After breakfast at Terrace Bar & Kitchen, your small-group tour collects you for a day in the Adelaide Hills. You’ll take a scenic drive through winding hills up to the Mount Lofty Summit (weather permitting) to savour the long view back across the city, then drive past the sights of Carminow Castle and Thorngrove Manor before pausing at The Bridgewater Mill, a 19th-century flour mill that is now a popular restaurant in the area. Drop into Beerenberg Farm store in the German town of Hahndorf to taste your way through the jams, chutneys and sauces.
Continue east to Murray Bridge to board the Captain Proud paddleboat for a three-hour cruise along the Murray River. As you sail along the banks of the sparkling Murray River, you’ll be treated to a two-course pub-style lunch while your captain narrates the river system and regional folklore. Keep an eye on the trees for koalas and the open ground for kangaroos.
After a day of sightseeing, return to The Terrace Hotel Adelaide and spend the afternoon at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx 90 minutes
Your The Terrace Hotel Adelaide inclusions:
- Daily buffet breakfast at Terrace Bar & Kitchen
- A$20 dining credit per package for use at Terrace Bar & Kitchen
- Welcome wine, beer or soft drink per guest at Terrace Bar
- Guaranteed 12pm late checkout
After one final breakfast at Terrace Bar & Kitchen, enjoy a slow morning before making your way to the Adelaide Parklands Terminal for your outback rail adventure.On arrival , your luxe adventure begins even before you board – settle in with welcome drinks and canapes, light refreshments, barista coffee and sparkling wine. This is also the perfect opportunity to take photos with The Ghan’s bold red locomotive.
Board The Ghan and be shown to the comforts of your Gold Cabin as the train pulls out at 12.15 pm bound for Darwin. Watch from the window as South Australia’s pastoral country gives way to the rust-red folds of the Flinders Ranges, your first taste of the ancient landscapes ahead. The afternoon is yours to find a rhythm: retreat to your cabin, or settle into the lounge with a drink and your fellow travellers. As the sun drops below the horizon, a multi-course dinner pairs Australian wines with the kitchen’s seasonal dishes while the outback sky goes black and the stars come out.
Wake to a desert sunrise at Marla, a remote outpost where the train pauses for one of the trip’s signature moments. While not a formal excursion, this morning stop is a quintessential Ghan highlight and well worth the early start. Step into the cool morning air for a bacon and egg roll and a coffee by the bonfire, take 45 minutes to soak in the desert quiet, then reboard for a leisurely brunch as the carriages cross into the Northern Territory.
Your choice of one Off-Train Experience (included in fare):
- A Town Called Alice: This tour starts at the Alice Springs School of the Air. Operating since 1951 across 1.3 million square kilometres of remote outback, it holds the record as the world’s largest classroom and offers a genuine insight into what education looks like at the edge of the map. From there, you’ll visit to Alice Springs Reptile Centre brings you face to face with frill-necked lizards, thorny devils and other remarkable outback residents, before a coach tour through Alice Springs itself rounds out the day. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – some walking and standing throughout the tour.
- Desert Park: As distinctive as the Australian desert itself, the Alice Springs Desert Park captivates and educates. Step inside Nocturnal House, enjoy a front-row seat at the free-flight bird show with a backstage pass to meet the birds and trainers for a private training session, and watch resident dingoes before a film on desert evolution. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Guests are required to walk approx. 4km on gravel and sandy pathways, broken into short distances. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.
- Simpsons Gap: Known to the Arrernte peoples as Rungutjirpa, Simpsons Gap is a sacred site that speaks to a deep and ancient connection between the Traditional Owners and Country. Take a bush walk through the area with a local Arrernte guide that brings this connection to Country to life: hear stories passed down through generations, learn to identify bush tucker, and gain an understanding of the delicate ecosystem that sustains more than 40 rare plant species and a remarkable diversity of wildlife among the Mulga stands. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Guests are required to walk approximately 2 km on this experience over uneven and rocky terrain, with periods of standing required. Unfortunately, this experience is not suitable for guests who require the use of wheelchairs or walkers.
- Standley Chasm Cultural Walk: Standley Chasm is a significant cultural icon in Central Australia. Also visit the highly rated Yubu Napa Gallery in Alice Springs. You will enjoy some of the best walking trails in Alice Springs whilst at the same time enjoying views of the Australian Outback. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Approximately 3.5km of walking over rocky and natural terrain, with standing required. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended. Please note that Yubu Napa Gallery in Alice Springs is closed on Sundays, and as such may not be available for certain departures.
- Cycle Alice: Cycle through the Ilentye Trail (named after the Arrernte word for galah) as it winds through the Todd River and Alice Springs countryside on a route that’s as rich in story as it is in scenery. Recommended Fitness Level: High level mobility – Guests need to be confident and able to ride a geared mountain bike. Approx. 13km of cycling over sandy paths. The Ghan is unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of wheelchairs or walkers on this experience. Minimum age of participation is 12 years old.
- Ghan Museum and Transport Hall of Fame: A short drive south of Alice Springs, the Old Ghan Heritage Railway and Museum at MacDonnell Siding opens a window into one of Australia’s great transport stories, with a restored 1930s railway station and period carriages to explore. The National Road Transport Museum and Hall of Fame traces Australian and international transport heritage through an engaging collection that includes the milestone 30,000th locally built truck , completed in 2005. Recommended Fitness Level: Low level mobility. Please Note: This tour only operates on The Ghan departing Adelaide on a Sunday.
- Spirit of Mount Gillen Helicopter Flight (Optional Upgrade Experience– A$299 per person, Limited Availability): This 15-minute helicopter flight sweeps you over Simpsons Gap and its permanent waterhole, tracks the dramatic cliff faces of Mount Gillen and traces the famous Larapinta Trail as it unfolds across the landscape below. Back on the ground, the adventure gives way to something altogether more leisurely: a relaxing swim, refreshments and high tea by the hotel pool, making for a finish as memorable as the flight itself. Pre-booking for this experience is recommended. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Guests required to board and disembark aircraft unassisted. Weight restrictions apply – a maximum weight of any individual cannot exceed 130kg. Guests are also reminded to bring bathers for use of the pool. Towels provided by Crowne Plaza Lasseters. The Ghan is unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of wheelchairs on this experience.
After your Off-Train Experience, return to the train for another decadent dinner onboard.
Please Note: Luxury Escapes will confirm Off-Train Experience preferences by email after booking. Off-Train Experiences are reviewed yearly and subject to change. Optional upgrades will be available to purchase closer to time of travel.
The arid red gives way to the rocky escarpments of the Top End overnight. Wake to brunch onboard as the train rolls toward Katherine, the gateway to Nitmiluk National Park and the ancestral lands of the Jawoyn people.
Your second included Off-Train Experience is yours to pick. Back on the train, the final stretch carries you north into Darwin, arriving at 7.30 pm. From the platform, make your own way to the Novotel Darwin CBD for the night. Located in Darwin’s dynamic cityscape, this property offers all the comfort you need with the city right on your doorstep. It’s a quick wander to the Darwin Waterfront Precint, where you can sip, shop and savour breathtaking views of the Timor Sea. Head to the Darwin Sailing Club, one of the best places in town to watch the sunset while enjoying a cold drink.
Relax in the Novotel Darwin CBD’s spacious rooms with modern amenities, including a cool outdoor pool to beat the tropical heat. Whether you’re unwinding after a day of exploring the nearby Mindil Beach Markets or gearing up for an evening of leisure in the CBD, you’ll find everything you need for a memorable stay in the heart of this city.
Your choice of one Off-Train Experience (included in fare):
- Cutta Cutta Caves Experience: Step into the limestone caverns of the Cutta Cutta cave system, home to a variety of native wildlife and is rich in Indigenous culture. Recommended Fitness Level: High (guests must be able to navigate steep stairs and walk underground in low light).
- Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise: Wind your way down the Katherine River on a relaxing cruise, while commentary explains the significance of Nitmiluk to the Indigenous Jawoyn people. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Approx. 2 km of walking over rocky paths. Guests are required to board and disembark boats unassisted. A modified experience is available for guests with low mobility. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.
- Nitmiluk Rock Art Cruise: Discover the ancient stories and stunning rock art of Nitmiluk Gorge on a guided cruise through the First Gorge, where towering sandstone cliffs and Dreamtime tales reveal the significance of this sacred site to the Jawoyn people. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Approx. 2 km of walking and 28 steps to climb. Guests required to board and disembark boat unassisted. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.
- Katherine Outback Experience: This experience gives insight into the lives of those who call the Outback home, with a fascinating day of discovery that illustrated what it is like to live and work on a huge cattle station. Recommended Fitness Level: Low level mobility – Recommended for guests with mobility requirements. The show is conducted in an undercover arena with full seating available. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.
- Nitmiluk Gorge Helicopter Flight (Optional Upgrade Experience – A$299 per person, Limited Availability): Take to the skies for a breathtaking aerial view of Nitmiluk Gorge, where the sheer scale and beauty of the Top End’s sandstone escarpments are best seen from above. This 20-minute helicopter flight soars across all 13 gorges of Nitmiluk National Park, revealing hidden waterfalls, secluded rockpools and dramatic ridgelines that are otherwise out of reach. As you fly, your pilot-guide shares the Dreaming stories of the Jawoyn people, including the legend of Bula – a powerful ancestral being whose spirit is etched into the land. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – guests must board and disembark aircraft unassisted. Maximum individual weight: 130kg. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Please Note: Luxury Escapes will confirm Off-Train Experience preferences by email after booking. Off-Train Experiences are reviewed yearly and subject to change. Optional upgrades will be available to purchase closer to time of travel.
Novotel Darwin CBD stay
The day starts soft over breakfast at the Novotel, then it’s yours to chart Darwin’s frontier history and modern culture however you like.
You may like to stop in at the Darwin Military Museum, browse the boutiques and Aboriginal art galleries of Smith Street Mall, or take a quiet walk through the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.
As the sun starts to drop, head down to the harbour for the trip’s grand finale: a sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour with a Territory-style buffet. Tuck into Australian oysters with pepper berry vinaigrette, cooked prawns dressed in Kakadu plum seafood sauce and BBQ sticky mango chicken while expert commentary points out the harbour’s landmarks. The Top End sun goes pink, then orange, then dark while Territory mango apple crumble closes the meal as Darwin’s lights come on along the foreshore.
Darwin sunset cruise
After a final breakfast at the Novotel Darwin CBD, it’s time to checkout.
When you’re ready, make your own way to Darwin International Airport (DRW) for your flight home, with the red dirt of the Centre and the saltwater air of the Top End still close.