The Ghan Off Train Touring

Your journey on The Ghan will include a choice of off train excursions and experiences, these are included in your fare, you may also choose from one of the optional upgrades (additional fee). 

Bookings for these excursions can only be made onboard. The one exception to this being The Ghan Expedition, Uluru Fixed Wing Scenic Flight & Outback Pioneer.  The touring at Alice Springs is included for those travelling direct through from Adelaide to Darwin (or vice versa).
Note : some of these excursions may not be part of packages which include a break in Alice Springs.

Pre and post travel you may also wish to consider adding these
Additional Excursions (not included).

Please use the following information as a guide only as some details of these excursions may vary.

The Ghan Expedition (April - October)

Travelling Darwin to Adelaide on The Ghan Expedition (April to October inclusive), your journey stops in Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy. Choose your Off Train Excursions from the following options:

Katherine 

  • Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise 
  • Nitmiluk First Gorge Rock Art Cruise (March, April, Nov)
  • Katherine Outback Experience
  • Twin Parks Fixed Wing Scenic Flight (optional upgrade) 
  • Nitmiluk Gorge helicopter flight (optional upgrade)

Alice Springs

  • Alice Springs Explorer and Outback BBQ Dinner
  • Alice Springs Desert Park and BBQ Dinner
  • Simpsons Gap Discovery Walk and BBQ Dinner
  • Alice to Offroad and Outback BBQ Dinner
  • Alice Springs and Surrounds Scenic Flight (optional upgrade)
  • Spirit of Mt Gillen Helicopter Flight (optional upgrade)
  • Uluru Fixed Wing Scenic Flight & Dinner (optional upgrade). Limited spaces for this excursion so best to pre book  ($1,395 per person - 2023). Details below

Coober Pedy 

  • Explore Coober Pedy 
  • Opal Experience
  • Discover the Majestic Breakaways
  • Marla

Marla

  • Outback Stars

ULURU FIXED WING SCENIC FLIGHT

ULTIMATE ULURU EXPERIENCE - THURSDAY ONLY

OPTIONAL UPGRADE EXPERIENCE - $1,489 PER PERSON (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)*

This is the Central Australian adventure you’ve been dreaming of. Departing Alice Springs Airport, you will fly south of Pine Gap, the United States and Australian Defence Space Research Facility. Take in the spectacular outback scenery and vastness of Australia with a unique bird’s eye view as you fly directly to Uluru – Kata Tjuta.​

On arrival at Ayers Rock Airport, you will be met by your tour guide to commence an immersive experience of Uluru. Rising out of the surrounding desert, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) dominate the landscape. World Heritage-listed Uluru is one of Australia’s most iconic natural landmarks. The ancient monolith is impressive; Uluru is 348 metres above the plain, more than 860 metres above sea level, and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometres.​

Enjoy lunch at the Sunset Lookout and stop for a picture-perfect postcard photo – one to wow your friends with.​

Travelling around the base of Uluru, you’ll visit the Mutitjulu Waterhole, home of Wanampi, an ancestral water snake. For centuries, Mutitjulu was an important campsite for Anangu people at Uluru. On this walk, you will learn about Kuniya Tjukurpa – the great battle between Kuniya (woma python) and Liru (poisonous snake man). ​

On return to Ayers Rock Airport, board your aircraft and take to the skies again, flying around Uluru for a different perspective and seeing Kata Tjuta from the air. ​

Kata Tjuta is a Pitjantjatjara word meaning ‘many heads’. The formation is made up of 36 domes, spread over an area of more than 20 kilometres. The tallest is Mount Olga, which rises 546 metres above the plain, or 1,066 metres above sea level. The ochre-coloured shapes are a mesmerising sight.

To avoid disappointment, we highly recommend guests pre-book this tour.

If you choose this experience, you will not be able to participate in the included Off Train Experiences.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Guests are required to board and disembark aircraft unassisted, walking and standing required. Weight restrictions apply – the maximum weight of any individual cannot exceed 100kg. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.​

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is subject to availability and conditions; all upgrade optional experiences are non-refundable.

Guests are advised to take appropriate clothing with them for the Telegraph Station Outback Dinner as they may not return to the train prior.

ULURU SCENIC FLIGHT (SUNDAY ONLY)

Optional Upgrade. $ 1,099 per person. Limited Availability. Be sure to take your camera and capture this once in a lifetime memory. Transfer to Alice Springs Airport to board your chartered Uluṟu scenic flight. Undertake your safety briefing, board the aircraft and get ready for take-off.

Take to the skies for an unforgettable Red Centre adventure. After a sumptuous lunch at the Desert Park, you’ll transfer to Alice Springs Airport, from where you will fly south of Pine Gap, the United States and Australian Defence Space Research Facility. Take in the spectacular outback scenery and vastness of Australia as you fly directly to Uluru – Kata Tjuta.​

Rising out of the surrounding desert, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) dominate the landscape. World Heritage-listed Uluru is one of Australia’s most iconic natural landmarks. The ancient monolith is impressive; Uluru is 348 metres above the plain, more than 860 metres above sea level, and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometres. ​

You’ll have a brief rest on land at Ayers Rock Airport to stretch your legs while the aircraft refuels before you take to the skies again, flying around Uluru for a different perspective, before heading to Kata Tjuta. ​

Kata Tjuta is a Pitjantjatjara word meaning ‘many heads’. The formation is made up of 36 domes, spread over an area of more than 20 kilometres. The tallest is Mount Olga, which rises 546 metres above the plain, or 1,066 metres above sea level. The ochre-coloured shapes are a mesmerising sight.​

Continue your flight out to the sandstone sculptures of the remarkable Kings Canyon. As Uluru’s companion, the chasm is almost as deep as Uluru is high. Standing at 300 metres, Kings Canyon is awash with ancient cycads, palm filled crevices and a permanent waterhole known as the Garden of Eden. ​

To avoid disappointment, we highly recommend guests pre-book this tour. For more information on how to pre-book, please contact our travel centre on 1800 703 357 or contact your travel agent.  

If you choose this experience, you will not be able to participate in the included Off Train Experiences.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Guests required to board and disembark aircraft unassisted. Weight restrictions apply – the maximum weight of any individual cannot exceed 100kg. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is subject to availability and conditions; all upgrade optional experiences are non- refundable. Guests are advised to take appropriate clothing with them for the Telegraph Station Outback Dinner as they may not return to the train prior.

*Optional upgrade for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $1099.00 per person

Please note weight restrictions do apply and vary depending on total weight of all passengers in the aircraft.

Recommended Fitness Level : Moderate – must be able to climb aboard the aircraft and guided walks required.
Weights must be provided when booking.

For further details see PDF below
(please use the following information as a guide only as some details of these excursions may vary)

Darwin to Adelaide (November - March)

Travelling Darwin to Adelaide, The Ghan stops in Alice Springs and Katherine. The Off Train Excursions being:

Katherine

  • Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise
  • Nitmiluk First Gorge Rock Art Cruise
  • Katherine Outback Experience
  • Cutta Cutta Caves (Apr t0 Oct only)
  • Twin Parks Fixed Wing Scenic Flight (optional upgrade)
  • Nitmiluk Gorge helicopter flight (optional upgrade)

Alice Springs

  • Alice Springs Explorer
  • Alice Springs Desert Park
  • Simpsons Gap Discovery Walk
  • Standley Chasm Cultural Walk
  • Pyndan Camel Tracks (optional upgrade)
  • Alice Springs and Surrounds Scenic Flight (optional upgrade)
  • Spirit of Mt Gillen Helicopter Flight (optional upgrade)

Manguri

  • Outback stars

For further details see PDF below
(please use the following information as a guide only as some details of these excursions may vary)

Adelaide to Darwin (year round)

Travelling Adelaide to Darwin, The Ghan stops in Alice Springs and Katherine. The available excursions being:

Alice Springs

  • Alice Springs Explorer
  • Alice Springs Desert Park
  • Simpsons Gap Discovery Walk
  • Alice Off Road and Standley Chasm Cultural Walk
  • Pyndan Camel Tracks (optional upgrade)
  • Alice Springs and Surrounds Scenic Flight (optional upgrade)

Katherine

  • Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise
  • Nitmiluk First Gorge Rock Art Cruise
  • Katherine Outback Experience
  • Top Didj Cultural Experience (April to Oct only)
  • Twin Parks Fixed Wing Scenic Flight (optional upgrade)
  • Nitmiluk Gorge helicopter flight (optional upgrade)

Marla

  • Outback morning experience

For further details see PDF below
(please use the following information as a guide only as some details of these excursions may vary)

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