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Firebird Tours · Private tour

The Grand Ghan Train Expedition (2026 departures)

Twelve-day rail expedition across Australia's Red Centre on The Ghan train

Illustration of The Grand Ghan Train Expedition (2026 departures)

Firebird Tours operates The Grand Ghan Train Expedition, a 12-day private journey across Australia from Adelaide to Darwin. The tour combines overnight rail travel in Gold Twin Cabins aboard The Ghan with three-night stays in Adelaide, Uluru, and Darwin. Days begin with guided group excursions, such as a Murray River wildlife cruise on day 3, sacred site exploration and sunset viewing at Uluru on day 6, and the Kings Canyon Rim Walk spanning 6 kilometers on day 7. Two separate train journeys form the spine: a 2-day/1-night passage from Adelaide to Alice Springs with an off-train stop at Marla, and a second 2-day/1-night journey from Alice Springs to Darwin with optional experiences at Katherine's Nitmiluk Gorge. The tour is designed at a measured pace, balancing curated experiences with free time in each city. A private driver is dedicated to your group throughout, while hotels, guided tours, breakfasts, and intercity transportation are included. The Kings Canyon walk and some group excursions require moderate fitness.

What to know before you look closer

  • Several excursions are third-party group tours with up to 23 to 50 people, not private groups; only the private driver and hotel stays are exclusive to your party
  • Single-supplement pricing is the same as the double rate, making this trip most economical for couples or groups sharing cabins

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide

    Adelaide Arrival

    Private transfer to the hotel; the rest of the day is free.

  2. Day 2overnight: Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide

    Adelaide City Tour

    Half-day guided tour of North Terrace, North Adelaide, St Peters Cathedral and Adelaide Oval.

  3. Day 3overnight: Eos by SkyCity, Adelaide

    Murray River Day Tour with Cruise

    Scenic drive through the Angus and Torrens Valleys with a 2-hour Murray River wildlife cruise and buffet lunch, plus stops at Walker Flat and Mannum.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Aboard The Ghan (Gold Twin Cabin)

    Departure to Alice Springs Aboard The Ghan Train

    Transfer to the train station for a 2-day/1-night, all-inclusive Ghan Train journey (Gold Twin Cabin) from Adelaide to Alice Springs, with an off-train stop in Marla.

  5. Day 5overnight: Desert Gardens Hotel, Yulara

    Alice Springs Arrival & Departure to Uluru

    Private 6-hour transfer from Alice Springs to Uluru.

  6. Day 6overnight: Desert Gardens Hotel, Yulara

    Uluru Sacred Sites & Sunset Tour

    Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, guided base walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, and sunset viewing with wine and nibbles; BBQ dinner. Group tour up to 50 people.

  7. Day 7overnight: Desert Gardens Hotel, Yulara

    Kings Canyon & Outback Panoramas

    Full-day tour to Watarrka National Park with the Kings Canyon Rim Walk (6km, up to 3 hours) and the Garden of Eden. Group tour up to 50 people.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Aboard The Ghan (Gold Twin Cabin)

    Transfer to Alice Springs for the Ghan Train

    Private 6-hour transfer back to Alice Springs to board The Ghan; a 2-day/1-night, all-inclusive journey (Gold Twin Cabin) to Darwin with Off Train Experiences in Katherine (Nitmiluk Gorge cruise or rock art).

  9. Day 9railovernight: Hilton Darwin

    Darwin Arrival

    Private transfer from the train station to the hotel; free time to relax.

  10. Day 10overnight: Hilton Darwin

    Jumping Crocodile Cruise Tour

    Half-day cruise on the Adelaide River to see estuarine crocodiles being fed, amid the Marrakai wetlands. Group tour up to 23 people.

  11. Day 11overnight: Hilton Darwin

    Darwin Day at Leisure

    Free day; optional Darwin City Sightseeing Tour recommended.

  12. Day 12

    Darwin Departure

    Private transfer for departure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: a 2-hour Murray River wildlife cruise through the Marrakai wetlands with stops at Walker Flat and Mannum
  • Day 4Day 4: boarding The Ghan train at Adelaide station for a 2-day Gold Twin Cabin journey to Alice Springs with an off-train stop in Marla
  • Day 6Day 6: guided base walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole at Uluru, then sunset viewing with wine and nibbles followed by a BBQ dinner
  • Day 7Day 7: the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, a 6-kilometer trail through Watarrka National Park and the Garden of Eden
  • Day 8Day 8: reboarding The Ghan from Alice Springs for a second 2-day Gold Twin Cabin journey to Darwin with off-train experiences at Katherine (Nitmiluk Gorge)

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?
Yes. Two nights aboard The Ghan train in Gold Twin Cabins (Adelaide to Alice Springs and Alice Springs to Darwin) are fully included in the price
Is this tour guided or independent?
It is a private tour with a private driver throughout. Group tours with expert guides are provided for excursions such as the Murray River cruise, Uluru sunset, Kings Canyon walk, and crocodile cruise. Some days, such as day 11 in Darwin, are free
Which trains are used?
The Ghan, operating in Gold Twin Cabin class from Adelaide to Alice Springs and from Alice Springs to Darwin
What hotels are included?
Eos by SkyCity in Adelaide (3 nights), Desert Gardens Hotel in Yulara near Uluru (3 nights), and Hilton Darwin (3 nights)
When does this trip run?
Firebird Tours offers departures in September, October, November 2026, and January and March 2027, with prices from USD 10,586 to USD 15,585 depending on the month
How much walking is involved?
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a 6-kilometer trail requiring good fitness and lasting up to 3 hours. Other days include city walking tours and leisure time; the pace is described as measured overall

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