Top End Tour + The Ghan Expedition
15 day Escorted Tour + Luxury Rail – from £5335
With flights from £6535
Discover the spectacular national parks of Australia’s Top End on an expertly guided small group tour, before embarking on the Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide.
Highlights:
- Explore UNESCO-heritage Kakadu National Park
- Find secluded waterholes and ancient rock art in Nitmiluk National Park
- Visit the iconic markets and watch a spectacular sunset on Darwin’s waterfront
- Take one of Australia’s most iconic train journeys aboard the luxurious Ghan
- Enjoy unique off-train experiences, exploring Alice Springs and Coober Pedy
Your Itinerary
Expand AllYou can customise this tour and luxury rail holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Touchdown in Darwin, and enjoy two days to explore this laid back, cultural city. Make sure to discover Darwin’s famous markets, including Mindil Beach Sunset Market, on every Thursday and Sunday. From the beach, you can watch an incredible sunset, tucking into some delicious street food.
Hop between a wealth and museums of galleries, many offering an insight into First Nations culture. Alternatively, take a cruise on Darwin Harbour, navigating mangrove forests and spotting marine life.
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront (or similar)
Day 1 to 2
| Darwin
Touchdown in Darwin, and enjoy two days to explore this laid back, cultural city. Make sure to discover Darwin’s famous markets, including Mindil Beach Sunset Market, on every Thursday and Sunday. From the beach, you can watch an incredible sunset, tucking into some delicious street food.
Hop between a wealth and museums of galleries, many offering an insight into First Nations culture. Alternatively, take a cruise on Darwin Harbour, navigating mangrove forests and spotting marine life.
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront (or similar)
Day 3 to 4 – Kakadu National Park
Your small group tour begins this morning, as you meet your expert guide and the rest of your fellow travellers. Departing the city, your Top End adventure begins with a Corroboree Billabong Wetlands Cruise, exploring a fascinating wetland ecosystem, keeping an eye out for crocodiles and colourful birdlife.
Your next stop is UNESCO-heritage Kakadu National Park, made up of savanna woodlands, dramatic rock formations and lush rainforest. Gain an insight into rich Indigenous culture at the Murrawaddi Art Gallery.
Continue your exploration of the park the next day with the option to take a spectacular scenic flight over the ancient landscapes as the sun rises (at your own expense). In the afternoon, the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise travels along the East Alligator River. Learn about traditional customs from local guides, and spot incredible wildlife.
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Day 3 to 4
| Kakadu National Park
Your small group tour begins this morning, as you meet your expert guide and the rest of your fellow travellers. Departing the city, your Top End adventure begins with a Corroboree Billabong Wetlands Cruise, exploring a fascinating wetland ecosystem, keeping an eye out for crocodiles and colourful birdlife.
Your next stop is UNESCO-heritage Kakadu National Park, made up of savanna woodlands, dramatic rock formations and lush rainforest. Gain an insight into rich Indigenous culture at the Murrawaddi Art Gallery.
Continue your exploration of the park the next day with the option to take a spectacular scenic flight over the ancient landscapes as the sun rises (at your own expense). In the afternoon, the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise travels along the East Alligator River. Learn about traditional customs from local guides, and spot incredible wildlife.
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Day 5 to 6 – Nitmiluk National Park
Before departing Kakadu National Park, take a tour of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art, then continuing on to Nitmiluk National Park. Along the way, stop at the historic mining town of Pine Creek, stepping back in time to the 19th century gold rush. Enjoy a relaxed evening at your lodge, situated in the heart of the bush.
The next morning, visit the Katherine Hot Springs for a relaxing soak amidst the lush scenery. You’ll have free time for lunch in the town of Katherine, before you take a cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Glide through towering cliffs and ancient rock formations, then boarding a dinner cruise, against the backdrop of a spectacular sunset.
Cicada Lodge
Day 5 to 6
| Nitmiluk National Park
Before departing Kakadu National Park, take a tour of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art, then continuing on to Nitmiluk National Park. Along the way, stop at the historic mining town of Pine Creek, stepping back in time to the 19th century gold rush. Enjoy a relaxed evening at your lodge, situated in the heart of the bush.
The next morning, visit the Katherine Hot Springs for a relaxing soak amidst the lush scenery. You’ll have free time for lunch in the town of Katherine, before you take a cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Glide through towering cliffs and ancient rock formations, then boarding a dinner cruise, against the backdrop of a spectacular sunset.
Cicada Lodge
Day 7 to 8 – Darwin
On the final day of your tour, enjoy breakfast with your group, then continue your exploration of Nitmiluk National Park, visiting Leliyn (Edith) Falls. Take a refreshing dip, or just admire the dramatic rock formations that surround the waterfall.
Continue soaking in the scenery as you travel back up the Stuart Highway to Darwin, where your small group tour draws to a close. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers, and enjoy a relaxed evening in Darwin.
Spend the next day in Darwin at your leisure, perhaps visiting the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility museum, take a walk around the Botanic Gardens, or spend a relaxed afternoon at the waterfront Wave Lagoon before enjoying a delicious meal and drinks on the rooftop of the Vibe Hotel.
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront (or similar)
Day 7 to 8
| Darwin
On the final day of your tour, enjoy breakfast with your group, then continue your exploration of Nitmiluk National Park, visiting Leliyn (Edith) Falls. Take a refreshing dip, or just admire the dramatic rock formations that surround the waterfall.
Continue soaking in the scenery as you travel back up the Stuart Highway to Darwin, where your small group tour draws to a close. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers, and enjoy a relaxed evening in Darwin.
Spend the next day in Darwin at your leisure, perhaps visiting the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility museum, take a walk around the Botanic Gardens, or spend a relaxed afternoon at the waterfront Wave Lagoon before enjoying a delicious meal and drinks on the rooftop of the Vibe Hotel.
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront (or similar)
Day 9 – The Ghan Expedition
Your luxury rail adventure begins today, as you board the iconic Ghan train for the four day Ghan Expedition. You’ll be welcomed aboard and shown to your luxurious cabin, before you sit down for lunch, a great opportunity to get to know the crew and other guests.
Your first stop is the town of Katherine, where you can explore ancient Nitmiluk Gorge by boat, learning about the region’s Indigenous culture.
Return to the train for dinner as you continue towards the Red Centre, watching an incredible sunset over the Outback.
Your chosen Ghan cabin
Day 9
| The Ghan Expedition
Your luxury rail adventure begins today, as you board the iconic Ghan train for the four day Ghan Expedition. You’ll be welcomed aboard and shown to your luxurious cabin, before you sit down for lunch, a great opportunity to get to know the crew and other guests.
Your first stop is the town of Katherine, where you can explore ancient Nitmiluk Gorge by boat, learning about the region’s Indigenous culture.
Return to the train for dinner as you continue towards the Red Centre, watching an incredible sunset over the Outback.
Your chosen Ghan cabin
Day 10 – Alice Springs
Discover the spectacular Red Centre today. Enjoy breakfast on board, before you disembark for a choice of excursions. You can choose to take a tour of Alice Springs, learning about life in the Outback, join an e-bike tour (additional cost), or you can visit the Desert Wildlife Park. Alternatively, take a stunning 2.5 kilometre walk through the landscapes of Standley Chasm, a striking gorge in the MacDonnell Ranges, or take a spectacular flight over Uluru (additional cost).
In the evening, enjoy a barbecue dinner as the sun sets, at Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
Your chosen Ghan cabin
Day 10
| Alice Springs
Discover the spectacular Red Centre today. Enjoy breakfast on board, before you disembark for a choice of excursions. You can choose to take a tour of Alice Springs, learning about life in the Outback, join an e-bike tour (additional cost), or you can visit the Desert Wildlife Park. Alternatively, take a stunning 2.5 kilometre walk through the landscapes of Standley Chasm, a striking gorge in the MacDonnell Ranges, or take a spectacular flight over Uluru (additional cost).
In the evening, enjoy a barbecue dinner as the sun sets, at Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
Your chosen Ghan cabin
Day 11 – Coober Pedy
This morning, you will wake up in South Australia. Visit the fascinating mining town of Coober Pedy, unique as over half of the population live underground. There are a choice of off-train experiences here, including a tour of the town, an insight into the opal mining history, a visit to the Breakaways hills or a scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre (additional cost).
After your activity, you’ll have a unique underground lunch experience. Return to the train to continue your journey, stopping at Manguri Outpost for a bonfire under the stars.
Your chosen Ghan cabin
Day 11
| Coober Pedy
This morning, you will wake up in South Australia. Visit the fascinating mining town of Coober Pedy, unique as over half of the population live underground. There are a choice of off-train experiences here, including a tour of the town, an insight into the opal mining history, a visit to the Breakaways hills or a scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre (additional cost).
After your activity, you’ll have a unique underground lunch experience. Return to the train to continue your journey, stopping at Manguri Outpost for a bonfire under the stars.
Your chosen Ghan cabin
Day 12 to 15 – Adelaide
Enjoy a leisurely brunch on the train, taking in the views of the spectacular Flinders Ranges, before you pull into Adelaide. Depart the Ghan train here, and enjoy three days at your leisure to explore the city.
Why not explore Adelaide’s many museums and galleries, showcasing everything from fascinating natural history to captivating Aboriginal art. Pay a visit to the Central Market, with plenty of unique vendors and street food, and often showcasing live music too.
The Botanic Gardens or the riverside is a great place for a relaxed stroll, or you can take a tram to the laid back beachfront suburb of Glenelg.
Adelaide really comes alive in the evenings, with a bustling food and drink scene. Leigh and Peel Streets are especially renowned for cool bars.
Majestic Roof Garden Hotel (or similar)
Day 12 to 15
| Adelaide
Enjoy a leisurely brunch on the train, taking in the views of the spectacular Flinders Ranges, before you pull into Adelaide. Depart the Ghan train here, and enjoy three days at your leisure to explore the city.
Why not explore Adelaide’s many museums and galleries, showcasing everything from fascinating natural history to captivating Aboriginal art. Pay a visit to the Central Market, with plenty of unique vendors and street food, and often showcasing live music too.
The Botanic Gardens or the riverside is a great place for a relaxed stroll, or you can take a tram to the laid back beachfront suburb of Glenelg.
Adelaide really comes alive in the evenings, with a bustling food and drink scene. Leigh and Peel Streets are especially renowned for cool bars.
Majestic Roof Garden Hotel (or similar)
This Tour and Luxury Rail Holiday Includes
Flights & More Options
With FREEDOM, you can book your Top End Tour, the Ghan Expedition and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
Next Step
Please get in touch with our Australia Holidays Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
Top End Tour + The Ghan Expedition
15 day Escorted Tour + Luxury Rail – from £5335
With flights from £6535
Map
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