Ghan Expedition Explorer

Northern Territory

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As featured in Weekender Channel 7
Coach
Coach
Rail
Rail

Tour summary

Travel with the best tour and transport operator.
Awarded GOLD at the 2022 Australian Tourism Awards

This epic adventure into the heart of the Red Centre starts with 2 nights in Darwin visiting Litchfield National Park, Florence Falls and Wangi Falls. We then board the legendary Ghan for a unique and epic experience exploring the wonders of Australia’s vast interior. Spending 3 nights in Gold Service we start with a spectacular outback sunrise as we arrive into Alice Springs. Then stopping 'in the middle of nowhere' at Manguri then on to the sunscorched opal mining capital of the world - Coober Pedy. We then discover a dramatic change in landscape as we make our way for the beautiful green fields and pastoral lands of South Australia into Adelaide.

Departure location:
Darwin
Return location:
Adelaide
Tour duration:
8
days
Physical rating:
3 - Active/Moderate
Departure dates:

24 July 2025

Coming soon
Coach classes:
3rd Party
3rd Party
Tour accreditations:
Tour experiences:

19 Meals Included 2 Eco experiences 5 Cultural & heritage experiences

Join waitlistBook now
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Ghan Expedition Explorer

as featured in

Check out our spotlighted tour!

Take an exclusive glimpse into our immersive tour featured in Weekender. Discover how Fun Over 50 Holidays seamlessly combines luxury, adventure, and local expertise, making us the go-to choice for travellers over 50.

Tour pricing

Sole Use
$
8475
pp
Twin Share
$
8275
pp
Deposit:
$2000 per person
Sole Use:
Green Guest Policy:
All prices are in AUD.

Additional information

Deposit of $2000pp required within 14 days of making booking to secure your reservation.

Due to strict terms & conditions imposed by Journey Beyond, payment for this tour will be required 120 days prior to departure and at this time 100% cancellation fees apply. Rail prices are correct at time of printing but are subject to change. The Ghan twin share cabins include bunk beds; en-suite facilities. Single cabins include a wash basin in the cabin and shared shower and toilet facilities within the carriage. Flights are arranged to suit the tour as a group in advance, therefore we cannot book individual preferences or guarantee direct flights. Economy class flights are included at time of brochure release and are subject to price increase/availability.

Tour inclusions

  • Return Economy Class Carbon Neutral flights to Darwin and from Adelaide ex Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide
  • 2 nights Darwin
  • Seafood dinner at sunset
  • Litchfield National Park day tour visiting Berry Springs, Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls, Florence Falls and Magnetic Termite Mounds
  • 3 nights The Ghan in Gold Service from Darwin to Adelaide with premium dining including all on-board meals and beverages
  • Katherine and Alice Springs off-train excursions
  • Alice Springs outback bush BBQ dinner with live Australiana music
  • Join a local guide in Manguri
  • Off-train excursion tour to Coober Pedy including the underground Serbian Orthodox Church and The Breakaways
  • 2 nights Adelaide CBD
  • Seppeltsfield Barossa tour and lunch
  • Explore the German village Hahndorf
  • 19 meals
  • Locally operated comfort plus coach travel

Additional information

Physical rating

3 - Active/Moderate
Passengers must be able to:
  • Participate in guided or unguided small walking tours at a relaxed pace
  • Walk on mostly level ground
  • Tackle an occasional flight of stairs or incline
  • Occasionally need to stand for up to 10 minutes
  • Get on and off transportation unaided
  • Manage your own luggage
  • Participate in walking tours with time to rest at least every 10 minutes
  • Walk confidently on bush tracks and soft sand – mostly level ground
  • Stand for 15 minutes without needing to sit down
  • Tackle a flight of stairs or incline
  • Get on and off transportation multiple times unaided
  • Manage your own luggage
  • Participate in walking tours without having to stop or sit down to rest for up to 20 minutes
  • Walk up an incline equal to a flight of stairs without stopping
  • Stand for 30 minutes without needing to sit down
  • Walk over uneven ground, tackle cobbled creek crossings & walk through soft sand
  • Get on and off transportation multiple times unaided
  • Manage your own luggage
  • Be extremely mobile and live an active lifestyle
  • Negotiate inclines, declines and varied terrain confidently
  • Participate in a physical activity lasting up to 5 hours (Trek/walks)
  • Manage your own luggage and be able to carry with you a backpack with items required for the physical activities
Learn more about our fitness levels

Physical rating

3 - Active/Moderate
Passengers must be able to:
  • Participate in guided or unguided small walking tours at a relaxed pace
  • Walk on mostly level ground
  • Tackle an occasional flight of stairs or incline
  • Occasionally need to stand for up to 10 minutes
  • Get on and off transportation unaided
  • Manage your own luggage
  • Participate in walking tours with time to rest at least every 10 minutes
  • Walk confidently on bush tracks and soft sand – mostly level ground
  • Stand for 15 minutes without needing to sit down
  • Tackle a flight of stairs or incline
  • Get on and off transportation multiple times unaided
  • Manage your own luggage
  • Participate in walking tours without having to stop or sit down to rest for up to 20 minutes
  • Walk up an incline equal to a flight of stairs without stopping
  • Stand for 30 minutes without needing to sit down
  • Walk over uneven ground, tackle cobbled creek crossings & walk through soft sand
  • Get on and off transportation multiple times unaided
  • Manage your own luggage
  • Be extremely mobile and live an active lifestyle
  • Negotiate inclines, declines and varied terrain confidently
  • Participate in a physical activity lasting up to 5 hours (Trek/walks)
  • Manage your own luggage and be able to carry with you a backpack with items required for the physical activities
Learn more about our fitness levels
Eco experience
Eco experience
Flight included
Flight included
Food & Wine experience
Food & Wine experience
Heritage
Heritage
Indigenous experience
Indigenous experience
Local guide
Local guide
Rail journey
Rail journey
Walking component
Walking component
Swimming
Swimming
Coach
Coach

Itinerary

Departs
Darwin
Returns
Adelaide

Day

1

Darwin

Flight included
Flight included
Coach
Coach
Food & Wine experience
Food & Wine experience

Our Carbon Neutral flights arrive into Darwin where we board a third-party coach, travelling responsibly knowing all coach emissions are 100% offset, before being transferred to our hotel. This evening we feast on sumptuous seafood, whilst admiring the spectacular sunset over Darwin Harbour.

AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Hilton Hotel, Darwin
AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner
Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner

Day

2

Darwin

Eco
Eco
Swimming
Swimming
Walking component
Walking component

Today we discover Litchfield National Park beginning with a scenic drive southward, stopping at Berry Springs and Wangi Falls, where the cascading waters create a serene atmosphere perfect for a mid-morning swim. We continue to Litchfield, where we break for a delightful lunch. This afternoon we visit Tolmer Falls, Florence Falls, and the intriguing Magnetic Termite Mounds, each offering unique glimpses into the park’s geological wonders.

AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Hilton Hotel, Darwin
AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner
Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner

Day

3

Katherine

Rail journey
Rail journey
Boat
Boat
Eco
Eco
Local guide
Local guide
Indigenous experience
Indigenous experience

Our journey aboard the legendary Ghan begins at Darwin Rail Station, where we take the small but momentous step from platform to carriage. Onboard meals in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant are bound to delight with culinary wonders prepared by talented chefs. Upon arrival in Katherine, choose your off-train excursion from options including the iconic Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, Indigenous rock art cruise, Cutta Cutta Caves, or Katherine Outback Experience.

**Note: The train crew will confirm your excursion preferences after boarding.

AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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The Ghan in Gold Service
AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner
Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner

Day

4

Alice Springs

Rail journey
Rail journey
Food & Wine experience
Food & Wine experience
Heritage
Heritage

Wake up to an outback sunrise, one of the most spectacular you’ll ever see. We arrive in Alice Springs, where you have another experience to choose from, embarking on one of the included off-train excursions. A full day in Alice Springs provides ample opportunity to visit the town’s landmarks and get up close with Australia’s incredible flora and fauna. Come the evening, enjoy a spectacular barbecue dinner under a blanket of stars at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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The Ghan in Gold Service
AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner
Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner

Day

5

Coober Pedy

Rail journey
Rail journey
Heritage
Heritage
Indigenous experience
Indigenous experience
Food & Wine experience
Food & Wine experience
Local guide
Local guide

After breakfast this morning, we stop at Manguri where our local tour guide awaits. We travel to the sun scorched opal mining capital of the world, Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground. Enjoy a day of discovery, and a gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations; underground. Dinner is served back on the train where you can enjoy a nightcap as your journey continues.

AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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The Ghan in Gold Service
AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner
Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner

Day

6

Adelaide

Rail journey
Rail journey
Coach
Coach

This morning we see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback give way to the lush green lands of South Australia. The Ghan will roll into Adelaide late morning where we meet our local third-party coach. Enjoy some time at leisure in the city centre for lunch or shopping before we transfer to our hotel and check in.

**Lunch is at your own expense today.

AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Hilton Hotel, Adelaide
AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner
Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner

Day

7

Barossa Valley

Heritage
Heritage
Local guide
Local guide
Food & Wine experience
Food & Wine experience

Today we explore the Barossa Valley, starting with a visit to the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company. Next, we enjoy a grand insights tour at Seppeltsfield Barossa, including a talk, lunch and wine tasting. This afternoon, we stop in the charming German village of Hahndorf to explore the town before returning to our hotel.

AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Hilton Adelaide
AccomModation
Gold
Diamond
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Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner
Included meals
Breakfast
Morning Tea
Lunch
Afternoon Tea
Dinner

What you'll see and do

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Fun Over 50 Holidays has been awarded Best of Queensland Experience 2023

Fun Over 50 is proud to announce that we’ve been named as a Best Of Queensland Experience. This means that we come highly recommended by travellers, and provide exemplary tourism experiences through:

  • Exceptional service reflected in customer reviews
  • Best practice industry standards
  • Regional Tourism Organisation accreditations
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Travel in style and comfort

Our Gold Class coach tours let you experience the beauty of the Australian landscape in comfort and style. From the coach itself to the accommodation and meals, every detail is considered.

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Business class on wheels

For the next level in luxury, our Diamond Class coach tours give you the business class experience every step of the way. We only book the very best options available

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Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

To book this tour, all you need to do is get in touch with us. We will take your details and reserve your place over the phone. We can also answer any questions you may have and give you all the information you need.

How much luggage can I take?

Our coach tours have a baggage restriction of 17kg per person (regardless of flight and rail allowances) due to our Occupational Health & Safety standards. You can also bring one small, soft carry-on bag not exceeding 30cm wide, 30cm high, and 15cm thick that may be stowed in the overhead compartment.

What do the fitness ratings mean?

Each of our tours has a fitness rating which describes the level of physical activity involved with the tour. These ratings are very important when choosing your tour to ensure it's right for you.  Our fitness ratings are:

  • 1 Easy
  • 2 Moderate
  • 3 Active/moderate
  • 4 Highly active
What is the average size of tour groups?

Our Gold Class coaches have a seat capacity of between 44 and 46, but we cap Gold Class tours at 40 guests per tour. Our Diamond Class tours have a capacity of just 26 guests. Other tour types may have different capacities depending on the transport and destination. Please get in touch with our team if you have any questions about a specific tour.

Can you cater for my dietary requirements?

In most cases, yes we can. We can accommodate guests who are vegetarian and can assist with diabetic, gluten-free and other medically-recommended diets. Please advise us at time of booking, and we can confirm with our suppliers and restaurants.

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