Journey Beyond Rail
Monarto Safari Stay 2027
The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide, then Monarto Safari Resort
6 daysfrom $3,359
67% rail
Journey Beyond Rail · Rail journey with resort stay
Monarto Safari Stay 2026
The Ghan Expedition train to Adelaide, then safari resort stay
Journey Beyond Rail operates this 6-day combination rail and safari package that departs Darwin and ends in Adelaide, South Australia. The core is The Ghan Expedition, a 4-day train journey through Australia's Red Centre, stopping in Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy. At each stop you choose from optional off-train experiences: a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise in Katherine, an e-bike adventure or a visit to Standley Chasm in Alice Springs, and an underground lunch in the opal town of Coober Pedy. After arrival in Adelaide, a private vehicle takes you 50 minutes south to Monarto Safari Resort in the Murraylands, where you spend 2 nights in premium accommodation. The resort sits on Africa's largest open-range safari park outside the continent itself. You board a custom Safari Truck for a Sunset Wildlife experience on arrival, then explore the park's 1,500 acres via a guided hop-on hop-off bus, spotting giraffes, lions, elephants, cheetahs, rhinos and chimpanzees. The resort includes a spa, two pools and an onsite restaurant for leisure hours.
What to know before you look closer
- The single supplement (AUD 5,265) is significantly higher than half the base double price; confirm final costs for single occupancy.
- Day 6 involves a morning checkout and private transfer to Adelaide Airport or a CBD hotel; the return journey is not included.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: The Ghan Expedition (3 nights)
Board The Ghan Expedition in Darwin
Settle into the comforts of The Ghan and enjoy lunch on board ahead of the Off Train Experience in Katherine, with choices including a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, the Katherine Outback Experience, or the Cutta Cutta Caves.
- Day 2rail
The Ghan Expedition, Alice Springs
Off Train Experiences including an e-bike adventure, the Alice Explorer tour, Standley Chasm, the Desert Park, or Simpson's Gap, followed by dinner under the stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
- Day 3
The Ghan Expedition, Coober Pedy
A morning stop at Manguri before exploring the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, including a gourmet lunch enjoyed underground.
- Day 4overnight: Monarto Safari Resort (2 nights)
The Ghan Expedition, Adelaide and Monarto Safari Resort
Pass through the Flinders Ranges as the outback gives way to green fields, arriving in Adelaide and transferring by private vehicle to Monarto Safari Resort, about 50 minutes from the city. Settle in before joining the Sunset Wildlife Safari, with exclusive after-hours access to the Wild Africa area aboard a custom-built Safari Truck to observe Southern White Rhinos, Giraffes, Cheetahs, Eland, Ostriches and Zebras, with drinks and canapes.
- Day 5
Monarto Safari Resort
Explore Monarto Safari Park, the largest open-range safari experience in the world outside of Africa, via the guided Zu-Loop bus, spotting Giraffes, Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Rhinos and Chimpanzees, with optional Daily Keeper Presentations. Later, enjoy the day spa, the two pool areas, or the onsite restaurant.
- Day 6
Monarto Safari Resort
Check out of accommodation after breakfast and transfer by private vehicle to Adelaide Airport or a CBD hotel.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Board The Ghan Expedition in Darwin and choose an off-train experience in Katherine: a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, Katherine Outback Experience, or Cutta Cutta Caves.
- Day 2In Alice Springs, join an e-bike adventure, Alice Explorer tour, or visit Standley Chasm or Simpson's Gap, then dine under the stars at the Telegraph Station.
- Day 3Stop at Coober Pedy, the underground opal mining town, and enjoy a gourmet lunch served below ground.
- Day 4Travel through the Flinders Ranges and arrive at Monarto Safari Resort in the Murraylands, then join the Sunset Wildlife Safari to observe Southern White Rhinos, Giraffes, Cheetahs, Eland, Ostriches and Zebras from a custom-built Safari Truck.
- Day 5Explore Monarto Safari Park, the world's largest open-range safari outside Africa, via the guided Zu-Loop hop-on hop-off bus, spotting Giraffes, Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Rhinos and Chimpanzees.
Included
- 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition, Darwin to Adelaide, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy
- Private vehicle transfer from Adelaide Parklands Terminal to Monarto Safari Resort
- 2 nights' accommodation at Monarto Safari Resort, including breakfast daily
- Sunset Wildlife Safari with exclusive access to Monarto Safari Park's Wild Africa area after hours
- Monarto Safari Park general admission ticket
- Private vehicle transfer from Monarto Safari Resort to Adelaide Airport or CBD Hotel
- 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes. The package includes 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide with all meals, beverages and off-train experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy.
- Which train is this?
- The Ghan Expedition, a 4-day rail journey from Darwin to Adelaide through Australia's Red Centre.
- What is the accommodation?
- 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition, then 2 nights at Monarto Safari Resort in the Murraylands, South Australia, including breakfast daily at the resort.
- What meals are included?
- All meals aboard The Ghan Expedition (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners) and breakfast daily at Monarto Safari Resort. The package includes 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners total.
- Is this an escorted or independent tour?
- Journey Beyond Rail organizes the itinerary. Off-train experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy are optional; you choose between options. The safari experiences at Monarto are guided.
- When does this trip depart?
- Departures run May to August 2026, September 2026, October 2026, and November 2026. Prices from AUD 4,965.
