• Bamurru Plains
  • Darwin
  • The Ghan Expedition
  • Barossa Valley

Discover the wilds of Bamurru Plains, travel the outback aboard The Ghan and relax in the lush Barossa Valley wine region

Suggested places to visit

Itinerary highlights

  • Explore the wetlands of the Bamurru Plains and spot crocodiles
  • Discover the Australian Outback while onboard The Ghan
  • See a bird's-eye view of Uluru on a chartered flight
  • Taste wine from Australia's premiere wineries in the Barossa and McLaren regions

What's included

  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Luxury train journey aboard The Ghan in a gold cabin
  • Privately guided tours
  • Private transfers
  • Full support from your travel designer and concierge before, during and after your trip

At a glance

This 10-day trip, operating between March-October, combines wildlife, wine and outback adventure with one of the most luxurious train rides in the world, The Ghan.

Your Australian adventure begins with a few days exploring Bamurru Plains, a luxury bush camp set in the floodplains of the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park. Enjoy an exhilarating airboat safari, spotting crocodiles, buffalo and a huge variety of Australia’s native birds along the way.

Departing from Darwin, the next stage of your trip will see you board The Ghan, Australia’s most legendary rail journey. Over the course of four days and three nights, The Ghan will travel from Darwin to Adelaide on an expedition that crosses the entire country. You’ll pass directly through the vast, dusty desert of the Australian Outback. Enjoy a chartered flight over the iconic magnificent sandstone monolith Uluṟu as well as a variety of unforgettable off-train excursions.

Your journey ends in the tranquil vineyards of the Barossa Valley wine region, quenching your thirst with world-class wines. Spend your remaining days enjoying private wine tastings, tours and local produce from some of Australia’s most celebrated wineries.

Example trip itinerary

Days 1-3

Bamurru Plains

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Bamurru Plains

Accommodation in Bamurru Plains

Two nights in Bamurru Plains Two nights in Bamurru Plains

Enjoy your days exploring the wilds of Bamurru Plains. The wildlife on show is some of the most impressive in Australia and expert field guides will help you discover it. Watch hundreds of birds take flight from the lake as you fly by on an airboat, or slowly cruise down the Sampan River watching for silver flashes of fish breaking the surface. All sorts of creatures move in the grass, the air is warm and all eyes scan the shallows for big saltwater crocodiles. On guided walks and drives, search for free roaming horses, buffalo, dingos and wallabies or spend some time up in the tower hide spotting the vibrant bird life of the area.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Darwin

Days 3-4

Darwin

Accommodation in Darwin

One night in Darwin One night in Darwin

The capital of Australia's Northern Territory, this former frontier outpost boasts a vibey waterfront and popular beaches. Stroll through Bicentennial Park, or browse Southeast and Asian Pacific art at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to The Ghan

Days 4-7

The Ghan Expedition

Accommodation in The Ghan Expedition

The Ghan Expedition: Day One The Ghan Expedition: Day One

Your journey aboard the legendary Ghan begins at Darwin rail station. Board the train where friendly staff will lead you to your comfortable private cabin where you can take your time settling in and exploring the amenities as the view outside your window begins its smooth and spectacular transformation.

Enjoy lunch in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant as you make your way to Katherine, ready to experience your first off-train excursion to the magnificent and spiritual Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. This is a unique window that offers a glimpse into the real Australian Outback and the inner workings of life on a cattle station through the sharing of stories and experiences, cattle dog demonstrations and live music performances. Enjoy a live demonstration of the art of horse-breaking, depicting the psychology between man and horse. There is even time to sit back and relax, listening to live music including some well-known Aussie anthems and originals, often performed from a top of a horse.

Back on board you'll return to the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, enjoying dinner as the sun sets over the Outback. Back in your room you'll find your bed turned down. As the train rolls soothingly onwards, fall asleep in awe of wonders seen, and excited by those yet to come.

The Ghan Expedition: Day Two The Ghan Expedition: Day Two

Wake up to a new view outside your window, in a world which feels a million miles from home. An Outback sunrise could be one of the most spectacular you'll ever see, setting the tone for the day ahead. After breakfast you'll arrive in Alice Springs, ready for another day of exploration.

Here you have the opportunity to embark on one of the included off train excursions, taking in the delights of this famous Outback town. A full day in Alice Springs gives you ample opportunity to visit the town's landmarks and get up close to Australia's incredible flora and fauna.

Come the evening you'll dine beneath a canopy of stars at an authentic Outback BBQ. This is a truly unique experience with live Australiana music and a mouthwatering feast. After dessert, cast your eyes skyward and enjoy an informative astronomical talk. It's then back on the train to rest up and roll out of Alice Springs.

Uluru and Kata Tjuta Scenic Flight (from Alice Springs) Uluru and Kata Tjuta Scenic Flight (from Alice Springs)

See the spectacular beauty and vastness of the Outback with this chartered flight to Uluṟu and the protected Kata Tjuṯa National Park. You’ll enjoy a unique bird’s-eye view of the World Heritage-listed Uluṟu, one of Australia’s most iconic symbols and best-known natural landmarks. Higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Chrysler Building in New York, this ancient monolith stands at 348 metres above the plain, which is more than 860 metres above sea level.

After your flight, enjoy a guided walk to the Mutitjula Waterhole, an important campsite for Aṉangu, the Aboriginal landowners of Uluru. Hear cultural stories of the Aboriginal people before enjoying a picnic lunch and exploring around the base of Uluṟu by vehicle. You’ll return to Ayers Rock Airport to take to the skies again where you’ll fly closely around Uluṟu and also the remarkable domed rock formation of Kata Tjuṯa. After landing, you'll return The Ghan to freshen up for dinner.

The Ghan Expedition: Day Three The Ghan Expedition: Day Three

This morning you'll pull into the middle-of-nowhere stop at Manguri. Here, a friendly tour guide is ready to whisk you away for the day. Your destination is the sun-scorched opal mining capital of world, Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground.

Venture into the tunnels and caves of this underground town, visiting the otherworldly underground Serbian Orthodox church and take a glimpse of Umoona Opal Mine. Below the earth's surface, you'll enjoy a gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations before setting off to the stunning Outback moonscape that is the Breakaways.

It's then back on board for dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant and mingling in the Outback Explorer Lounge.

The Ghan Expedition: Day Four The Ghan Expedition: Day Four

Looking out of your window this morning, you'll notice a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the Outback make way for the beautiful green fields and pastoral lands of South Australia. After breakfast, you'll have time to reflect on your incredible journey before The Ghan rolls into Adelaide.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in the Barossa Valley

Days 7-10

Barossa Valley

Accommodation in Barossa Valley

barossa-valley-australia
Three nights in the Barossa Valley Three nights in the Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is an internationally renowned wine region. Spend your time exploring the many wineries that are dotted across the region, sampling the world-class wine and enjoying the beautiful views and tranquility.

McLaren Vale food and wine tour McLaren Vale food and wine tour

The McLaren Vale wine region is located just south of Adelaide on the beautiful and geographically diverse Fleurieu Peninsula. It is close to the south coast with its wonderful beaches and crystal clear waters and is bounded by the sea on one side and hills to the south.

The region is home to over 70 different wineries from some of South Australia’s internationally renown producers, such as Wirra Wirra and d’Arenberg, to many 5 star boutique wineries such as Primo Estate, Olivers Taranga and Kay Brothers. Your expert guide will help you explore the incredible food and wine of the McLaren Vale region.

Ultimate Barossa day tour Ultimate Barossa day tour

Set off into the beautiful wine-producing region of Barossa Valley, with this exclusive tour that visits some of the country’s most celebrated vineyards. Throughout your tour, you can enjoy private tastings, vineyard tours and masterclasses at selected wine farms, a lunch and matched wines, and a VIP experience at Henschke Wines, a 150-year-old winery, which produces iconic labels.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Adelaide airport

Use the navigation to jump down to a particular part of this example trip
What's your dream trip?

We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.

Get in touch

North to South Luxury Australia by Rail

10-day Example Trip
Prices start from
  PP
1
Simply complete the form below or give us a call
2
We'll get in touch within 24 hours and work with you to perfect the details of your trip.
3
Sit back and relax while we plan the perfect itinerary for you.

How we work

We create fully personalised trips from start to finish, working with you to pick locations, accommodation and guides that suit you.

Every trip helps support Conservation.

From in-depth private tours to restaurant reservations, we take care of every detail so you can make the most of your journey.

Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline