3 remote experiences by rail

Posted 17 January, 2023 Lauren Ferrone. This content is sponsored by Journey Beyond.

It really isn’t the destination, but the journey that matters – and a rail ride aboard Journey Beyond’s The Ghan is proof of that.

While the phenomenal 774m train is a sight to behold in itself, there are a few rare experiences along the way that make the trip between Darwin and Adelaide particularly worthwhile.

Here are just three off-train experiences that make the 54-hour, 2979km journey even more memorable.

1. Meet desert animals

From bilbies to dingoes, there’s something fascinating about desert animals who’ve had to adapt to living in the outback.

In the fight for survival, these clever creatures have overcome challenges, including excessive heat and lack of water. Marvel at their strength and splendour as they roam their own environment at Alice Springs Desert Park.

Wander the wildlife park’s nocturnal house to discover the mysterious lives of night-dwelling desert animals, including the bilby, thorny devil and the mala (hare-wallabies).

One of the many perks of travelling on The Ghan is a front-row seat at the park’s jaw-dropping flight bird show. If you’re game to get up close and personal to your new feathered friends, show your backstage pass for a private training session.

2. Feast under the stars

Barbecues are quintessentially Australian, but chances are you haven’t experienced one quite like this – under a canopy of stars in the Aussie outback (pictured at top)

Guests travelling on The Ghan will feast on a delicious barbecue banquet prepared by local chefs hosted at Alice Springs Telegraph Station, which was established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide along Australia’s Overland Telegraph Line.

Wash down juicy chargrilled eye fillet and roast vegetables with locally brewed cold beer or a glass of wine while marvelling at the chandelier of twinkling stars and enjoying tunes from the live band.

And the experience couldn’t get more outback or unique than camel rides for guests who are in for the ride – albeit a bit bumpy – of a lifetime. Seems fitting, given The Ghan’s iconic symbol is a camel and its handler in recognition of Afghan cameleers who were pioneers in the outback before The Ghan was in service.

3. Experience life underground

You’ve experienced luxury aboard The Ghan – comfy beds, ensuites and regional delicacies like Top End barramundi and Margaret River cheeses. Now it’s time to venture underground in South Australia’s opal mining town, Coober Pedy.

No matter how harsh the climate, life in Coober Pedy is pretty cool – in more ways than one. And you can find out just how epic this remote town is on your final day of the journey.

Tunnelled out of earth, 80% of Coober Pedy’s homes are underground. The temperature beneath the dirt ranges from 23-25 degrees Celsius – a breath of fresh air for locals who swelter through summer temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius.

This off-train experience visits some of the town’s underground homes, known as dugouts, and the Serbian Orthodox Church, which has rock carvings in the walls, a high grandeur roof and stained-glass windows.

Then it’s on to Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, an underground museum packed with rich history on the town’s mining roots before a bit of fun on the green (or perhaps red?). Here, keen golfers can tee off at the grassless golf course at Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club.

If your swing isn’t spectacular, you might have better luck at Quest Opal Mine. Don a hard hat, grab a pick and try your luck digging for opals. But chances are you already counted your lucky stars the moment you stepped aboard this world-renowned rail journey.