The Ghan Train Australia Review: Darwin To Adelaide 3-Day Rail Journey
Are you planning a trip to Australia and looking for a bucket list experience to try? This three-day, two-night itinerary highlights the Ghan Train Route from Darwin to Adelaide, with stops in Katherine and Alice Springs.
The Ghan Train was our first form of transport in Australia after leaving Penang. We were at the start of our epic round-the-world trip, and this was the first leg of our adventures in Oz. Our journey started in Darwin in the Northern Territories and ended with a five-day stay in Adelaide.
As we would be travelling around this vast country for six weeks, I wanted to try as many different modes of transport as possible. A 2-night / 3-day train journey on The Ghan through the heart of Australia seemed a fitting beginning to our trip down under.
This travel guide may contain affiliate links – For more information, please read my disclaimer and privacy policy.
The Route of the Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide
I feel great satisfaction from researching, booking and organising trips, so when I discovered a 2,979 km Darwin to Adelaide train journey through the heart of Australia, I didn't hesitate to book it!
When researching this journey, my initial thought was what made The Ghan so expensive, but I soon realised it costs a lot due to the history surrounding the train and the quality of service that it delivers to its guests. Also, it is one of the world's great rail journeys, so this bucket list experience is worth the price tag.
The History of The Ghan Australia
The Ghan has a fascinating history and vivid history. It runs along the same route the Afghanistan camel traders took when they arrived in Australia more than 150 years ago.
In the 1860s, thousands of camels came as explorers ventured further into Australia's outback, transporting goods to the harshest areas. Tens of thousands of feral camels are now roaming the plains of Australia, which causes a problem for local farmers.
Originally dubbed the "Afghan Express", the name was shortened to "The Ghan".
We would be privileged to travel on this historic route from Darwin via Katherine and Alice Springs and finish in Adelaide.
An all-inclusive journey of three days and two nights would be a bucket-list experience always to remember.
Day One Aboard The Ghan
Arriving at the Darwin Berrimah Rail Terminal and seeing The Ghan for the first time was incredible.
Its sleek red and silver carriages stretched along the track so far that we couldn't see where it ended! We found out later that The Ghan is 774m long!
It was nostalgic, with porters dressed in smart uniforms ready to help us get on the train.
Due to limited space, you can only take one cabin bag aboard. The porters will put your suitcases in the luggage compartment until you arrive in Adelaide.
Day One - Lunch
Service and Dining Aboard The Ghan
Shortly after familiarising ourselves with our cabin, we went to the dining carriage, which reminded me of the Orient Express. It was reminiscent of a 1920s bygone era.
The sumptuous decor befitted such a nostalgic journey, and lunch consisted of the finest foods and wine.
If you are a party of two, you will share your table at all meals with another couple. This communal dining is an excellent way to meet fellow travellers and hear their stories.
Day One - First Excursion
Boat excursion on Katherine Gorge
Next on the travel itinerary was a stop in Katherine. As the train pulled into the terminal, we grabbed hats, water, and sunblock and stepped off.
The heat took my breath away; I hadn't ever experienced anything this hot.
I felt scared that we would be on a cruise boat in such high temperatures, but Dominic told me to breathe slowly and stop being anxious, and I would be fine. Such a wise head on young shoulders!
After boarding our guided cruise, we sailed along the Nitmiluk Gorge within the national park. The guide informed us about the gorge's history and wildlife, and the setting was stunning.
The water levels were high as this was the rainy season, and the guide said to look for crocodile shapes lurking in the water. I'm still unsure whether the tour guide was joking, but we didn't spot any!
Day One - Evening
The Ghan Cabins
The cabins are small but decked out with everything you need for your journey, including an en-suite toilet and shower; there is no sharing with fellow passengers here!
A travel pack with a travel planner and excursion passes also awaits you.
Cabin types vary from single occupancy to twin bunks or double beds. I booked The Ghan gold service twin cabin for us, in which the lower bed is a seat by day and a bed by night.
The top bunk folds out at night as a bed. A carriage steward will arrange this for you while you are at dinner, and bunk ladders magically appear so that the person in the top bunk can get up there.
Being tall, Dominic didn't have room to stretch his legs out entirely, but this is all part of the magic of rail travel.
The top bunk may not be ideal if you are a bit accident-prone. Visions of me rolling out of it in the night and landing in a heap on the floor determined our decision that I should take the bottom one and even put the guard rail up!
Day Two - Second Excursion
A tour of Australia's centre - Alice Springs
The mere name "Alice Springs" conjures up mysticism.
Born out of the red sands of the outback and named after Alice Todd, the wife of the town's superintendent, it is now populated by over 33,000 inhabitants [2024] and is geographically the centre of Australia.
Its "flying outback school" and "outback experiences" lure travellers from around the globe to witness their uniqueness.
During our day in the outback, we spotted our first wild kangaroo, which was a highlight for us.
We were given several options for excursions, and we chose the guided tour of Alice Springs.
Our first stop was at the School of the Air, and we were interested in how children on outback ranches receive an educational programme.
We also visited the original telegraph station and Anzac Hill, which offers panoramic views over Alice Springs and is a memorial to fallen heroes.
The Telegraph Station is on the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. It was established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin, Adelaide and the UK.
Before this, a letter sent to England would travel by boat, taking 3 to 4 months each way. Installing the telegraph line meant Morse Code messages could reach London in just 5 hours.
The Anzac memorial sits on Anzac Hill in memory of those who had served in World War One.
A wall containing plaques now commemorates Australian servicemen and women who have served in all wars and conflicts. You can see Alice Springs and its surrounding area from the top of Anzac Hill.
Evening Two
No stargazing for us!
After sightseeing, cocktails onboard were the order of the day before we enjoyed our last dinner. Tonight should have been a stargazing event, but the train manager cancelled it due to unforeseen circumstances.
This itinerary change was very disappointing, as it would have been a highlight of the trip for us, but sometimes you must accept that problems occur. It is all part of a traveller's life.
Day Three
Crossing Through Flinders Ranges
From our cabin window this morning, the landscape had changed from the rich ochre tones of the outback to the green fields of South Australia as we passed through the majestic Flinders Ranges.
We packed up our things in preparation for our mid-morning arrival in Adelaide. The Ghan had met our expectations, and we had completed one of the world's most incredible train journeys together.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Ghan Train Journey
What month did I travel?
February
How was the weather?
It was sunny and scorchingly hot when we got off the train during the day trips.
Would I recommend two nights aboard The Ghan?
This train journey was perfect for crossing the long distance without flying. It was a unique experience; the food and service were first-class, and the excursions were organised perfectly.
The only downside was that the railway line changed from new to old tracks midway through the journey, which was noticeable. I felt that two nights was enough as sleeping on the train wasn't always comfortable.
How did I book The Ghan train?
I booked tickets through Great Southern Railways' official website, but communicating by email from the UK was quite challenging. Don't despair if they don't reply to you quickly; they will eventually.
Where To Stay Before And After Travelling On The Ghan
Accommodation in Darwin
We spent two nights before our trip at Novotel Darwin Airport.
We intended to make a couple of day trips from Darwin before we embarked on our epic train journey, but due to torrential rain (the rainy season is from November to April), we stayed in the hotel for most of the time.
It was comfortable accommodation with a lovely swimming pool and a Chinese restaurant. Breakfast was buffet-style, catering to guests and a few local airport staff.
Accommodation in Adelaide
We stayed in a two-bedroom self-catering unit in Miller Apartments close to Rundle Mall for five nights. During that time, we took a one-night trip to Kangaroo Island and spent time in Glenelg, one of Adelaide's best beach resorts.
Adelaide is a fantastic city to visit and often overlooked by Melbourne and Sydney, but with so many activities in Adelaide to enjoy, I fell in love with it.
Best Things to Do in Darwin Before Boarding The Ghan
| Big Bus Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Darwin. |
| Darwin Harbour Sunset Cruise With Buffet Dinner. |
| Afternoon Cruise In Darwin Harbour. |
Best Day Trips From Darwin
Need help planning your next holiday?
Please check out my curated Travel Resources Guide for the exact booking platforms, transport tools, and eSIMs I use on my travels.
Please PIN for Future Travel to Australia
HEADING TO AUSTRALIA? CHECK OUT MY TRAVEL GUIDES ↓
Ultimate Australia Road Trip Planner: 6-Week Itinerary + Map, Driving Times And Things To Do
8 Great Things to Do in Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Adelaide
The Perfect Adelaide 5-Day Itinerary (including Kangaroo Island)
The Best 2-Day Kangaroo Island Ferry Tour with Sealink
Fun Things To Do At Glenelg Beach, Adelaide
Adelaide to Melbourne 3-Night Self-Drive Itinerary for the Great Ocean Road
Sydney
Sydney To Brisbane 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary
Visiting The Three Sisters In The Blue Mountains
Melbourne
Best Ideas For Spending One Day in Melbourne
11 Great Things to Do in St Kilda, Melbourne
Tasmania
Ultimate 8-Day Self-Drive Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary Planner
Sheffield, Tasmania: A Visit To The Amazing Town of Murals
How to Spend 2 Nights in Cradle Mountain: Tasmania’s Wilderness
Dove Lake Walk, Cradle Mountain: Tasmania’s Most Beautiful Nature Walk
Where To See a Tasmanian Devil in Australia
8 Great Things To Do In Strahan on Tasmania’s Remote West Coast
11 Sensational Things To Do in Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
How early in advance did you book your tickets?
Hi Audrey, I booked my tickets 6 months in advance.
So cool. Being an Aussie I'm familiar with the Ghan of course, but have not been in it! Would love too. I love train travel and this sounds epic.
We absolutely loved it! It was such a unique way of travelling such a vast distance. Hope you get to try it yourself one day.
This is so cool! One of my besties is in Australia now, we bookmarked this for our future travels. 3 day journey is exciting shared with friends and we can explore several places in this fashion. Cheers!
I am sure you will love it. It’s one of those bucket-list journeys that you just must try. A great way to travel such a distance.
What a unique and beautiful journey! The scenery is so different and to be able to just sit back and relax is the way to go. Just love train travel!
Amazing trip! What better way to admire a country than a train trip with stops to visit.I will definitely do it when I go to Australia.
I do hope you get the chance to experience The Ghan - it is truly wonderful.
The Ghan looks like such a bucket list activity! Seriously amazing.
It really was incredible. A once in a lifetime journey
The discomfort of the rocking kind of sends you off - eventually!
Awesome! What a beautiful journey!
Wow! It must be an amazing journey! I love trains and sometimes I travel for a couple of days just to use the train. Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience
I hadn't really done any long journeys by train before this one but I will definitely be looking out for some more in the future!
What an absolutely fun journey! I didn’t know this existed!! It sounds like a must do for me 🙂 🙂
It really highlighted a way to travel before planes took to the skies. It is luxury, excitement and exploration all rolled into one!
Wow! This seems like such an epic train journey. We somehow missed the train experience last year and now looking at these photos I really regret it. I would want to go back to visit Uluru and Alice Springs.
It is a great way to see such a vast area of Australia and a very enjoyable experience.
Such an amazing journey! I have traveled all over Italy by rail and taken dinner train tours in the US but never done an overnight like this one. I think it's fantastic! I love that the train made stops for you to enjoy the attractions and scenery and that the dining cars allowed for you to socialize with other couples. But I am so sorry the stargazing was canceled. I would have been disappointed too! I ill keep this tour in mind when I visit Adelaide. Great option!
I would love to do italy and Switzerland by train, stopping off at all the little villages on the way. The Ghan was a fantastic experience
This all sounds wonderful! I took the train all around Italy by day and have done local dinner train tours in the US, but have never done an overnight by rail. I love that the train stopped to enjoy the scenery and that the dining cars was a good opportunity to socialize with others—but so sorry the stargazing was canceled. 🙁 I'll be sure to keep this option in mind when I visit Adelaide!
What a fantastic way to travel! I took some long-ish train trips when I was younger, but they weren't anything like this first-class experience. I love that you were able to take organized excursions when you stopped. Even though you didn't get the best sleep on board, your post makes me want to reconsider traveling by train!
This was definitely a very special train journey and a fantastic way to cover a long distance.
What a cool experience and great way to see Australia. I had no idea about this when I was in Australia last year but based on it's deep history I would have definitely booked it as well.
It was friends who live in New Zealand that told me about it otherwise I would have missed out on a great trip.
I adore train travel. This sounds like the perfect way to travel in Australia. I have wanted to go to Alice Springs ever since I saw The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert!
If you ever get to go be prepared for the heat in Alice Springs it was like nothing I have experienced before!
I adore train travel and would welcome a trip aboard the Ghan. Your accommodation looks great and I love the shared dining car experience. Plus, the destinations (Adelaide, Alice Springs, and Katherine) are high on my list having missed them last time we were in Australia. Pinned this for later!
I hope you get the chance to go. It really is one of those bucket list journeys and such a glorious way to visit these destinations in the interior of Australia.
Having seen much of Australia, I also wanted to experience two of the country's long train journey's and this is one. Good read. Thank you
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It was a fantastic experience.
Now that we have more time to travel we're taking a lot more trains, and it really is the best way to travel. I find it forces me to slow down and contemplate a lot more. There's a lot to be said for just sitting and staring our a window! I took all sorts of activities and things to do during our 5 day train ride across the States, but ended up doing a lot of thinking and day dreaming instead. Very restorative!
This is the first "big" train journey I have taken and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've currently been watching the chef Gino d'Campo taking trains around Italy and it has given us some ideas of what we might like to try in the future. It is a time when you can just turn off and enjoy the scenery.
What a great train journey! Train is the best way to travel in that part of Australia from Darwin to Adelaide via Alice Springs. The facilities in the train look quite similar to the 'VIA' train ride we did from Toronto to Jasper. The Nitmiluk Gorge sailing sounds like fun! Will definitely look up this journey when I go to Australia next. 🙂
I would definitely recommend the train to you. It was a first-class service all the way. I would love to do the rocky Mountaineer through Canada one day. It's on the bucket list!
I love an epic train journey and this is just that! I think you made the absolute best decision to cover the distance by rail, driving in Australia can be hard work on your concentration skills, looking out for rogue cows, roo’s and camels on the road. We’re the trains fully air conditioned too? I’ll definitely look into this when we head back ‘Down Under’, thank you for the inspiration.
Hi Nicky. It was a wonderful journey and one I would definitely recommend. The train was air-conditioned throughout 😃
We live in Adelaide and have always planned to take the Ghan trip to Darwin, but haven't got around to it yet! Your post has inspired me to put it back on the agenda!
Yes you must. If I did it all the way from the Uk then you can to! It’s crazy that when stuff is on your doorstep you don’t tend to do it , I’m guilty of that too. I only just went to Scotland last year and it’s it’s in the UK!!
Planning at trip to Perth later this year and looking for activity ideas, I think this train ride should be one that covers one of the cities I plan on touring, Adelaide. Love this idea
Yes it was a wonderful experience which ended in Adelaide