- The Ghan operator Journey Beyond Rail has announced 2027 season, confirming a new itinerary from Adelaide to Darwin.
- The traditionally two-night northbound journey now becomes a three-night, four-day experience, with a full-day stop at the Ikara-Flinders Ranges.
- Prices start at AUD$3,390 per person and will include regionally inspired meals paired with fine wines and beverages.
The nation’s most iconic rail journey is set for its biggest update in decades, with The Ghan operator Journey Beyond Rail announcing plans to add a stunning new stop. Forget about flights, points, shared armrests and cramped airline toilets, Australia’s ‘new chapter’ of luxury travel is moving full steam ahead.
Personally, I’ve always been a huge advocate for train travel. In my opinion, the slower pace and freedom of movement allow you to better take in the world around you. In Europe, for example, experiences like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express or Golden Eagle Danube Express have long been lauded for their remarkable luxury offerings, but even budget-friendly journeys, such as the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux or the Eurostar, have proven to be some of my most memorable travel experiences.
Here in Australia, that isn’t always the case.
The land Down Under has traditionally struggled to match the premium rail experience of our European counterparts, with the one glaring exception being The Ghan. A locomotive experience with a history that dates back to 1929, when the original Afghan Express was used to transport cameleers through the nation’s Red Centre prior to the use of steel tracks, The Ghan is Australia’s most iconic rail voyage.
Of course, in the 95 years since its debut journey, The Ghan has undergone no shortage of evolutions. It’s transformed from a rickety people-mover to a high-end luxury experience that transports guests through some of the most ruggedly beautiful terrain in the world.
It’s a journey that feels unlike any other, where the sun sets on a blood-red scene and the vast emptiness of the Australian outback stretches as far as the eye can see. In 2027, The Ghan will enter its next evolution, expanding its journey and adding another fabled hotspot to its already incredible itinerary.
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The Ghan Updates
- Name: The Legendary Ghan 2027
- When: Departs Saturday (March to November) and Tuesday (April to October) from 2027
- Days: Three nights, four days
- Departs: Adelaide, South Australia
- Arrives: Darwin, Northern Territory
- Journey: Ventures through the Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Red Centre from Adelaide to Darwin
- Meals: All-inclusive meals, fine wines, and beverages
- Prices: From AUD$3,390 per person
In a landmark move for Aussie travellers, Journey Beyond Rail has announced that The Ghan’s northbound itinerary will be extended. The traditionally two-night northbound trip now becomes a three-night, four-day experience, with a full-day stop at the Ikara-Flinders Ranges.
“The Ghan holds a special place in the story of Australian travel, and guests have been asking for more time to experience its remarkable landscapes,” David Donald, executive general manager of Rail at Journey Beyond said. “By extending the northbound journey, we’re allowing travellers to slow down, deepen their connection to Country, and discover Outback Australia in a way that is both immersive and unforgettable.”
The Ghan 2027 Itinerary
According to the operator, The Ghan’s new itinerary will see the legendary rail experience depart from its traditional starting point in Adelaide, kicking off with a celebratory dinner in one of South Australia’s acclaimed wine regions.
Guests then spend a full day exploring the Flinders Ranges, which was recently named one of Lonely Planet’s top 25 destinations for 2026 and are widely recognised as one of Australia’s most astonishing natural landscapes.
Stopping here gives guests a rare opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the incredible location. From a geological perspective, the Ikara-Flinders Ranges are home to some of the country’s most diverse and extraordinary ancient quartzite and sandstone formations, which are the result of over 540 million years of folding and erosion. It is also the setting of the iconic Wilpena Pound, a large, natural amphitheater formed by the erosion of a massive fold in the Earth’s crust.
From there, The Ghan will continue on its iconic passage north, pausing in Marla and stopping in Alice Springs and Katherine for Off Train Experiences that showcase the landscape, culture and spirit of the outback before concluding in the lush, tropical Top End.
According to Donald, the new itinerary exemplifies the sweeping change in traveller interest. More and more, guests are looking to experience a destination up close and at their own pace, rather than fly by in an instant.
“Rail travel has always been about more than getting from one place to another. It’s about discovering the character of a region through its landscapes, its food and its people,” Donald explained. “Our 2027 season leans into that even further. From extending touring on The Ghan to new Great Southern packages shaped around Australia’s world-class food and wine scene, we’re creating journeys that deepen connection and celebrate what makes each place truly extraordinary.”
The Ghan Price 2027
Journey Beyond Rail has now opened bookings for the 2027 season of its all-inclusive experiential rail journeys. Prices start at AUD$3,390 per person and will include regionally inspired meals paired with fine wines and beverages. With the 2026 schedule almost sold out already, the updated 2027 itinerary is likely to spur a new wave of interest in The Ghan. If you are keen to be among the first to experience The Ghan’s new chapter, visit the Journey Beyond Rail website and secure your booking.
