Our Ghan adventure started from the moment we stepped out of our Uber at Adelaide Parklands Station, Keswick.
In a flash one of The Ghan’s friendly crew grabbed our luggage and escorted us to check-in. My husband, Randall and I love train travel, and The Ghan has long been on our “bucket list”. Finally it was all about to start.
This is one of the World’s Great Train Journeys and it’s right here on our doorstep.
There is a real sense of adventure and excitement as you board the train knowing you are at the very beginning of a three thousand kilometre trip which will traverse our country from Adelaide to Darwin.
As we pulled out of the station we were encouraged to find our way to the “bar” car, the “social hub” of the train, which caters for all beverage tastes.
We were spoiled with delicious food. The menu offered lots of interesting choices. One day Northern Territory barramundi, another day crocodile. Every meal I wondered at how the chefs could cater for hundreds inside a mobile carriage.
The mostly young staff were charming. Each night our cabin steward transformed our small but efficiently comfortable day suite into twin bunks. It was fun taking the nightly climb up the ladder to snuggle between the crisp white sheets.
It’s more than a train journey, the off-train experiences are memorable. Waking at six o’clock to watch the sunrise over the Outback at Marla was truly magical. One learns how beautiful the Outback is and why many say it’s the true Heart of our Nation.
Randall and I chose excursions to Standley Chasm and Katherine Gorge which took us to some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. Fellow travellers were from all over Australia and many from overseas; we met some amazing people, all with a story of why they were on The Ghan.
A journey on The Ghan is a pricey holiday but if it’s on your bucket list, start saving now and dream of the day you take the trip of a lifetime.
