The itinerary below is based on 2025 departures. Please enquire with your RAC Travel Consultant for 2026 itinerary. 

Day 1 – Board The Ghan in Adelaide

Board The Ghan in Adelaide for an incredible showcase journey of inland Australia. As the train leaves the city heading for the Flinders Ranges and beyond, the dramatic changes in landscape from pastoral land to arid outback scenes will ignite your imagination. Lunch is served on board – this is the first of many superb, chef-prepared gourmet meals, showcasing regional flair and season flavours.
Stay: 2 nights The Ghan
Meals: Lunch & dinner

Day 2 – The Ghan, Alice Springs

After your first night enjoying the fine dining and relaxed comfort of this iconic train, you’ll wake to an unforgettable outback sunrise at Marla – a remote outpost 160 kilometres from the Northern Territory border that marks the start of the Oodnadatta Track. Enjoy the magnificent scenery as you make your way onwards to Alice Springs, where you have a selection of Off Train Experiences to choose from. There’s an experience to suit everyone, from an off-road mountain bike adventure to the Alice Explorer tour, a cultural experience at Standley Chasm, meeting the wildlife at the Desert Park, or taking in the astounding beauty of Simpson’s Gap. Alternatively, take it all in from the air, with an optional upgrade helicopter flight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 3 – The Ghan, Katherine and Darwin 

When the landscape transforms into rocky gorges and fastflowing canyon streams, prepare to experience one of the Top End’s most impressive natural wonders on a boat cruise along Nitmiluk Gorge. Alternatively, the Katherine Outback Experience lets you into the lives of those who call the outback home. There is also a helicopter flight upgrade available, for those wishing to see Nitmiluk from an aerial perspective.
Continue to Darwin, where you’ll disembark The Ghan and be transferred to your overnight accommodation. After checking in, you may wish to explore the Waterfront Precinct with its many restaurants and bars.
Stay: 1 night Hilton Garden Inn Darwin 
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Day 4 – Darwin to Kakadu National Park

As one adventure ends, another begins with Outback Spirit. This morning we depart Darwin and head towards Kakadu National Park. Much of the route is along the Arnhem Highway, passing the productive region of Humpty Doo, where some of the Top End’s tropical fruits are grown. Cross the Adelaide River, with its vast wetlands, attracting migratory birds before arriving at Mary River, where you will take to the water on a cruise that showcases local wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife. Continuing east, we enter the dual World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, for both environmental and cultural values, stopping at the Mamukala Wetlands and the Bowali Visitor Centre before arriving at your accommodation, the Crocodile Hotel at Jabiru, so named for the crocodile shape it takes.
Stay: 2 nights Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (*Due to availability, some stays may be at Cooinda Lodge)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner 

Due to the seasonal weather experienced in the Top End during March and April, we will visit the Bowali Visitor Centre on Day 2, and the cruise will occur on Adelaide River with crossings at Mary River, West Alligator and South Alligator Rivers

Day 5 – Kakadu National Park

As one adventure ends, another begins with Outback Spirit. This morning we depart Darwin and head towards Kakadu National Park. Much of the route is along the Arnhem Highway, passing the productive region of Humpty Doo, where some of the Top End’s tropical fruits are grown. Cross the Adelaide River, with its vast wetlands, attracting migratory birds before arriving at Mary River, where you will take to the water on a cruise that showcases local wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife. Continuing east, we enter the dual World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, for both environmental and cultural values, stopping at the Mamukala Wetlands and the Bowali Visitor Centre before arriving at your accommodation, the Crocodile Hotel at Jabiru, so named for the crocodile shape it takes.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Due to the seasonal weather experienced in the Top End during March and April you may visit the Bowali and Warradjan Visitor Centres in place of Ubirr, and the cruise will occur on Yellow Waters.

Day 6 – Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park, Darwin

We depart Kakadu National Park and head towards Batchelor, the gateway to Litchfield National Park. Containing several types of typical Top End habitats, Litchfield National Park is abundant with lush monsoon forests, termite mounds, unusual rock formations, waterfalls, and cascades. After stopping for morning tea, we head onto Wangi Falls; a large plunge pool surrounded by shady grassed areas. The falls flow all year round and after a light lunch, you can take a dip in the crystal-clear pool. Our next stop is Florence Falls. Here you can watch from the scenic viewing platform as the spectacular falls cascade into the plunge pool below. We then head for Darwin, arriving early evening, where your Outback Spirit Tour concludes.
Stay: 2 nights Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Day 7 – Darwin, Darwin Harbour Dinner Cruise

Today is free for you to enjoy the sights of Darwin at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll along the Waterfront Precinct or visit the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. In the evening, admire a spectacular sunset while feasting on a Territory-style dinner featuring local seafood and produce on a Darwin Harbour Sunset Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 8 - Farewell

Your Top End experience comes to an end as you check out of your accommodation after breakfast and farewell Darwin. 
Meals: Breakfast 

Prices are based on travel in March to April and September to October 2025. Please enquire with your local RAC Travel Centre for other travel dates and cabin types. 

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.

Prices based on travel from March to April and September to October 2026. Please enquire with your local RAC Travel Centre for other travel dates and cabin types. 

Prices are subject to availably and change without notice. 

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.

*All prices shown are starting prices, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change at any time. Advertised price based on Gold Twin Cabin booked on Advance Purchase fare for departures in March 2026. Other departure dates available at seasonal surcharge. Prices are correct as at 8 April 2025 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. Other terms and conditions apply, for full terms and conditions please visit RAC Travel.

General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.