As The Ghan travels from Darwin to Adelaide, the vast outback landscapes and off-train experiences might seem destined to steal the spotlight. But for Hannah Hollis and Cam Daddo, who travelled aboard for the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, the train itself was the main event.
Discover more about The Ghan travel on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing Thursday 8.30pm AEDT* on Foxtel Lifestyle and on demand on Binge.
First impressions
How did The Ghan compare with your expectations?
Hannah Hollis: I’d heard wonderful things about The Ghan, but I never thought about doing it myself. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure a long-distance train journey was for me. But I was blown away at every step as the magic of The Ghan took hold. Now I’m looking for more train journeys to experience – I’m hooked.
Cam Daddo: I love train travel. A couple of years ago, my wife Ali and I travelled across the Nullarbor on the Indian Pacific. It was a wonderful adventure, and the staff told us the only thing that could top it was The Ghan. So I had high expectations, and I’m happy to report they were more than met.
What was your first impression of the Platinum cabin?
HH: The first thing I noticed was how spacious the room was. I have a double bed – on a train! There’s plenty of space to sit, relax and sip my arrival Bollinger. I also had my own full-sized ensuite, stocked with Jurlique products, and a window that stretches the length of the room.
CD: I’d travelled Gold Class on the Indian Pacific with my wife, so stepping into the Platinum cabin felt like the next level. There was a queen-sized bed to fall asleep to the gentle rhythm of the train, along with a larger bathroom. The extra space brings the enjoyment, comfort and luxury to new heights.
How did train life compare with your usual travels?
HH: I’m usually at home with two young kids, so my time aboard The Ghan was a world away. One of the things I loved most was being able to unpack once without compromising on luxury or adventure. I also loved waking up and heading to the dining car for another three-course delight, before jumping into the off-train experiences.
CD: Like most people, I spend too much time on technology – on my phone, laptop or in front of the television. On The Ghan, internet access is limited and there are no TVs, so I spent time with other passengers, enjoyed a cup of tea and listened to their stories. The best screen was my window as I watched the sun hit the desert rocks, casting shadows beneath dancing clouds and a wide blue sky.
When I usually travel, it’s by plane or in a car that I’m driving. On The Ghan, I was eating marvellous food, sipping fine wines and crisp lagers with not a care in the world. For my time on board, all I could be was on the train – doing nothing more than enjoying the time and freedom to pause my life and appreciate what was in front of me. The sense of isolation in the vast outback is a big part of the appeal.
Train line dining
What might surprise people about the experience on board?
HH: The fine dining blew my mind. I wanted to try everything, until I realised the menu changes during the trip to reflect the train’s route through the outback. The chef draws on each location, finding its best produce and creating dishes that reflect the ingredients and their connection to the environment. The buffalo curry, crocodile dumplings and barramundi all ignited my senses.
And did I mention the champagne on board is Bollinger? Oui, oui. Yes, please!
CD: Perhaps the quiet. The train rocks and rolls gently as it moves through the desert, where there’s so much beauty and richness on Country. The railway’s old-world charm won me over – from the dining and the detail in the cabins to the attentive staff, who left us wanting for nothing.
What made the dining and hospitality feel special?
HH: The Platinum Club lounge and restaurant felt like a high-end restaurant, with access to the best of what the chefs had prepared – the top cut of meat, special seafood and French champagne. Each meal felt like a special occasion.
It’s a refined, elegant space. I hadn’t realised you could find that kind of dining on a long-distance train. It was like fine-dining in the middle of a capital city, but without the city energy.
Suzy and her team also made a real impression. They love what they do, and you feel that care as soon as you arrive. They greet you with a smile, offer advice for your time on board and show genuine interest in what you’ve been exploring. No request feels too big or small. Want breakfast in bed and a robe? You’ve got it.
All offboard
Was there an off-train experience that stands out?
HH: The cruise through Katherine Gorge stands out as a moment of wonder. The cliffs left me awestruck, and our guide, Rusty, brought the place to life.
CD: Aside from Katherine Gorge, Coober Pedy was another standout. Its bold, rugged landscape felt at once barren, futuristic and old-world. The harshness of the terrain sat in striking contrast with the quiet underground, where much of the population lives. As one local told me, “You can create whatever you want beneath the ground – it’s limitless.”
What do you remember most about the evening at Telegraph Station?
HH: The sound of silence, the smell of a fire and the sight of a clear black sky littered with twinkling stars. Our guide charted the stars and retold stories of the local people using their observational science to guide them on their explorations. That night is locked into my memory.
CD: The open fires and low lighting create the perfect ambience for a night beneath the stars. Sitting among the beautifully restored colonial buildings with dinner, live music and a stargazing session made for a night I won’t soon forget.
What did you learn about the Afghan cameleers and the railway’s beginnings?
HH: I love learning about the history of a place because it enhances my experience and helps me connect with it. As the landscape changed outside the window, I kept thinking about The Ghan’s origins and imagining what it might have been like for the explorers crossing such unforgiving country. It was an extraordinary feat.
CD: The Ghan is an engineering marvel, all 3000kms of it. Named after the Afghan cameleers who helped open up some of Australia’s more remote areas long before railways reached the interior, the fact that it runs through the centre of our massive continent is an astonishing feat.
It’s a bucket-list adventure – and I’m Ghan to do it again someday.
Discover more about The Ghan on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing Thursday 8.30pm AEDT* on Foxtel Lifestyle and on demand on Binge.
