Ghan Expedition & the Top End

Your Northern Territory adventure begins today with a flight from your homeport to the city of Darwin. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel

❱ Hotel stay: Hilton Darwin or similar (3 nights)

We have included some sightseeing choices to some of the best regions surrounding Darwin for you today. Choose from a selection of popular day tours below.

Spectacular Kakadu National Park: Australia’s largest National Park, featuring a combination of mangrove fringed coastal areas, expansive flood plains, lowland hills, open woodland and forest habitats. View the wildlife from a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong before visiting the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the Nourlangie rock art site.

Litchfield National Park Waterfalls: Spend a day in one of the Northern Territory’s most scenic locations. Visit the town of Batchelor before entering the Litchfield National Park to take in the splendour of thundering falls, rainforest pockets and sacred heritage sites. See the incredible works of local termites and take a dip at Florence Falls. Later, marvel at the truly spectacular Tolmer Falls.

Jumping Crocs & Nature: The Adelaide River is home to over 1600 Crocodiles and the famous Jumping Crocodiles. Cruise the river and watch these awesome creatures launch themselves out of the water. See these prehistoric creatures at close range before stopping at the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre for view over the Marrakai Plains and Fogg Dam Nature Reserve to view a wetland ecosystem up close.

Darwin Helicopter Flight: Rise above Charles Darwin National Park to discover the natural, cultural, historical and modern delights from Darwin CBD to the northern beaches and East Point Reserve. View the two modern gas processing plants located within Darwin Harbour’s industrial area – one being the Icthy’s Project, the largest project the Japanese have commissioned outside of Japan. Motorsport enthusiasts, will also be spoilt with a view of Hidden Valley Motorsports Complex.

Blue Water Fishing Adventure: The ultimate sportfishing in pristine bluewater destinations. Travel up to 50km from Darwin to some of the Top End’s best fishing locations such as Middle Reef, Fish Reef, Lorna Shoals & Charles Point and target reef fish including Golden Snapper, Rock Cod, Tricky Snapper, Jewfish, Coral Trout & Stripeys.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in the Northern Territory’s largest city. Take in the city’s relaxed outdoor lifestyle – much of Darwin’s social activities take place outdoors at festivals, attractions and open air markets, in parks, reserves, by the beach or on Darwin Harbour.

You may wish to join a tour of the city or board one of the city’s iconic harbour cruises (additional cost applies).

A transfer will meet you at your hotel after breakfast this morning to take you to Darwin Railway Station. Here, you will board the Ghan train for your incredible, one-of-a-kind 4 day train journey experience.

Your journey begins with a small but momentous step from platform to carriage where friendly staff will lead you through corridors to your private cabin. A delicious lunch is served aboard as you begin your journey south towards Katherine where you will join one of the included off-train activities.

Back on board, you’ll return to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant to enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner as the sun sets over the Outback.

❱ Train Journey: The Ghan Expedition – Gold Twin or Gold Single Cabins (3 nights)

Wake up to a new view outside your window, in a world which feels like a million miles from home. An outback sunrise could be one of the most spectacular you’ll ever see, setting the tone for the day ahead. After coffee, a juice and a sumptuous breakfast, arrive in Alice Springs ready to embark on one of the included Off Train Excursions.

Come the evening you’ll dine beneath a canopy of stars at an authentic Outback Pioneer Dinner. This is a truly unique experience with live Australiana music and a feast of mouth-watering steak and traditionally made damper. After dessert, cast your eyes skyward and ponder life, the universe and everything with an informative astronomical talk. And with a full belly and deep sense of wonderment, it’s back on the train to rest up and roll out of Alice Springs, fulfilled in every sense of the word. There really is no better way to comprehend the vastness of the Northern Territory.

Wake up and rub your eyes with disbelief as we pull into Manguri. Join one of the included off-train activities to Coober Pedy or the majestic Breakaways.

Witness a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the beautiful green fields and pastoral lands of SA. The Ghan rolls into Adelaide. Interstate travellers will be taken to Adelaide Airport in time for their flight home.