits, and off-train experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The tour operates at an active pace with daily 4WD safaris, boat cruises, and rock art hikes across remote terrain. Physical level is high; expect substantial daily activity in hot, tropical conditions.

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