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Journey Beyond Rail · Rail journey with small-group touring

Red Centre Spectacular 2027

The Ghan Expedition through Australia's Red Centre, Darwin to Adelaide

Illustration of Red Centre Spectacular 2027

The Red Centre Spectacular 2027 is an 11-day rail and touring package operated by Journey Beyond Rail in partnership with Outback Spirit, one of Australia's leading outback guides. The journey spans from Darwin through the heart of the Red Centre to Adelaide, combining 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition with 8 days of immersive small-group touring. Passengers spend time aboard Australia's legendary train, experiencing the countryside from the comfort of dining cars and sleeper cabins, then transition to ground-based exploration led by Outback Spirit staff in a 4WD vehicle. The itinerary takes in West MacDonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon, the World Heritage sites of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and the opal-mining town of Coober Pedy. Days balance gentle rail travel with moderate walking and scenic stops, such as a choice of walks at Kings Canyon and guided explorations of Uluru's base and Kata Tjuta's Walpa Gorge. Evening experiences include dining under the stars and the Sounds of Silence experience. This trip suits repeat rail travellers and couples seeking a structured, guided exploration of Australia's most distinctive landscape, as well as photographers drawn to the dramatic rock formations and art installations.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is substantial: AUD 12,190 versus AUD 10,390 for a double, a difference of AUD 1,800 on the base price.
  • The Kings Canyon helicopter flight and scenic flights over Uluru and Kata Tjuta are available at your own expense, not included.
  • Hotel accommodations are named properties (Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Kings Canyon Resort, Sails in the Desert Hotel); confirm final rooms with the operator if specifics matter.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: The Ghan Expedition (1 night)

    Board The Ghan Expedition in Darwin

    A welcome drink, light refreshments and a photo with The Ghan's red locomotive, then an Off Train Experience in Katherine choosing between a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, the Katherine Outback Experience, or the Cutta Cutta Caves.

  2. Day 2overnight: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters (2 nights)

    The Ghan Expedition, arrive Alice Springs

    The eight-day Red Centre Explorer tour with Outback Spirit commences on arrival, starting with a town tour of Alice Springs and a light lunch, then check-in and a welcome briefing.

  3. Day 3

    Alice Springs

    A walk to Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges, a visit to Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye), owned and operated by the Arrernte community, and the Alice Springs Desert Park, followed by an outdoor BBQ and show under the night sky.

  4. Day 4overnight: Kings Canyon Resort (2 nights)

    Alice Springs to Kings Canyon

    Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge's towering red cliffs, and the scenic Mereenie Loop 4WD track through the West MacDonnell Ranges en route to Kings Canyon Resort, with dinner at Carmichael's restaurant.

  5. Day 5

    Kings Canyon - Watarrka National Park

    A choice of the 6km Kings Canyon rim walk or a more relaxed 2.6km canyon-floor walk (optional helicopter flight available at own expense), followed by sunset drinks and canapes at Light-Towers, an installation by artist Bruce Munro.

  6. Day 6overnight: Sails in the Desert Hotel (3 nights)

    Kings Canyon to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

    The Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience, lunch at Curtin Springs cattle station, and arrival at the Sails in the Desert Hotel, followed by the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner, a storytelling experience through drones, lasers and projections with a gourmet dinner hamper.

  7. Day 7

    Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

    A guided walk into Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and a guided base tour of Uluru, followed by drinks and canapes as Bruce Munro's Field of Light installation illuminates the desert.

  8. Day 8

    Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

    An optional sunrise viewing of Uluru, the Mala Walk to Kantju Gorge, and in the evening the Sounds of Silence dining experience under the stars with a bush tucker-inspired buffet and star talk.

  9. Day 9railovernight: The Ghan Expedition (2 nights)

    Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to Alice Springs, The Ghan Expedition

    Travel by road to the Alice Springs Rail Terminal, concluding the Red Centre Explorer tour, then rejoin The Ghan Expedition for dinner beneath the stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

  10. Day 10

    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.

  11. Day 11

    The Ghan Expedition, Adelaide

    Pass through the Flinders Ranges as the outback gives way to the green fields of South Australia, arriving in Adelaide.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board The Ghan Expedition in Darwin with a welcome drink and light refreshments, then choose an Off Train Experience in Katherine: a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, Katherine Outback Experience, or Cutta Cutta Caves exploration.
  • Day 3Walk to Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges and visit Standley Chasm, owned by the Arrernte community, followed by an outdoor BBQ and show under the night sky at Alice Springs Desert Park.
  • Day 5Walk the 6km Kings Canyon rim or relax on the 2.6km canyon-floor walk, then enjoy sunset drinks and canapes at Light-Towers, a Bruce Munro art installation.
  • Day 7Guided walk into Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta and a base tour of Uluru, followed by drinks and canapes as the Field of Light installation illuminates the desert.
  • Day 8Dine under the stars at the Sounds of Silence experience with a bush tucker-inspired buffet, star talk, and the option of an optional sunrise viewing of Uluru earlier in the day.

Included

  • Transfer to Darwin Rail Terminal
  • Welcome experience with light refreshments, barista coffee and sparkling wine
  • 1 night aboard The Ghan Expedition Darwin to Alice Springs, including all meals and beverages, and Off Train Experience in Katherine
  • 7 nights of intimate small-group touring with Outback Spirit, travelling on board a state-of-the-art 4WD Mercedes-Benz vehicle, including accommodation, meals with beverages and guided touring
  • 2 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition Alice Springs to Adelaide, including all meals and beverages and an Off Train Experience in Coober Pedy
  • 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition (1 night Darwin to Alice Springs, 2 nights Alice Springs to Adelaide) with all meals, beverages, and Off Train Experiences in Katherine and Coober Pedy.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is escorted. The Outback Spirit crew guides the 8-day Red Centre Explorer touring segment with small-group travel in a 4WD vehicle. The rail portions are aboard The Ghan Expedition.
What is included in the price?
Transfer to Darwin Rail Terminal, welcome experience, 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition, 7 nights accommodation at named hotels (Crowne Plaza Alice Springs, Kings Canyon Resort, Sails in the Desert), all 10 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, guided tours and activities, and use of a 4WD Mercedes-Benz vehicle during the touring segment.
When does it depart?
The package operates in March, April, May through August, and September through October 2027. Prices vary by month and tier; the lowest shown is AUD 10,390 in March.
How much walking is involved?
Walking includes a town tour of Alice Springs, walks to Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell Ranges, a choice of 6km rim or 2.6km canyon-floor walk at Kings Canyon, a guided walk in Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta, and a guided base tour of Uluru. An optional sunrise viewing of Uluru is also available.
What is not included?
Single rooms carry a higher supplement (AUD 12,190 versus the base AUD 10,390 for a double). Optional experiences at own expense include a Kings Canyon helicopter flight and scenic flights over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The Gallery of Central Australia visit is also optional.

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