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Top End Explorer 2026 (The Ghan) : Adelaide to Darwin
Operated by Journey Beyond
Tripcode: 16887
Overview
Destination:
Australia,
Duration:8 days
Type:Group tour (max 1)
Travel Period
March 2026 - September 2026
Save up to $405pp - Members save more^Connect with culture and country by combining two iconic national parks with one legendary rail journey. You’ll experience Australian wildlife in their natural habitat and visit incredible remote landscapes as you explore Australia by train on The Ghan, before continuing on to Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks for deeper exploration of the Top End’s diverse natural habitats. For a limited time, save up to $810* per couple. Book by 31 March 2026.
Highlights:
Standard inclusions
- Save up to $810* per couple - Book by 31 March 2026
- 2 nights aboard The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Marla, Alice Springs and Katherine
- Explore the outback town of Alice Springs
- Cruise through ancient Nitmiluk Gorge in Katherine
- Transfer from Darwin Rail Terminal to hotel
- 1 nights’ accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast
- 2 nights of intimate small-group Kakadu, East Alligator River and Litchfield touring with Outback Spirit, travelling on board a state-of-the-art 4WD Mercedes-Benz vehicle, including accommodation, guided touring and meals with beverages
- Cruise on the Mary River spotting wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife
- Visit the Ubirr art site within Kakadu National Park, home to some of the world’s most outstanding rock art
- Swim in a waterfall at Litchfield National Park
- 2 nights’ accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast daily
- Darwin Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allBOARD THE GHAN IN ADELAIDE
Board The Ghan in Adelaide for an incredible showcase journey of inland Australia. As the train leaves the city heading for the Flinders Ranges and beyond, the dramatic changes in landscape from pastoral land to arid outback scenes will ignite your imagination. Lunch is served on board – this is the first of many superb, chef-prepared gourmet meals, showcasing regional flair and season flavours. (L,D)
OVERNIGHT: 2 nights The Ghan
THE GHAN, ALICE SPRINGS
After your first night 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. Enjoy the magnificent scenery as you make your way onwards to Alice Springs, where you have a selection of Off Train Experiences to choose from. There’s an experience to suit everyone, from an off-road mountain bike adventure to the Alice Explorer tour, a cultural experience at Standley Chasm, meeting the wildlife at the Desert Park, or taking in the astounding beauty of Simpson’s Gap. Alternatively, take it all in from the air, with an optional upgrade helicopter flight. (B,L,D)
THE GHAN, KATHERINE AND DARWIN
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, where you’ll disembark The Ghan and be transferred to your overnight accommodation. After checking in, you may wish to explore the Waterfront Precinct with its many restaurants and bars. (B,L)
OVERNIGHT: 1 night Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
DARWIN TO LITCHFIELD AND KAKADU NATIONAL PARKS
As one adventure ends, another begins with Outback Spirit. This morning, we depart Darwin and head towards Batchelor, the gateway to Litchfield National Park. Containing several types of typical Top End habitats, Litchfield National Park is abundant with lush monsoon forests, termite mounds, unusual rock formations, waterfalls, and cascades.
After stopping for morning tea, our next stop is Florence Falls. Here you can watch from the scenic viewing platform as the spectacular falls cascade into the plunge pool below.
Next, we move onto Wangi Falls; a large plunge pool surrounded by shady grassed areas. The falls flow all year round and you can take a dip in the crystal-clear pool. After a light lunch we cross the Adelaide River and continuing east, we enter the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park before arriving at your accommodation for the next two nights, the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel at Jabiru, so named for the crocodile shape it takes. (B,L,D)
Note: Swimming at Wangi Falls is subject to National Park No Croc Safety Clearance.
OVERNIGHT: 2 nights at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
An early start today as we head to Jabiru Airstrip, where you'll gain another perspective on this incredible environment. Take to the skies on 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.
Enjoy a 1-kilometre circular track walk and take in the amazing rock art. 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 lunch before heading to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Art Site where you can take in ancient rock paintings and spectacular vistas whilst enjoying the 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 the seasonal weather experienced in the Top End during March and April you will experience Nourlangie after your scenic flight instead of Ubirr, and the cruise will occur on Yellow Waters.
KAKADU NATIONAL PARK TO DARWIN
This morning, we depart Kakadu National Park and travel along the Arnhem Highway through the Mary River National Park with its vast wetlands attracting many migratory birds.
On arrival at Mary River, you will take to the water on a cruise that showcases the local wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles and the abundance of birdlife in the region.
From here we travel through the productive region of Humpty Doo, where an array of tropical fruits are grown before heading to Darwin, arriving early evening, where your three-day Simply Kakadu Tour comes to an end. (B,L)
*Due to the seasonal weather experienced in the Top End during March and April you will enjoy the famous ‘Jumping Croc Cruise’ in place of the Mary River cruise.
OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
DARWIN HARBOUR DINNER CRUISE
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, admire a spectacular sunset while feasting on a Territory-style dinner featuring local seafood and produce on a Darwin Harbour Sunset Cruise (B,D)
FAREWELL
Your Top End experience comes to an end when you check out of your accommodation after breakfast and farewell Darwin. (B)
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
Operator
Journey Beyond
Journey Beyond, Australia’s leading experiential tourism group, is privileged to bring unique and iconic experiences to life throughout Australia and New Zealand. Their tourism brands include iconic trains, small-group touring, luxury lodges, aquatic adventures, hotels and more. They aim to take guests beyond, ignite their imagination and transform the amazing into the breathtaking.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
^Save $405pp: Terms & Conditions
Save up to $405 per person ($810 per couple) when booking a Gold Premium Twin Cabin or Gold Twin Cabin - Members save more. Savings vary by departure and cabin booked. Savings of $405 per person ($810 per couple) apply to 3 May 2026 and 12 July 2026 departures in a Gold Premium Twin Cabin.
Conditions apply. Terms and Conditions are based on Advance Purchase. Offer is based on twin share only, subject to availability at the time of booking, and is not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Savings are based on the difference between the Everyday Fare and The Ghan Top End Explorer (Adelaide to Darwin) 2026 offer.
- Offer is available for new bookings between 01/01/2026 and 31/03/2026.
- Offer is available for travel between 12/04/2026 and 30/09/2026.
- Top End Explorer (Territory North Explorer – Alice Springs to Darwin) 2026 sector is available on selected dates (quote TXALSBRT9 to book this specific sector subject to availability).
- Travel dates are subject to availability. Limited space available.
- Terms and Conditions are based on Advance Purchase. Offer is based on twin share only, subject to availability at the time of booking, and is not valid in conjunction with any other offer.
- Savings are based on the difference between the Everyday Fare and The Ghan Top End Explorer (Adelaide to Darwin) 2026 offer (package code TXAPTBRT9).
Further terms and conditions apply; for full details, please enquire with your RACV Travel Expert when booking.
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Price from
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$5,468
*
Member price from
$5,468*
per person twin share
7 nights
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