The Ghan Expedition & Indian Pacific – Darwin to Sydney 2027

Celebrate the beginning of your journey with a welcome drink and light refreshments and pause for a photo with The Ghan’s iconic red locomotive before stepping on board, Settle into your home for the next few days, enjoying the comforts of your cabin, or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. As The Ghan begins to travel south, a chef-prepared lunch awaits before your Off Train Experience in Katherine.   

Here you’ll choose how to explore this remarkable region. Cruise through the towering sandstone cliffs and dramatic beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge and uncover its deep cultural significance. Alternatively, step into the Katherine Outback Experience for an authentic glimpse into the lives of those who call the outback home. Or venture underground at the Cutta Cutta Caves, where fascinating limestone formations, native wildlife and stories of Indigenous culture are waiting to be shared. For a different perspective, upgrade to a helicopter flight and take in the scale of Nitmiluk from above. (L,D) 

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights The Ghan Expedition 

Wake to the wide-open skies of the outback as The Ghan draws closer to the iconic town of Alice Springs. After a hearty breakfast on board, step into the heart of Central Australia with a choice of Off Train Experiences designed to suit every traveller.  

Take to the red dirt on an off-road e-bike adventure, join the A Town Called Alice tour to uncover the town’s major landmarks, or immerse yourself in culture with a guided journey through Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap. Here, sheer rock walls blaze red in the sunlight and ancient landscapes hold deep spiritual significance for the Arrernte people. Wildlife lovers can meet desert creatures at Alice Springs Desert Park, while those seeking a grander perspective can opt for a scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta.  

As night falls, the hallmark experience of The Ghan Expedition awaits. At the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, dine beneath a canopy of stars, surrounded by the red earth of the desert. With white tablecloths, fine food and live entertainment, it’s an evening you’ll never forget. (B,L,D)  

Today brings you to the extraordinary outback town of Coober Pedy, where life is anything but ordinary. Known as the opal capital of the world, this desert settlement hides its treasures both above and below, and more than half the population live underground.   

Your adventure begins with a morning stop at the remote outpost of Manguri to take in the sunrise, before continuing on to Coober Pedy for a day of exploration. A highlight is a gourmet lunch enjoyed underground, a dining experience as unique as the town itself. Off Train Experiences include visiting the striking Breakaways, uncovering the town’s quirky attractions, or learning the fascinating history of opal mining on the Opal Experience. For an unforgettable view, upgrade to a scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre. 

Back on board for your final night, dinner is served in the dining carriage before one last nightcap in the lounge with fellow travellers as The Ghan journeys towards Adelaide. (B,L,D)  

This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the Flinders Ranges before arriving into Adelaide.  

After disembarking the train, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation, your home for the next two nights. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure as you acquaint yourself with Adelaide’s city centre. Stroll to the Adelaide Central Markets for lunch and see over 70 traders bring colour and life to the undercover markets. Or, visit the Art Gallery of South Australia to see local and international works. As a city of food and wine, there is no shortage of delicious restaurants, take your pick and enjoy your first evening in Adelaide. (B) 

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Crowne Plaza Adelaide

Delight in a memorable culinary journey at the National Wine Centre of Australia with a “Feed Me” style lunch dining experience curated by the Head Chef. This indulgent menu showcases the best of South Australia’s regional produce, artfully crafted to take your taste buds on a captivating voyage of flavours and textures. 

Each course is perfectly paired with premium wines, hand-selected by the Centre’s expert Sommeliers to enhance the dining experience and elevate each dish. This immersive food and wine adventure promises to enchant and surprise your palate at every turn. 

Following your lunch, enjoy a hosted tour of the National Wine Centre of Australia – a perfect conclusion to this unforgettable sensory experience. (B,L) 

Check out of your accommodation this morning and take in any last minute sights before transferring to Adelaide Parklands Terminal to join the Indian Pacific. Start your rail journey by transferring to the world-renowned Barossa Valley. Here, at the historic Seppeltsfield Estate, an evening of fine wine and dining awaits. Enjoy a signature culinary experience in the vintage cellar, created exclusively for Indian Pacific guests, complete with a spectacular ‘Firing of the Barrel’ and a food-and-wine pairing designed by Executive Chef Owen Andrews. Platinum guests are also invited to taste a rare 100-year-old tawny, a true highlight of the region.  

After dinner, return to the train, where the Indian Pacific rolls eastward into the night. (B,D)  

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Indian Pacific 

Overnight the Indian Pacific crosses the border, arriving in Broken Hill, New South Wales – the famed Silver City. After a hearty breakfast, set out to explore this legendary outback town.  

Choose your own adventure: visit the Miners’ Memorial and Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum for a fascinating look at the region’s mining heritage, or venture underground on a Daydream Mine tour for an authentic glimpse into the life of early miners. Art lovers can head to the Pro Hart Gallery for a ‘paint and sip’ session in the artist’s original studio, while foodies will enjoy a native ingredients masterclass with Chef Lee Cecchin, followed by a cook-off at The Old Salt Bush restaurant. Or, see Broken Hill’s vibrant personality shine with a lively main-street tour hosted by Shelita Buffet, Queen of the Outback.  

Returning to the train for lunch and admire the changing landscapes of regional New South Wales. Tonight, savour dinner on board, raising a glass to an unforgettable journey exploring Australia by train. (B,L,D)

Your final day begins in the majestic Blue Mountains, where soaring sandstone cliffs and eucalypt valleys create a World Heritage–listed landscape unlike any other. After breakfast, farewell the Indian Pacific and step into this extraordinary bushland for your Off Train Experience.  

At Scenic World, choose from four iconic adventures: glide above ravines on the Scenic Skyway, descend into the forest aboard the Scenic Cableway, or ride the world’s steepest passenger railway. Alternatively, stretch your legs on a guided walk to soak up the views, or savour a decadent high tea at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel, framed by sweeping mountain panoramas.  

To complete your journey, board our chartered New South Wales rail service, fully hosted by your Indian Pacific crew, into Sydney Central Station. For those preferring an earlier arrival, the option to remain on the Indian Pacific and reach Sydney before lunch is also available. (B,L) (B)