Summary
Short description
Embark on an epic rail journey between tropical beaches and the wildlife of historic South Australia
Highlights
- Travel cross-continent on one of the world’s most luxurious trains
- Indulge with all-inclusive drinks and fine dining
- Fly out to the wildlife of Kangaroo Island on an expert-led tour
- Begin with the church-spire heritage of Adelaide
- End with a luxury stay in Darwin
In Brief
- 2 Nights Adelaide
- 1 Night Kangaroo Island
- 1 Night Adelaide SA
- 2 Nights The Ghan
- 2 Nights Darwin
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Desert | Natural world | Rail journey | Wildlife
While the Ghan traces the original route of Australia’s pioneering cameleers, today you’ll travel in utmost luxury, enjoying all-inclusive gourmet dining and open bars as you sweep through the outback wilderness, pausing for a full spread of included touring. There’s everything from visits to remote Aboriginal communities to river cruises and stops at frontier-town Alice Springs. Either side, you'll be treated to luxury stays among Adelaide's heritage, Darwin's beaches and Kangaroo Island’s rural splendour. Here, you’ll enjoy full-board dining and two days of touring, spotting sea lions, koalas and, yes kangaroos, on guided bush walks.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
Depart UK
Begin in style with complimentary airport access before your flight out to Australia.
Days
3-4
Adelaide
Arriving into Adelaide, you’ll be met at the airport by a private driver and brought to your luxury hotel. Housed in the city’s 19th-century treasury, its historic façade belies sleek interiors. It’s also centrally located, so you’ll have all of the city’s delights on your doorstep, with Adelaide’s rich heritage laid bare in near-countless churches and the neoclassical Art Gallery of South Australia. But, the city also has a delightfully forward-thinking outlook, evident across farmers’ markets and hip bars hidden in narrow laneways.
Stay: Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury (Superior)
Day
5
Kangaroo Island
A private airport transfer and short flight hop will today bring you on to Kangaroo Island for two days of dramatic seascapes and native wildlife. Your included touring will start with a stroll among tall eucalyptus trees where you might see koalas snoozing or snacking overhead. You'll then enjoy a scenic drive to the north coast for a guided walk, keeping eyes peeled for wallabies, rare species of kangaroos and a variety of other animal, bird and plant life. Then, after a lunch of locally caught fish and fresh salad washed down with fine South Australian wine, you'll head to the beautiful sandy bay to watch sea lions and their pups playing in the surf.
Stay: Providence Guest House or similar (Superior)
Meals: L D
Day
6
Kangaroo Island/Adelaide
You’ll have some further time on Kangaroo Island today, with your included touring starting with an introduction to the bush and how wildlife surveys are monitoring some of the island's most endangered species. Following a picnic lunch in the bush, you’ll then head to Flinders Chase National Park to explore Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, both evidence of the Southern Ocean's powerful swells. End the day with a transfer to the airport and flight back to Adelaide. On arrival, a further transfer will see you to your luxury hotel for one final night, before you perhaps cap off the evening with dinner one of the city’s superb restaurants.
Stay: Adina Apartment Hotel Adelaide Treasury (Superior)
Meals: B L
Day
7
The Ghan
A private transfer will bring you aboard the Ghan itself, settling into your wood-panelled cabin to enjoy all-inclusive drinks and fine dining. Expect the likes of barramundi and kangaroo fillet paired with Australia’s superb wines, best taken in the elegant lounge car. As you travel, you’ll watch as the city melts into South Australia’s pastoral verdure and the ochre scrubland of the Flinders Ranges. Don’t also miss out on the afternoon tea before indulging with a three-course dinner.
Stay: The Ghan (Superior)
Meals: L D
Day
8
The Ghan: Alice Springs
Start your day with a full breakfast, complete with Belgian chocolate waffles and eggs just the way you like them. Then, in among your multi-course meals and bar-car delights, you’ll roll into Australia’s Red Centre with Alice Springs. Immerse yourself in its frontier-town heritage, perhaps with an optional camel ride or helicopter flight out over the ancient MacDonnell Ranges. Then, further delights await back on the train, with a dinner of gourmet takes on bushfood staples, including crocodile boudin blanc. Today, for something extra special, you might want to opt on to a sightseeing flight to Uluru – Australia’s great red icon.
Stay: The Ghan (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
9
The Ghan: Nitmiluk Gorge to Darwin
Arriving into the Northern Territory, you’ll have a choice of included excursions, beginning with a cruise along the Katherine River. It’s a scenic delight, watched over by the towering sandstone cliffs of Nitmiluk Gorge. Alternatively, learn about the local indigenous culture with a visit to the Jawoyn people. Activities range from basket weaving and spear throwing to traditional painting and learning to play the didgeridoo. A late lunch awaits back on board, perhaps of gold-band snapper fillet and asparagus spears, before the rust-red of the Australian transforms into beach-fronted Darwin’s exotic greenery. Here, a private driver will see you to your luxury hotel.
Stay: Oaks Elan Darwin, Darwin (Superior)
Meals: B L
Day
10
Darwin
With Darwin’s glittering waterfront just a short stroll away, your accommodation is perfectly positioned, its chic pool framing spectacular citywide views. As such, you’ll have a superb collection of restaurants and bars on your doorstep, while the beach makes the most of the city’s tropical climate. The city is, after all, closer to Bali than its own capital. Don’t also miss out on the sunset markets, while heading out of Darwin rewards with fishing expeditions and hikes in verdant national parks.
Stay: Oaks Elan Darwin, Darwin (Superior)
Days
11-12
Depart for UK
Today, a private transfer will see you to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
12-day tailor-made rail holiday
from £5,735 pp incl. flights
Superior
Low Season
from £5,735 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £6,300 pp. incl. flights
Price includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights between London, Adelaide and Darwin
- Private airport/railway station transfers & small group transfers to Kangaroo Island
- 5 nights 4* (Superior) accommodation on a mix of room only & B&B basis – see itinerary for full details
- 3 days/2 nights on board the Ghan* in Gold service, including off-train touring experiences, all meals and beverages
- 2 day/1 night Kangaroo Island In Style small group tour, including transfers, flights, accommodation and meals
- *Please note the Ghan does not operate from December until February
Good to know:
Advance purchase special rates are available when booking six months or more prior to travel. Please note this is subject to availability – contact us for more information.
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0634
Meet the team
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