How much does it cost?

From £4,865 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,572 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. The from-price includes two nights aboard The Ghan in a Gold Twin Cabin, all rail transfers, flights from London Heathrow to Adelaide and from Darwin to London Heathrow, and coach transfers.

What train am I travelling on?

The Ghan, which runs from Adelaide to Darwin. You travel in a Gold Twin Cabin (standard), with upgrades available to Gold Single, Gold Premium, or Platinum Cabins. The train includes an Outback Explorer Lounge, multi-course dining, and all-inclusive wine service.

Is this escorted or independent?

Independent. Great Rail Journeys arranges your flights, accommodation, and train journey, but you have free days in Adelaide and Darwin to explore on your own.

Which hotels are included?

A four or five-star hotel in Adelaide for two nights (Eos by Skycity listed) and a four or five-star hotel in Darwin for two nights (Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront or Hilton Darwin listed).

What meals are included?

Breakfast and some meals during free days in Adelaide and Darwin; on The Ghan, lunch and dinner on day five and brunch and dinner on day six are included, with regionally inspired dishes and fine wines on board.

What is not included?

Cancellation and Travel Insurance. Optional extras such as Kangaroo Island tours, Kakadu National Park day tours, crocodile tours, flight upgrades, and London hotels are available but cost extra.

Great Rail Journeys · Independent rail tour

Australia's The Ghan

Ten-day Adelaide to Darwin rail journey aboard The Ghan sleeper train

Great Rail Journeys organises this 10-day independent adventure combining flights from London Heathrow with a two-night passage aboard The Ghan, one of Australia's most renowned sleeper trains. The journey begins with two days exploring Adelaide, South Australia's capital, known for its sandy beaches, green spaces, and food scene. You then board The Ghan in Adelaide for a passage to Darwin, spending nights in a Gold Twin Cabin while the train travels through the remote red centre of Australia. En route, you watch the sunrise at the Marla outback outpost, pass through the Flinders and MacDonnell Ranges, and experience a cruise of Nitmiluk Gorge to see ancient Indigenous rock art and learn about the Jawoyn people who are the traditional owners. After arriving in Darwin, you have a free day to explore this seaside city and sample its Asian restaurants and food markets. The package includes two nights each in four and five-star hotels in Adelaide and Darwin, all meals on board The Ghan, regionally inspired dining with fine wines, and all rail and coach transfers. This trip suits independent travellers who want luxury accommodation and rail travel combined with free time to explore cities at their own pace.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £770 since 4 Jul, to £4,865.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

This is an independent tour; Adelaide and Darwin each have one free day with no guided activities or escorted sightseeing.
The itinerary includes two long-haul flights (London to Adelaide and Darwin to London) as part of the journey.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: In flight
UK to Adelaide
Your journey of a lifetime begins today when you take your flight from London to Adelaide.
Day 2overnight: In flight
UK to Adelaide
Continuing your journey from London to Adelaide.
Day 3overnight: Adelaide
Arrival in Adelaide
Landing in the capital of South Australia today, you'll be transferred to your 5-Star hotel on a B&B basis. Adelaide welcomes you with sandy beaches, hills for hiking, and chic city restaurants and bars, with National Park City status and abundant green spaces.
Day 4overnight: Adelaide
Exploring Adelaide
A free day in Adelaide, the 'City of Churches' - shopping, fine restaurants and bars, the Botanic Gardens, the beach, cycling, or optional excursions to Kangaroo Island or the Barossa Valley.
Day 5railovernight: On board The Ghan
Boarding the luxurious Ghan
Your epic south-to-north journey on the world-famous Ghan begins this afternoon, with all dining and drinks included. By early evening you'll arrive at Long Plains, transferring to a South Australian wine region for a special dinner experience before returning to the train, which continues north overnight.
Day 6railovernight: On board The Ghan
Through the Flinders Ranges
The Ghan arrives into Port Augusta, South Australia's gateway to the outback. After breakfast, step off the train for a full day discovering the Flinders Ranges, with rugged ranges, dramatic gorges and native wildlife, before rejoining the train for dinner and drinks onboard.
Day 7railovernight: On board The Ghan
Marla & Alice Springs
Wake to an outback sunrise at Marla, gateway to the Oodnadatta Track, with a bonfire and red dirt underfoot. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as the train continues to Alice Springs, where off-train experiences include an off-road bike adventure, Standley Chasm, Desert Park, Simpsons Gap, or a scenic helicopter flight, before returning to the train for dinner.
Day 8railovernight: Darwin
Nitmiluk Gorge & arrival in Darwin
As the red desert gives way to rocky escarpments, experience a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge, learning of its cultural significance to the Jawoyn people, or alternatively visit the Katherine Outback Experience or Cutta Cutta Caves. The train then continues to Darwin, where you're transferred to your hotel, choosing from 4-Star and 5-Star hotels on a B&B basis.
Day 9overnight: Darwin
Exploring Darwin
A free day in Darwin, known for its Asian food scene and vibrant restaurants and markets, or choose an optional excursion such as a Kakadu National Park day tour or a Half Day Jumping Crocodile Tour.
Day 10overnight: In flight
Homeward bound
Your journey through Australia's rugged red centre comes to its end today when you're transferred from your hotel to the airport for your overnight flight back to London.
Day 11
Arrival back in the UK
Arriving back in the UK today, you can begin to recall this unforgettable holiday and the many incredible sights you have witnessed.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 5Board The Ghan in Adelaide and settle into your Gold Twin Cabin for a two-night journey into the Australian outback.
Day 6Watch the sunrise over the desert at Marla outpost, then travel through the MacDonnell Ranges toward Alice Springs, 1,500 kilometres from the nearest major city.
Day 7Cruise Nitmiluk Gorge, viewing ancient Indigenous rock paintings and learning about the culture of the Jawoyn people before arriving in Darwin.

Included

3 nights on the Ghan luxury train in a Gold Twin Cabin
4 nights in 4 & 5-Star hotels on a Bed & Breakfast basis
All rail and transfers throughout your tour
Flights from London Heathrow to Adelaide, Darwin to London Heathrow

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £4,865 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $6,572 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. The from-price includes two nights aboard The Ghan in a Gold Twin Cabin, all rail transfers, flights from London Heathrow to Adelaide and from Darwin to London Heathrow, and coach transfers.
What train am I travelling on?: The Ghan, which runs from Adelaide to Darwin. You travel in a Gold Twin Cabin (standard), with upgrades available to Gold Single, Gold Premium, or Platinum Cabins. The train includes an Outback Explorer Lounge, multi-course dining, and all-inclusive wine service.
Is this escorted or independent?: Independent. Great Rail Journeys arranges your flights, accommodation, and train journey, but you have free days in Adelaide and Darwin to explore on your own.
Which hotels are included?: A four or five-star hotel in Adelaide for two nights (Eos by Skycity listed) and a four or five-star hotel in Darwin for two nights (Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront or Hilton Darwin listed).
What meals are included?: Breakfast and some meals during free days in Adelaide and Darwin; on The Ghan, lunch and dinner on day five and brunch and dinner on day six are included, with regionally inspired dishes and fine wines on board.
What is not included?: Cancellation and Travel Insurance. Optional extras such as Kangaroo Island tours, Kakadu National Park day tours, crocodile tours, flight upgrades, and London hotels are available but cost extra.