2027 The Ghan Expedition Top End Explorer - FREE Cabin Upgrade

You’ve arrived in Darwin – it’s yours to explore. Spend the day at your leisure before checking in to your accommodation

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.

Celebrate the beginning of your journey with a welcome
drink and light refreshments and pause for a photo with
The Ghan’s iconic red locomotive before stepping on
board. Settle into your home for the next few days,
enjoying the comforts of your cabin, or mingle with fellow
travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge.
As The Ghan begins to travel south, a chef-prepared lunch
awaits before your Off Train Experience in Katherine.
Here you’ll choose how to explore this remarkable region.
Cruise through the towering sandstone cliffs and dramatic
beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge and uncover its deep cultural
significance.
Alternatively, step into the Katherine Outback Experience
for an authentic glimpse into the lives of those who call the
outback home. Or venture underground at the Cutta Cutta
Caves, where fascinating limestone formations, native
wildlife and stories of Indigenous culture are waiting to be
shared. For a different perspective, upgrade to a helicopter
flight and take in the scale of Nitmiluk from above.

Wake to the wide-open skies of the outback as The Ghan
draws closer to the iconic town of Alice Springs. After a
hearty breakfast on board, step into the heart of Central
Australia with a choice of Off Train Experiences designed to
suit every traveller.
Take to the red dirt on an off-road e-bike adventure, join
the A Town Called Alice tour to uncover the town’s major
landmarks, or immerse yourself in culture with a guided
journey through Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap. Here,
sheer rock walls blaze red in the sunlight and ancient
landscapes hold deep spiritual significance for the Arrernte
people.

Wildlife lovers can meet desert creatures at Alice Springs
Desert Park, while those seeking a grander perspective can
opt for a scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
As night falls, the hallmark experience of The Ghan
Expedition awaits. At the historic Alice Springs Telegraph
Station, dine beneath a canopy of stars, surrounded by the
red earth of the desert. With white tablecloths, fine food
and live entertainment, it’s an evening you’ll never forget. 

Today brings you to the extraordinary outback town of
Coober Pedy, where life is anything but ordinary. Known as
the opal capital of the world, this desert settlement hides
its treasures both above and below, and more than half the
population live underground.
Your adventure begins with a morning stop at the remote
outpost of Manguri to take in the sunrise, before
continuing on to Coober Pedy for a day of exploration. A
highlight is a gourmet lunch enjoyed underground, a dining
experience as unique as the town itself. Off Train
Experiences include visiting the striking Breakaways,
uncovering the town’s quirky attractions, or learning the
fascinating history of opal mining on the Opal Experience.
For an unforgettable view, upgrade to a scenic flight over
the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre.
Back on board for your final night, dinner is served in the
dining carriage before one last nightcap in the lounge with
fellow travellers as The Ghan journeys towards Adelaide. 

This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as
the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green
fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you
pass through the Flinders Ranges before arriving into
Adelaide.
Stepping off the train, you’ll carry more than memories of
extraordinary landscapes. You’ll take with you the stories
shared, the connections made, and the sense of wonder
that only a journey through the heart of Australia can
bring.