The Ghan and Red Centre Sensation

Flights arrive in Adelaide where we are met by our coach captain and taken to Mt Lofty, the highest peak in the Lofty Ranges. From here we make our way to Australia’s oldest German settlement, Hahndorf, for lunch and free time to wander the main street. A visit to Melba’s Chocolate & Confectionery Factory is a must! We get to see the factory in action making everything from old fashioned liquorice blocks to chocolate coated fruit and nuts.

Our day takes us into the Barossa Valley travelling via Mengler’s Hill lookout and the famous Herbig Family Tree to arrive at the majestic Chateau Tanunda, the largest and oldest chateau in Australia. We take a tour of this beautiful estate, its vineyards, winemaking area and barrel hall before sampling some of the wines. Our next stop is the Maggie Beer Farm Shop where there’s time to sample Maggie’s signature products before sitting down to dine at The Eatery. Returning to Adelaide, we stop in at the intriguing Whispering Wall at the Barossa Reservoir.

Enjoy a morning city sights tour including North Terrace, home to the city’s most important cultural institutions. View St Peter’s Cathedral and see the spectacular Adelaide Oval and Botanic Gardens. At midday we are scheduled to board The Ghan, one of the great train journeys of the world, bound for Alice Springs. Watch the rolling pastoral lands of South Australia merge into rugged Mallee scrub and marvel as the spectacular Flinders Ranges disappear into the horizon as we make our way north into the Red Centre.

The Ghan makes a two hour stop in Marla, where we enjoy a cuppa and sunrise experience. We continue on our epic rail journey arriving into Alice Springs (scheduled at 1:45pm) to join our private charter for transfers to our hotel.

Leaving Alice Springs, we take a leisurely drive passing Stuarts Well, then stop for lunch at Mt Ebenezer. Continuing on, we break for a photo stop at Mt Connor, before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. This evening before dinner we reboard the coach to witness the ever changing colours of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) at sunset with drinks and canapés.

Witness the Field of Light just before sunrise and then watch dawn break over Uluru - just magical. Next we take a guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole and continue along to the Mala Walk. We drive around the base of Uluru, followed by a visit to Uluru-Kata TjutaCultural Centre. Our afternoon has us climbing into the saddle for a camel trek for another way to enjoy fabulous views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. An outback adventure led by an expert cameleer who shares knowledge of the desert’s wildlife and ecology along the way.

Enjoy the thrill of taking an aerial tour of Australia’s Red Centre during a scenic 25-minute helicopter flight showcasing the famous landmarks Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Our afternoon takes us to Maruku Arts for a dot painting workshop under the expert guidance of local indigenous artists. Tonight, toast the beauty of Uluru as we watch the sun’s dwindling rays light the rock up one final time before making a hasty retreat. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés, and as the sun sets we will feast on a BBQ of authentic Australian delicacies and classic desserts, all complemented by Australian wines.

**Lunch is at own expense today.

Leaving Ayers Rock Resort, we make our way to Kings Canyon stopping for lunch at Kings Creek Station. After lunch we have an enjoyable Aboriginal cultural experience seeing spear and boomerang displays, and learning about bush tucker, bush medicine and more. This afternoon we check in to Deluxe Spa Rooms at Kings Canyon Resort, each with a private balcony offering a magnificent outlook over the rocky escarpment.

This morning we take a walk at the canyon which meanders along Kings Creek, ending at a viewing platform with stunning views of the sheer canyon walls. We return to Alice Springs, taking in the scenery and stopping at Erldunda for lunch along the way.

We begin our day with views of the rugged MacDonnell Ranges from Anzac Hill lookout. Next we discover the Outback Telegraph Station before visiting the Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame then on to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Enjoy some free time this afternoon.

Discover the West MacDonnell Ranges, stopping at Flynn’s Grave before a visit to Ellery Creek Big Hole. We take time at Standley Chasm renowned for the red rocks, blue skies and white ghost gums. Enjoy lunch at Glen Helen Homestead before departing for Ormiston Gorge and Simpsons Gap. We then board The Ghan to leave Alice Springs for the final leg of this once in a lifetime rail journey.

Early this morning The Ghan stops in Katherine for four hours, during this time there are several whistle-stop touring opportunities available. Continuing our journey, we arrive in Darwin and transfer to our hotel.

Today we discover Litchfield National Park taking in the inspiring views of Tabletop Range, a sandstone plateau adorned with a curtain of cascading waterfalls. Marvel at the termite mounds and learn how these astonishing structures are built by armies of tiny insects. We then make our way to Florence Falls lookout before arriving at Litchfield Café for lunch. Our afternoon takes us to nearby Wangi Falls, where year-round currents pour into a large swimming hole. Enjoy a refreshing dip before we make our way back to Darwin for an unforgettable farewell dinner.

Today we make a visit to the Darwin Military Museum to learn the story of this extraordinary, yet little known chapter in Australian history. We then make our way to the airport for our respective flights home.