How much does it cost?

From A$6,730 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,827 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The fare includes 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide and 2 nights aboard the Indian Pacific from Adelaide to Sydney, with all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences included on board.

Which trains are used?

The Ghan Expedition runs Darwin to Adelaide, and the Indian Pacific continues Adelaide to Sydney, finishing with a chartered rail service into Sydney Central Station.

What hotel is included?

Two nights at the Crowne Plaza Adelaide, including breakfast daily, between the two train journeys.

What is not included?

Some lunches and dinners are not included (only 5 lunches and 5 dinners are provided across the 8 days), and optional extras such as helicopter flights, scenic flights, and the McLaren Vale Winery Experience cost extra.

Journey Beyond Rail · Rail journey

The Ghan Expedition & Indian Pacific – Darwin to Sydney 2026

Coast-to-coast Australian rail journey on The Ghan and Indian Pacific

Journey Beyond Rail operates this 8-day rail journey from Darwin to Sydney, joining two of Australia's named cruise trains end to end. The first three nights are aboard The Ghan Expedition, travelling through the Red Centre with Off Train Experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs and the underground opal-mining town of Coober Pedy, including a gourmet lunch served below ground. After brunch through the Flinders Ranges, the train reaches Adelaide for two nights at the Crowne Plaza before boarding the Indian Pacific for the final two nights, calling at Broken Hill and the Blue Mountains before a chartered rail service into Sydney Central Station. All meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences aboard both trains are included. This trip suits travellers who want an inclusive, hosted way to cross the Australian continent by rail, with one free day in Adelaide for those who prefer to set their own pace partway through.

What to know before you look closer

Included meals are 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners across the 8 days; some lunches and dinners, including on the free day in Adelaide, are not included.
The evidence available does not list specific 2026 departure dates for this itinerary; confirm scheduling directly with Journey Beyond Rail.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: 3 nights The Ghan Expedition
Board The Ghan Expedition in Darwin
Board The Ghan and settle in before an Off Train Experience in Katherine (Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, Katherine Outback Experience, or Cutta Cutta Caves; optional helicopter upgrade).
Day 2rail
The Ghan Expedition, Alice Springs
Choice of Off Train Experience in Alice Springs (e-bike adventure, Telegraph Station and Royal Flying Doctor Service tour, Standley Chasm, Desert Park, Simpson's Gap, or optional scenic flight). Evening dining experience at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station under the stars.
Day 3rail
The Ghan Expedition, Coober Pedy
Morning stop at Manguri, then Off Train Experience in the underground opal-mining town of Coober Pedy (Breakaways, town tour, Opal Experience, or optional Painted Hills/Lake Eyre scenic flight). Gourmet lunch underground.
Day 4overnight: 2 nights Crowne Plaza Adelaide
The Ghan Expedition, Adelaide
Brunch on board through the Flinders Ranges, arrive Adelaide, transfer to accommodation.
Day 5
Adelaide
Free day at leisure; optional McLaren Vale Winery Experience ($235pp).
Day 6overnight: 2 nights Indian Pacific
Board The Indian Pacific in Adelaide
Delicious welcome dinner before joining the Indian Pacific.
Day 7rail
Indian Pacific, Broken Hill
Choice of Off Train Experiences exploring Broken Hill's mining, art and cultural heritage.
Day 8rail
Indian Pacific, Sydney
Off Train Experience at Scenic World in the Blue Mountains, then a chartered rail service into Sydney Central Station.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1The Ghan Expedition departs Darwin, and Katherine offers a choice of Off Train Experiences including a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge.
Day 3The Ghan Expedition stops at Manguri for an Off Train Experience in the underground opal-mining town of Coober Pedy, followed by a gourmet lunch served underground.
Day 7The Indian Pacific calls at Broken Hill, with a choice of Off Train Experiences covering the town's mining, art and cultural heritage.
Day 8An Off Train Experience at Scenic World in the Blue Mountains is followed by a chartered rail service into Sydney Central Station.

Included

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From A$6,730 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,827 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The fare includes 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide and 2 nights aboard the Indian Pacific from Adelaide to Sydney, with all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences included on board.
Which trains are used?: The Ghan Expedition runs Darwin to Adelaide, and the Indian Pacific continues Adelaide to Sydney, finishing with a chartered rail service into Sydney Central Station.
What hotel is included?: Two nights at the Crowne Plaza Adelaide, including breakfast daily, between the two train journeys.
What is not included?: Some lunches and dinners are not included (only 5 lunches and 5 dinners are provided across the 8 days), and optional extras such as helicopter flights, scenic flights, and the McLaren Vale Winery Experience cost extra.