The Ghan Expedition

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Named after the late 19th century Afghan cameleers that created the route, The Ghan traverses almost 3000 kilometres north to south and vice-versa from Adelaide through Alice Springs to Darwin. Crossing the dry, unforgiving interior of Australia elevates the comfort of well-appointed en-suite cabins; the taste of gourmet meals; and the constant opportunity to enjoy ice-cold beer or fine Australian wine. The slightly longer Ghan Expedition itinerary includes day excursions to visit Katherine Gorge, Alice Springs or Uluru, and Coober Pedy. It all adds up to a comfortable, bucket-list worthy train journey that captures the essence of the outback, and the romance of old world rail journeys.

Length of Trip : 4 days, 3 nights

Cost : Click here for the latest prices aboard The Ghan Expedition

Best time to go : Runs April to October.

Wheelchair friendly : The Ghan has a Gold Access Cabin available for wheelchair bound/physically impaired guests travelling in Gold Service

Family friendly : Children aged 4 to 15 receive a 20% discount.

Where to eat : All meals are included in your fare, from each morning's full cooked breakfast to an outdoor BBQ under the stars in Alice Springs, and a memorable lunch inside a cave restaurant in Alice Springs. The food is outstanding throughout. Drinks and cocktails are served in the Explorers Lounge.

Official Site : The Ghan Expedition

Where to Stay : There are three levels of service on The Ghan: Red, Gold and Platinum. I was in a Gold service carriage with an en-suite bathroom. Attendants change the configuration to comfortable beds each evening, and to seated compartments during the day.

Getting There : The train departs from Adelaide heading north, or from Darwin heading south. Both cities are accessible via regular scheduled flights.

Note from Robin : As one would expect on a train expedition, everything runs like clockwork. Buses greet passengers who pre-select their tour options for the day’s activity. Each morning I awoke with a perfect sunrise at my feet. Stewards deliver fresh coffee right to your room. Within a day I'd made friends from around the world, so don't worry if you're a single traveller, you won't be lonely! Each day's activity was fascinating and bucket list worthy in their own right.