Is train travel included?

Yes, but only for two legs: 1 night aboard The Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs, and 1 night from Alice Springs to Darwin via Katherine. The rest of the trip is 4WD touring.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

It is guided throughout: Outback Spirit leads the land touring in a 4WD Mercedes-Benz vehicle, and Ghan stewards host the rail segments.

What hotels are included?

The Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Kings Canyon Resort, Sails in the Desert Hotel at Uluru, the Hilton Darwin, and the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru.

What is not included?

Optional extras such as the helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and Watarrka, the scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and the helicopter flight over Nitmiluk are not included in the base package.

Journey Beyond Rail · Rail & touring package

The Ultimate Territory Tour 2026

The Ghan combined with Outback Spirit 4WD touring of Uluru and Kakadu

Journey Beyond Rail's Ultimate Territory Tour is a 15-day itinerary combining two legs aboard The Ghan with extensive small-group touring by Outback Spirit. It begins with a night on The Ghan from Adelaide toward the Flinders Ranges, arriving at Alice Springs for an eight-day Red Centre Explorer tour that takes in the West MacDonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, with experiences such as the Field of Light display and Sounds of Silence dinner. Travellers then rejoin The Ghan at Alice Springs for the run north to Darwin, followed by small-group touring of Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks, including a scenic flight over Kakadu and an indigenous cruise on the East Alligator River. Hotels include the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Sails in the Desert, and the Hilton Darwin. This trip suits travellers who want the Ghan experience paired with in-depth, guided exploration of the outback's national parks rather than a mostly-by-rail journey.

What to know before you look closer

Only 4 of the 15 days involve travel aboard The Ghan; the rest of the trip is 4WD touring with Outback Spirit or hotel-based sightseeing around Alice Springs, Uluru and Kakadu.
No price is listed in the information available for this itinerary; confirm current fares directly with Journey Beyond Rail.
Optional extras such as the helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park, the scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and the helicopter flight over Nitmiluk all cost extra.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: 1 night The Ghan
Board The Ghan in Adelaide
Depart Adelaide for the Flinders Ranges; first meals of dining on board.
Day 2overnight: 2 nights Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters
The Ghan, arrive Alice Springs
Sunrise at Marla; the eight-day Red Centre Explorer tour with Outback Spirit begins on arrival at Alice Springs; welcome drinks and dinner at hotel.
Day 3
Alice Springs
West MacDonnell Ranges walk to Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Alice Springs Desert Park; evening BBQ under the stars.
Day 4overnight: 2 nights Kings Canyon Resort
Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge, Mereenie Loop 4WD track to Kings Canyon Resort; dinner at Carmichael's.
Day 5
Kings Canyon – Watarrka National Park
Rim walk or creek walk (optional helicopter flight); sunset drinks at Light-Towers; dinner at Kings Canyon Bar & Grill.
Day 6overnight: 3 nights Sails in the Desert Hotel
Kings Canyon to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience, lunch at Curtin Springs, arrive Sails in the Desert Hotel; evening Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner.
Day 7
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Guided walk into Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta, guided base tour of Uluru; evening dune-top Field of Light experience.
Day 8
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Optional sunrise at Uluru, Mala Walk to Kantju Gorge, free afternoon; evening Sounds of Silence dining experience.
Day 9railovernight: 1 night The Ghan
Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park to Alice Springs, The Ghan
Road transfer to Alice Springs Rail Terminal, rejoin The Ghan heading north.
Day 10overnight: 1 night Hilton Darwin
The Ghan, Katherine and Darwin
Nitmiluk Gorge boat cruise or Katherine Outback Experience (optional helicopter upgrade); continue to Darwin, transfer to accommodation.
Day 11overnight: 2 nights Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Darwin to Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks
Outback Spirit touring begins: Litchfield National Park (Florence Falls, Wangi Falls), continue into Kakadu National Park.
Day 12
Kakadu National Park
Scenic flight over Kakadu, indigenous cruise on the East Alligator River, Ubirr rock art site walk, Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Art Site.
Day 13overnight: 2 nights Hilton Darwin
Kakadu National Park to Darwin
Travel via the Mary River National Park, cruise spotting saltwater crocodiles and birdlife, on to Darwin.
Day 14
Darwin Harbour Dinner Cruise
Free day in Darwin; evening Darwin Harbour Sunset Cruise with a Territory-style seafood feast.
Day 15
Farewell
Check out of hotel, tour concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1The Ghan departs Adelaide for the Flinders Ranges, with dining on board.
Day 5A rim walk or creek walk at Kings Canyon is followed by sunset drinks at the Light-Towers installation.
Day 7A guided walk into Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta and a guided base tour of Uluru precede the dune-top Field of Light display in the evening.
Day 10A Nitmiluk Gorge boat cruise (or the Katherine Outback Experience) is followed by continuing on The Ghan to Darwin.
Day 12A scenic flight over Kakadu and an indigenous cruise on the East Alligator River lead into a walk at the Ubirr rock art site.

Included

14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 12 dinners

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes, but only for two legs: 1 night aboard The Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs, and 1 night from Alice Springs to Darwin via Katherine. The rest of the trip is 4WD touring.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: It is guided throughout: Outback Spirit leads the land touring in a 4WD Mercedes-Benz vehicle, and Ghan stewards host the rail segments.
What hotels are included?: The Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Kings Canyon Resort, Sails in the Desert Hotel at Uluru, the Hilton Darwin, and the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru.
What is not included?: Optional extras such as the helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and Watarrka, the scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and the helicopter flight over Nitmiluk are not included in the base package.