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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Perth to Darwin

Perth to Darwin outback rail crossing on the Indian Pacific and Ghan

Illustration of Perth to Darwin

Railbookers operates this 11-day, 10-night independent rail journey across Australia, from Perth to Darwin. After a day of sightseeing in Perth, the trip boards the Indian Pacific for two nights in a Gold Service twin cabin, with all-inclusive meals and an evening excursion in Kalgoorlie to the Super Pit gold mine, plus a dawn stop at Rawlinna Station and an afternoon in the ghost town of Cook. Two nights in Adelaide include a morning city tour before boarding The Ghan for the run north, with a Day 7 breakfast around a campfire at Marla and a stop at Katherine's gorge before arriving in Darwin. The three nights in Darwin include a Kakadu National Park day trip with a guided Yellow Water Billabong cruise, plus city sightseeing at the Darwin Aviation Museum and Adelaide River. The trip suits travelers who want a long-distance outback rail crossing aboard two of Australia's most famous trains, paired with guided excursions along the way.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence's included list also names a full-day Barossa wine region tour and a 2-day Kangaroo Island tour from Adelaide, but the day-by-day itinerary shows only 2 nights in Adelaide with no days allocated to either excursion; confirm exactly what's included with Railbookers before booking.
  • Accommodation is chosen from 18 options across price tiers, so your final hotel in Perth and Adelaide depends on the tier you select at booking.
  • Both the Indian Pacific and The Ghan are booked in Gold Service, not the higher Platinum Service cabin tier.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Perth

    Your Journey Begins in Perth

    Welcome to Perth! Enjoy a day sightseeing in the capital of Western Australia. Relax on the beach, take a stroll around the huge Kings Park and Botanical Gardens, or perhaps head up Mount Eliza for some great views.

  2. Day 2overnight: Onboard the Indian Pacific

    Overnight Onboard Indian Pacific

    Climb onboard the Indian Pacific for an amazing journey to Adelaide. Travel in ultimate comfort in your Gold Service twin cabin, which features all-inclusive meals, access to the Outback Explorer Lounge, and complimentary toiletries. This evening's excursion in Kalgoorlie will introduce you to Hannan's North tourist Mine and the Super Pit gold mine.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard the Indian Pacific

    Overnight Onboard Indian Pacific

    At dawn, the Indian Pacific rolls into Rawlinna Station, where you will get off the train for a hot breakfast and coffee on the platform. In the afternoon, explore the ghost town of Cook (population four).

  4. Day 4railovernight: Adelaide

    Adelaide

    It is an early scheduled arrival in Adelaide, and once off the train make your own way to your hotel for check in. Once settled make your way out to enjoy the city at your own leisure.

  5. Day 5overnight: Adelaide

    Adelaide

    Get to know the city a little better today with a morning city tour. This morning tour will show you all the key sights in this beautiful city including the Botanic Gardens and iconic North Terrace.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Onboard The Ghan

    The Ghan

    Make your way out to Adelaide Parkland Terminal this morning, where you will board the great red carriages of the Ghan train heading north. After settling into your cabin, head to the Outback Explorer Lounge car for a drink with your fellow passengers.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard The Ghan

    The Ghan

    Make an early start today as the train stops at the tiny town of Marla some 1000km north of Adelaide, where you can enjoy breakfast around a campfire watching the sun rise. Once back on board relax before lunch and arrival into Alice Springs.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Darwin

    The Ghan

    Breakfast onboard today but soon enough the train will arrive at Katherine for some off-board exploration. Katherine's breath-taking gorge can be enjoyed by boat or helicopter ride. Lunch and dinner are served before the train pulls into Darwin, some 2,979km. Make your way to your hotel for a 3-night stay.

  9. Day 9overnight: Darwin

    Kakadu National Park

    This morning travel along the Arnhem Highway into the Kakadu National Park, covering 20,000sq Km from rocky escarpment with historic Aboriginal rock art to floodplains abundant with wildlife. Visit the Warradjan Cultural centre and join a local guide on a cruise of the Yellow Water Billabong.

  10. Day 10overnight: Darwin

    Kakadu National Park Day Trip

    Discover all Australia's only tropical capital city has to offer today with visits to the Darwin Aviation Museum, Museum of the Northern Territory, and its Botanical Gardens. In the afternoon head to the Adelaide River, home to over 1600 crocodiles, and visit the Fogg Dam Nature Reserve.

  11. Day 11

    Your Journey Ends in Darwin

    Check out of your hotel and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Indian Pacific's Gold Service twin cabin includes all-inclusive meals and access to the Outback Explorer Lounge, plus an evening excursion in Kalgoorlie to Hannan's North Tourist Mine and the Super Pit gold mine.
  • Day 3At dawn, the Indian Pacific stops at Rawlinna Station for a hot breakfast on the platform, followed by an afternoon exploring the ghost town of Cook, population four.
  • Day 7The Ghan stops at the tiny outback town of Marla, roughly 1,000km north of Adelaide, for breakfast around a campfire while watching the sun rise.
  • Day 8Katherine's gorge can be explored by boat or helicopter before The Ghan completes its roughly 2,979km journey into Darwin.
  • Day 9A day trip into Kakadu National Park visits the Warradjan Cultural Centre and includes a local guided cruise of the Yellow Water Billabong.

Included

  • Gold class accommodation on The Indian Pacific train from Perth to Adelaide
  • Gold class accommodation on The Ghan train from Adelaide to Darwin
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation in Perth
  • 2 night's hotel accommodation in Adelaide
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation in Darwin
  • Half-Day City Tour of Adelaide
  • Full-Day tour of the Barossa wine region from Adelaide
  • 2-Day tour of Kangaroo Island including lunch
  • Kakadu National Park day trip from Darwin
  • Full-Day tour of Darwin and a local nature adventure

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Gold Service accommodation is included on both the Indian Pacific (Perth to Adelaide) and The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin), including all-inclusive meals onboard.
Is the trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with guided tours included in Adelaide, Kalgoorlie, Kakadu National Park, and Darwin.
Which trains are used?
The Indian Pacific runs Perth to Adelaide and The Ghan runs Adelaide to Darwin, both in Gold Service.
Do I sleep on the train?
Yes. Two nights are spent onboard the Indian Pacific in a Gold Service twin cabin, and two nights onboard The Ghan after settling into your cabin.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 18 accommodation options across price tiers in Perth and Adelaide; sample properties include the Parmelia Hilton Perth and Hilton Adelaide.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes walking around Kings Park in Perth, a visit to the Warradjan Cultural Centre and a Yellow Water Billabong cruise in Kakadu, and options like Katherine Gorge by boat or helicopter.

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