itinerary
DAY 1 – BOARD THE GHAN EXPEDITION IN DARWIN
Settle into the comforts of The Ghan, relax in your cabin, or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. Enjoy lunch ahead of your Off Train Experience in Katherine. In a region renowned for jaw-dropping natural assets, Katherine boasts one of the Top End’s best – the incredible Nitmiluk Gorge and a cruise is on offer to showcase the beauty of this spot. Alternatively, the Katherine Outback Experience lets you into the lives of those who call the outback home, while the Cutta Cutta Cave system is home to a variety of native wildlife and is rich in Indigenous culture and modern European history. Or, take it all in from the air, with an optional upgrade helicopter flight over Nitmiluk. OVERNIGHT: 3 nights The Ghan Expedition (B,L,D)
DAY 2 – THE GHAN EXPEDITION, ALICE SPRINGS
Your arrival into Alice Springs after breakfast provides you with time to explore this iconic town in the red heart of Australia on an Off Train Experience. There’s an experience to suit everyone, including an off-road e-bike adventure, the Alice Explorer tour that takes in the historic Telegraph Station and Royal Flying Doctor Service, a cultural experience at Standley Chasm, meeting the wildlife at the Desert Park, or taking in the astounding beauty of Simpson’s Gap. Alternatively, spot Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the air, with an optional upgrade scenic flight. In the evening, the hallmark experience of The Ghan Expedition begins. Dine under a blanket of stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, with red earth at your feet and white tablecloths at your fingertips. This will be a night to remember. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 – THE GHAN EXPEDITION, COOBER PEDY
From your morning stop at Manguri, you’ll venture into the weird and wonderful opal mining township of Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground. Here, you’ll enjoy a day of discovery, and a gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations: underground. Off Train Experiences on offer include exploring the majestic Breakaways, touring the town, learning more about mining history on the Opal Experience, or an optional upgrade with the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre scenic flight. Dinner is served back on the train, where you can enjoy a nightcap as your journey continues. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 – THE GHAN EXPEDITION, ADELAIDE
This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the Flinders Ranges before arriving in Adelaide, completing one of the world’s great rail experiences. After disembarking the train, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation, your home for the next two nights. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure as you acquaint yourself with Adelaide’s city centre. Stroll to the Adelaide Central Markets for lunch and see over 70 traders bring colour and life to the undercover markets. Or, visit the Art Gallery of South Australia to see local and international works. As a city of food and wine, there is no shortage of delicious restaurants, take your pick and enjoy your first evening in Adelaide. OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Crowne Plaza Adelaide (B)
DAY 5 – ADELAIDE
Explore more of Adelaide at your leisure. If you’d like to get to the source of that gourmet experience visit the wine growing region of McLaren Vale. (B)
WE RECOMMEND: McLaren Vale Winery Experience $220 per person
A tour to McLaren Vale along the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula includes four cellar door experiences and a delicious restaurant lunch. The region is best known for its Shiraz, but expert vignerons will explain why Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes also thrive in this unique microclimate.
DAY 6 – BOARD THE INDIAN PACIFIC IN ADELAIDE
Check out of your accommodation this morning and take in any last minute sights before transferring to Adelaide Parklands Terminal this afternoon. Start your journey with a delicious welcome dinner before joining the Indian Pacific, where you can settle into your cabin or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Indian Pacific (B,D)
DAY 7 – INDIAN PACIFIC, NULLARBOR
Today is all about those amazing outback views as you cross this famous stretch of the Australian interior, the ancient Nullarbor Plain, on the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world. En route, the Indian Pacific calls in to Cook, once-bustling, now almost-ghost town that was originally built as a support town for the railway. Travelling further west, the next stop is at Rawlinna on the fringe of Australia’s largest sheep station for a signature dinner under a thousand stars (seasonal). (B,L,D)
DAY 8 – INDIAN PACIFIC, PERTH
Admire the delightful undulations of the Avon Valley and enjoy a final breakfast on board as the final stage of your journey unfolds, heading into Perth. (B)
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
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