Darwin to Adelaide by Rail — Nine Nights Across the Red Centre
Australia is usually seen from the edges. This itinerary crosses the middle of it by train, on the long north–south rail journey between Darwin and Adelaide, and gives you three nights at each end to make the crossing the centrepiece rather than a transfer.
Journey overview
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
Australia is usually seen from the edges. This itinerary crosses the middle of it by train, on the long north–south rail journey between Darwin and Adelaide, and gives you three nights at each end to make the crossing the centrepiece rather than a transfer.
Journey highlights
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
- Three nights aboard the north–south rail journey across the Australian interior.
- Off-train excursions at Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy.
- All onboard meals included across the three rail days.
- Three nights each in Darwin and Adelaide at either end.
- Open-jaw routing — into Darwin, out of Adelaide, no backtracking.
Day-by-day itinerary
You are met at Darwin Airport and driven to your hotel by private vehicle. The rest of the day is free. Darwin is small, tropical and built facing the harbour, and the waterfront is the natural place to spend a first evening. · Darwin
A crocodile attraction in the centre of Darwin, paired with a hop-on hop-off tour of the city. In the evening, a dinner cruise on Darwin Harbour, with dinner served on board as part of that excursion. · Darwin
No touring is scheduled today. The day is yours before the rail journey begins, which is a useful way to arrive at a three-night train ride rested rather than rushed. Anything you arrange is at your own cost. · Darwin
You transfer to the rail terminal and board for the journey south. The first stop is Katherine, in the Top End gorge country, where an off-train excursion is included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on board. · Aboard the train
The train reaches Alice Springs, the town at the centre of the continent, where a town tour and an evening dining experience are included as off-train excursions. All meals are served on board or as part of those excursions. · Aboard the train
An early off-train excursion for sunrise on the open desert, followed by Coober Pedy, the opal-mining settlement where much of the town is built below ground to escape the heat. All meals are served on board or as part of those excursions. · Aboard the train
The train reaches Adelaide in the morning. You transfer by private vehicle to your hotel, and the remainder of the day is free. After three nights of moving, a flat green city on a grid is an easy landing. · Adelaide
A guided tour of Adelaide taking in the city's principal sights. Adelaide is compact and deliberately planned, so a single day covers the centre properly rather than skimming it. · Adelaide
No touring is scheduled today. The guided Adelaide sightseeing was the day before, so this one is yours to use as you choose before flying out, and anything you arrange is at your own cost. Your private airport transfer to Adelaide Airport follows on the final day. · Adelaide
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and a private transfer to Adelaide Airport for your onward flight. Adelaide Airport is close to the city, so the drive is short. Your onward flight is not part of this package, so allow the check-in time your airline requires.
What's included & excluded
Exactly what your journey covers — set out clearly, with no surprises, so you know precisely what to expect.
Included
- Nine nights — three nights' hotel accommodation in Darwin, three nights aboard the train, and three nights' hotel accommodation in Adelaide.
- Daily breakfast, from Day 2 to Day 10.
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Darwin Airport to your hotel.
- Private transfer to the rail terminal in Darwin on Day 4.
- Private transfer from the rail terminal to your hotel in Adelaide on Day 7.
- Private airport transfer on departure, your Adelaide hotel to Adelaide Airport.
- Darwin crocodile attraction admission and a hop-on hop-off city tour.
- Darwin Harbour dinner cruise, with dinner served on board.
- Three nights aboard the rail journey from Darwin to Adelaide.
- All lunches and dinners served aboard the train on Days 4, 5 and 6.
- Off-train excursion at Katherine.
- Off-train town tour and an evening dining experience at Alice Springs.
- Off-train sunrise excursion and Coober Pedy visit.
- Guided Adelaide city sightseeing tour, on a seat-in-coach basis.
Excluded
- GST is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- TCS is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- International airfare is extra and is not included.
- Domestic and internal airfare is extra and is not included.
- Visa is extra and is not included — visa fees, associated service charges, airport taxes and any related charges.
- Travel insurance is extra and is not included.
- All meals other than those listed under Inclusions. Meals aboard the train and the Darwin harbour cruise are included as listed; hotel meals other than breakfast are not.
- Drinks with meals, unless served as part of an included onboard or excursion meal.
- All activities and transport on Day 3 and Day 9, which are days at leisure. No touring is included and anything you arrange is at your own cost.
- Any sightseeing, entry ticket or excursion not specifically listed under Inclusions.
- Cabin class upgrades aboard the train, and any onboard service charged separately.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal expenses — laundry, telephone, minibar, and anything of a personal nature.
- Early check-in and late check-out charges, and any hotel upgrade.
- City taxes or resort fees charged directly by the hotel.
- Anything not specifically listed under Inclusions.
Related to this journey
Every destination on this journey has its own guide — attractions, where to stay and what to eat — and the journeys that pair with this one are a click away.
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