The Ghan Train with Adelaide and Darwin

Your Adelaide sightseeing tour starts with hotel pickup before 9:15am (time will be advised). With your local driver/guide, head toward the North Terrace along King William Street, and catch a glimpse of the governor’s house and other main landmarks.  Admire a view of the River Torrens, and pass by the Adelaide Zoo, South Australian Museum and Adelaide Botanic Gardens. There’s free time for you enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) or visit the Adelaide Central Market. Then journey outside the city to the summit of Mt Lofty, where you’ll hop out for photo ops of Adelaide and Gulf St Vincent before continuing your tour to Hahndorf, about 15 minutes away. Listen to commentary from your guide about the history of this German settlement, the oldest remaining in Australia, while you enjoy the picturesque atmosphere. Stop at Beerenberg Farm Shop and join afternoon tea or beer tasting at the Iconic Hahndorf Inn. You have a bit of time to walk through town before returning to Adelaide Central Station around 5:15pm and hotel drop offs after that.

Catch a taxi or make your own way to the Ghan railway station to begin your exciting train journey. Departing Adelaide at noon, what lies ahead is rugged, beautiful and spectacular – through the Red Centre to the tropical north of Australia. Settle into your cabin and watch the rolling pastoral lands of South Australia from your window, or meet your fellow travellers in the lounge car. Before long some of the oldest rock formations in the world, the Flinders Ranges, come into view. As darkness envelops the rugged outback, it’s time to indulge in a regionally-inspired dinner and all-inclusive fine wines and beverages.

Begin with a freshly brewed coffee or juice as the day dawns at Marla, an outback outpost in the remote reaches of South Australia. It is here, deep inland, that you will enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience as you watch the desert come to life at sunrise. 

All aboard for brunch as you travel through the MacDonnell Ranges to Alice Springs where a choice of Off Train Excursions awaits. Alice is an iconic Red Centre outpost. 1,500 kilometres from the nearest major city, it may be remote, but offers plenty to explore – home to doctors who fly, rivers that run dry and a cast of colourful characters. Your time in the ‘capital out of the outback’ offers numerous opportunities to explore its historic legacy and unique environment.

Your day dawns in the tropical north. The pristine wilderness of Katherine is stirring and powerful, and you’ll have the chance to explore it from the water or land, with your choice of off train experiences. Cruise the jaw-dropping Nitmiluk Gorge, learn more about its ancient Indigenous rock paintings and gain insight into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people.  As evening falls, arrive in Darwin to complete your epic Australian train journey.

When you arrive into Darwin you can sense the cosmopolitan and thriving atmosphere of this historic tropical north Australian city. Upon arrival at the Top End, please catch a taxi to your Darwin hotel. You can relax and use the rest of the day to settle in to your hotel, perhaps take a stroll around the neighbourhood and central Darwin.

Today is free to explore the Northern Territory's capital with a day pass on the Hop On Hop Off Bus tour. Choose your own stops along the route that’s dotted with must-see sights.

The tropical northern city of Darwin is located on a massive and spectacular harbour on the Timor Sea. It has a multicultural population of 129,062 people, that is a melting-pot cultures from more than 50 countries, who pride themselves on their unique and friendly laid-back lifestyle.

Darwin has year round balmy weather and has many popular attractions including Aquascene, Burnett House, Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Charles Darwin National Park, Cullen Bay Marina, Darwin Convention Centre, Deckchair Cinema, East Point Reserve & Lake Alexander, Fannie Bay Gaol, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Indo Pacific Marine, Lyons Cottage, Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Museum & Art Gallery of the NT, Northern Territory Parliament House, USS Peary Memorial and the fascinating World War II Oil Storage Tunnels. There is plenty to see and do in the magnificent and vibrant Top End. 

During your stay, a Kakadu National Park Explorer full day tour is included. The tour will depart around 6:30am and return to Darwin at approximately 7:30pm. Lunch is included, as well as your National Park ticket and you’ll travel in an air-conditioned coach with an experienced drive-guide.

World Heritage listed and the largest National Park in Australia, Kakadu is one of the most diverse landscapes you’ll ever experience, and you’ll be amazed at the population of wildlife in the water, on the land and in the air. See some of the most amazing terrain Australia has to offer on your way to and inside Kakadu. Marvel at the concentration of rock art sites that illustrate Aboriginal culture, some dating back 50,000 years.

Kakadu National Park - Travelling along the Arnhem Highway, the Marrakai Plains will provide a beautiful backdrop for your journey.

Warradjan Cultural Centre - Call in to learn more about the region.

Bininj people - Learn about the traditional owners of Kakadu.

Yellow Water Billabong Cruise - Join a local guide to spot saltwater crocodiles and colourful birdlife, including sea eagles, brolgas and tiny brilliantly-hued kingfishers.

Estuarine Crocodiles - See them basking in the shallows and on the sandy banks.

Lunch - Enjoy time out at Cooinda Lodge.

Nourlangie - Walk with your Driver Guide to view many different forms of Aboriginal rock art at this site.

Optional Scenic Flight - Fly over the Kakadu escarpment.

Included Meals: Lunch

Please check out of your hotel this morning and catch a taxi to Darwin airport if you are flying out today.  We hope you had a wonderful trip and are sure you will have had a memorable holiday on The Ghan.