Outback Tracks: Outback Adventure & Ghan Rail Journey
Melbourne, Australia
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Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the expansive Australian outback aboard The Ghan Expedition, a legendary train journey. This ultimate exploration combines one of the world's most remarkable rail experiences with AAT Kings' flagship Outback Adventure, offering a captivating exploration of Australia's dramatic outback landscape.
*Can be customized upon request, to meet travelers needs
*Meals = 15 Full Breakfasts
3 À la carte breakfasts
3 Lunches
1 Be My Guest dinner
11 Dinners with wine
1 Farewell Dinner
Trip Extensions available on request.
Included/Excluded
- Local Specialists (Guides)
- Meals as specified in the package.
- Exclusive Sunrise Field of Light art installation experience at Uluru
- Experience the vast Australian outback onboard The Ghan Expedition, a legendary train and unforgettable adventure
- Centrally located premium hotels
- Departure Taxes
- Entry Fees
- 5 Star Accommodation
- Airport Transfers
Tour Plan
Day 1 Welcome to Adelaide
- Sure thing! Delve into the diverse tapestry of Adelaide, where food enthusiasts, history buffs, art lovers, and sports aficionados alike find their niche. Take your time exploring the city before joining a knowledgeable local food expert to embark on a culinary journey through the iconic Central Market. With over 140 years of history, the market offers a plethora of artisanal delights, from green-ant gin and native herbs to locally grown coffee, chocolates, and an array of cheeses and charcuterie. Be sure to leave room for tonight's Welcome Reception & Dinner—it's bound to be a gastronomic delight!
- Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
Day 2 Adelaide - Flinders Ranges
Day 3 Finders Ranges - Port Augusta
- The rejuvenated Hills Homestead is surrounded by majestic river red gums, leaving you speechless. The interior of the property vividly portrays the challenges faced by early settlers in this region. A leisurely stroll along Wilpena Creek leads you to Wangarra Hill Lookout, offering breathtaking views of the pound's undulating peaks and curves. The intensity continues as you ascend Pichi Richi Pass, reflecting on the labor of those who constructed the 1870s train line through rugged rock, showcasing the geological wonders of the Flinders Ranges. Explore the historic town of Quorn with a Local Guide, dating back to 1875, unveiling tales of the old Quorn Mill, the town's history, and its significance in the ANZAC's Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. Conclude your journey in Port Augusta, where the Wadlata Outback Centre reveals the region's uniqueness and recounts more stories of days gone by.
- Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4 Port Augusta - Coober Pedy
- Secrets are revealed at former rocket-testing site Woomera, today home to a park where you can glimpse Australia’s aerospace innovations. Speaking of space, you may will think you’ve landed on the moon as you travel through sun-baked country to isolated Coober Pedy, aka ‘the opal capital of the world’. Things get deep as you travel underground with a local to see how these gleaming gems are mined, and visit the town’s head-scratching subterranean facilities, from churches to schools and hotelsHotel: Desert Cave Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5 Coober Pedy - Uluru
- After you leave your cozy cave in Coober Pedy, your initial destination in the Northern Territory has to be the spiritual heart of Australia: Uluru-Kata Tjuta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As the sun sets, make sure your camera is ready because the landscape surrounding the colossal monolith transforms into a mesmerizing display of colors with each click. Wrap up the day by raising a glass of sparkling wine, enjoying some snacks, and mingling with your fellow explorers.
- Hotel: Desert Gardens, 2 Nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Kata Tjuta
- Experience the vibrant colors of an Uluru sunrise as you make the most of the cool morning. Take a coach circumnavigation of the 11-kilometer 'Rock' or join a guided walk to the sacred Mutitjulu Waterhole, immersing yourself in a living cultural landscape that reflects the beginning of time. This area holds deep significance for the Anangu people over countless eons. Throughout the millennia, they've left behind rock art and enjoyed native plants like bush plums, tomatoes, and figs, which still thrive. The breathtaking landscapes continue at Kata Tjuta, offering cool relief as you stroll among its domes to Walpa Gorge. And, if your SD card isn't already filled with sunset photos, tonight's dazzling display will surely do the trick.Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Uluru - Kings Canyon
- Sure thing! Consider starting your day with an early morning call to witness the mesmerizing Uluru Field of Light, adorned with 50,000 glowing bulbs—a spectacular way to kick off your day. Explore the lesser-known but unforgettable Attila (Mt. Conner), a table-like rock formation in the region with its own charm. Take a break at Kings Creek Station, the largest wild camel exporter in Australia, and savor burgers made from camel meat for lunch. Engage all your senses on the Kings Canyon rim walk, a 440-million-year-old geological marvel featuring soaring domes and plateaus carved through layers of sandstone and hard shale, leading to natural rock pools. The true immensity of the landscape becomes evident as you reach a lookout point during your wanderings.
- Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8 Kings Canyon - Alice Springs
- Things are bigger in the NT outback, from the cattle stations the size of a small country to the MacDonnell Ranges, which stretch like a dinosaur spine toward the character-filled town of Alice Springs. Aside from its plethora of Indigenous galleries and art stores, Alice makes Australian history for her 1872 Telegraph Station, one of 12 along the Overland Telegraph Line that traverses a whopping 3,200 kilometres between Adelaide and Darwin. Glimpse it up close, then from afar as you ascend Anzac Hill for panoramic views that inspired many of those paintings in Alice’s galleries.
- Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs, 2 Nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Alice Springs
- Aboriginal culture and community spirit are strong in Alice, as you’ll discover on a city tour and a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service – just how these dedicated health workers deliver life-saving services in remote realms is rather astounding. The other thing that dazzles in this part of the state is the stars. And at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, this equates to epic stargazing. Your BBQ dinner here with the Falzon family is enlightening and uplifting – think stories of self-sufficient living, astronomy and even a tune or two on the didgeridoo.Included Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest Dinner
Day 10 Alice Springs - Tennant Creek
- 1.3 million square kilometres – that’s the eye-watering distance the School of Air’s lessons are broadcast across daily. Watch a live session with kids who would otherwise have no access to public education. It doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are, you might just believe in aliens when you pass Wycliffe Well, the self-proclaimed ‘UFO capital’ of Australia. But it’s the devil that awaits (well, his marbles) at Karlu Karlu, where precariously balanced boulders appear to have been superglued together. The most prized rock found in this part of the world is, however, gold, which is why your base for the night, Tennant Creek, exists.
- Hotel: Bluestone Motor Inn
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 11 Tennant Creek - Katherine
- Since the 1930s, the longstanding Daly Waters Historic Pub has been serving up traditional dishes like schnitzels, barramundi burgers, and hearty steaks. The pub's walls are adorned with a collection of items left behind by passersby, ranging from bras to boots. What unique contribution could you make during a lunch visit? The Mataranka region offers a taste of the "Land of the Never Never." Explore a replica of the Elsey Homestead, featured in the 1982 Australian drama "We of the Never Never," depicting life in the outback. Alternatively, stroll through palm-lined pathways to enjoy a rejuvenating dip in the area's warm thermal springs—a perfect remedy for tired muscles before reaching Katherine.
- Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 12 Katherine - Kakadu
- The Jawoyn have called Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge home for millennia. You can feel their presence while cruising this mighty waterway that’s home to more than a few resident crocs. This is not the last time these scaly creatures will be in your company – they’ll make another appearance on your Kakadu tour, when you jump in yet another boat for a Yellow Water Billabong cruise. You don’t need binoculars to spot the sea eagles, brolgas and kingfishers that colour this part of the Top End; they’re everywhere you look.
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Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 13 Kakadu - Darwin
- Certainly! Experience the vastness of Kakadu and Arnhem Land by taking an optional morning flight that offers a low swoop over these breathtaking landscapes, providing a sense of their Indigenous significance. On the ground, discover Aboriginal art at Ubirr, and climb to the top of the rocky outcrop for expansive views of floodplains framed by towering escarpments, famously featured in Crocodile Dundee. The night in Darwin is filled with steamy allure, where the characters are as vivid as the shadows cast at sunset. Begin your evening at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, indulging in a croc burger with your feet in the sand.
- Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin, 2 Nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Litchfield National Park
- Mother Nature takes the spotlight as you venture into Litchfield National Park, uncovering magnetic termite mounds towering up to two meters in height. The park also boasts enchanting waterfalls like Florence Falls, surrounded by a lush monsoon forest, and Wangi Falls, inviting you to take a refreshing dip in its crystal-clear waterhole before returning to Darwin. Experience a different perspective of the Northern Territory's capital with a Darwin Harbour Cruise, where you can raise a full champagne glass to toast the conclusion of your remarkable adventure.Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 15 Darwin
- In Darwin, everything unfolds at a leisurely pace, much to the delight of the locals. Whether you prefer strolling through architectural wonders or embarking on a cruise to the Tiwi Islands to immerse yourself in Indigenous art, the options are yours to embrace.Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 16 The Ghan: Darwin - Katherine
- This morning your journey aboard the legendary Ghan begins at Darwin Rail Station where you'll take the small but momentous step from platform to carriage. Friendly staff will lead you through corridors to your comfortable private cabin where you can take your time settling in and exploring the amenities as the view outside your window begins its smooth and spectacular transformation. Lunch in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant is bound to satisfy and delight with culinary wonders prepared on board by our talented chefs. All food is included in your fare, from a hearty full cooked breakfast to a delectable 3 course dinner. And as you sit back and enjoy the scenery, you'll have arrived in Katherine ready to experience your first included Off Train Excursion to spiritual Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.
- Hotel: The Ghan Gold Service, 3 Nights
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 The Ghan: Katherine - Alice Springs
- Wake up to a new view outside your window, in a world which feels a million miles from home. An outback sunrise could be one of the most spectacular you'll ever see, setting the tone for the day ahead. After coffee, a juice and a sumptuous breakfast you'll arrive in Alice Springs ready for another day of exploration. Here you have the opportunity to embark on one of the included Off Train Excursions, taking in the delights of this famous outback town. A full day in Alice Springs gives you ample opportunity to visit the town landmarks, get up close and personal with Australia's incredible flora and fauna or explore the Alice at your own leisure.Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 The Ghan: Alice Springs - Coober Pedy
- After breakfast this morning you'll wake up and rub your eyes with disbelief as we pull into the middle-of-nowhere stop at Manguri. Here, a friendly tour guide awaits ready to whisk you away for the day. Your destination - the sun-scorched opal mining capital of world, Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground. Venture into the tunnels and caves of this underground town, where you may even catch opal fever as you mine for riches, visit the otherworldly underground Serbian Orthodox church and glimpse the famous Coober Pedy Golf Course - the only course in the world boasting reciprocal rights with St. Andrew's course in Scotland. Below the earth's surface, you'll enjoy a gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations before setting off to the stunning outback moonscape that is the Breakaways.Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19 The Ghan: Coober Pedy - Adelaide
- As you peer through your window this morning, a striking transformation unfolds in the scenery. The vibrant earthy hues of the outback yield to the enchanting green expanses and pastoral beauty of South Australia. Following breakfast, a moment of contemplation awaits you before The Ghan makes its way into Adelaide, marking the conclusion of your remarkable journey.Included Meals: Breakfas
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