Australia's Red Centre - The Ghan
Deal Details
Travel Dates
20 April & 09 October 2026Sale Ends
Sep 2, 2025Priced From
$13,199 per personA Travelwise Holidays Experience
Escorted Tours for 60+ Travellers

Widely acclaimed as one of the world’s most iconic rail journeys, The Ghan offers far more than just a train ride.It opens the door to remote and awe-inspiring parts of Australia that few other holidays can reach—blending luxury, comfort, and adventure into a truly unforgettable experience. Travel through the heart of the country, from the lush tropics of the Top End to the striking beauty of the Red Centre.
Your journey includes stopovers and sightseeing in Brisbane, Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge, Alice Springs, Coober Pedy, and Adelaide. It’s a unique and immersive way to discover Australia’s ever-changing outback landscapes in all-inclusive style.
This experience is always in high demand—book early to secure your spot and avoid missing out!
Pricing

$13,199*
Save up to $150 off on bookings made before 2 September 2025
Solo price
$13,748*
Save up to $150 off on bookings made before 2 September 2025
*per person, T&Cs apply
What's Included

Included:
- Home pick up and return within the Auckland Metropolitan area (if applicable).
- Services of Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
- Economy class air fares Auckland/Brisbane, Brisbane/Darwin and Adelaide/Auckland flying Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways including all airfare and airport taxes.
- The Ghan’ 4 day luxury Rail Expedition Darwin to Adelaide including ‘Gold Service’ sleeper with all meals and sightseeing in Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy. Immerse yourself in the world of romance that epitomises rail travel with the Gold service. Relax in the shared Outback Explorer Lounge, sipping on barista made coffee, or a glass of white wine. Later make your way to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant to dine.Gold includes hearty breakfasts, two-course lunches and three-course dinners. You may also choose to complement your meal with our selection of premium wines and beverages, all included in your fare.
- Quality hotel accommodation at Royal on the Park Hotel & Suites (2 nights), Double Tree by Hilton Darwin (3 nights) and Hotel Pullman Adelaide or similar (3 nights) including buffet breakfast daily, dinners as specified and porterage assistance.
- Sightseeing tours in Brisbane, Darwin and Adelaide as detailed in tour itinerary.
- All airport, hotel and railway station transfers throughout.
- Travelwise Holidays documentation and travel bag.
Optional:
Sightseeing flight to Ayers Rock is also available ex Alice Springs (optional & extra).
Itinerary
Activity Level - 2. A higher level of mobility is required. Walking for 1-2 hours over a day and covering longer distances. Possible uneven terrain.
Day 1: AUCKLAND/BRISBANE
Pick up from your home address and transfer to the airport for your Air NZ flight to Brisbane. Depart Auckland at 9.20 am and arrive in Brisbane at 10.55 am. (Flight times to be confirmed). Tonight enjoy a ‘Welcome’ dinner at the hotel. Royal on the Park Hotel. Stay Brisbane 2 nights. Included: D
Day 2: BRISBANE SIGHTSEEING
This morning depart hotel and enjoy a sightseeing tour of Brisbane including city highlights, Mt. Coot-tha and Kangaroo Point Cliffs for photo stops. This afternoon is at leisure for further sightseeing or shopping. Included: B, D
Day 3: BRISBANE/DARWIN
Transfer to Brisbane Airport for your Qantas Airways flight to Darwin. Depart Brisbane at 8.10am, arrive Darwin at 11.50pm (flight times to be confirmed) and transfer to the hotel.The remainder of the afternoon is free. Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Stay Darwin 3 nights. Included: B, D
Day 4: DARWIN SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Darwin. Learn about Darwin’s colourful history, see the famous landmarks and sites, stroll through the Botanic Gardens and visit the Darwin Aviation Museum. This afternoon is at leisure. Tonight a dinner cruise on the harbour for the best views of Darwin’s famous sunset. Included: B, D
Day 5: LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK
A day tour to Litchfield National Park which highlights beautiful Florence Falls, Tolmer and Wangi Falls and termite mounds. Visit Batchelor, gateway to Litchfield and enjoy lunch (included). Marvel at thundering falls, rainforest and historic sites. Tonight enjoy dinner at your hotel. Included: B, L, D
Day 6: DARWIN/ADELAIDE
‘THE GHAN’ 4 DAY RAIL EXPEDITION STARTS
This morning transfer to Darwin Railway Station to join the legendary ‘Ghan’ 4 Day Rail Expedition to Adelaide. Depart Darwin at 9.00am and enjoy 3,000 kilometres of rail travel through spectacular outback landscapes via Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy. Enjoy ‘Gold Service’ sleeper accommodation on board with all meals and the luxury facilities of The Ghan. Included: B, L, D
KATHERINE
Arrive Katherine at 2.00pm. Enjoy an 'off train' excursion - a leisurely cruise on the Katherine River. Alternatively gain and insight into the culture and ways of traditional owners of Nitmiluk, with an exclusive cultural experience. (Or choose to upgrade your excursion with a scenic flight over Kakadu & Nitmiluk National Parks. Depart Katherine at 6.45pm.
Day 7: ALICE SPRINGS
Arrive Alice Springs at 10.00 am. Enjoy an ‘off train’ excursion to visit local landmarks, get up close and personal with Australia’s flora and fauna, or venture further into the spectacular MacDonnell Ranges. Choose to upgrade to a helicopter ride over the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges or a scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Finish your evening under a canopy of stars at the Outback Bush Barbeque. Depart Alice Springs at 9.45 pm. Included: B, L, D
Day 8: COOBER PEDY
Arrive Coober Pedy at 9.00 am. Coober Pedy is the sun-scorched opal mining capital of the world where more than half the residents live underground. Explore the colourful characters and mining history. Lunch in a unique underground location and witness the stunning Outback moonscape that is the Breakaways. Depart Coober Pedy at 7.40 pm. Included: B, L, D
Day 9: ARRIVE ADELAIDE
Arrive Adelaide at 11.30am. Enjoy morning tea on board before disembarkation then a city orientation tour en-route to the Hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy dinner at the hotel. Hotel Pullman (or similar). Stay Adelaide 3 nights. Included: B, D
Day 10: ADELAIDE SIGHTSEEING
This morning depart hotel and enjoy a half day city sightseeing tour of Adelaide including city squares, Colonel Lights Lookout, Adelaide Oval, River Torrens and Mt Lofty Summit. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure for further sightseeing or shopping. Freedom dining tonight – maybe catch the tram out to Glenelg for fish n chips by the beach. Included: B
Day 11: BAROSSA VALLEY & HAHNDORF
Spend a delightful day visiting two of South Australia’s favourite regions - the world famous wine region of the Barossa Valley and the enchanting town of historic Hahndorf. Includes a visit to Menglers Hill Lookout, Seppeltsfield Winery for tasting and lunch, and the afternoon at Hahndorf with time to explore the shops and boutiques of this holiday town. Dinner at the hotel as we say farewell to our group. Included: B, L, D
Day 12: ADELAIDE/ AUCKLAND
Transfer to Adelaide Airport to join your Air NZ flight direct to Auckland, departs at 11.55 am. Arrive in Auckland at 6.40 pm. Included: B
The Ghan

The Ghan is one of Australia's most iconic and luxurious long-distance trains, offering a truly unique way to experience the continent’s vast and varied landscapes. Stretching from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north, The Ghan covers nearly 3,000 kilometres through the heart of the country. Onboard, guests enjoy all-inclusive service with gourmet meals, fine wines, and elegant private cabins, along with access to comfortable lounges and panoramic windows perfect for taking in the stunning scenery. Named after the Afghan cameleers who once traversed similar routes, The Ghan combines history, comfort, and adventure to create an unforgettable rail journey through Australia's spectacular outback.
Fares are in NZD per person, twin share. Professional service fees may apply.
Your full tour terms and conditions will be sent to you at time of booking. Please note some tours will have specific t&cs related to that tour. If you have to cancel for any reason please contact us by phone or email as soon as possible. We do require the cancellation to be in writing. If you have taken out travel insurance you may have grounds to make a travel insurance claim depending on your individual circumstances. Please see cancellation fees in the tables below. Important: For most tours (excludes Rail and Cruise) - if you need to cancel, and it is prior to full payment, your deposit, less any applicable supplier fees, can be transferred towards another tour purchased within 12 months of the cancellation date. An additional $100 per person administration fee is also payable.
International Long-Haul Tours
Number of days prior to tour departure
Cancellation charges per person
From deposit payment up to 91 days
Loss of deposit
90 – 0 days (and after departure)
100% of tour cost (no refund)
You agree that Travelwise Holidays has no liability to you as a result of circumstances arising as a result of a “force majeure”. This will include war or threat of war, riots and civil strife, pandemic or epidemic events, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, weather conditions, fire, flood, drought, industrial disputes or governmental action or reasonable apprehension of the foregoing causing cancellation, forced quarantine or curtailment. After a tour starts there is no refund for cancellations or voluntary unused services. This could be when an activity is cancelled due to extreme weather or a major traffic disruption, or you simply may choose not to participate in an activity on tour. Tour prices are shown in New Zealand dollars and are quoted per adult. Prices may change, without notice, at any time either before or after a booking. Tour prices are subject to change should there be any currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges and Government levies imposed. Travelwise Holidays reserves the right to require further payment to cover any such increases. The tour cost includes special confidential group rates as well as charges for normal booking procedures, communication costs and administration etc. The arrangements of all holidays constitute a complete package and, as such, an itemisation of costs will not be rendered. Travelwise Holidays will, to the best of our ability, try to match clients in share twin rooms where requested, but this is not a guaranteed service. We try to facilitate a match by putting solo travellers in touch with each other, to discuss and agree if they are compatible travellers. However, if this is not possible, full payment of the single supplement is required from the guests before tour documentation will be issued. Guests traveling alone must be able to care for themselves, especially in twin-share situations, as room-mates are not expected to provide assistance. You will need to travel with a carer or companion if you require personal assistance. Variations in services such as sightseeing and accommodation may necessitate in alterations to itineraries. These will be made to the best possible advantage and every endeavour will be made to maintain a similar standard. Travelwise Holidays reserves the right to alter or cancel any of the tour arrangements, and to cancel the tour should insufficient bookings be received. The tour will operate subject to reaching a minimum number of approximately 12-15 participants. Travelwise Holidays is not responsible for the payment of insurance, baggage and excess baggage fees, extra meals and drinks, laundry and any other items of a personal nature. Please check with the Hotel front desk when departing to ensure your incidental costs are paid. If Travelwise Holidays receive an invoice from a Hotel for your unpaid incidental costs like laundry, mini-bar, phone charges or room service, you must pay this invoice with a surcharge of $50.00 for our handling costs. Travelwise Holidays recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking your tour. It is the same price if you buy it straight away, or close to your departure date, and delaying the purchase leaves you uninsured for the funds you have just invested. Many claims are for guests that were unable to travel due to unexpected events, so we recommend you buy insurance on the day you pay your deposit. Be prepared - Travel insurance can cover you from the moment you purchase the Policy until you return home. You may be covered for cancellation before your trip takes off and whilst on tour, for unexpected events beyond your control, including lost bags and unlimited medical cover. Feel free to contact us for a quote. We are agents for global insurer - Allianz Insurance. We have no liability for any loss or damage of any kind you may suffer resulting from cancellation, loss of luggage and personal property, medical expenses and any effects of an accident. Travelwise Holidays aim to ensure that every guest has a very enjoyable holiday. Guests needing special assistance should inform us of their needs in advance so we can address any potential difficulties. We reserve the right to not carry any guest if we believe the guest cannot manage the tour requirements and any necessary services cannot be guaranteed. We will always consult with you on this. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended for our tours. We limit the amount of walking but there is always some walking involved. Bringing a stick or hiking pole is welcome. Our itineraries are not suitable for passengers requiring full-time wheelchair assistance and we are unable to carry mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Please refer to our Tour Activity Levels (below) as a guide.
You will need to travel with a carer or companion if you require personal assistance. Feel free to bring a family member along.
Every tour has an Activity Level grading from 1 to 3. Please look for this information in our Newsletter, on our website and on our itinerary flyers. Our tours are designed with our travellers in mind – aged 60 and over – so our Activity Levels for each tour reflect what’s achievable for most people in this age group. A moderate level of mobility is required. Get on and off coaches, trains or boats. Some steps and walking short to medium distances. (Green icon)A higher level of mobility is required. Walking for 1-2 hours over a day and covering longer distances. Possible uneven terrain. (Yellow icon)A higher level of fitness is required. There will be quite a bit of walking over a day. The terrain at times may be uneven and there may be high temperatures or humidity. (Grey Icon) These Activity Levels are for general advice only. Please phone us for more specific guidance based on your own level of fitness and mobility, and your chosen tour. We’re happy to help! If a guest becomes ill on tour, Travelwise Holidays will do their utmost to assist the guest to arrange medical assistance and the care needed. We can assist with a guest’s insurance policy claim and in the case of the guest needing to leave the tour – we can assist with Hotel, transport and air bookings – this would beat the guest’s expense and generally claimable on a travel insurance policy. We reserve the right to end the tour for any guest who becomes unwell and will base our decision on NZ Health guidelines and or medical advice. This is to protect both the guest and the rest of the travelling group. We will assist guests to make all arrangements to be able to return home (if safe to do so and on medical advice) or to quarantine at their chosen location and return to home, or to the tour, at a later time. The costs are at the guest’s expense. Guests may be required to use a mask (if medically possible) whilst on the coach and in close quarters with other people. Also to use good hand hygiene to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests. A discount of $70.00 (for Australia & Pacific tours) $100.00 (for Other International tours) per person, applies for passengers who have travelled with Travelwise Holidays on a previous tour. In arranging and organising the tour, Travelwise Holidays is acting as Tour Organiser and is referred to as 'The Company'. The Company does not itself operate the air, sea or land transport, or conduct the hotel or other accommodation arranged for the tour. The Company, its agents and/or any company or person associated in promotion or arranging the tours do not accept responsibility for any act or omission on the part of those actually performing these services or services incidental there to. Further, the responsibilities of the air carriers participating in the tour are limited as specified in the tickets, conditions of contract, conditions of carriage and tariffs. The Company shall be under no obligation or liability to any person as a result of any inaccuracy, misdescription or changes to any tour or its itinerary, or losses or additional expense due to delays or changes in air or any other transport services, sickness, weather, strikes, war, quarantine, Act of God or any other causes. Nor shall The Company be liable for any loss or damage to baggage or property, or for injury, illness or death, or for any damages or claims whatsoever arising from loss, negligence or delay from the act, error or negligence of any person not its direct employee or under its exclusive control. The Operators are not responsible for any criminal conduct by third parties. Bookings are only accepted on these conditions and responsibilities as outlined above. Payment of a deposit is deemed to be an acknowledgement of this understanding.