The Ghan follows the route across the outback previously taken by Afghan cameleers
The Ghan, Australia’s legendary rail journey, is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its original 1,500 kms service from Adelaide to Alice Springs in the heart of the Australian Outback.
Named after the turbaned and robed ‘cameleers’ who, before roads or rail, provided the only supply route to the middle of nowhere, the Ghan first opened in 1929, and linked Adelaide to Alice Springs – it took another 75 years before the track opened between Alice and Darwin.
Today The Ghan is a passenger train, which operates luxury services between Adelaide, Alice Springs, and Darwin. The classic rail journey takes 48 hours and covers 2,979 kms, taking you through the heart of the country, crossing deserts and the rusty reds of the McDonnell ranges northwards to Katherine and tropical Darwin.
Now continuing to Darwin, on a 3-day, 2-night journey, The Ghan offers a choice of three levels of accommodation, Red, Gold and Platinum, and to commemorate its 80th anniversary travel operators are offering a special birthday package.
Travel on The Ghan from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north (or vv) in Gold Service and get 2 nights pre and post accommodation in both Darwin and Adelaide completely free of charge. The 6-night trip, which will be available for booking for 80 days from March 16, 2009 (until June 3) for travel anytime between April 1 until December 31, costs from £846 pp based on 2 travelling together, including airport and station transfers in Darwin and Adelaide, 2 nights at the Majestic Roof Garden Adelaide, 2 nights’ en suite accommodation in Gold Service on the Ghan and 2 nights in the Holiday Inn Darwin. Flights start from £595 – departures 16 Apr – 15 June 2009.
For further details contact Bridge & Wickers.
The route
- Darwin
- Katherine
- Tennant Creek
- Alice Springs
- Kulgera
- Chandler
- Marla
- Coober Pedy (Manguri)
- Tarcoola
- Kingoonya
- Pimba
- Port Augusta
- Port Pirie
- Adelaide Parklands Terminal
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