Forget the Phrase Book – Go to Auz with The Ghan!

It’s that time of year again – when we look longingly at our empty luggage bags and dream of travel. But the world’s a troubled place right now, and we understand the thought of venturing further than your own back yard can be off-putting. But here’s the good news: extend your own back yard to include a quick hop across ‘the ditch’ to welcoming Auz, and a truly magical journey awaits. It’s called the Ghan, and it’s a train journey like no other.

Beginning in Adelaide (or Darwin, depending on which direction you choose to travel) you’ll be carried along on a seamless journey of almost 3,000 kilometres into the heart of the vast mysterious continent we call Australia. And this trip of a lifetime comes with all the trimmings!

The luxury begins the moment you set foot on the big red locomotive and unpack in your personal cabin. With a range of accommodation to choose from, you can enjoy whole suites and mini bars, or comfy fold away beds with crisp white linen, with your own private compact or shared bathroom. Whatever your price range, there’s accommodation to suit, and here’s the thing – for your entire  journey, you need unpack only once – that’s freedom travel!

The Ghan is renowned for its outstanding service, first class menus, and an incredible range of Australian wines, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages. Communal dining and lounge spaces are the place to mix and mingle with other travellers on the Ghan. Whether you’re touring as a couple, solo, or in a group, you’re bound to make new friends in this pleasantly intimate setting.

However, the Ghan is far more than a luxurious rail journey. Along the way, you’ll discover amazing opportunities to step off the locomotive and immerse yourself in local sights and culture. In Marla, where a warm bonfire is waiting, you’ll wake in time to disembark onto the red earth to view a sunrise like no other. At Alice Springs, take time out to enjoy a range of all-inclusive activities to suit your interests – from mountain biking over the ochre earth to touring the town’s major attractions, meeting wildlife, or enjoying a cultural experience at Standley Chasm. If you want to, you can also upgrade to a helicopter flight, to take it all in from the air!

More off-train experiences await you at Katherine with a boat tour along the awesome Nitmiluk Gorge, accompanied by a memorable commentary introducing you to the Indigenous Jawoyn people and their intimate connection to the land you pass through. If you prefer a land-based experience, take the all-inclusive tour that lets you experience first-hand the life and work of a huge out-back cattle station.

When you take The Ghan in the North-South direction, from Dawin to Adelaide, your journey extends from 3 to 4 days, and your experiences are even more diverse. As well as a wide range of off-train experiences at Alice Springs, you’ll be offered an optional flight to spot awe-inspiring Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the air. Your day in the outback will culminate in dinner under the stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. You’ll be seated with fellow travellers at white linen tables with the red earth beneath your feet and Australian wines and beers to compliment the meal.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, a stop at Manguri the following day allows you to visit Coober Pedy aka ‘Opal Town,’ and it’s strange underground homes. A meal in this most unusual of environments will cement your memories of a unique location. Be sure to take down contact details of new-found friends over dinner back on the train that night!

Whether you travel south to north or vice versa, as you arrive at your final destination, you won’t be the first to regret saying goodbye to the big-red train, its warm-hearted, attentive staff, and your fellow travellers. After all, The Ghan has been your introduction to a world of astonishing landscapes, fine dining, and new friends. All just a stone’s throw from your own back door.

With Australian train travel, there’s no need to bring the phrase book (unless you find the Aussie lingo incomprehensible!); no need to   spend days of your precious travel time in the air to meet your tour, and there’s always the reassurance if you do need to return home unexpectedly, you’re just a short hop away. Whether you’re travelling with others, or going solo, The Ghan has all the appeal of seeing exciting new land and meeting awesome new friends without the worry of international fracas or the hassle of long-distance flights. All you need do is step out your own back door, and hop across the ditch!

Building lifetime memories and friendships has never been easier than when you travel with Grownups Holidays aboard The Ghan!