Come With Us As We Travel On The Ghan Train by:Jean Morrison
What is the Ghan
The Ghan is the legendary train that plies the rails between Adelaide and Darwin in Australia. It takes its passengers on a fascinating journey of 2979 kilometers through spectacular and diverse landscapes. The train travels on a north-south route right through the "red center" of Australia. Travelers on the train will see the magnificence of Australia from the fertile plains of Adelaide, the rusty reds of the McDonnell Ranges through to the tropical green splendor of Darwin.
Brief history of the Ghan
Originally called the Afghan Express, the name The Ghan was inspired by the pioneering Afghan cameleers who blazed a permanent trail into the central areas of Australia over 150 years ago. The train's emblem is an Afghan on a camel in recognition of the Afghanis' outstanding contributions to the opening up the inhospitable interior to the rest of Australia. The train began service in 1929 and originally only traveled from Adelaide to Alice Springs. It was envisaged that the train would eventually travel right through to Darwin but this didn't happen until 2004.
Styles of travel on board
There are three classes of travel aboard the Ghan - Red Service, Gold Service and Platinum Service. Red Service is basic and travelers are offered either a two berth sleeping cabin or otherwise a day/night seating option. A dining car is available for meals and tasty, light snacks. Gold Service offers twin or single person sleeping cabins, each complete with a small en suite. Gold Service automatically includes top class, restaurant style meals served in elegant dining cars. Platinum Service is the Ghan's luxury level of travel. The cabins are much larger and offer a double bed arrangement, a larger en suite and extended room service. Gold Service patrons can either eat in the elegant Queen Elizabeth dining car or food can be ordered from the in-cabin menu
Side tours en route
The train stops for several hours at both Alice Springs and Katherine. Optional tours are available at these towns. They include boating, in various forms, through magnificent gorges, helicopter rides, visits to museums, crocodile parks, the Royal Flying Doctor Head Office and much more. The tours are excellent value for money.
Meals on board
Meals on board are of top class, restaurant quality for both Gold and Platinum Service travelers. The meal service and presentation are outstanding. Breakfast is a very hearty meal, lunch is two courses and dinner is three courses. Delicious nibbles and dips are on the tables prior to lunch and dinner being served. Red Service travelers can avail themselves of cafeteria meals and snacks.
Further information
To begin the Ghan journey you can fly into Adelaide or Darwin to meet the train. There are also train connections available on the Indian Pacific route and The Overland route for guests traveling to or from Sydney and Melbourne. You can take your car on board the train so that you can continue your traveling at the end of your rail journey.
The journey involves 2 nights aboard the train in either direction. The train runs twice weekly in both directions. It is an easy and relaxed way to travel through the heart of Australia to see parts of this great land you might not ordinarily see.
About the author
Jean Morrison is the owner of Holidays On Trains (http://www.railway-train-travel.com.au) a website that details the travels of Jean and her husband on various trains around the world. They go looking for the nitty-gritty facts not normally found in travel brochures or travel web sites. The Sea Stars Hotel by:Billy Bui Weekend Getaways in India by:Arvind Kaur Reservations Master: Customized European Tours With A Difference by:Toan Dinh Discover Scenic Humboldt Redwoods State Park by:Toan Dinh Eight Easy Tips For Taking Your Pet On Vacation by:Nigel G. Worrall How To Renew Your Passport by:Heather Eaton How To Sleep On A Plane by:Heather Eaton How To Rent Out A Holiday Home by:David Stuttard The Art And Science Of Responding To Vacation Rental Inquiries - Part 1 by:Michael Canson Appliances: Festive Shopping To Be Sensible Is Medical Tourism Right for You? Two days trip from Marsa Alam to Cairo by flight Searching For Personalized Holiday Gifts Mom Will Relish