Make your own way to the Ghan railway station to begin your journey. Departing Adelaide at noon, what lies ahead is rugged, beautiful and spectacular – through the Red Centre to the tropical north of Australia. Settle into your cabin and watch the rolling pastoral lands of South Australia from your window, or meet your fellow travellers in the lounge car. Before long some of the oldest rock formations in the world, the Flinders Ranges, come into view. As darkness envelops the rugged outback, it’s time to indulge in a regionally-inspired dinner and all-inclusive fine wines and beverages.

Begin with a freshly brewed coffee or juice as the day dawns at Marla, an outback outpost in the remote reaches of South Australia. It is here, deep inland, that you will enjoy a one of a kind experience, as you watch the desert come to life at sunrise. All aboard for brunch as you make your way through the MacDonnell Ranges to Alice Springs where a choice of Off Train Excursions awaits. Alice is an iconic Red Centre outpost. 1,500 kilometres from the nearest major city, it may be remote, but offers plenty to explore – home to doctors who fly, rivers that run dry, and a cast of colourful characters. Your time in the ‘capital out of the outback’ offers numerous opportunities to explore its historic legacy and unique environment.

Your day dawns in the tropical north. The pristine wilderness of Katherine is stirring and powerful, and you’ll have the chance to explore it from the water or land with your choice of off train experiences. Cruise the jaw-dropping Nitmiluk Gorge, learn more about its ancient Indigenous rock paintings and gain insight into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people. As evening falls, arrive in Darwin to complete your epic Australian train journey.

When you arrive into Darwin you can sense the cosmopolitan and thriving atmosphere of this historic tropical north Australian city. Upon arrival at the Top End, please catch a taxi to your Darwin hotel. You can relax and use the rest of the day to explore your hotel and its facilities, perhaps take a stroll around the neighbourhood and central Darwin.

Today it’s time to explore the adventure, wildlife, and indigenous culture of the capital city of the Northern Territory of Australia with the Darwin Hop-on, Hop-off bus ticket. Discover the most famous landmarks of this small, cosmopolitan city and get top-deck views while traveling on an open-top bus. Enjoy this sightseeing excursion at your own pace as you hop off at any of the designated stops as many times and for as long as you want, and hop back on to continue to the next attraction. Cruise through the city while learning about Darwin's interesting history from the pre-recorded digital commentary, broadcast in English via speakers during your bus tour.

The tropical northern city of Darwin is located on a massive and spectacular harbour on the Timor Sea. It has a multicultural population of around 130,000 people, that is a melting-pot cultures from more than 50 countries, who pride themselves on their unique and friendly laid-back lifestyle. Darwin has year round balmy weather and has many popular attractions, including Aquascene, Burnett House, Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Charles Darwin National Park, Cullen Bay Marina, Darwin Convention Centre, Deckchair Cinema, East Point Reserve & Lake Alexander, Fannie Bay Gaol, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Indo Pacific Marine, Lyons Cottage, Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Museum & Art Gallery of the NT, Northern Territory Parliament House, USS Peary Memorial and the fascinating World War II Oil Storage Tunnels. There is plenty to see and do in the magnificent and vibrant Top End.

Please catch a taxi to Darwin airport for your flight home. We can also book additional nights in Darwin if you would like to visit Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge and Litchfield National Park