I love trains and train journeys.One of my all-time greatest rail adventures was The Ghan Expedition across the Outback of Australia.One of the World’s Great Rail Trips in my opinion.This crosses the entire country of Australia, North to South over four days and three nights from Darwin to Adelaide.
I was in Australia for two months on the year of my fiftieth birthday and the Ghan was my gift to myself!I can still hear the clickety-clack of the rails as I was gently rocked to sleep each night in my comfortable, yet snug compartment.
The journey begins with a morning departure from Darwin and you could just feel the excitement in the air.Adventurer seekers had traveled from across the world to experience this and did not want to miss a single minute!The adventure is all-inclusive and featured a regionally-inspired menu and an extensive selection of wines and spirits.The dining and bar cars were something right out of an Agatha Christie novel with a long wood bar, leather seats and couches, oil lamps, and strangers making lifelong friends.Following dinner a group of us ended up in the Lounge Car, having cocktails and singing along to the piano and generally having a grand time.It went well into the early morning before we headed back to our compartments and a night of deep sleep as we dreamed of the upcoming quest.
We stopped in Katherine, Alice Springs, Manguri, Coober Pedy, and Adelaide.
This was a true Luxury Experience in every way.Luxury is different for everyone but what I enjoyed was the phenomenal cuisine, attentive service, and experienced guides.What really stood out for me were the hidden extras and surprises that they sprung on us throughout the trip!In Alice Springs we returned from our day's activities and there was an announcement on the train that before dinner in the dining car we would be taking a short motorcoach ride for a before-dinner drink and to see a local telegraph station.Upon arrival the truth became apparent and we were treated to an amazing evening of music, barbecue, history, and memories - what a night!Another was upon our return from sightseeing in Manguri we arrived at the train and found a huge bonfire, cocktails, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres set up train-side.
Our last stop was one of my favorites and it was the Opal Mining town of Coober Pedy.This is in one of the hottest places on the Earth and most of the town is built underground to survive the newer ending heat of the red centre.Buildings are built into the side of the mountain or even in mined out mining tunnels.It was amazing!We toured one of the mines and of course ended up being surprised with a full sit down lunch in an abandoned mine shaft.Underground it was naturally cool and comfortable.
The last morning we pulled into Adelaide and enjoyed our last breakfast together.What started out as a few hundred global strangers had become groups of friends and adventures sharing an amazing journey of discovery.I still keep in touch with a few of them to this day.Travel is such a huge part of who many of us are.It allows us to see how others live, how other societies approach certain issues, and learn about ourselves.I can’t wait to get back out there!
