This Luxurious Four-Day Train Ride Through The Heart Of Australia Offers Stunning Views
Australia is one of the absolute best places to explore by train. If you’re craving spectacular scenery served with elegance, The Ghan Expedition is nothing short of extraordinary. Spanning nearly 1,850 miles, this four-day, three-night rail journey links tropical Darwin to coastal town Adelaide across the varied heart of Australia. It carries passengers through landscapes that shift from lush river gorges to fiery desserts and silent outback expanses — all from the comfort of a lavish train car.
This isn’t just transit — it’s a rolling stage through history. Named in honor of the Afghan cameleers who blazed the early inland trails, The Ghan has been running since 1929, making it one of the oldest vintage trains around the world you can still ride today. It evokes that same spirit of exploration, now cushioned with modern luxury. With thoughtful service and curated off-train excursions, the journey marries authenticity with refinement, drawing a line from pioneering grit to five-star ease.
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The Ghan: luxury and local flavors on rails
A woman smiles in The Ghan’s Queen Adelaide Restaurant – Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Inside, the train serves as a sanctuary: cabins span from Gold Service compartments with classic amenities to the newer Gold Premium class — an elevated tier akin to airline premium economy, featuring designs with polished brass, walnut veneers, and cream leather seating. For those seeking top-tier comfort, Platinum lodging delivers even more space, privacy, and elite styling.
Dining aboard the Ghan turns travel into a culinary adventure: multi-course meals in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant highlight local ingredients like kangaroo, barramundi, and crocodile sausage — all complemented by Australian wines. This isn’t just a luxurious menu, it’s a menu rooted in place, delivering refined outback flavors.
Beyond the rails, the experience continues with immersive excursions. In Katherine, board a river cruise that glides past Indigenous rock art dating back 10,000 years. In Alice Springs, trek the Desert Park to encounter wallabies and red center vistas. In the opal-mining gem of Coober Pedy, descend underground for a surreal lunch. On-board elegance and authentic off-board immersion push The Ghan from a mere rail trip to a sensory narrative of Australia.
Why The Ghan is a must-do adventure
A railroad track runs through the Australian Outback – Thomas Oswell Richards/Shutterstock
Time Magazine named The Ghan among the World’s Greatest Places for 2025, celebrating its sweeping scale, cultural resonance, and the launch of the Gold Premium tier. Averaging just two departures per week during its peak season (May through October), the train promises exclusivity and stillness absent from the typical tourist experience. That tranquil pace grants passengers time to absorb the changing light, shifting terrain, and cultural echoes from a vantage point most travelers never reach.
The full four-day journey runs between $2,463 and $6,037, depending on class and timing. Yet, when measured against private lodges or multi-stop tours, The Ghan delivers remarkable value, making it a gem to add to your Australian bucket list. It’s both transport and destination — pooling rich dining, stylish cabins, and exclusive excursions under one roof. The Ghan is more than just a journey. It’s an invitation to see Australia as not just a spot on the map, but an immersive story written in red dust, stretched horizons, and corridor windows.
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