We recently enjoyed a fascinating journey with Chris and Sue on the legendary Ghan Train, from Adelaide to Darwin across the central outback of Australia.

The train travels 3,000 km over 4 days through the heart of Australia, travelling from the green wine farmlands and windfarms outside Adelaide into the vast red desert interior and finally into the tropical woodland landscapes as one approach Darwin.

The outback has some similarity to the Kalahari with immense plains, rolling red and oche dunes, scrub vegetation and endless horizons.

There are also two mountain ranges in the outback, the Flinders range in South Australia with rugged hills and rock formations and the Macdonell range that runs through Alice Springs in the red Centre, characterised with spectacular ridges and gorges.

We also had three interesting experiences/excursions off the train, the first, an early morning outback sunrise breakfast, at Marla, a remote outpost, 160 kms from the Northern territory border, snacking on a bacon and egg roll, whilst admiring the plains lightening up with the sunrise. The second excursion was exploring a desert wildlife park outside Alice Springs which featured native flora and fauna and an impressive bird show, showcasing raptors, owls and endemic birds. The third experience was a cruise through the majestic Nitmiluk Gorge, near Katherine surrounded by huge sandstone cliffs and gorges, with tree lined beaches, rocky river ledges and a sighting of a large freshwater crocodile, basking in the sun.

Arriving in Darwin, on the evening of the fourth day, was the culmination of a remarkable rail journey – unforgettable in its dramatic landscapes, remote vistas and contrasting terrain, viewed from the comfort of this iconic train.