You Can Ride This Train for 1,851 Miles Across Australia's Hills, Plains, Red Centre, and Topical Top End

25.07.2023 - 10:41 / matadornetwork.com / Red Centre / Alice Springs

Unlike the Eurostar that takes passengers from London to cities on the European continent in record time, The Ghan, one of Australia’s four luxurious trains, is not something you book because you need to get from point A to point B. It may sound like the biggest travel cliché there is, but in this case it’s true: Riding The Ghan is all about the journey and not really about the (albeit lovely) destination. You go on the Ghan because you want to see and experience parts of Australia you’d never get to go to otherwise, at a slow pace, and in the comfiest, most lavish setting you could find.

The Ghan runs between Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, and Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory.

When it runs from Adelaide to Darwin (south to north), the train stops in Marla, Alice Springs, and Katherine. When it runs from Darwin to Adelaide (north to south), the train stops in Katherine, Alice Springs, Manguri, and Coober Pedy.

Note that it is possible to ride The Ghan between Adelaide and Alice Springs if you want a shorter trip.

The Ghan Expedition, a different trip on the same train that runs from Darwin to Adelaide only, stops in Katherine, Alice Springs, Manguri, and Coober Pedy.

A trip on The Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin takes three days and two nights.

Note that it is possible to make a trip on The Ghan shorter by only riding between Adelaide and Alice Springs. This particular trip takes two days and one night.

The Ghan Expedition is a longer trip on the same train that runs from Darwin to Adelaide only, in four days and three nights.

Photo: myphotobank.com.au/Shutterstock

Yes, The Ghan is a sleeper train. No matter what class of service passengers opt for (Platinum or Gold), they get their own cabin equipped with a bed. Platinum Service passengers get either a double bed or twin beds, while Gold Service passengers get either upper and lower berths, or a single bed.

Yes, all the passengers on The Ghan, no matter what class of service they chose (Platinum or Gold), have access to showers.

Platinum Service passengers have a full-size en suite in their cabin, with a separate shower, a vanity, cupboard space, a toilet, and toiletries.

Gold Twin passengers have a private en suite with a sink, shower, and toilet, while Gold Single passengers have a private sink in their cabin, and have access to a shared shower/toilet facilities located at the end of the carriage. All Gold Service passengers get toiletries.

While some passengers like to dress up in formal wear for dinner, the dress code required aboard The Ghan is smart casual, i.e. clothing that land between business and casual that are trendy and comfortable, but look kempt. No need for suits, cocktail dresses, and high heels, but don’t