Day 1: Board The Ghan Expedition in Darwin

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.
Stay: 1 night The Ghan Expedition
Meals: Lunch & dinner

Day 2: The Ghan Expedition, arrive Alice Springs

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.
Stay: 2 nights 2 nights Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 3: Alice Springs

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: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4: Alice Springs to Kings Canyon

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.
Stay: 2 nights Kings Canyon Resort
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 5: Kings Canyon - Watarrka National Park

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 available along the creek on the canyon floor (2.6km). For those withing to get an aerial perspective, 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, return to Kings Canyon Resort for lunch and to rest and refresh. The afternoon is spent learning about Aboriginal culture with Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tours. In the Aranda language, Karrke is the name for the western Bowerbird, which is native to Central Australia. Our guide will teach us about bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual and physical healing. As afternoon turns to evening, enjoy sunset drinks and canapes at Light-Towers, an immersive sound and light installation by acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, who also created the Field of Light. Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner at the Kings Canyon Bar & Grill.
Melas: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 6: Kings Canyon to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

We depart Kings Canyon for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, passing through Kings Creek Station to enjoy an informative talk on paper-making and 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 attend the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner. This is a breathtaking cultural storytelling experience, told 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 atop a dune. Enjoy cocktails infused with native ingredients while taking in the incredible views of Uluru. As darkness descends, dine on a gourmet dinner hamper, where native ingredients are combined with modern techniques to create a balanced and flavourful meal 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. 
Stay: 3 nights Sails in the Desert Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7: Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park 

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. In the afternoon, we will let our creativity shine during a Maruku Arts dot painting workshop. A local Anangu artist will teach us about traditional art, symbols, tools, and more. Through the workshop, you'll have the opportunity to create something to take home with you. 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: Breakfast, lunch & dinner 

Day 8: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

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 ative 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: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 9: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to Alice Springs - The Ghan Expedition 

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.
Stay: 2 nights The Ghan Expedition 
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner 

Day 10: The Ghan Expedition, Coober Pedy

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: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 11: The Ghan Expedition, Adelaide

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: Breakfast

Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing.

*Advertised price is based on Gold Twin cabin booked on Advance Purchase Holiday fare. Advance Purchase Holiday fares are subject to availability when booking at least 6 months in advance. Other departure dates are available at seasonal surcharge.

^RAC Member Fare: Members receive a 5% discount off the rail portion of the holiday package. 

Advance Purchase: Are you booking at least 6 months in advance? Please enquire about the Advance Purchase Fare to get the lowest price! For Advance Purchase Rail Journeys, full payment will be required at the time of booking and a stricter cancellation and amendment policy applies.

Everyday Fare: For Everyday Rail Journeys, you may pay in two parts, a deposit at time of booking and the balance no later than 45 days prior to departure. Everyday Fares are generally a bit more expensive than Advance Purchase Fares but offer more flexible cancellation and amendment policy.

*Advertised price is per person, based on the Advance Purchase Holiday fare in a Gold Twin cabin. Advance Purchase Holiday fares are subject to availability when booking at least 6 months in advance. Other departure dates are available at seasonal surcharge. Prices are correct as at 21 November 2024 and are subject to change at any time. For Advance Purchase Fare full payment is required at time of booking.100% cancellation fees apply 14 days after booking. Advance Purchase Fares are subject to availability and must be booked at least 6 months prior to travel. Timetables and Off Train Experiences are subject to change without notice. Standard Journey Beyond terms and conditions apply. Credit card fees may apply to your booking. 

^RAC member discount applies only to Gold Twin, Gold Single and Gold Premium Cabins booked on Everyday Fare only and is not combinable with any other discount. Members receive a 5% discount of the rail portion of the holiday package only. For the Everyday Fare a non-refundable 25% deposit is required at time of booking, balance due 45 days prior departure. Timetables and Off Train Experiences are subject to change without notice. Standard Journey Beyond terms and conditions apply. Credit card fees may apply to your booking.

Other terms and conditions apply, for full terms and conditions please visit RAC Travel. 

General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.