Darwin to Adelaide

4 Days / 3 Nights

Departs Wednesdays and Saturdays, April - October

From $3,790 per person twinshare

The Ghan Expedition crosses Australia top to bottom: four days and three nights from Darwin to Adelaide straight through the middle of the continent. All meals, fine wines and beverages are included on board, and the train stops for off-train experiences at Katherine, Alice Springs, Coober Pedy and Manguri. Departures run Wednesdays and Saturdays from April to October, from NZ$3,790 per person twin share. Confirm current seasonal pricing with us, as fares move by cabin class and travel date.

What the four days look like

• Darwin. A welcome experience at the Darwin Convention Centre, then transfer to the rail terminal and board.
• Katherine. Off the train for Nitmiluk Gorge, its gorge scenery and its Indigenous heritage.
• Alice Springs. The longest stop: explore the town, then a signature dinner under the stars at the Historic Telegraph Station.
• Manguri and Coober Pedy. Into South Australia's opal country, including the underground mining town of Coober Pedy, before the final run into Adelaide.

On board, the food is a regionally inspired menu paired with local wines, and everything you eat and drink is part of the fare.

What is included

The Expedition is all-inclusive once you board: your cabin, all meals, fine wines and beverages, and the off-train experiences at each stop, including the Telegraph Station dinner. Getting to Darwin and away from Adelaide is where we come in: flights, pre and post nights, and anything you want to add on either side.

Who this trip suits

Rail suits travellers who want the outback without driving it: you unpack once, and the off-train experiences are organised for you. Cabin classes suit couples and solo travellers both. It pairs naturally with time in Adelaide at the southern end, and our owner Stephen's own Adelaide safari weekend shows what two or three extra days there can look like: Monarto Safari Park, the Barossa, the Murray River. Direct flights run Auckland to Adelaide, about five hours, which keeps the whole trip surprisingly close to home.

How booking through YOU Travel Napier works

The fare through us matches booking direct, and we build the rest of the trip around it: flights from New Zealand, the Adelaide or Darwin nights either side, travel insurance and the connections between it all. One conversation at 86 Tennyson Street and the whole itinerary is handled: flights, nights either side, the train, all of it. For a fully personal version of an Australian trip, see our custom itineraries service.

Frequently asked questions

How much does The Ghan Expedition cost?

From NZ$3,790 per person twin share for the four-day Expedition itinerary, varying by cabin class and travel date. Flights to Darwin and home from Adelaide are additional, and we quote the whole trip as one figure so there are no surprises.

Which direction should I travel, Darwin to Adelaide or the reverse?

The Expedition itinerary described here is the southbound run, Darwin to Adelaide over four days; northbound trips run to a shorter itinerary. Southbound suits you if you want Adelaide time at the end; we check the current northbound options if your dates work better that way.

When does it run?

Departures are Wednesdays and Saturdays, April to October. The dry season months in the Top End are the popular window, so book well ahead for winter dates.

Is it really all-inclusive on board?

Yes: cabin, all meals, fine wines and beverages, and the off-train experiences are all part of the fare. Your costs off the train are only what you choose to add.

Can we combine The Ghan with a safari or wine stay?

Easily, and it is the combination we most recommend: Monarto Safari Park and the Barossa Valley both sit within reach of Adelaide. Two or three days at the southern end turns the train trip into a complete South Australia trip.

Presented by YOU Travel Napier, 86 Tennyson Street, Napier. Last updated August 2026.