Day 1 (L,D) HOME, ADELAIDE, THE GHAN

Following metropolitan home/hotel pick up we transfer to Melbourne Airport for the morning flight to Adelaide. Interstate passengers may fly direct to Adelaide. On arrival we transfer to Keswick Station to join the legendary Ghan, which departs at 12:20 p.m. Light lunch on board. Travel Gold Kangaroo class, with twin (lower and upper berth cabins with toilet, washbasin and shower) or single sleeper (shower and toilet facilities located at end of carriage). During the afternoon relax in your cabin or in the comfort of the first class lounge. Enjoy silver service dining in the Restaurant Car, spend some time in the lounge prior to retiring to the comfort of your first class sleeper.

Day 2 (B,L,D) THE GHAN, ALICE SPRINGS

Awake to watch the sun rise prior to a delicious breakfast as we continue north to Alice Springs, arriving around 1:45 p.m. During the Alice Springs stop we explore some of the sights of Alice Springs including the Old Telegraph Station, School of the Air, Anzac Hill, the Cultural Precinct and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (subject to cancellation if the train is running late). At 6:00 p.m. we depart from Alice Springs to commence stage two of our journey north. Again, enjoy a superb dinner as we travel.

Day 3 (B,L,D) THE GHAN, KATHERINE, DARWIN

An earlier breakfast this morning prior to arriving in Katherine at 9:00 a.m. Time to enjoy a two-hour Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) cruise (reasonable mobility needed). We depart prior to lunch and are due to arrive in the northern capital of Darwin at 5:30 p.m., concluding our journey by rail. We transfer to Travelodge Mirambeena Resort, home for tonight. Dinner together concludes our day.

Day 4 (B,L,D) DARWIN, ADELAIDE RIVER, KAKADU N.P., JABIRU

Our Young at Heart coach awaits us and following breakfast, we depart from Darwin, visiting Fogg Conservation Dam, constructed in the 1950’s as a water storage for an ill-fated rice growing project. Visit the bird hide to view some of the many species that live in this habitat. At Adelaide River we join the famous “Jumping Crocs” cruise – view huge crocodiles “jumping” two to three metres from where we are seated in air-conditioned comfort and behind closed windows! Following lunch we enter Kakadu National Park. The park is managed jointly by the traditional Aboriginal owners and the Department of Environment and Heritage. At Bowali Visitor Centre we view displays of the major parts of Kakadu and of the meandering South Alligator River, told from the Gukburlerri (Aboriginal) and Guhbele (non-Aboriginal) points of view. A short journey to our home for two nights, Gagudju Cooinda Lodge.

Day 5 (B,L,D) YELLOW WATERS CRUISE

A highlight of our holiday is the Yellow Water cruise. Yellow Water wetland is home to brolga, several species of kingfisher and jabiru and fresh and salt water crocodiles. See these in their natural habitat and enjoy the informative commentary during our cruise. (The area teems with wildlife, however sightings of jabiru are never guaranteed.) It’s an experience not to be missed. Visit Warradjan Cultural Centre, displaying Aboriginal culture in the area and an Aboriginal art and craft room. Lunch at Cooinda. During the afternoon we visit Nourlangie Rock (Burrunggui), take a short walk to an ancient living shelter, rock art sites and a lookout.

Day 6 (B,L,D) PINE CREEK, ADELAIDE RIVER, BATCHELOR

Today we depart from Kakadu and travel south to Pine Creek. Both gold and uranium have been mined at Pine Creek. The Enterprise Pit Mine operated from 1906 until 1995 and is now a water-filled hole 135 metres deep. We turn north on the Stuart highway to Adelaide River. Visit the War Cemetery, a now peaceful setting for some who fought for their country and died protecting it, plus some victims of the Japanese bombing of Darwin. We arrive at our home for two nights, Batchelor Resort. Lunch at the resort and later we visit the Coomalie Cultural Centre.

Day 7 (B,L,D) LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK

Today we journey to the amazing Litchfield National Park. Here we see “magnetic” termite mounds standing two metres in height with a north-south orientation, designed to allow the minimum of the surface to be exposed to the heat of the sun. Visit spectacular Florence Falls, a double waterfall set amid monsoon rainforest. A short walk to view the falls. On to Wangi Falls, the most accessible falls in the park.

Day 8 (B,L,D) BATCHELOR, TERRITORY WILDLIFE PARK, DARWIN

Today we visit the Territory Wildlife Park, winner of the Brolga Hall of Fame Award. Shuttle trains travel about the park for the convenience of passengers moving between exhibits on this 400 hectare property. We view birds of prey including wedge-tailed eagles and white bellied sea eagles as they soar free of their handlers, walk through an aquarium tunnel to view barramundi, tortoises and stingrays, visit the world-renowned Nocturnal House, plus much more. Following lunch we continue to Darwin for a short tour of the city and its environs. Our home for three nights, Travelodge Mirambeena Resort.

Day 9 (B,L,D) DARWIN

A relaxing day as we visit the Charles Darwin National Park, one of Australia’s most significant wetlands, followed by the fascinating Aviation Heritage Centre which houses a great collection of aeroplanes from the twentieth century, including many fighter planes from World War II. After lunch we visit the East Point Military Museum. Take in the sunset views as we enjoy dinner tonight at Stokes Wharf, a unique Darwin experience.

Day 10 (B,L,D) DARWIN, SUNSET HARBOUR CRUISE

Today we begin at the Botanic Gardens, where we see a large collection of tropical palms, orchids, bromeliads and exotic foliage plants. We visit the Indo Marine Centre, an amazing insight into creatures of the sea. We also visit the Territory Gallery and Museum, which houses a fascinating Cyclone Tracy Exhibit and the Darwin Wharf Precinct, partly destroyed in 1942 by Japanese bombers. Late afternoon we gather for a spectacular Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Alfred Nobel, a beautiful 30 metre spotted gum schooner. A fitting way to enjoy our final dinner together.

Day 11 (B,L) DARWIN, HOME

We depart Darwin around lunch time, flying via Adelaide and arriving in Melbourne early evening (other departure and arrival times for passengers travelling to other capital cities). For Melbourne passengers, metropolitan home/hotel transfers complete a most enjoyable Ghan and the Top End holiday.