Search

Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Australia's The Ghan

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

Illustration of Australia's The Ghan

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.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 4,095 covers flights from London Heathrow, hotels, train travel, transfers, and meals on board The Ghan, but optional add-ons (Kangaroo Island tours, Kakadu day tour, crocodile tours) cost extra.
  • 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

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    UK to Adelaide

    Your adventure begins today when you take your flight from London to Adelaide.

  2. Day 2overnight: In flight

    UK to Adelaide (continued)

    Continue your flight from London to Adelaide.

  3. Day 3overnight: Adelaide

    Arrive Adelaide

    You'll arrive in Adelaide today, where you'll be transferred to your hotel. The capital of South Australia welcomes you with sandy beaches, hills for hiking, and chic city restaurants and bars. The city's National Park City status tells you all you need to know about the character of Adelaide. Like London, it's a city blooming with green spaces, meaning you never have to walk far from the busy city streets to find a park or garden for some quiet down time. Choose from our 4* and 5* hotels, on a B&B basis.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Adelaide

    Exploring Adelaide

    Enjoy a free day in Adelaide today, getting to know the city better. Spend some time shopping in the city and visit some of Adelaide's fine restaurants and hip bars. Or get away from the big city atmosphere and head to the Botanic Gardens. You can take a tram to the beach for a few hours lazing on the sands or having a go at some water sports. Or, hire a bike and zip around the city and its outskirts looking for inspiring stops and interesting views. You can take it easy and stroll around the streets, stopping for a coffee and watching local life go by. Alternatively, choose one of optional excursions, available at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: The Ghan (on board)

    The Ghan

    Today you'll embark on a special journey as part of your incredible tour, when you board The Ghan train from Adelaide to Darwin. Simple and elegant in design, The Ghan gives you a sense of the golden age of travel as soon as you step aboard. Access to the Outback Explorer Lounge gives you a place to get to know your fellow travellers over a drink and to relax while you watch the landscapes roll by. A two-course lunch and a three-course dinner is served in the dining car, accompanied by regional fine wines. Your gold twin cabin provides a quiet oasis of calm for you to sit in by day, watching the scenery go by, and sleep in by night when your sofa converts into twin beds. As you settle into your cabin you'll travel through the 'red centre' to the tropical north of Australia, the rolling pastoral lands of South Australia drifting by your window. Meet your fellow passengers in the lounge car and enjoy a drink while some of the oldest rock formations in the world, the Flinders Ranges, come into view. As darkness falls across the rugged outback, enjoy a regionally inspired dinner and all-inclusive fine wines.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: The Ghan (on board)

    The Ghan in the "Red Centre"

    Relax with a freshly brewed coffee or tea early this morning, as your day begins at Marla, an outback outpost in the remote reaches of South Australia. Here, you'll enjoy a unique experience, as you watch the sunrise over the desert. As you make your way through the MacDonnell Ranges to Alice Springs, 'capital of the outback', you'll enjoy brunch onboard. Alice is 1,500 kilometres from the nearest major city, and a Red Centre Outpost. Its beauty lies in its remoteness, and you'll find the environment singular while providing a rich history and interesting landscapes. Enjoy a lavish dinner in the dining car onboard, and hang out with new friends in the lounge car while you chat about the day's adventures. Then, get cosy in your cabin for your second night onboard.

    Meals: Brunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Darwin

    The Ghan, north to Darwin

    Your day begins today in the tropical north, where the wild landscapes of Katherine greet you over breakfast. When you arrive, you'll cruise the spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge, and learn more about its ancient Indigenous rock paintings. You'll delve into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people, before heading back onboard for your sumptuous dinner. You'll arrive in Darwin this evening, where it's time to disembark and say goodbye to the majestic Ghan. On arrival in Darwin you'll be transferred to your hotel. Choose from our 4* and 5* hotels, on a B&B basis.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Darwin

    Exploring Darwin

    Enjoy a free day in Darwin today and dive into this vibrant seaside city. The capital of the northern territory, Darwin is well known for its Asian food scene and getting out and sampling some of the city's best restaurants and food markets is a must while you're here. Although it's not safe to swim in the sea here because of the crocs and jellyfish, the beaches are lovely for relaxing and you can swim in the city lagoon. Or, choose one of our optional excursions to dig a little deeper into Darwin.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: In flight

    Darwin to the UK

    Your incredible adventure comes to its end today when you're transferred from your hotel to the airport for your overnight flight back to London.

  10. Day 10

    Arrive UK

    Today you arrive back in the UK, full of unforgettable inspiring memories that will last you a lifetime.

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

  • 4 nights' in 4/5-Star hotel accommodation
  • 2 nights on board The Ghan in a Gold Twin Cabin
  • All rail and transfers throughout the tour
  • Flight from London Heathrow to Adelaide and from Darwin to London Heathrow

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

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.

Similar journeys