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Firebird Tours · Private tour

The Ghan Expedition Train: The Ultimate Territories

14-day Australian private journey via Ghan train Darwin to Adelaide, then flights to Melbourne

Illustration of The Ghan Expedition Train: The Ultimate Territories

Firebird Tours operates this 14-day private journey across Australia, beginning in Darwin and ending in Sydney. The centrepiece is a 3-night journey aboard The Ghan Expedition train in a Gold Twin Cabin, departing Darwin and traveling south through Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy to Adelaide. After the train journey, the tour continues with guided stays in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, combining city sightseeing (Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Bondi Beach) with coastal and outback scenery. Days feature a mix of included group excursions (wine tastings in McLaren Vale, the Great Ocean Road to the 12 Apostles, Sydney Harbour Cruise) and free time to rest or pursue optional activities. Hotels are mid-range to upper-mid-range properties in downtown locations. The operator describes the pace as relaxed, with a private driver and guide managing all transfers and logistics. This trip suits experienced rail travellers and couples seeking guided comfort and cultural depth across Australia's interior and major cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement (USD 4796) equals the double price, indicating high single pricing.
  • Several excursions run as group tours with 20-50 other travellers through a third-party supplier, not all private.
  • The package includes flights between cities (Adelaide to Melbourne, Melbourne to Sydney) as part of intercity transportation.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

    Darwin Arrival

    Private transfer to the hotel; free day to relax or explore the waterfront.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Aboard The Ghan Expedition (Gold Twin Cabin)

    Departure to Adelaide Aboard The Ghan Expedition Train

    Transfer to the train station for a 4-day, all-inclusive Ghan Expedition Train journey (Gold Twin Cabin) from Darwin to Adelaide via Katherine, Alice Springs, Manguri and Coober Pedy.

  3. Day 5railovernight: Pullman Adelaide

    Adelaide Arrival

    Driver transfer from the train station to the hotel after the three-day rail journey; free day to relax.

  4. Day 6overnight: Pullman Adelaide

    Adelaide Day at Leisure

    Free day; optional Adelaide City Tour or Murray River Day Tour with Cruise recommended.

  5. Day 7overnight: Pullman Adelaide

    Adelaide's Best: Scenic Coastlines & Wine Tasting

    Full-day tour of Adelaide Oval, North Adelaide, Mount Lofty, Hahndorf, and wine tastings at Chapel Hill and Haselgrove wineries in McLaren Vale, finishing at Glenelg. Group tour up to 20 people, third-party supplier.

  6. Day 8overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Melbourne - Flinders Street

    Departure to Melbourne

    Private airport transfer and flight from Adelaide to Melbourne (approx. 1h18).

  7. Day 9overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Melbourne - Flinders Street

    Melbourne Walking City Tour with River Cruise

    Half-day private walking tour of St Paul's Cathedral, State Library Victoria and Queen Victoria Market, followed by a Yarra River cruise.

  8. Day 10overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Melbourne - Flinders Street

    Great Ocean Road Tour

    Full-day private drive along the Great Ocean Road: Lorne, Apollo Bay, rainforest walks, the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Razor Back.

  9. Day 11overnight: The Grace Hotel, Sydney

    Departure to Sydney

    Private airport transfer and flight from Melbourne to Sydney (approx. 1h30).

  10. Day 12overnight: The Grace Hotel, Sydney

    Sydney Sightseeing Tour & Harbour Cruise

    4-hour private tour of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, The Rocks and Paddington, followed by an evening Sydney Harbour Cruise (group tour, third-party supplier).

  11. Day 13overnight: The Grace Hotel, Sydney

    Sydney Day at Leisure

    Free day; optional Sydney Opera House Backstage Tour or Blue Mountains National Park Day Tour recommended.

  12. Day 14

    Sydney Departure

    Private airport transfer for departure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Depart aboard The Ghan Expedition train in the Gold Twin Cabin for a 3-day rail journey from Darwin through Katherine and Alice Springs to Adelaide.
  • Day 7Full-day Adelaide tour including Mount Lofty, Hahndorf village, and wine tastings at Chapel Hill and Haselgrove wineries in McLaren Vale.
  • Day 10Great Ocean Road full-day drive to the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, including rainforest walks near Apollo Bay.
  • Day 12Sydney Harbour Cruise following a 4-hour private tour of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and The Rocks.

Included

  • Exceptional downtown hotel accommodations
  • Guided sightseeing tours with expert English-speaking guides
  • Delicious breakfasts at your hotels
  • In-depth exploration of best landmarks
  • Tickets and intercity transportation as per itinerary
  • Professional meeting services at the airport
  • Dedicated support team before and during your trip

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The 3-night Gold Twin Cabin aboard The Ghan Expedition train from Darwin to Adelaide is fully included, as are domestic flights between Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is a private tour. Firebird Tours provides a private driver and guide throughout, though some excursions (Adelaide wine tour, Melbourne Harbour Cruise, Sydney Harbour Cruise) are run as group tours by third-party suppliers with 20-50 people.
Which train is used?
The Ghan Expedition in the Gold Twin Cabin class runs from Darwin to Adelaide via Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy over 3 nights and 4 days.
What hotels are included?
Hilton Garden Inn Darwin (1 night), Pullman Adelaide (3 nights), DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne (3 nights), and The Grace Hotel Sydney (3 nights).
When does this tour run?
Departures are scheduled throughout the year, with confirmed dates in July, August, September, October, November and December 2026, and January, March, April and May 2027.
What is not included?
Optional excursions (Adelaide City Tour, Murray River Day Tour, Sydney Opera House Backstage Tour, Blue Mountains National Park Day Tour) are not included. Meals other than hotel breakfasts are also not covered.

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