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

You will fly just south of Pine Gap where the United States and Australian Joint Defence Space Research Facility is located before heading directly to Uluṟu – Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Take in the spectacular outback scenery and vastness of Australia with a unique bird’s eye view. On arrival at Ayers Rock Airport, you will be met by your tour guide to commence your immersive experience of Uluṟu. Rising out of the surrounding Central Australian desert, Uluṟu (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuṯa (The Olgas) dominate the landscape. World Heritage-listed Uluṟu is one of Australia’s most iconic symbols and best known natural landmarks. The ancient monolith is impressive; Uluṟu is 348 metres above the plain, more than 860 metres above sea level and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometres – that’s higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Chrysler Building in New York.Here you will visit Mutitjula Waterhole, home of Wanampi, an ancestral water snake. For centuries Mutitjula was an important campsite for Anangu at Uluṟu. On this walk, you will learn about Kuniya Tjukurpa – the great battle between Kuniya (woma python) and Liru (poisonous snake man). Enjoy a picnic lunch before travelling around the base of Uluṟu by vehicle. Hear cultural stories and environmental information from your local guide. Stop for the picture-perfect postcard photo – the one to make your friends jealous and to take pride of place on your mantelpiece. On return to Ayers Rock Airport, board your aircraft and take to the skies again where you will fly closely around Uluṟu for a different perspective and see Kata Tjuṯa. Kata Tjuṯa is a Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal tribe word meaning ‘many heads’. It is made up of 36 domes spread over an area of more than 20 kilometres. The tallest dome is Mount Olga and rises 546 metres above the plain, or 1,066 metres above sea level. The ochre-coloured shapes are an intriguing and mesmerising sight. Return to Alice Springs Airport and The Ghan to freshen up for dinner. Transfer to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station for a truly unique and authentic dinner experience. Become immersed in the spirit and grandeur that is the history of the Australian Outback. Tuck in to a mouth-watering meal, enjoy a cold beer or a fine wine all whilst under a chandelier of stars.

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

This excursion is an optional upgrade, available at $1,399 per person (2023). $ 1,489 per person (2024).
If you choose this excursion, you will not be able to participate in the included Off Train Excursions at Alice Springs.

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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