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Luxury Train Club · Luxury train journey

The Ghan

Adelaide to Darwin on Australia's longest luxury train through the Red Centre

Illustration of The Ghan

The Ghan, operated by Luxury Train Club, is the world's longest passenger train at 1.1 kilometres, named after the Afghan cameleers who once traversed Australia's interior. This 3-day, 2-night journey travels from Adelaide to Darwin (or Darwin to Adelaide on the Expedition route) through the heart of the Australian continent, passing through the Red Centre and tropical Top End. All private cabins feature wooden surroundings, while the retro-Edwardian dining car with panoramic windows serves five-star meals and an extensive wine list. Day 1 begins with a five-star lunch on board, a gorge cruise or cattle station visit at Katherine, and dinner as the sun sets. Day 2 in Alice Springs offers a full day of excursions including an optional scenic flight to Uluru and a barbeque dinner at the historic Telegraph Station. The Expedition itinerary continues through Coober Pedy with an underground opal-mining tour and gourmet lunch before arriving in Adelaide. Platinum service includes personalised steward care and hotel transfers; Gold offers coach transfers and solid comfort. This journey suits luxury seekers, couples, repeat rail travellers, and those drawn to outback immersion with included off-train experiences.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Adelaide-Darwin and Darwin-Adelaide journeys follow different routes: the standard Adelaide-Darwin ends in Darwin on day 3, while the Expedition itinerary includes Coober Pedy and ends in Adelaide on day 4. Confirm which direction and which itinerary suits your needs before booking.
  • Advance Purchase fares require booking a minimum of 6 months in advance and are non-refundable; the Flexible fare permits changes and full refund up to 1 day before departure.
  • The optional scenic helicopter flight to Uluru is paid separately on board; there is no day-by-day itinerary published for the return Darwin-Adelaide route, so contact Luxury Train Club to confirm routing and stops.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: The Ghan

    Darwin and Katherine

    Leisurely mid-morning departure from Darwin. Settle into your cabin and enjoy views of the tropical north, with a five-star lunch on board. Arrive early afternoon at Katherine for a choice of a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge or a visit to a cattle station. Dinner as the sun sets over the outback.

  2. Day 2overnight: The Ghan

    Alice Springs

    Wake to views of the Red Centre. A full day of excursions in Alice Springs, with an optional scenic flight to Uluru. Barbeque dinner under the stars at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

  3. Day 3overnight: The Ghan / arrival

    Manguri, Coober Pedy and Adelaide (Expedition) / Katherine to Darwin

    On the Expedition itinerary: breakfast on arrival at Manguri, a full day touring the underground opal-mining town of Coober Pedy including a gourmet underground lunch, then on to Adelaide the following morning. On the standard Adelaide-Darwin itinerary: pass through Tennant Creek and Katherine, with a choice of a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise or a Katherine Outback Experience, before arriving in Darwin by late afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Leisurely mid-morning departure from Darwin with a five-star lunch on board, then a choice of a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise or cattle station visit at Katherine.
  • Day 2Wake to views of the Red Centre in Alice Springs with a full day of excursions, including an optional scenic flight to Uluru, and barbeque dinner under the stars at the historic Telegraph Station.
  • Day 3On the Expedition itinerary: breakfast at Manguri and a full day touring the underground opal-mining town of Coober Pedy including a gourmet underground lunch before arriving in Adelaide.

Included

  • All on-board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Off-train excursions and Outback Experiences
  • Wide choice of wines, beers, spirits, cocktails, soft drinks, tea and coffee
  • Turn-down service with chocolates
  • In-cabin safe, music channels and journey audio commentary
  • Complimentary bathroom amenities
  • Platinum: personalised cabin steward service, transfers to/from hotel (up to 60km), welcome bottle of Bollinger, 90kg luggage allowance
  • Gold: coach transfers to/from selected hotels, 60kg luggage allowance

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel and meals included?
Yes. All on-board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), off-train excursions and outback experiences, and unlimited wine, beer, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks are included. Optional extras such as the scenic helicopter flight are paid separately.
What is the difference between Gold and Platinum service?
Platinum includes personalised cabin steward service, complimentary transfers to and from hotels up to 60 kilometres away, a welcome bottle of Bollinger, and 90kg luggage allowance. Gold includes coach transfers to selected hotels and 60kg luggage allowance.
Which stops and excursions are included?
The journey stops at Alice Springs and Katherine with included off-train excursions such as a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, cattle station visit, and an optional scenic flight to Uluru in Alice Springs. The Expedition itinerary also includes Coober Pedy with an underground opal-mining tour and gourmet lunch.
How long is the journey and what are the route options?
The journey is 3 days and 2 nights. The standard Adelaide-Darwin route departs Adelaide and arrives in Darwin on day 3. The Expedition itinerary departs Darwin, visits Coober Pedy on day 3, and arrives in Adelaide on day 4.
When does The Ghan run?
Luxury Train Club does not publish a full departure calendar in their materials. Contact them directly to confirm available dates and book your preferred itinerary direction.

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