Red Centre Spectacular | The Ghan 2026
Tour Highlights
- Enjoy authentic cultural activities with Indigenous guides
- 3 nights aboard The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide including all meals, beverages, and Off Train Experiences
- Cruise through ancient Nitmiluk Gorge in Katherine
- Discover the incredible rugged beauty of Australia's Red Centre
- Visit Kings Canyon for a guided scenic walk and journey through the West MacDonnell Ranges, visiting Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge
- Visit World Heritage-listed Uluru and enjoy a guided base tour
- Dine under the stars at the 'Sounds of Silence' dining experience
- Explore the rock formations of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Walpa Gorge
- Admire the internationally acclaimed 'Field of Light' display at Uluru and watch as it illuminates the desert night
- 7 nights intimate small-group touring with Outback Spirit, travelling on board a state-of-the-art 4WD Mercedes-Benz vehicle, including accommodation, meals and guided touring
Tour Map
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Outstanding Value Inclusions
Itinerary & Accommodation Snapshot
After boarding the train, settle into the comforts of The Ghan, relax in your cabin, or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. Enjoy lunch ahead of your Off Train Experience in Katherine. In a region renowned for jaw-dropping natural assets, Katherine boasts one of the Top End’s best – the incredible Nitmiluk Gorge and a cruise is on offer to showcase the beauty of this spot. Alternatively, the Katherine Outback Experience lets you into the lives of those who call the outback home, while the Cutta Cutta Cave system is home to a variety of native wildlife and is rich in Indigenous culture and modern European history.
Alternatively, take it all in from the air, with an optional upgrade helicopter flight over Nitmiluk.
Back on the train, you’ll enjoy the cuisine and creature comforts of The Ghan, including a delectable on-board dinner, as you continue on towards Alice Springs L.D
Your eight-day Red Centre Explorer tour commences on arrival at the Alice Springs Rail Terminal. Here, you will be met by the passionate Outback Spirit crew, who will be guiding you as you take in all the Red Centre has to offer over the next eight days.
It all starts with a town tour of Alice Springs, including a light lunch at a local eatery. Then, you’ll check-in at your Alice Springs hotel, where we'll stay for the first two nights. In the evening, the group will meet for welcome drinks and a short briefing on what you can expect during your tour. Tonight's dinner is at the hotel. B.L.D
Today, explore Alice Springs and its surrounds, taking in natural rock formations that are truly spectacular. After breakfast, venture to the West MacDonnell Ranges and enjoy a walk to Simpsons Gap. Known as 'Rungutjirpa' by the Arrernte people, Simpsons Gap is an important spiritual site and home to dozens of rare plants and a host of native wildlife. We'll then visit Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwatye – a cultural icon of Central Australia, which is 100% owned and operated by the Arrernte community.
We'll break for morning tea before departing the West MacDonnell Ranges to visit the Alice Springs Desert Park. Here, enjoy a guided tour that will challenge your perception of the desert, leaving you with an understanding that the desert is full of life. This evening, enjoy a classic-style outdoor BBQ and show under the incredible night sky. Meals (B.L.D)
Today, we say goodbye to Alice Springs as we go deeper into the outback. First up is a visit to Ellery Creek for a short walk and morning tea, then we travel to Ormiston Gorge to see its towering red cliffs. After lunch, we’ll travel on to the mighty Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park. As we drive through the outback, we'll take the scenic Mereenie Loop 4WD track through the West MacDonnell Ranges and arrive at Kings Canyon Resort, where we'll spend the next two nights. Tonight, dinner is at Carmichael’s, a relaxed restaurant situated in Kings Canyon Resort, surrounded by native trees and bushlands. If you’re lucky, you may spot an inquisitive dingo wandering through the grounds. Meals (B.L.D)
This morning, we depart early to experience the beauty of Kings Canyon. Two walks are available, including the spectacular 6km rim walk, which features breathtaking views of the Watarrka National Park before descending into the 'Garden of Eden'. For those who wish to save energy, a more relaxed walk is also available along the creek on the canyon floor (2.6km). There is also the opportunity to take a 15-minute helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park (at own expense).
After the morning's activities, we return to Kings Canyon Resort for lunch and to rest and refresh. For those wishing to take the optional helicopter flight over Kings Canyon, this afternoon offers some time to enjoy Kings Canyon from the air (at own expense), or you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your leisure.
As afternoon turns to evening, we'll enjoy sunset drinks and canapes at Light-Towers, an immersive sound and light installation by the acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner at the newly renovated Kings Canyon Bar & Grill and gather to recall the day's adventures. Meals (B.L.D)
Please note: Additional costs are applicable and weight limits apply to all scenic flights.
Today is special. This morning we visit Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tours, an indigenous owned and operated cultural tour. In the Aranda language, Karrke is the Aboriginal name for the western Bowerbird, which is native to Central Australia, and our guide will teach us about bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual and physical healing.
We then depart Karrke for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, passing through Kings Creek Station to enjoy lunch at Curtin Springs, a million-acre cattle station. In the early afternoon, we arrive at the award-winning Sails in the Desert Hotel, part of the Ayers Rock Resort.
This evening, we are transferred to the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner. A breathtaking cultural storytelling experience through choreographed drones, lasers and projections illuminating the night sky.
After a short journey from the resort, we venture to an open-air theatre set upon a dune top. Enjoy cocktails infused with native ingredients while taking in the incredible views of Uluru. As darkness descends, enjoy a gourmet dinner hamper where native ingredients are combined with modern techniques to create a balanced and flavourful palette as the night sky lights up before our eyes. Witness the ancient Mala story re-told and feel a powerful connection to country listening to a traditional Inma soundtrack and narration in the local Pitjantjatjara language. Meals (B.L.D)
After breakfast, we depart to discover Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and admire the stunning rock formations on a guided walk into Walpa Gorge, an ancient temple crafted by nature.
Take in the cultural centre and take a guided tour around the base of Uluru, which stands 348 metres above the desert plains. Learn about traditional Anangu culture and why Uluru, one of the largest monoliths in the world, is such a sacred site. This afternoon is at your leisure. You may choose to explore the Town Square, arrange a scenic flight (own cost) or relax in the comfort of your hotel.
Departing the resort before sunset, we head to an exclusive dune-top location, again with majestic views of Uluru. Enjoy drinks and canapes as artist Bruce Munro's global phenomenon Field of Light gently illuminates. Aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku (looking at lots of beautiful lights), Field of Light features 50,000 slender stems, crowned with radiant, frosted-glass spheres, spread across an area the size of seven football fields. After your host provides insight into this remarkable installation, you can explore the stunning display via dedicated pathways. This evening, return to the hotel for dinner. (Please note dinner will be at approximately 9.00pm). Meals (B.L.D)
Please note: Dinner this evening will be at approximately 9pm.
Early risers can experience the sun rising over Uluru this morning and the colours of dawn spreading across the landscape. Breakfast is at the hotel, before we depart for the Mala Walk. Admire the fine examples of rock art along this walk before arriving at Kantju Gorge, a place of profound peacefulness surrounded by sheer vertical walls.
We return to the hotel for lunch with an afternoon ahead of us. You can spend this time at your leisure or participate in additional touring of the area, including a visit to the Gallery of Central Australia or other informative guest activities.
This evening, enjoy the unique Sounds of Silence dining experience under the stars. Offering the best of the Red Centre distilled into four magical hours, the evening begins with canapes and chilled sparkling wine served on a viewing platform overlooking the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of the didgeridoo and enjoy a premium bush tuckerinspired buffet incorporating native bush ingredients. Afterwards, settle back and listen to the resident star talker decode the southern night sky. After this incredible experience, we return to Sails in the Desert for our final night. Meals (B.L.D)
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel before making the journey by road from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the Alice Springs Rail Terminal, where your Red Centre Explorer tour comes to an end. Re-join The Ghan Expedition and enjoy a unique dining experience this evening. Tuck into a mouthy-watering meal as you sip on a cold beer or a glass of fine wine under a chandelier of stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Meals (B.L.D)
From your morning stop at Manguri, you’ll venture into the weird and wonderful opal mining township of Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground. Here, you’ll enjoy a day of discovery, and a gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations: underground.
Off Train Experiences on offer include exploring the majestic Breakaways, touring the town, learning more about mining history on the Opal Experience, or an optional upgrade with the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre scenic flight. Dinner is served back on the train, where you can enjoy a nightcap as your journey continues. Meals (B.L.D)
This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the majestic Flinders Ranges before your arrival into Adelaide, completing one of the world’s great rail journeys. Meals (B)
Walks on Tour
| Distance | Time | Level | Terrain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Canyon rim walk | 6.5km | 3.5 hr | Very Difficult | Very, very steep. Some scrambling on hands and knees. Starts with about 500 bush rock stairs, unevenly spaced, on a narrow track. Once on canyon rim, mostly flat and even. Descent is steep & narrow, need to watch feet at all times. |
| Kata-Tjuta Walpa Gorge | 2.6km | 1 hr | Medium | Slightly uphill to lookout. Largely uneven, some metal grids to walk on, but mostly a rock track |
| Kathleen Springs | 2.4km | 1 hr | Easy | Wide sealed mostly flat path. Slightly uphill to begin |
| Kings Canyon creek walk | 2.4km | 1.5 hr | Easy | Flat path, with some uneven bits, semi-shade in 2nd half of the walk |
| Standley Chasm | 2km | 1 hr | Easy | Wide flat path, with a couple of minor uphill (slight gradient) bits |
| Simpsons Gap | 1km | 25 min | Easy | Flat well-formed paths |
| Field of Light | 600m or 1km | 30-45 min | Easy | Must be able to walk up a 50m sand dune to canape area. There are no buggies or any other assistance. Walk is done in the dark on wide flat paths with low/dim lighting |
| Mutitjulu water hole | 600m | 1.5 hr | Easy | Easy wide flat path |
| Ormiston Gorge | 500m | 10 min | Easy | Flat path |
| Ghost Gum lookout | 30-40 min | Difficult | Very steep |
*Note: Distances and times provided are an indication only.
Pricing & Departure Dates
| Month | Departures |
|---|---|
| April | Sold Out |
| May | 30 |
| June | Sold Out |
| July | Sold Out |
| August | 1, 22, 26, 29 |
| September | 26, 30 |
| October | 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21 |
| Cabin | Fare Type | Apr, Sep & Oct 2026 | May - Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Premium Twin | Everyday Holiday | $12,880 | $13,920 |
| Gold Twin | Everyday Holiday | $11,905 | $12,850 |
| Gold Single | Everyday Holiday | $13,520 | $14,365 |
| Platinum | Everyday Holiday | Sold Out | Sold Out |
