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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & Sail

Outback to Ocean Kimberley Cruising 2026 - PONANT

The Ghan plus Kimberley cruise from Adelaide to Broome in 17 days

Illustration of Outback to Ocean Kimberley Cruising 2026 - PONANT

Journey Beyond Rail operates this 17-day rail and sail package combining The Ghan with a PONANT Kimberley cruise. You board The Ghan in Adelaide and travel north for 2 nights, passing through the red centre with stops at Marla and Alice Springs for guided explorations before reaching Darwin. After two nights in Darwin, you transfer to either Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal for a 10-night expedition cruise through the remote Kimberley. Days explore King George River's twin falls, ancient Gwion Gwion rock art on Jar Island, mangrove environments where saltwater crocodiles inhabit, and the famous Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay. The itinerary includes Zodiac shore expeditions, guided walks to heritage sites, and optional helicopter flights over Mitchell Falls. You spend two final nights in Broome, the historic pearling centre, with time to explore Cable Beach and the Chinatown district. The package includes all meals aboard train and ship, accommodation in Darwin and Broome with breakfast, and guided Off Train Experiences throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • July 2026 departures are fully sold out; the operator lists no other departure dates for this package
  • Single supplement is high: AUD 23,335 compared to AUD 16,750 for the lowest double, representing a 39 percent premium
  • Mitchell Falls helicopter flight is not included and carries additional cost

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: The Ghan (2 nights)

    Board The Ghan in Adelaide

    Board The Ghan in Adelaide for an impressive journey showcasing spectacular inland Australia, heading towards the Flinders Ranges and beyond.

  2. Day 2rail

    The Ghan and Alice Springs

    Wake to an outback sunrise at Marla, a remote outpost marking the start of the Oodnadatta Track, before continuing to Alice Springs for a day of immersive Off Train Experiences.

  3. Day 3overnight: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront (2 nights)

    The Ghan, Katherine and Darwin

    Rocky gorges and fast-flowing canyon streams give way to Nitmiluk Gorge, before continuing to Darwin and transferring to overnight accommodation.

  4. Day 4

    Darwin

    Further exploration of Darwin city, or an optional tour at additional cost.

  5. Day 5overnight: Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal (10 nights)

    Board Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal in Darwin

    A morning at leisure in Darwin before transferring to the Port of Darwin to board Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal for the Kimberley cruise, with dinner and a nightcap at the Blue Eye underwater lounge.

  6. Day 6

    King George River

    Travel up the King George River past 80-metre-high sandstone gorge walls to the King George twin falls, the highest single-drop falls in the Kimberley.

  7. Day 7

    Vansittart Bay

    Jar Island's ancient Gwion Gwion rock art galleries, among the oldest detailed depictions of human figures in the world.

  8. Day 8

    Ashmore Reef (technical stop)

    Three low-lying tropical islands on the edge of the continental shelf, a designated Important Bird Area with strictly controlled visitation; a Zodiac tour of West Island may be possible depending on conditions.

  9. Day 9

    Careening Bay

    Named after Lieutenant Phillip Parker King's ship the HMC Mermaid, careened here in 1820; home to a National Heritage listed boab tree carved with the ship's name.

  10. Day 10

    Swift Bay

    The Bonaparte Archipelago's rugged islands, with rock shelters bearing Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art on a guided walk.

  11. Day 11

    Hunter River

    Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River, lined with ancient rainforest, mangroves and sandstone cliffs; Zodiac exploration with the chance to reach Mitchell Falls by helicopter (additional cost).

  12. Day 12

    Collier Bay

    Ancient landscapes shaped by massive tidal movements, including Montgomery Reef, the world's largest inshore reef system.

  13. Day 13

    Horizontal Falls

    Talbot Bay's 'Horizontal Falls', described by Sir David Attenborough as one of the greatest wonders of the natural world, with ancient rock art galleries in the surrounding caves.

  14. Day 14

    Lacepede Islands

    Western Australia's most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles and an Important Bird Area, explored on a guided Zodiac tour.

  15. Day 15overnight: Pinctada Hotel Broome (formerly Kimberley Sands Resort) (2 nights)

    Broome

    Disembark in the Port of Broome for a half-day tour of the town's pearling-era history before transferring to the hotel.

  16. Day 16

    Broome

    A day to explore at your own pace: Cable Beach, the Chinatown district, or pearl shopping in the Broome mall.

  17. Day 17rail

    Farewell

    The rail and sail adventure concludes in and around Broome.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board The Ghan in Adelaide and settle in for a 2-night journey across the Australian outback toward Darwin
  • Day 2Wake to an outback sunrise at Marla and continue to Alice Springs for Off Train Experiences in the red centre
  • Day 6Travel up King George River past 80-metre sandstone gorge walls to King George twin falls, the Kimberley's highest single-drop falls
  • Day 7Visit Jar Island to see Gwion Gwion rock art galleries, among the oldest detailed depictions of human figures in the world
  • Day 13Experience Talbot Bay's Horizontal Falls and explore ancient rock art galleries in surrounding caves

Included

  • 2 nights aboard The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Marla, Alice Springs, and Katherine
  • Transfer from Darwin Rail Terminal to Darwin hotel
  • 2 nights' accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast
  • Transfer from Darwin hotel to ship
  • 10-night Australia's Iconic Kimberley expedition cruise aboard PONANT's Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal (subject to departure date), including prepaid gratuities
  • Transfer from ship to Broome hotel including touring enroute
  • 2 nights' accommodation in Broome, including breakfast
  • 16 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 12 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is all train and cruise travel included?
Yes. The 2-night Ghan journey Adelaide to Darwin and the 10-night PONANT Kimberley cruise are included, along with all meals, beverages, and prepaid gratuities aboard the ship.
Which PONANT ship am I aboard?
Either Le Jacques Cartier or Le Soleal, depending on the departure date. The specific vessel is confirmed at booking.
What is included in the accommodation?
Two nights in Darwin at the Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront with breakfast, and two nights in Broome at the Pinctada Hotel Broome with breakfast. Ten nights aboard the PONANT ship are also included.
Is this tour guided or independent?
It is guided. The Ghan features Off Train Experience hosts at each stop, and the PONANT cruise is led by an Expedition Team with guided Zodiac explorations and walks.
How much walking is involved?
Days include guided walks to rock art galleries, Zodiac shore explorations, and days at leisure in Darwin and Broome. Specific physical demands vary by activity and can be discussed with the operator.
When does this tour run?
Two departures are scheduled for July 2026, but both are sold out. Check with Journey Beyond Rail for future availability.

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