The Ghan · Official Swain partner

The Ghan, planned into your Australia journey.

Swain is an official Journey Beyond Rail partner. Choose the service level and route with Swain, then connect the Darwin-to-Adelaide crossing with the right city stays, flights and private transfers.

Plan with Swain Call 1-800-227-9246

The Ghan · Official Journey Beyond Rail partner

A multi-day crossing through the Red Centre.

Swain is an official Journey Beyond Rail partner, planning The Ghan as part of a broader Australia itinerary. The Ghan has run between Adelaide and Darwin since 1929. The classic itinerary covers roughly 2,979 kilometres over three days and two nights in each direction, with an extended four-day Ghan Expedition operating Darwin to Adelaide in the cooler months. Swain plans the service level, route and timing, then connects the train with the city stays, flights and private transfers around it. Route direction, stops and seasonal operating patterns are confirmed at the time of booking.

The Ghan crossing the Northern Territory outback

01Two ways to ride

The Ghan and The Ghan Expedition.

From March to November, The Ghan's classic three-day, two-night itinerary runs in both directions between Adelaide and Darwin, stopping at Alice Springs and Katherine, with a sunrise bonfire breakfast at Marla travelling north and an evening stop at Manguri travelling south. From April to October, the southbound run becomes the longer Ghan Expedition, departing Darwin only, with an added day for deeper stops including Coober Pedy. Swain confirms which itinerary and season fit a given set of travel dates before booking.

Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge in the Northern Territory, a stop on The Ghan

Katherine, Northern Territory

Nitmiluk Gorge by water.

The Ghan stops at Katherine, where included Off Train Experiences have featured a cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and a cultural morning with Indigenous guides at Top Didj. On the longer Ghan Expedition, guests travelling south can instead explore the limestone caves at Cutta Cutta, south of Katherine. Off Train Experience options vary by season and departure and are confirmed closer to travel.

Alice Springs, Northern Territory

A full day in the Red Centre.

Alice Springs is a stop on both itineraries, with a full day to choose an Off Train Experience. On the Ghan Expedition, past options have included a guided cultural walk at Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell Ranges, an e-bike ride to Simpsons Gap, and a dinner at the old Telegraph Station. Which experiences run on the classic itinerary's Alice Springs stop is confirmed at the time of booking. Fitness levels and mobility requirements differ by experience and are confirmed when booking.

Coober Pedy, South Australia

A day in Australia's opal country.

On the Ghan Expedition, the train stops for a full day near Coober Pedy, the underground opal-mining town in South Australia's far north. Off Train Experience options have included touring an underground opal mine and a scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. These are optional, seasonal upgrades confirmed at the time of booking.

Sunrise stop at Marla, South Australia, aboard The Ghan

Marla and Manguri, South Australia

Sunrise and starlight stops in the outback.

Travelling north, The Ghan calls into Marla for a sunrise bonfire and breakfast in the open desert. Travelling south, both the classic itinerary and the Ghan Expedition call into the outback outpost of Manguri for an evening stop before the final overnight run into Adelaide. Exact stop times and directions are set by the season and confirmed when planning dates.

Gold-tier cabin interior aboard a Journey Beyond Rail train

02Onboard

Cabins, dining and the Outback Explorer Lounge.

The Ghan's service tiers run from Gold through Gold Premium to Platinum, plus a small number of Australis and Aurora suites. Gold guests gather in the shared Outback Explorer Lounge and dine in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant; Gold Premium adds its own lounge and restaurant; Platinum guests use the Platinum Club carriage for meals and socialising. Meals, wine and beverages are included by fare class, and specific courses, amenities and inclusions vary by service tier and are confirmed for the dates and cabin booked.

03Gallery

The Ghan in pictures.

From Red Centre sunrises to the Outback Explorer Lounge, a look at the train and the country it crosses.

Platinum-tier cabin interior aboard The Ghan

Guided e-bike excursion near Alice Springs on The Ghan Expedition

Telegraph Station dinner experience near Alice Springs on The Ghan Expedition

Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs

Planning a Ghan journey.

Which direction does The Ghan travel?

The Ghan runs between Adelaide and Darwin in both directions during the classic season, March to November. From April to October, the southbound run instead operates as the longer Ghan Expedition, departing Darwin only. Swain confirms the right direction and season for your dates.

How long is the journey?

The classic Ghan is a three-day, two-night crossing covering roughly 2,979 kilometres. The Ghan Expedition, which runs Darwin to Adelaide only, extends to four days and three nights with an added day in the outback.

What stops are included?

Stops have included Katherine and Alice Springs, plus either Marla (travelling north) or Manguri (travelling south), with Coober Pedy added on the Ghan Expedition. Exact stops, Off Train Experiences and timing are schedule-specific and confirmed before booking.

What cabin and service options are there?

The Ghan offers Gold, Gold Premium and Platinum service, plus a small number of Australis and Aurora suites. Each tier has its own cabin style, lounge and dining inclusions, which Swain can walk through by fare class.

Are meals included?

Meals, wine and beverages are included in the fare and vary by service tier, from the Queen Adelaide Restaurant for Gold to the Platinum Club carriage for Platinum. Specific courses and inclusions are itinerary and fare-class specific.

Can The Ghan be combined with other travel?

Yes. Swain plans the train alongside flights, private transfers and city stays in Adelaide, Alice Springs or Darwin, and can connect it to a broader Australia itinerary.

Is The Ghan suitable for travelers with mobility or dietary needs?

Suitability depends on the cabin, service tier and chosen Off Train Experiences, several of which involve walking on uneven or underground terrain. Mobility, medical and dietary requirements are reviewed case by case when Swain plans your journey.

Ready to plan your crossing?

Swain plans The Ghan alongside city stays, flights and private transfers across Australia, matched to the season, service level and itinerary that fit your trip.

Talk to a Destination Expert Prefer to talk? Call 1-800-227-9246