Alice Springs

What better way to connect with the local environment than cycling through it. The Alice to Off Road mountain bike adventure begins at the Alice Springs Rail Terminal. After embarking through town, you’ll wind down a bike trail that tracks the famously dry Todd River.

Soon the flocks of pink crested birds diving and swirling overhead signal you’re on the Ilentye Trail – an indigenous Arrernte world meaning ‘galah’. Your local guide will lead you along stretches of the signature ochre-coloured earth to some stunning photographic spots only the locals know about.

After a leisurely cycle on the ochre coloured dirt, your tour guide will lead you to a picturesque spot in the sandy river, where you will take time to soak in this amazing landscape. Your bike ride resumes along the Ilentye trail that runs parallel to the unique rugged terrain that is home to many black-footed rock wallabies, often spotted moving over the rocks. Ghost Gum trees line the trail and provide a stark contrast to the blue sky and red landscape.

Recommended Fitness Level: High– Mountain bike ride approx. 12km across sandy bike paths. Enclosed shoes and comfortable clothing recommended.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

Standley Chasm is a significant cultural icon in Central Australia. Traditionally called ‘Angkerle Atwatye’, which means ‘Gap of Water’, the impressive chasm is a 3-metre-wide and 80-metre-high gorge found in the West MacDonnell Ranges, about 50km west of Alice Springs.

Once a narrow tributary of the Finke River system, persistent rainfall and flooding of a lusher bygone era has intricately carved the sandstone slope over millions of years, creating a dramatic and unbelievably picturesque effect where the colours of the Outback are on display. A natural spring nearby brings out an unlikely abundance of life to the arid-climate area, and the best time to catch a glimpse of the native wildlife is in the early morning or late afternoon.

Learn about this beautiful site with a guided cultural walk led by an indigenous Western Arrernte community member. Learn about ancient geology, native flora, fauna, bush medicine and bush tucker as you discover what makes this place unique.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Approx. 2.5 km of walking on natural paths and rocky terrain.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

Visit the School of the Air to learn about the unique facet of the children’s lives in the Australian Outback. You will hear their stories of school from afar, life on the land, and share in their dreams, achievements and journeys.

Get up close and personal with the reptiles of the Australian Outback at the Reptile Centre, where you will meet Terry the Saltwater Crocodile and a range of other scaly friends such as goannas, frill-neck lizards and thorny devils.

Travel by coach to the historical precinct of the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Here you will learn about the day to day life of the first European settlement in Alice Springs and how the station played a pivotal role in bridging the isolation and communication gap between remote Australian towns. Established in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, it is the best preserved of the 12 stations along the Overland Telegraph Line.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Coach tour with short walks required.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

The acclaimed Alice Springs Desert Park is a ‘living highlight reel’ of the outback. There are 200 desert animals and over 400 plants to explore as the basis of an enthralling experience that will elevate your understanding of life in the harsh desert environment.

An experienced guide will lead you on a tour of the park, revealing the culture and history of the local Arrernte people, the geology of the unique local landforms and explain how the native wildlife has adapted. When you step inside the Nocturnal House, you’ll get to peek into the night-time habits of the creatures
that avoid the harsh temperature of the day – including native marsupials like the iconic bilby and rare mala wallaby.

As a guest travelling on The Ghan, you have a reserved front row seat waiting for you at the spectacular free flight bird show. When it’s over you’ll also get special backstage access to see birds up close and watch a private training session.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Guided walking tour, approx. 3-4km broken into short distances. Personal electric scooters are available for mobility assistance – these need to be requested at time of guest tour booking. No electric wheelchair access (collapsible only).

PLEASE NOTE: Free flight bird show doesn’t operate in November.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

A magical location where important elements of flora, fauna and Indigenous culture all come together, the Simpsons Gap area incorporates large stands of Mulga and is a major stronghold for over 40 rare and relict plants.

Here you will enjoy walks that pass the native plants of the area including ancient Ghost Gums and views of the range.

Known as Rungutjirpa to the Indigenous, Simpsons Gap was the mythological home of a group of giant goanna ancestors. Several dreaming trails and stories cross at this important spiritual site. Enjoy the serenity and peacefulness as you watch the walls glow from reflected sunlight, creating a breath-taking display of stark form and rich colour.

The Simpsons Gap walks are on a natural site. While every precaution has been taken to ensure the walk is safe for everyone, we do insist that all walkers are of high fitness, carry a water bottle and wear a hat and sunscreen.

Recommended Fitness Level: High – Approx. 5-6km of walking on natural paths and rock terrain.

PLEASE NOTE: Guests must wear long pants and enclosed shoes for this experience. If temperatures are forecasted to be 35 degrees or above, this experience may be amended.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

Early explorers trekked on foot across harsh desert to find magnificent landscapes that are now ingrained in Australian history and culture. Fast forward hundreds of years and today’s explorers enjoy these same landscapes with a touch more comfort and a bird’s eye view.

Transfer to the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs, where you have the opportunity to sit back and relax around the pool area with a drink while waiting for your helicopter flight. The pilot will take you up and over Alice Springs to experience amazing views of Simpson’s Gap – one of the most prominent water holes in the region – Mt. Gillen Ridgeline and the Larapinta Trail.

It’s only from the air that you’ll experience the sheer magnitude of this ancient and timeless land. Absorb the spirit of the Outback as your pilot reveals its mystery through detailed commentary.

Don’t forget your camera to capture memories of these unique and unforgettable landscapes that will last forever. After your flight, enjoy a swim in the pool or the hotel facilities while you wait for your transfer back to Alice Springs Rail Terminal. This really feels like a touch of luxury in the centre of Australia.

As this experience is an optional upgrade, a cost of $235 per person will be payable direct to your Hospitality Attendant. If you choose this experience, you will not be able to participate in the included Off Train Experiences.

Recommended Fitness Level: Low – Guests required to board and disembark helicopter unassisted.

PLEASE NOTE: Weight restrictions of 130kg per person do apply.

*Optional upgrade for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $235 per person.

The ride begins at Pyndan Camel Tracks yards and travels into White Gums Station. The track follows an avenue of Iron Bark and Mulga trees, across a clay pan flat, and climbs a slight incline to reach sweeping views across the MacDonnell Ranges through Temple Bar Gap.

Keep your eye out for kangaroos and wallabies, birds and lizards and don’t forget your camera for those spectacular panoramic landscape views.

Hop off and wander through the camel museum or purchase your own memento of your camel experience from the quaint souvenir shop. Relax and listen to the sounds of surrounding bushland as you sit back with a chilled drink and light canapes inspired by flavours of the bush.

As this experience is an optional upgrade, a cost of $99 per person will be payable direct to your Hospitality Attendant. If you choose this experience, you will not be able to participate in the included Off Train Experiences.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate – Guests required to navigate steps to climb aboard the camel. Not recommended for guests with ongoing back issues, recent hip replacements or are pregnant.

*Optional upgrade for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $99 per person.