Summary
Short description
Combine one of the world’s finest rail journeys with unique luxury among wilderness remotes
Highlights
- Travel in style on the Ghan’s continent-spanning route
- Stay in ultra-luxury lodges
- Indulge with open bars and full-board fine dining
- Take in the wildlife and natural wonders of Kangaroo Island and the Flinders Ranges
- Enjoy private transfers throughout
In Brief
- 1 Night Adelaide
- 3 Nights Kangaroo Island
- 1 Night Adelaide
- 2 Nights Flinders Ranges
- 1 Night Adelaide
- 2 Nights The Ghan
- 1 Night Darwin City NT
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
History & culture | Natural world | Rail journey | Wildlife
Although this unique itinerary will see you enjoy privileged nights among artsy Adelaide’s heritage and Darwin’s tropical beaches, it will also bring you to two of the world’s finest luxury lodges. Enjoy open-bar drinks and full-board fine dining as you contrast the ultra-contemporary chic of Kangaroo Island’s Southern Ocean Lodge with a historic homestead on a mountain-clad wildlife conservancy. Throughout, expect to pair unique wildlife and a spectacular natural world with canapés and fine Australian vintages. Of course, the all-inclusive indulgences continue on the Ghan, taking in the Outback length of the Australian continent while pausing at frontier towns for included river cruises and Indigenous experiences.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
Depart UK
After enjoying your complimentary airport-lounge access, board your flight to Australia.
Day
2
Adelaide
Arriving into Adelaide, an included private transfer will see you to one of the city’s most luxurious properties. Its marbled rooms and fine-dining restaurants offer spectacular views over its riverside setting. As such, you’ll have all of Adelaide’s delights to hand, from its church-spire-dotted skyline to the superb Art Gallery of South Australia. Don’t also miss out on the inventive food and drinking scene, with farmers’ markets rubbing shoulders with creative bars hidden away in narrow lanes.
Stay: InterContinental Adelaide (Deluxe)
Days
3-5
Kangaroo Island
After a private-driver transfer to the airport and an included flight hop, you’ll be met at the airport and brought to what is one of the world’s finest luxury lodges. Throughout, beach access and floor-to-ceiling windows invite in the spectacular cliff-top views, with ultra-chic rooms offering sunken lounges, complimentary bars and private terraces. The all-inclusive indulgences continue with open-bar fineries and full-board delicacies, with multi-course menus showcasing the very best of local, fresh produce. You’ll even enjoy complimentary spa credit, alongside a full choice of included – and tailored – excursions. There’s everything from sunset canapés served among wild kangaroos to guided walks to seal colonies and spectacular rock formations.
We are sad to advise that Southern Ocean Lodge was destroyed by bushfires in January 2020 and is closed until further notice. Please speak to our specialists who'll be able to advise alternative options.
Stay: Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island (Ultra)
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Adelaide
With your flight back to Adelaide bookended by included transfers, you’ll have some further time to explore the “City of Churches”. Alongside its heritage architecture, there are plenty of beaches to choose from, the raffish charm of its harbour and a festival calendar that showcases the city’s artsy sensibilities.
Stay: InterContinental Adelaide (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Days
7-8
The Flinders Ranges
A scenic private transfer will bring you out into the largest mountain range in South Australia and your unique accommodation – a mid-19th-century homestead set among 60,000 acres of private wildlife conservancy. Here, on the likes of hikes or optional flights and drives, you’ll spot everything from wallabies and kangaroos to eagles and emus among the sandstone bluffs, dry creek beds and rolling prairie land. The hides are excellent. You’ll also return each day to an all-inclusive spread of fine dining, washed down with complimentary premium wines. Think pan-fired scallops and the finest Australian vintages.
Stay: Arkaba, Flinders Ranges (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
9
Adelaide
After a leisurely morning among the wildlife of the Flinders Ranges, you’ll retrace your steps back to Adelaide. Weaving through remote bush and mapping the coast, it’s all brought to life by commentary from your private driver. A final night in laid-back Adelaide offers the opportunity to relax, perhaps with a walk through its undulating parklands.
Stay: InterContinental Adelaide (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
10
The Ghan
After a private transfer, you’ll step aboard the Ghan itself, settling in to the polished-wood fineries of your private cabin. You’ll also be treated to open-bar drinks and full-board fine dining. Expect multi-course meals inspired by the train’s route, served up among the Art-Deco charms of the restaurant car. Before retiring to the elegant lounge, there’s even afternoon tea as the city limits quickly fade into the Outback’s iconic ochre.
Stay: The Ghan (Superior)
Meals: L D
Day
11
The Ghan: Alice Springs
After a full breakfast with made-to-order eggs and Belgian-chocolate waffles, you’ll arrive into Alice Springs in the heart of the country’s aptly named Red Centre. Its frontier-town heritage is unrivalled, paired with the likes of optional camel rides and sightseeing flights to iconic Uluru. Back on board, your full-board meals continue with creative, fine-dining takes on traditional bushfood. Think kangaroo fillets and saltwater barramundi.
Stay: The Ghan (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
12
The Ghan: Nitmiluk Gorge to Darwin
Rolling into Australia’s Northern Territory, you’ll have a choice of included touring. Perhaps head out on a cruise along the Katherine River, admiring its giant sandstone cliffs. Otherwise, a visit to the Jawoyn people will see you learn about local Indigenous culture over didgeridoo, spear-throwing and basket-weaving workshops. Back on board, a late lunch is taken as you watch the Australian Outback transform to the exotic greenery of Darwin. Here, a private driver will bring you to your luxury hotel, perfectly poised on the harbour to enjoy the city’s famous beaches.
Stay: Hilton Darwin (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
13-14
Depart for UK
Today, we’ve included a private transfer to the airport for your flight home. Of course, there’s always the option of extending your time with Darwin’s sea and sand.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
14-day tailor-made luxury rail journey
from £7,160 pp
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