7 Day Ghan Expedition with Darwin Accommodation

Darwin

Stroll around Darwin today, taking in the fascinating history at your own pace. Wander to the Stokes Hill Wharf area, Botanic Gardens or the Chinese Temple and don’t forget a visit to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. This evening, be mesmerised by the famous Darwin sunset whilst enjoying a delicious Territory style buffet with Australian seafood and local produce on the 'Charles Darwin’s' Luxury catamaran. 

Accommodation: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Darwin

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Darwin

Today is free to further explore the waterfront restaurants and relaxed vibe of Darwin.

Alternatively, consider an optional tour (additional expense) to make the most of your time in the Top End.

Accommodation: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Darwin

Meals included: Breakfast

 Depart Darwin to Katherine

After breakfast, transfer to Darwin Rail Terminal. The friendly staff will lead you to your comfortable private cabin where you can take your time settling in and exploring the amenities as the view outside your window begins its smooth and spectacular transformation.

Lunch in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant is bound to satisfy and delight with culinary wonders prepared onboard. All food is included in your fare, from a hearty full cooked breakfast to a delectable 3-course dinner.

And as you sit back and loosen your belt, you'll have arrived in Katherine ready to experience your first included Off Train Excursion to the magnificent and spiritual Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.

Back on board, you'll return to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, enjoying dinner as the sun sets over the outback. When you retire to your cabin, you'll find your bed turned down. As the train rolls soothingly onwards, fall asleep in awe of the wonders seen, and excited by those yet to come.

Accommodation: Gold Service Twin Cabin with private bathroom facilities

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Alice Springs

Wake up to a new view outside your window, in a world which feels a million miles from home. An outback sunrise could be one of the most spectacular you'll ever see, setting the tone for the day ahead. After coffee, juice and a sumptuous breakfast, you'll arrive in Alice Springs ready for another day of exploration.

Here you have the opportunity to embark on one of the included Off Train Excursions, taking in the delights of this famous outback town. A full day of touring in Alice Springs gives you ample opportunity to visit the town landmarks, get up close and personal with Australia's incredible flora and fauna or explore.

At this point you may choose to upgrade your excursion with the ultimate outback experience; an intimate scenic fixed wing flight to Uluru, where you will enjoy lunch and take in aerial views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. There really is no better way to comprehend the vastness of the Northern Territory.

Come the evening you'll dine beneath a canopy of stars at an authentic Outback BBQ Tour. This is a truly unique experience with live Australiana music and a mouthwatering feast. After dessert, cast your eyes skyward and ponder life, the universe and everything with an informative astronomical talk. And with a full belly and deep sense of wonderment, it's back on the train to rest up and roll out of Alice Springs, fulfilled in every sense of the word.

Accommodation: Gold Service Twin Cabin with private bathroom facilities

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

 Coober Pedy

After breakfast this morning you'll wake up and rub your eyes with disbelief as we pull into the middle-of-nowhere stop at Manga. Here, a friendly tour guide awaits ready to whisk you away for the day. Your destination - the sun-scorched opal mining capital of the world, Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground.

Venture into the tunnels and caves of this underground town, where you may even catch opal fever as you mine for riches, visit the otherworldly underground Serbian Orthodox church and take a glimpse of Umoona Opal Mine. Below the earth's surface, you'll enjoy a gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations before setting off to the stunning outback moonscape that is the Breakaways.

After an eye-opening action-packed day - if you haven't chosen to stay and find your fortune - it's back on board with plenty of time to ease into a slower gear and prepare yourself for your final evening onboard The Ghan. Dine in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, meet and share stories with new friends in the Outback Explorer Lounge (open until late) or simply head back to the privacy of your cabin to wind down, read a book and plan your next epic journey.

Accommodation: Gold Service Twin Cabin with private bathroom facilities

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Arrive in Adelaide

Looking out of your window this morning you'll notice a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the beautiful green fields and pastoral lands of South Australia.

After breakfast, you'll have time to reflect on your journey before The Ghan rolls into Adelaide. Here, you may wish to extend your stay with trips to the Barossa Valley or Kangaroo Island topping the to-do list.

The train’s estimated arrival time into Adelaide is 10 am. Arrangements finish on arrival at Adelaide Parkland Terminal.

Meals included: Breakfast