The Ghan Expedition, Darwin to Adelaide with Kakadu, Litchfield and Barossa, 10 Days

Arrive in Darwin and meet your private transfer to DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade for four nights. Settle into the tropical pace, perhaps taking a stroll along the esplanade or exploring the waterfront at your own pace. Your first evening is free, with dinner at your own expense. This generous stay gives you time for Kakadu and Litchfield without trying to fit both around a train arrival. Standard hotel check-in applies, and your final documents will confirm each touring pickup.

Meals: none. Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade.

Travel from Darwin into Kakadu National Park for a full day among wetlands, sandstone landscapes and the living culture of the Bininj and Mungguy people. The itinerary includes a crocodile cruise and time to discover important rock-art country, subject to seasonal access. Your guide explains how these landscapes and their stories connect. Expect an early start, a long touring day and some walking in tropical conditions. Lunch is purchased along the way or brought with you. National-park entry is included; specific sites and the order of visits can change with weather, road access and cultural requirements.

Meals: hotel breakfast, or arranged takeaway subject to hotel service times. Lunch and dinner at own expense. Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade.

Enjoy a day without a set schedule after yesterday’s full-day adventure. Wander along the waterfront, spend time in a museum or gallery, or simply relax by the hotel pool. Darwin rewards an unhurried approach, with tropical gardens, coastal views and a food scene shaped by the city’s many cultures. This is independent leisure time; museum admissions, local transport and optional cruises are not included. We can arrange a guided city experience or sunset cruise if you prefer, with the extra cost confirmed in your personalised quote.

Meals: hotel breakfast. Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade.

Head into Litchfield National Park for a guided day among waterfalls, green forest and the extraordinary termite mounds of the Top End. Lookouts and walking paths reveal different aspects of the park, with visits selected for the day’s conditions. Where sites are open and your guide advises it is suitable, there may be an opportunity for a refreshing swim. Swimming is never guaranteed, and seasonal closures can change the programme. Return to Darwin after a rewarding day in nature, leaving your evening free. Lunch is at your own expense unless expressly added to your final quote.

Meals: hotel breakfast, or arranged takeaway subject to hotel service times. Lunch and dinner at own expense. Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade.

After breakfast and your included transfer to the rail terminal, board The Ghan Expedition. Settle into your selected cabin and meet fellow guests as the journey heads south. Katherine provides the first off-train immersive experience: choose from the available menu, with the sandstone cliffs and cultural stories of Nitmiluk Gorge among the highlights. Other choices may introduce outback life or the region’s limestone caves. Return to the train for dinner, Australian wines and the comfort of your cabin as the Top End gives way to the interior.

Meals: hotel breakfast, rail lunch and dinner. Overnight: The Ghan Expedition.

Spend a full day in Alice Springs, choosing an included experience that reflects your interests in the town, desert landscapes, wildlife or local culture. Your specialist can explain the available options and their walking requirements before you travel. Optional scenic flights are additional and excluded from this land package. As evening arrives, gather at the historic Telegraph Station for the Expedition’s signature outdoor dinner, conditions permitting. Good food, shared conversation and the outback night sky make this a special pause before returning to the train.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight: The Ghan Expedition.

Step off at remote Manguri and travel to Coober Pedy, where the desert climate has shaped an extraordinary way of life. Guided experiences introduce the opal fields and the town’s underground spaces, with the day’s programme and available choices confirmed for your departure. Look beyond the unusual buildings to discover the stories of the people who call this landscape home. After lunch and further touring, return to The Ghan Expedition. Enjoy your last dinner on board and a final evening with the friends you have made along the way.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight: The Ghan Expedition.

Enjoy breakfast as the train approaches Adelaide, then farewell the crew and meet your transfer to Vibe Hotel Adelaide for two nights. Rooms are available from the hotel’s usual check-in time, with luggage storage on request. The rest of the day is independent: explore the East End, wander through the gardens or visit the cultural attractions along North Terrace. You have time to enjoy the city without rushing straight to the airport. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense, and tomorrow’s Barossa day is already arranged.

Meals: rail breakfast. Overnight: Vibe Hotel Adelaide.

Join a small-group day tour into the Barossa Valley, where cellar doors, vineyard scenery and the region’s welcoming food culture provide a different perspective on South Australia. Meet local hosts, taste a selection of wines and enjoy an included winery lunch. Your guide sets the pace and the day’s wineries may change with availability, keeping the experience relaxed and personal. Return to Adelaide in the late afternoon with time to enjoy the city independently. Dinner is at your own expense, and we can suggest places to suit your tastes.

Meals: hotel breakfast and winery lunch. Overnight: Vibe Hotel Adelaide.

After breakfast, your private transfer takes you to Adelaide Airport at the agreed time. Flights are not included, and the arrangements will be matched to your selected onward travel. If South Australia has captured your imagination, we can add Kangaroo Island, more wine-country time or extra city nights. We can also alter the hotels and touring to match your interests, with any additions clearly priced in your personalised quote before you book.

Meals: hotel breakfast. No overnight accommodation included.

Read the Ghan brochure here

Explore both rail directions in the embedded reader. The daily itinerary above defines this package; optional flights and upgrades shown in the brochure are excluded.

Watch life on The Ghan

This Journey Beyond film introduces the experience. Your confirmed 2027 departure itinerary takes precedence over earlier footage.