2026 The Ghan Top End Explorer - Adelaide to Darwin

Board The Ghan in Adelaide for an incredible showcase
journey of inland Australia. As the train leaves the city
heading for the Flinders Ranges and beyond, the dramatic
changes in landscape from pastoral land to arid outback
scenes will ignite your imagination. Lunch is served on
board – this is the first of many superb, chef-prepared
gourmet meals, showcasing regional flair and season
flavours

After your first night enjoying the fine dining and relaxed comfort of this iconic train, you’ll wake to an unforgettable outback sunrise at Marla – a remote outpost 160 kilometres from the Northern Territory border that marks the start of the Oodnadatta Track.  With red dirt at your feet and a bonfire warming the morning air, you’ll have some time to appreciate this remote part of Australia.

Reboard the train for brunch as you make your way onwards to Alice Springs. Here, you’ll have a selection of Off Train Experiences to choose from. There’s an experience to suit everyone, from an  off-road mountain bike adventure across ochre-coloured earth,  to the Alice Explorer tour taking you to the town’s major attractions, a cultural experience at Standley Chasm, meeting the wildlife at the Desert Park, or taking in the astounding beauty of Simpson’s Gap. Alternatively, take it all in from the air, with an optional upgrade helicopter flight. You’ll return to the train late afternoon where you’ll have time to rest and refresh before dinner is served.

Your day dawns in the tropical north and when the landscape transforms into rocky gorges and fast-flowing canyon streams, prepare to experience one of the Top End’s most impressive natural wonders on a cruise along Nitmiluk Gorge. Making this experience even more memorable is the commentary that explains the significance of Nitmiluk to the Indigenous Jawoyn people and the many stories that celebrate their spiritual connection to the gorge.

There is also a helicopter flight upgrade available, for those wishing to see Nitmiluk from an aerial perspective. Alternatively,  the Katherine Outback Experience lets you into the lives of those who call the outback home, with a fascinating day of discovery showing what it’s like to live and work on a huge cattle station. After the day’s activities, you’ll reboard the train and continue  to Darwin, where your journey exploring Australia by train concludes.

As one adventure ends, another begins with Outback Spirit.
This morning, we depart Darwin and head towards
Batchelor, the gateway to Litchfield National Park.
Containing several types of typical Top End habitats,
Litchfield National Park is abundant with lush monsoon
forests, termite mounds, unusual rock formations,
waterfalls, and cascades.
After stopping for morning tea, our next stop is Florence
Falls. Here you can watch from the scenic viewing platform
as the spectacular falls cascade into the plunge pool below.
Next, we move onto Wangi Falls; a large plunge pool
surrounded by shady grassed areas. The falls flow all year
round and you can take a dip in the crystal-clear pool. After
a light lunch we cross the Adelaide River and continuing
east, we enter the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National
Park before arriving at your accommodation for the next
two nights, the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel at Jabiru,
so named for the crocodile shape it takes.

An early start today as we head to Jabiru Airstrip, where
you'll gain another perspective on this incredible
environment. Take to the skies on a 60-minute scenic flight
over ancient escarpments, floodplains and winding rivers,
exhibiting the results of 1.8 billion years of continuous
erosion. Your flight includes live commentary from your
pilot as you glide over these spectacular ancient lands.
After landing at Jabiru Airport we depart for the East
Alligator River region, known as the gateway to Arnhem
Land. Take a spectacular local indigenous cruise on the East
Alligator River and listen to the stories of the region as you
spot the large saltwater crocodiles that dwell in these
waters.
After a peaceful cruise, it's time to reboard the coach and
head to the World Heritage Ubirr art site, home to some of
the world's most outstanding rock art. 

Enjoy a 1-kilometre circular track walk and take in the
amazing rock art. There will be time for those feeling fit to
make the steep 250m climb to the top of the rocky
escarpment for magnificent views across the Magela
floodplain.
Enjoy lunch before heading to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Art
Site where you can take in ancient rock paintings and
spectacular vistas whilst enjoying the 1.5 kilometre walk
around this incredible indigenous site. Then it's time to
head back to the hotel to relax and enjoy dinner

This morning, we depart Kakadu National Park and travel
along the Arnhem Highway through the Mary River
National Park with its vast wetlands attracting many
migratory birds.
On arrival at Mary River, you will take to the water on a
cruise that showcases the local wildlife, including saltwater
crocodiles and the abundance of birdlife in the region.
From here we travel through the productive region of
Humpty Doo, where an array of tropical fruits are grown
before heading to Darwin, arriving early evening, where
your three-day Simply Kakadu Tour comes to an end

Today is free for you to enjoy the sights of Darwin at
leisure. Perhaps take a stroll along the Waterfront Precinct
or visit the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. In the
evening, admire a spectacular sunset while feasting on a
Territory-style dinner featuring local seafood and produce
on a Darwin Harbour Sunset Cruise 

Your Top End experience comes to an end when you check
out of your accommodation after breakfast and farewell
Darwin.