Luxury Rail Travel Australia

The Ghan

Timeless elegance onboard a luxury train

Experience the country’s epic landscapes

The Ghan is named after the cameleers who used to travel into Australia’s Red Centre over 150 years ago. Many were migrants from what is now Pakistan, but back in the 1800s they were believed to have come from Afghanistan and were known as Afghans, or Ghans.

The original line followed the route of explorer John MacDouall Stuart, from Adelaide to Alice Springs, but now the track stretches for almost 3,000km and finishes in Darwin. Passengers can choose to do the entire journey or break it down and travel between Darwin and Adelaide, Darwin and Alice Springs or Adelaide and Alice Springs.

Cabins serve as a lounge area during the day and are converted into comfortable bedrooms come evening. Gold level guests will enjoy an en suite cabin with upper and lower berths while those travelling in Platinum will bed down in extremely spacious suites with a double or twin beds. Large windows allow you to take in the beautiful scenery as you relax in your cabin.

Dine on delicious local cuisine in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car, which is bursting with old-world charm and grab a drink and exchange stories in the Outback Explorer Lounge. All meals and drinks are included in the tariff. Platinum guests will also enjoy exclusive access to the Platinum Club with its leather banquette lounge seating, brass fittings and timber flooring.

Highlights

30 carriages

Queen Adelaide restaurant car

Outback explorer lounge

Possible routes: Darwin to Adelaide, Darwin to Alice Springs, Adelaide to Alice Springs

All journeys are available in both directions

Off-train experiences

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Places to combine The Ghan with

Uluru and the Outback

Longitude 131°
The scale and beauty of the Australian outback is truly awe inspiring. Longitude 131° allows you to really experience the magic of the country’s spiritual heart and discover the rich history and indigenous culture. Always in sight, Uluru dominates the sparse landscape of the Red Centre, and guests are rewarded with ever-changing views as the light dances across the rock face. 15 luxury tents are nestled among the rust-red dunes, their canopied roofs dotted across swathes of sand. Each tent is beautifully furnished and features floor-to-ceiling windows that open out onto a private deck with day bed, armchairs and a fireplace. Here you can gaze out across the ochre landscape, and really appreciate the beauty of this vast undisturbed wilderness. Each tent is named after an explorer or pioneer and framed artifacts are displayed on the walls, complimented by colourful works of indigenous art. Longitude 131° showcases the very best of contemporary Australian cuisine, complimented by an excellent selection of fine wines. Choose to dine in the Dune House or under the stars at Table 131, the ultimate dining experience. Sunset drinks are served each evening and after dinner, the resident astronomer will regale guests with tales of the southern constellations. Acquire some respite from the warm weather at Red Ochre Spa, located at the nearby Ayers Rock Resort. Return transfers to the spa are included and guests can relax with treatments inspired by nature. There is so much to explore in this beautiful and spiritual land, and all your tours and excursions are included. Learn about the history of the sacred Uluru, explore gorges and visit the Field of Light solar installation, an international-acclaimed work of art. Blooming and glowing in the deepening darkness of the evening, small stems sway in the breeze to create a remarkable and enchanting scene.

Top End

Bamurru Plains
A luxury bush camp on the vast floodplains of the Northern Territory, Bamurra Plains is a wonderful way to experience this unique and beautiful landscape. Set within 300km2 of private land to the west of Kakudu National Park, guests will enjoy access to miles of undisturbed coastal floodplains, savannah woodland and paperbark swamps. Reconnecting with nature needn’t mean going back to basics, and ten safari-style bungalows ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay. Each bungalow overlooks the floodplains and features mesh walls so you can hear, see and almost touch the wildlife and wilderness that surrounds you. Décor reflects the region’s indigenous, hunting and pastoral history with buffalo horns, explorer maps, Aboriginal art and old photographs adorning the walls. Each bungalow comes with a species list so you can identify the animals that wander past. The largest Kingfisher suite features a generous living space and enough room for extra beds, making it a great option for adventurous families. With no internet access, TV or mobile signal, switching off has never been easier and you’ll soon find yourself tuning in to the sounds of the bush as you drift off to sleep. Dining at Bamurru Plains is a real treat, with locally sourced produce used to create a menu that is authentic yet contemporary. Meals are served in the wildlife observation deck and there is a self-service bar which guests are welcome to use. In this sanctuary of flora and fauna lives a vast, thriving eco system which includes many species of bird hiding in the swamps and savannah woodlands. Enjoy the heights amongst the tree tops when you settle down to an evening in The Hide while those who love to fish are encouraged to embark on a river fishing or airboat fishing excursion.
Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline