Enjoy breakfast before embarking on a full-day exploration of the historic Adelaide Hills and the mighty Murray River. Your journey begins with a climb to the Mount Lofty Summit, offering panoramic views across the city and gulf, before winding through the picturesque hills past the fairytale spires of Thorngrove Manor and the iconic Bridgewater Mill. Along the way, you’ll stop at the famous Beerenberg Farm Shop, where you can browse their world-renowned collection of jams and preserves in the heart of Hahndorf.
The highlight of your afternoon is a three-hour journey back in time aboard the Captain Proud paddleboat. As you cruise the winding waters of the Murray River, you’ll be served a delicious two-course lunch in the dining room while the golden limestone cliffs and red gum forests glide past the windows.
After a day of sightseeing, including a drive-by of the majestic Carminow Castle and a visit to Murray Bridge, you’ll be transferred back to the city in the late afternoon. With your return transfers seamlessly handled, you can spend your final evening in Adelaide at your own pace, perhaps enjoying a nightcap back at Hotel Alba as you prepare to trade the lush greenery of the hills for the red earth of the outback tomorrow.
Your Hotel Alba inclusions:
- Daily buffet breakfast at ela
- A$30 dining credit to use at ela
- Adelaide Hills tour with Murray River lunch cruise and return transfers
- Welcome drink served on arrival at ela
- Self-parking for one vehicle per package
- Guaranteed 12pm late checkout
Adelaide Hills discovery with Murray River cruise + lunch
After a final breakfast at Hotel Alba and a morning at your leisure, it’s time to head to the Adelaide Parklands Terminal to begin your great transcontinental odyssey. Step aboard the legendary Ghan and settle into your cabin as the train gently pulls away from the city. Watch from your window as the lush pastoral lands of South Australia give way to the rugged, sun-drenched peaks of the Flinders Ranges, a striking introduction to the ancient landscapes that lie ahead.
Lunch on board marks the beginning of a world-class culinary journey, featuring gourmet dishes inspired by the seasonal produce of the regions you traverse. The afternoon is yours to find your rhythm; you might choose to retreat to the privacy of your cabin or head to the lounge to share a drink and a story with your fellow travellers. As the desert sun dips below the horizon, enjoy an exceptional multi-course dinner paired with fine Australian wines, while the vast outback sky transforms into a canopy of stars outside your window.
Gold Twin Cabin aboard The Ghan
Wake up to a spectacular outback sunrise at Marla, a remote outpost deep in the South Australian desert. While not a formal excursion, this morning stop is a quintessential Ghan highlight and well worth the early start. Step off the train into the crisp morning air to watch the first light of day bathe the red earth in gold. Enjoy a steaming coffee and a fresh bacon and egg roll by a roaring bonfire, taking 45 minutes to soak in the profound silence of the desert before re-boarding for a leisurely brunch as you cross the border into the Northern Territory.
Today, stop in Alice Springs and experience the region with a selection of Off-Train Experiences. Whether you are looking for cultural immersion, education or natural wonders, the afternoon is yours to explore the spiritual heart of Australia.
Your choice of one Off-Train Experience (included in fare):
- Alice Explorer: Discover the pioneering spirit of the Red Centre. Begin with a visit to the historic Telegraph Station, the original site of Alice Springs, before continuing to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn how this vital service supports remote communities. Along the way, enjoy a coach tour of the town’s key landmarks, gaining insight into its rich past and present. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Guests are required to climb coach stairs several times, with walking and standing for short periods. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat and long sleeves are highly recommended.
- 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, 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.
- West Ventures: Standley Chasm is a significant cultural icon in Central Australia. On this tour, you will also visit the highly rated Yubu Napa Gallery in Alice Springs. You will enjoy some of the best walking trails in the region while taking in expansive 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.
- Spirit of Mt. Gillen Helicopter Flight (Optional Upgrade Experience – A$299 per person, Limited Availability): Discovering the outback from the air is simply spellbinding, and soaring above the rugged ranges and open plains of the Red Centre is an experience you will never forget. On this 15-minute aerial safari, you’ll fly over the spectacular Simpsons Gap and its permanent waterhole before tracking the dramatic cliff faces of the Mount Gillen Ridgeline and the Larapinta Trail. Throughout the flight, your pilot provides expert commentary on the wonders unfolding below. After your adventure, wind down with a relaxing swim in the hotel pool while enjoying refreshments and high tea. Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Guests are required to board and disembark the aircraft unassisted. A maximum individual weight of 130kg applies. Guests are reminded to bring bathers for pool use (towels provided). We are unable to accommodate passengers who require the use of wheelchairs on this experience. This tour is subject to availability and conditions; all optional upgrade experiences are non-refundable. If you choose this experience, you will not be able to participate in the included Off-Train Experiences. Pre-booking is highly recommended.
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.
As the journey enters its final stretch through the tropical north, the arid red earth begins to transform into the lush, rocky escarpments of the Top End. After a restful night in your cabin, enjoy a chef-prepared brunch as the train rolls toward Katherine. This is the gateway to Nitmiluk National Park, where the Katherine River has carved deep, spectacular sandstone gorges over millions of years.
Today, stop in Katherine and experience the region with a selection of Off-Train Experiences. This afternoon is dedicated to discovering the spiritual and natural wonders of the Jawoyn people’s ancestral lands.
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.
After a delicious breakfast, the day is yours to discover Darwin’s frontier history and modern culture. Perhaps visit the poignant Darwin Military Museum, browse the boutiques and Aboriginal art galleries of Smith Street Mall, or wander through the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.
As evening approaches, prepare for the grand finale of your journey: your sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour. As the sky ignites in a world-famous Top End sunset, indulge in a Territory-style buffet featuring Australian oysters with pepper berry vinaigrette, cooked prawns with Kakadu plum seafood sauce and BBQ sticky mango chicken. With expert commentary guiding you through the harbor’s landmarks and a menu packed with local delicacies like native-spiced beef and NT mango apple crumble, it’s the ultimate sensory conclusion to your cross-continental odyssey.
Enjoy a final relaxed morning in Darwin with a hearty breakfast before checking out of your room. When you’re ready, make your own way to Darwin International Airport (DRW) for your flight home.