ITINERARY:

DAY 1 Board The Ghan in Adelaide
Make your way out to Adelaide Parkland Terminal this morning, where you will board the great red carriages of The Ghan train heading north. After settling into your cabin why not head to the Outback Explorer Lounge car for a drink with your fellow passengers. Enjoy the view as you tuck into a fine dinner (Overnight Onboard) D

DAY 2 The Ghan to Alice Springs
Make an early start today as the train stops at the tiny town of Marla, some 1000km north of Adelaide, and here you can enjoy breakfast around a campfire watching the sunrise. Once back on board relax at leisure before lunch and arrival into Alice Springs where you bid farewell to the train and head to your hotel for a 2-night stay.

Explore Alice Springs at your leisure and learn how the town has evolved into the central hub of the Australian outback. Visit historical sites and some of the essential services delivered from Alice to the community of this vast region. The traditional custodians of the land are the Arrernte people, who refer to Alice as ‘Mpwante’. Visit Alice Springs Reptile Centre, home to the largest reptile display in Central Australia. (Overnight Alice Springs)

DAY 3 Uluru-Kata Tjuta Tour from Alice Springs
A full day sightseeing tour is included to experience the wonders of Kata Tjuta & Uluru as part of your Northern Territory adventure.

Travel in air-conditioned comfort, hear intriguing stories and learn the secrets of this unique world-renowned destination. We provide meals, beverages and snacks so all you have to do is focus on your incredible surroundings.

Combining luxury with exploration and discovery, this day tour is one of the most popular things to do during an authentic outback discovery holiday. Professional tour guides show you the real outback on this one day tour.

EARLY MORNING
You will be collected from outside your Alice Springs accommodation and head to the first stop of our day tour at Erldunda (home of the Emu) for a buffet breakfast.

EARLY AFTERNOON
Kata Tjuta
Travel to Kata Tjuta (Olgas) for the first walk of the day into the beautiful Walpa Gorge. Take in the stunning domes of Kata-Tjuta, see the wildflowers (depending on the season) and marvel at the views of the open plains on the return walk.
Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Your tour then visits the Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Here, you will have time to learn about the local Pitjantjatjara people and buy souvenirs.
Built from 90,000 mud bricks, the Cultural Centre was created with the help of the local Anangu people. The sacred site it is built on has special meaning to its traditional owners.

MID-LATE AFTERNOON
Uluru – Mala Walk
Head to the base of the majestic Uluru (Ayers Rock). From here, your tour guide will take you on a guided Mala Walk. Please note; tourists are no longer permitted to climb Uluru due to its cultural significance.
The Mala Walk follows the north-west side of Uluru, where you will see many fascinating examples of Anangu rock art. Along the way, your guide will tell ancient stories of the Anangu People.
Uluru – Mutitjulu Waterhole
Travel by coach to the back section of Uluru and start a guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole.
Your guide will take you along a short track to the waterhole – home of an ancestral water snake called Wanampi. You’ll hear stories of local traditions and learn how the Anangu people traditionally used the waterhole for hunting. The caves containing rock art were used in the past by the Anangu people, whose ancestors are still alive today.

SUNSET
The Sunset BBQ
This is an unforgettable Australian experience and something everyone should visit Uluru for at least once in their lives. Take in a breathtaking Uluru sunset with a glass of bubbly (or BYO beer) and a delicious Aussie BBQ dinner.

AFTER SUNSET
After sunset and the dinner, we then make the return journey to Alice Springs and drop off those passengers finishing their tour at Alice Springs Accommodation.

DAY 4 The Ghan to Darwin
The Ghan departs Alice Springs today and make sure you arrive at the GHAN railway station in time to begin your remarkable journey to Darwin.

Take a magical journey through the heart of the continent, for two days you'll be transfixed by the sheer beauty of Australia's ever-changing landscape, the vibrant ochre earth and cobalt skies of Australia's red centre and as you travel to the balmy tropical grandeur of Northern Territory's capital Darwin.

DAY 5 Arrive Darwin
It's breakfast on board today but soon enough the train will arrive at Katherine for some off-board exploration. Katherines breath-taking gorge can be enjoyed by boat, or for the experience of a lifetime why not take a helicopter ride? Meals are served in the Queen of Adelaide restaurant car before the train pulls into Darwin for the end of its journey, some 2,979km. Make your way by taxi to your hotel for a 4-night stay. (Overnight Darwin)

DAYS 6-8 Darwin & Kakadu National Park Tour
Darwin is Australia’s only tropical capital city and is the largest city in the Northern Territory. It is a former frontier outpost and the gateway to Kakadu National Park. Darwin is treasured country to its traditional owners, the Larrakia people, who are prominent and active members of the local community. A multicultural city, it boasts a population made up of people from more than 60 nationalities and 70 different ethnic backgrounds.
Explore the city at your leisure. Darwin’s popular waterfront area has several beaches and green areas like Bicentennial Park. Also, near the water is the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, displaying Southeast Asian and Pacific art, plus a pearling lugger and other seafaring vessels.

During your stay, a Kakadu National Park Explorer full day tour is included.

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

DAY 9 Depart Darwin
Please catch a taxi to Darwin airport for your flight home. We are sure you will have had a memorable holiday on THE GHAN.

Please note: The day by day descriptions published are intended as an indicative guide only. Travel by nature is unpredictable. Weather patterns, road and rail conditions, public holidays, travel restrictions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.