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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & Sail

Outback to Ocean Kimberley Cruising 2027 - PONANT

The Ghan and Kimberley cruise: red centre to remote coast in 18 days

Illustration of Outback to Ocean Kimberley Cruising 2027 - PONANT

Journey Beyond Rail pairs The Ghan, Australia's legendary red centre rail journey, with a ten-night expedition cruise aboard PONANT's luxury Le Jacques Cartier to create an 18-day rail and sail adventure from Adelaide to Broome. The itinerary departs Adelaide on The Ghan, passes through the Flinders Ranges and the outback towns of Marla and Alice Springs with Off Train Experiences guided by local hosts, and reaches Darwin after a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge. From Darwin, guests transfer to PONANT's ship for a voyage along the remote Kimberley coast, exploring King George River's 80-metre gorge walls, ancient Gwion Gwion rock art galleries on Jar Island and Vansittart Bay, and the dramatic tidal phenomenon known as the Horizontal Falls. The journey includes stays in Darwin and Broome, with unguided time in each to explore at leisure. This combination of outback train travel and expedition cruising suits luxury travellers, photography enthusiasts, history lovers drawn to Aboriginal rock art and colonial heritage, and repeat rail travellers seeking a multifaceted Australian experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is high: AUD 30,890 versus AUD 22,390 for the lowest shared cabin, a 38% premium on the base fare.
  • The helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls is available at additional cost and not included in the package price.
  • Departures are limited to May and August 2027; future years not yet listed.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: The Ghan (3 nights)

    Board The Ghan in Adelaide

    Settle in as The Ghan heads north. By early evening, step off at Long Plains and transfer to a celebrated South Australian wine region for a special dinner experience before rejoining the train for the night.

  2. Day 2rail

    The Ghan, Flinders Ranges

    Arrive into Port Augusta, South Australia's gateway to the outback, then a full-day Off Train Experience deep into the Flinders Ranges with sweeping lookouts and native wildlife.

  3. Day 3rail

    The Ghan, Alice Springs

    Wake to an outback sunrise at Marla, gateway to the Oodnadatta Track, before continuing to Alice Springs for a choice of Off Train Experiences including an off-road e-bike adventure, the A Town Called Alice tour, or Standley Chasm, with an optional scenic helicopter flight.

  4. Day 4overnight: Hilton Darwin (2 nights)

    The Ghan, Katherine and Darwin

    Rocky escarpments and canyon streams give way to a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge, with cultural insights from Jawoyn guides, before continuing to Darwin and transferring to accommodation.

  5. Day 5

    Darwin

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

  6. Day 6overnight: Le Jacques Cartier (10 nights)

    Board Le Jacques Cartier in Darwin

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

  7. Day 7

    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.

  8. Day 8

    Vansittart Bay

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

  9. Day 9

    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.

  10. Day 10

    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.

  11. Day 11

    Swift Bay

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

  12. Day 12

    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).

  13. Day 13

    Collier Bay

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

  14. Day 14

    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.

  15. Day 15

    Lacepede Islands

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

  16. Day 16overnight: Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa (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.

  17. Day 17

    Broome

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

  18. Day 18rail

    Farewell

    The rail and sail adventure concludes in and around Broome.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Step off The Ghan at Long Plains for a special dinner in the South Australian wine region before returning to the train for the night.
  • Day 3Wake to an outback sunrise at Marla, then choose an off-road e-bike adventure, A Town Called Alice tour, or Standley Chasm, with optional scenic helicopter flight.
  • Day 7Travel 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.
  • Day 8Visit Jar Island's ancient Gwion Gwion rock art galleries, among the oldest detailed depictions of human figures in the world.
  • Day 14Witness the Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay, described by Sir David Attenborough as one of the greatest wonders of the natural world, with ancient rock art galleries in surrounding caves.

Included

  • 3 nights aboard The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in the Flinders Ranges, Marla, Alice Springs, and Katherine
  • Transfer from Darwin Rail Terminal to Darwin hotel
  • 2 nights accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast daily
  • Transfer from Darwin hotel to cruise terminal
  • 10 night Australia's Iconic Kimberley expedition cruise aboard PONANT's Le Jacques Cartier, including prepaid gratuities
  • Transfer from cruise terminal to Broome hotel including touring enroute
  • 2 nights accommodation in Broome, including breakfast daily
  • 17 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes three nights aboard The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin with all meals, beverages, and Off Train Experiences in the Flinders Ranges, Alice Springs, and Katherine.
Is this a guided or independent tour?
Guided. Journey Beyond Rail arranges Off Train Experience hosts on The Ghan and an expedition team aboard PONANT's Le Jacques Cartier. Day 5 in Darwin is optional; Day 17 in Broome is unguided.
What is included in the cruise portion?
Ten nights aboard PONANT's Le Jacques Cartier with prepaid gratuities, all meals, and Zodiac excursions to King George River, Vansittart Bay, Ashmore Reef, rock art sites, and Lacepede Islands. The half-day Broome tour is included on disembarkation.
Which hotels are included?
Two nights at Hilton Darwin in Darwin and two nights at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa in Broome, both with daily breakfast.
What meals are included?
The package includes 17 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 13 dinners. All rail meals on The Ghan are included, as are all cruise meals aboard Le Jacques Cartier.
When does it depart?
Departures in May 2027 and August 2027 at AUD 22,390 per person for a Prestige Stateroom on Deck 4.

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