Arnhem Land Adventure | The Ghan 2027

Your 13-day Arnhem Land Wetlands & Wildlife commences with a flight from Cairns to Nhulunbuy. Arrive in Arnhem Land, one of Australia’s last untouched regions, on your included flight from Cairns and meet your professional Tour Director in Nhulunbuy. After settling in, set off to explore this remote frontier township, taking in sweeping views from Roy (Malpi) Marika Lookout, the serene Gayngaru Wetlands, and the picturesque Gove Harbour, a hub for fishing and boating. D
A passenger weight limit of 120kg applies to flights included in this tour. If your weight exceeds this amount, please contact us prior to booking to discuss.
Note: Arrival via Darwin is optional and available at an extra cost, with a discount offered.
Note: Passengers flying from Darwin will be met at the baggage reclaim area of the Gove airport and transferred to the Walkabout Lodge.

Adventure awaits as we journey into the heart of Arnhem Land, with unsurpassed access to this mystical and sacred place. Boarding Outback Spirit’s custom all-terrain 4WD coach, we travel the rugged Central Arnhem Road southwest to the Goyder River, the main tributary feeding the vast and ecologically rich Arafura Swamp. This area is known as ‘Murwangi’. You’ll spend two nights at the sensational tented safari camp exclusive to Outback Spirit, situated on the banks of Arafura Swamp. B.L.D

Setting out to explore this morning, we enjoy a visit to Bula’Bula Art Centre in Ramingining for a lesson in Indigenous art.

Travelling west, we venture deeper into Arnhem Land, crossing the Blyth and Cadell Rivers on our way to Maningrida, and arrive at the exclusive Barramundi Lodge by early afternoon.  The lodge offers premium safari suits and the perfect sunset vantage point on the restaurants large deck. B.L.D

Departing Maningrida, our travels take us through the stone country of west Arnhem Land. Cross the Goomadeer and Liverpool Rivers on our way to Davidson’s Arnhem land Safaris, an Advanced Ecotourism certified property located on a remote 700 square-kilometre holding at Mount Borradaile. From here, we travel along a 40km bush track to the safari lodge, arriving in time for lunch. This afternoon, the highly trained staff at Mount Borradaile will take you through 40,000 years of Aboriginal culture in a truly awe-inspiring landscape.  B.L.D

Leaving Mount Borradaile early, we head north and venture into the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula. We’ll travel up the eastern side of Port Essington to Black Point, where we’ll meet the marine crew from Seven Spirit Bay for the short transfer across Port Essington. Settle in for three nights at Seven Spirit Bay, a remote and exclusive retreat where serene coastal beauty meets immersive wilderness experiences. B.L.D

Begin the day with an exclusive half-day fishing adventure aboard one of the lodge’s state-of-the-art vessels, casting for the catch of the day in the rich waters surrounding Cobourg Peninsula. Later, set off on a 4WD safari through Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, visiting the striking Nypa Palm gallery (Nypa fruticans), the upper reaches of Trepang Creek, and sweeping savannah woodlands, with a scenic stop at Gunners Quoin Lookout. Return to the lodge in time for sunset cocktails and canapés to celebrate your final night at Seven Spirit Bay. B.L.D

Your 13-day Arnhem Land Wetlands & Wildlife comes to an end this morning.

Celebrate the beginning of your journey with a welcome drink and light refreshments and pause for a photo with The Ghan’s iconic red locomotive before stepping on board. Settle into your home for the next few days, enjoying the comforts of your cabin, or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. As The Ghan begins to travel south, a chef-prepared lunch awaits before your Off Train Experience in Katherine.

Here you’ll choose how to explore this remarkable region. Cruise through the towering sandstone cliffs and dramatic beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge and uncover its deep cultural significance. Alternatively, step into the Katherine Outback Experience for an authentic glimpse into the lives of those who call the outback home. Or venture underground at the Cutta Cutta Caves, where fascinating limestone formations, to be shared. For a different perspective, upgrade to a helicopter flight and take in the scale of Nitmiluk from above. B.L.D

Today brings you to the extraordinary outback town of Coober Pedy, where life is anything but ordinary. Known as the opal capital of the world, this desert settlement hides its treasures both above and below, and more than half the population live underground.

Your adventure begins with a morning stop at the remote outpost of Manguri to take in the sunrise, before continuing to Coober Pedy for a day of exploration. A highlight is a gourmet lunch enjoyed underground, a dining experience as unique as the town itself. Off Train Experiences include visiting the striking Breakaways, uncovering the town’s quirky attractions, or learning the fascinating history of opal mining on the Opal Experience. For an unforgettable view, upgrade to a scenic flight over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre. Back on board for your final night, dinner is served in the dining carriage before one last nightcap in the lounge with fellow travellers as The Ghan journeys towards Adelaide. B.L.D