The Ghan - Kakadu & Litchfield

DAY 1

ALBURY – ADELAIDE SATURDAY 20TH JUNE, 2026
Welcome aboard Martins Luxury Coach for our tour to the Top End, including the Legendary Ghan, and four nights at the Double Tree by the Hilton Hotel Esplanade, Darwin.
Depart Lavington Shopping Centre Griffith Road 10.30am, Albury Railway Station 10.45am, Wodonga Plaza Smythe Street 11.00am and Wangaratta Coles, Perry St Bus Stop at 11.55am, stopping enroute at Euroa for a comfort stop and lunch break. Arrive at Melbourne Airport and join Virgin Australia Flight VA233 departing 4.10pm arriving Adelaide at 5.05pm. On arrival we transfer to our accommodation located in central Adelaide - the starting point of our tour and where we board the Ghan tomorrow. Check in with some free time before we meet over dinner.
Accommodation: Pullman Adelaide, Adelaide Ph: 08 8206 8888

DAY 2

THE GHAN SUNDAY 21ST JUNE
This morning enjoy breakfast and some free time in Rundle Mall, just a short walk around the corner. Late morning we board the famous Ghan for our journey to the Top End. Once we've settled in and the big wheels start turning, we make our way to the classically styled Queen Adelaide Restaurant carriage for a delicious lunch, accompanied by our choice of fine wines. All meals and beverages are included in our Gold Service fare. Relax this afternoon and watch the rolling pastoral lands of South Australia merge into rugged mallee scrub. Marvel as the spectacular Flinders Ranges disappear into the horizon before enjoying afternoon tea in the Lounge Car. A three course meal in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant this evening is bound to satisfy as darkness falls. We look forward to another two days of this!
Accommodation: The Ghan, Journey Beyond

DAY 3

THE GHAN MONDAY 22ND JUNE
Begin with juice or freshly brewed coffee as the day dawns at Marla, an outback outpost in the remote reaches of South Australia. It is here, deep inland, that you will enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience, as you watch the desert come to life at sunrise. All aboard for brunch as you make your way through the MacDonnell Ranges to Alice Springs where a choice of Off Train Excursions awaits. Alice is an iconic Red Centre outpost. 1,500 kilometres from the nearest major city, it may be remote, but offers plenty to explore – home to doctors who fly, rivers that run dry, and a cast of colourful characters. Your time in the ‘capital out of the outback’ offers numerous opportunities to explore its historic legacy and unique environment.

DAY 4

KATHERINE – DARWIN TUESDAY 23RD JUNE
Our day dawns in the tropical north. The pristine wilderness of Katherine is stirring and powerful, and you’ll have the chance to explore it from the water or land with your choice of off train experiences. Cruise the jaw-dropping Nitmiluk Gorge, learn more about its ancient Indigenous rock paintings and gain insight into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk - the Jawoyn people - or discover authentic outback life on a cattle station.  As evening falls, arrive in Darwin to complete your epic Australian journey. From the Darwin Train Station, we transfer to our hotel. Tomorrow, we’ll be ready to explore Kakadu and Top End.
Accommodation: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade, Darwin Ph: 08 8980 0800

DAY 5

DARWIN – KAKADU WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE
We have a stunning touring day ahead of us.  We head down the Stuart Highway to join the Arnhem Highway – our destination today is the Top End’s most important asset – the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Aborigines have inhabited the land for more than 50,000 years, leaving behind incredible galleries of rock art - more than 5000 sites of historical or cultural importance have been identified, though only a few are open to visitors. Add Kakadu's magnificent scenery, unique flora and fauna, and you have one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Our first stop this morning is Adelaide River where we step aboard the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise. See powerful saltwater crocodiles as they propel themselves high out of the water to snatch their prey. With the help of experienced guides we learn more about these magnificent creatures, and have the opportunity to watch crocs jump for food from the safety of our boat. We enter the Kakadu National Park and have a brief stop for a photo at the park entrance. Our lunch venue today is the Mercure Crocodile Hotel then visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre.  The traditional land owners of Kakadu National Park have wanted to tell the story about their culture for a long time. Through the displays and exhibitions we can gain an understanding of the Bininj and their country.  The Gallery is definitely worth looking at as well.  From here, it isn’t far to our accommodation at the Cooinda Lodge. This afternoon we will be taking a sunset cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong. Relax and take in the stunning scenery, wildlife and hopefully some crocodiles resting on the muddy banks. After this sensational cruise, we head back to the hotel for a slightly later dinner this evening.
Accommodation: Cooinda Lodge,Kakadu Ph: 08 8979 1500

DAY 6

KAKADU – DARWIN THURSDAY 25TH JUNE
Another leisurely breakfast before we continue our Kakadu sightseeing at Nourlangie Rock.  The walls of this rock have served as a canvase for thousands of years, providing windows to a rich spiritual tradition. Enjoy some time here before heading to the Bowali Visitor Centre in Jabiru, we have lunch (own expense) and start making our way back to Darwin. We have a long drive this afternoon, so sit back and relax. You will have and opportunity to stretch your legs at the Corroboree Park Roadhouse, before arriving at our Darwin hotel.
Accommodation: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade, Darwin (3 nights)

DAY 7

LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK FRIDAY 26TH JUNE
An early start today, as we are heading to Litchfield National Park. With untouched rainforests, stunning waterfalls and magnificent scenery, Litchfield has gained the reputation as the jewel of the Northern Territory’s crown. We enjoy lunch at Litchfield Café before spending time exploring the park. There are some great photo opportunities as we stop to see the magnetic ant hills and the cascading Florence Falls. For anyone looking for a swim, take a dip in the Wangi Falls plunge pool. After an incredible day exploring Litchfield Park, we return to our hotel and meet again for dinner.

DAY 8

EXPLORING DARWIN SATURDAY 27TH JUNE
Today we take in sights of Darwin. Many people aren’t aware of the importance of Darwin during World War II, so we’ll look at the city as it is today and learn about the involvement and history of the bombings of Darwin. The present city centre was established in 1869 and contains many of its remaining historic buildings such as the Old Court House and Government House. See new Parliament House built on the site of the Darwin Post Office bombed during the war, the port area plus the many other fascinating sights of Australia’s northern gateway. We return to our hotel for some free time and we can walk to the local shops and purchase lunch and have a look around. Late afternoon we head to Stokes Hill Wharf with a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Bombing of Darwin tourist facility - two iconic stories in one iconic location! For our final dinner, we board a sunset dinner cruise on Darwin Harbour and view the Darwin skyline from a totally different perspective while enjoying commentary and dinner.

DAY 9

DARWIN – ALBURY SUNDAY 28TH JUNE
Unfortunately, our tour has come to an end as we pack our bags for the final time. Transfer to Darwin Airport by coach, then check-in for our 6.15am Qantas Flight QF837 to Melbourne. On arrival at 10.55am we connect with Qantas Flight QF2046 which departs at 11.55am, arriving into Albury at 12.45pm.

TOUR COST

$10,855 Per Person Twin / Double
$12,240.00 Single Supplement

INCLUDES

Luxury Coach Travel
Economy Flights Virgin Melbourne to Adelaide and Qantas Darwin - Melbourne - Albury
2 Nights Gold Service Class on the Legendary Ghan - Adelaide to Darwin
Includes a twin sleeper cabin with limited single sleeper cabins available and choice of train excursions
Accommodation on basis as booked
Meals as indicated on itinerary B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner S - Supper
Entrances to attractions and cruises as per itinerary
Goods & Services TAx

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, S=Supper