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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Australia's The Ghan

Adelaide to Darwin on The Ghan sleeper train through Australia's Red Centre

Illustration of Australia's The Ghan

Vacations By Rail operates this 7-day independent journey across Australia aboard The Ghan, a luxury sleeper train that departs Adelaide and arrives in Darwin after two nights crossing the continent. You begin with a free day to explore Adelaide and a full-day wine tour in the Barossa Valley with tastings at four boutique wineries. On day 3, you board The Ghan in a Gold Twin cabin, enjoying multi-course meals in the dining car as the train climbs through the MacDonnell Ranges and the Red Centre. Day 4 brings a sunrise at the remote outpost of Marla and brunch on board; on day 5, you disembark at Katherine to cruise Nitmiluk Gorge and see ancient Indigenous rock art before rejoining the train for dinner and arrival in Darwin. The final day includes a half-day wetlands tour spotting crocodiles and hundreds of bird and reptile species. The trip suits independent travellers who want luxury train accommodation, premium hotels, and guided land activities without a full-time escort.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights to and from Australia are not included in the starting price of USD 3,405.
  • Final hotel in Adelaide and Darwin depends on your choice between the listed four-star and five-star options.
  • The cabin class on The Ghan can be upgraded from Gold Twin to Gold Premium or Platinum at additional cost.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Adelaide

    Arriving in Adelaide

    Transfer to a four-star or five-star B&B hotel; free day to explore Adelaide's beaches, hills and city restaurants.

  2. Day 2overnight: Adelaide

    Heading into the Barossa Valley

    Full-day excursion into the Barossa Valley wine region with a Small Batch Wine Tours vehicle, including tastings at four boutique wineries and a chef's-choice shared restaurant lunch with beer or wine.

  3. Day 3overnight: Train

    The Ghan

    Board The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin; a drink in the Outback Explorer Lounge, then a two-course lunch and three-course dinner in the dining car. Choice of Gold Twin, Gold Single, or upgrades to Gold Premium or Platinum accommodations.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Train

    The Ghan in the "Red Centre"

    Sunrise over the desert at the outback outpost of Marla; the train passes through the MacDonnell Ranges to Alice Springs with brunch on board, followed by a lavish dinner in the dining car.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Darwin

    Traveling north to Darwin on The Ghan

    Breakfast as the train reaches tropical Katherine; disembark for a cruise of the Nitmiluk Gorge to see ancient Indigenous rock art and learn about the Jawoyn people, then reboard for dinner before arriving in Darwin this evening.

  6. Day 6overnight: Darwin

    Getting to know Darwin and its wildlife

    Half-day tour of the Marrakai wetlands, home to crocodiles, 117 species of reptiles and 280 types of birds, with free time to explore Darwin's restaurants and markets.

  7. Day 7

    Tour conclusion

    Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the overnight flight back to the United States.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Full-day Barossa Valley wine tour with tastings at four boutique wineries and a chef's-choice shared lunch.
  • Day 3Board The Ghan in Adelaide for a two-course lunch and three-course dinner in the dining car, overnight in a Gold Twin cabin.
  • Day 4Sunrise over the desert at Marla as The Ghan passes through the MacDonnell Ranges toward Alice Springs.
  • Day 5Disembark at Katherine and cruise Nitmiluk Gorge to view ancient Indigenous rock art and learn about the Jawoyn people.
  • Day 6Half-day Marrakai wetlands tour to spot crocodiles, 117 reptile species, and 280 bird types in Darwin.

Included

  • 4 nights 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Gold twin cabin for 2 nights on The Ghan

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all rail travel on The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin in a Gold Twin cabin for 2 nights, plus all coach transfers.
Is this escorted or independent?
Vacations By Rail markets this as an independent rail vacation. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary with included activities like the Barossa Valley wine tour and Nitmiluk Gorge cruise.
Which hotels are included?
Four nights in either a four-star or five-star hotel. Options in Adelaide include the Grand Chancellor Hotel or Eos by Skycity; in Darwin, the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront or Hilton Darwin.
What meals are included?
Two and three-course dinners on The Ghan; a two-course lunch on day 3; brunch on day 4; breakfast on day 5; and a shared chef's-choice lunch on the Barossa Valley wine tour.
What is not included?
International flights to Australia and the return flight are not included. Travel and cancellation insurance can be arranged separately.

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