Ultimate Territory Tour – The Ghan 2025

After your evening of enjoying the fine dining and relaxed comfort of this iconic train, you’ll wake to an unforgettable outback sunrise at Marla – a remote outpost 160 kilometres from the Northern Territory border that marks the start of the Oodnadatta Track. After breakfast in Marla, board The Ghan and head onwards to Alice Springs.

Our arrival in Alice marks the start of a new adventure. We’ll venture further into the heart of Australia on the eight-day Red Centre Spectacular tour with Outback Spirit. Here, you will be met by the passionate Outback Spirit crew, who will be guiding you as you take in all the Red Centre has to offer over the next eight days.

Check-in at DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs, where we'll stay for the first two nights. In the evening, the group will meet for welcome drinks and a short briefing on what you can expect during your tour. Tonight's dinner is at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Today, we say goodbye to Alice Springs as we go deeper into the outback. First up is a visit to Ellery Creek for a short walk and morning tea, then we travel to Ormiston Gorge to see its towering red cliffs. We'll stop for lunch at Glen Helen, a haven of outback hospitality, before journeying to the mighty Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park.

As we drive through the outback, we'll take the scenic Mereenie Loop 4WD track through the West MacDonnell Ranges and arrive at Kings Canyon Resort, where we'll spend the next two nights.

Tonight, dinner is at Carmichael’s, a relaxed restaurant situated in Kings Canyon Resort, surrounded by native trees and bushlands. If you’re lucky, you may spot an inquisitive dingo wandering through the grounds. (B,L,D)

We depart Kings Canyon for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, passing through Kings Creek Station to enjoy an informative talk on paper-making and lunch at Curtin Springs, a million-acre cattle station. In the early afternoon, we arrive at the award-winning Sails in the Desert Hotel, part of the Ayers Rock Resort.

This evening, we attend the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner. This is a breathtaking cultural storytelling experience, told through choreographed drones, lasers and projections illuminating the night sky.

After a short journey from the resort, we venture to an open-air theatre set atop a dune. Enjoy cocktails infused with native ingredients while taking in the incredible views of Uluru. As darkness descends, dine on a gourmet dinner hamper, where native ingredients are combined with modern techniques to create a balanced and flavourful meal as the night sky lights up before our eyes. Witness the ancient Mala story re-told and feel a powerful connection to country listening to a traditional Inma soundtrack and narration in the local Pitjantjatjara language. (B,L,D)

Early risers can experience the sun rising over Uluru this morning and the colours of dawn spreading across the landscape. Breakfast is at the hotel, before we depart for the Mala Walk. Admire the fine examples of rock art along this walk before arriving at Kantju Gorge, a place of profound peacefulness surrounded by sheer vertical walls.

We return to the hotel for lunch with an afternoon ahead of us. You can spend this time at your leisure or participate in additional touring of the area, including a visit to the Gallery of Central Australia and Bush Tucker Experience.

This evening, enjoy the unique Sounds of Silence dining experience under the stars. Offering the best of the Red Centre distilled into four magical hours, the evening begins with canapes and chilled sparkling wine served on a viewing platform overlooking the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of the didgeridoo and enjoy a premium bush tucker-inspired buffet incorporating native bush ingredients. Afterwards, settle back and listen to the resident star talker decode the southern night sky.

After this incredible experience, we return to Sails in the Desert for our final night. (B,L,D)

When the landscape transforms into rocky gorges and fast-flowing canyon streams, prepare to experience one of the Top End’s most impressive natural wonders on a boat cruise along Nitmiluk Gorge. Alternatively, the Katherine Outback Experience lets you into the lives of those who call the outback home, there is also a helicopter flight upgrade available, for those wishing to see Nitmiluk from an aerial perspective.

Continue to Darwin and upon arrival it’s time to say farewell to The Ghan. At the Darwin terminal, you will be transferred to your overnight accommodation and after checking in, you may wish to explore the Waterfront Precinct, with its many restaurants and bars. (B,L)

This morning we rise with the sun for an early departure to Jabiru Airport. Here we take to the skies to gain a new perspective of this incredible environment. Enjoy a 60-minute scenic flight over ancient escarpments, floodplains and winding rivers, exhibiting the results of 1.8 billion years of continuous erosion. Your flight includes live commentary from your pilot as you glide over these spectacular ancient lands.

After landing at Jabiru Airport we depart for the East Alligator River region, known as the gateway to Arnhem Land. Take a spectacular local indigenous cruise on the East Alligator River and listen to the stories of the region as you spot the large saltwater crocodiles that dwell in these waters.

After a peaceful cruise, it's time to reboard the coach and head to the World Heritage Ubirr art site, home to some of the world's most outstanding rock art. Then, it’s time to stretch your legs on a 1-kilometre circular track walk, taking in the amazing rock art that remains today. There will be time for those feeling fit to make the steep 250m climb to the top of the rocky escarpment for magnificent views across the Magela floodplain.

Enjoy a light lunch before heading out to Nourlangie where we’ll see more ancient rock paintings and spectacular vistas on a 1.5 kilometre walk around this incredible Indigenous site.

Then it's time to head back to the hotel to relax and enjoy dinner. (B,L,D)

*Due to availability, some stays may be at Cooinda Lodge

** Due to the seasonal weather experienced in the Top End during March and April you may visit the Bowali and Warradjan Visitor Centres in place of Ubirr, and the cruise will occur on Yellow Waters.

Today is free for you to enjoy the sights of Darwin at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll along the Waterfront Precinct or visit the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. In the evening, see why Top End sunsets are so special on a Darwin Harbour Sunset Cruise. You’ll feast on a Territory-style featuring local seafood and produce as the colour of the sky transforms to hues of vibrant red and orange. (B,D)