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Australia’s most iconic train journey is changing in 2027

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
The Ghan is extending its long-loved northbound journey with a spectacular new stop.

Some pairings feel ordained: Tim Tams and cold milk, road trips and AC/DC, footy and beer. Now, Journey Beyond Rail is uniting two travel icons in a heaven-sent match. From 2027, The Ghan’s storied northbound itinerary will be extended to three nights and include a full day at South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges – the only Aussie destination to make Lonely Planet’s Top Places Hotlist 2026.  

It’s a meet-cute 600 million years in the making.   

A legend on rails

the ghan train
The Ghan’s first journey was in 1929. (Image: Journey Beyond Rail)

For the uninitiated, The Ghan is perhaps Australia’s most iconic rail journey and has been ranked among the world’s best. Its history stretches back to 1929, when the original Afghan Express was named for the cameleers who helped chart routes through the Red Centre long before steel tracks arrived. 

Over the decades, The Ghan has evolved from a rattling lifeline to a rolling hotel, gliding north from Adelaide through the outback spine of the continent all the way up to Darwin. It’s the kind of journey that turns train sceptics into train evangelists, usually when they’re carving through glowing desert at sunrise with a coffee in hand. 

The new 2027 itinerary

the ghan flinders ranges
The Ghan will stop for a day in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges. (Image: Journey Beyond Rail)

Journey Beyond Rail has revealed its 2027 season, and with it, a new itinerary from Adelaide to Darwin. What has long been a two-night northbound journey will stretch into a three-night, four-day experience, giving guests more time to tune into Australia’s Red Centre and bringing the classic journey in line with the popular Ghan Expedition southbound itinerary.  

“By extending the northbound journey from two to three nights, we’re allowing travellers to slow down, deepen their connection to Country, and discover Outback Australia in a way that is both immersive and unforgettable," says David Donald, Executive General Manager of Rail at Journey Beyond.

flinders rangers aerial
The Ikara-Flinders Ranges in South Australia is 600 million years old. (Image: Getty/Greg Brave)

Notably, the new itinerary will also make a full-day stop at the Ikara-Flinders Ranges. The ranges are the traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha people, whose stories and cultural connections trace back tens of thousands of years. It’s an extraordinary layer of meaning atop already extraordinary scenery. And then there’s the geology: the rocks are older than multicellular life, and Wilpena Pound alone looks like a natural amphitheatre you’d expect dinosaurs to wander into at any moment.

“The Flinders Ranges has been named one of Lonely Planet’s Top 25 destinations for 2026," Donald tells Australian Traveller. “Shaped over 600 million years, this ancient and rugged mountain landscape is defined by peaceful tree-lined gorges, dramatic escarpments, and a seasonal wealth of wildlife. Its vast sense of space makes Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park a truly remarkable destination for those seeking nature, culture, and untouched beauty."

platinum australis suite the ghan
The Ghan’s Australis Suite is luxury in motion. (Image: Journey Beyond Rail)

Departing Adelaide, guests joining The Legendary Ghan 2027 start with a celebratory dinner in one of South Australia’s top wine regions. Then comes the journey’s new showstopper: a full day discovering the Flinders Ranges, where guests explore spectacular ranges and deep gorges with The Ghan’s Off Train Experience. 

“Guests will also step off the train for lunch in Quorn, a historic railway town nestled in the heart of the Flinders Ranges," adds Donald. “A paradise for history lovers, Quorn’s scenic landscapes have featured in iconic Australian films such as The Shiralee, Gallipoli, and The Water Diviner. The town is also home to the heritage-listed Pichi Richi Railway, where vintage locomotives evoke the golden age of rail travel."

From there, The Ghan resumes its legendary northerly sweep, pausing for an otherworldly sunrise in Marla; cultural adventures in Alice Springs; dramatic sandstone in Katherine; and finally rolling into the humid exhale of the Top End. 

(Image: Journey Beyond Rail)

Prices begin at AUD $3390 per person and include regionally inspired meals paired with fine wines and beverages. The journey also includes a series of off-train experiences, from cultural learning to wildlife encounters and active expeditions. 

“The Ghan holds a special place in the story of Australian travel, and guests have been asking for more time to experience its remarkable landscapes," explains Donald. The new itinerary answers that call, inviting guests to slow down, look out the window and let the wide, ancient spaces do their work. 

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

The details

Journey name: The Legendary Ghan 2027
Length: Three nights, four days
Where: Ventures through the Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Red Centre from Adelaide to Darwin
When: Departs Saturday (March to November) and Tuesday (April to October) from 2027
Prices: From $3390 per person
Website: Journey Beyond Rail

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Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
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Luxury escapes to Sydney and Melbourne that money can’t buy

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    From VIP stadium suites to harbour view upgrades, these are the experiences your travel points were made for.

    They say the best things in life are free. We say experiences earned with travel points are a pretty strong contender. But judging by exclusive money-can’t-buy experiences available through ALL Accor, we’re not even sure that’s true.

    Designed for travellers who know how to make every journey count, ALL Accor members receive up to 10 per cent off at more than 4500 hotels worldwide. You’ll also earn points on hotel stays, dining, partner airlines, car rentals, online shopping and more – and then turn those points into experiences that go far beyond a free night’s stay.

    Here’s how to turn your points into the ultimate weekend.

    Sydney

    Day one

    The view from Acapulco El Vista overlooking Sydney Harbour, one of the many experiences you can enjoy on ALL accor luxury city escapes.
    Unlock exclusive experiences with ALL Accor.

    Check into Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour and one of the world’s great harbour views. Framed by the Royal Botanic Garden, Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, the hotel’s 216 apartment-style suites place you squarely in Sydney’s spiritual heart.

    As the setting sun turns the Opera House sails soft shades of orange and pink, settle in at onsite restaurant Acapulco El Vista for a sundowner. Inspired by the golden age of 1950s Acapulco, the rooftop bar channels old Hollywood glamour, while the Mexican spirit runs through the drinks list like a strong shot of tequila. Fortify yourself for the night with Acapulco’s porchetta Cubano sandwich.

    Next up, head to the Eastern Pontoon and skip the ordinary by boarding a water taxi. Cruise across Sydney Harbour and up the Parramatta River to Sydney Olympic Park.

    Accor Stadium
    Enjoy a VIP experience at Accor Stadium.

    The VIP experience continues in Accor Stadium, with suites reserved exclusively for ALL Accor members. Whether you’re there to see your favourite pop star –like Robbie Williams, BTS or Harry Styles – or you’ve snagged tickets to the NRL Grand Final, you’ll enjoy a fully catered experience from one of the best seats in the house.

    Day two

    Friends exploring the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney – one of the many experiences you can enjoy on ALL Accor luxury city escapes.
    Explore Sydney’s arts and history. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Do as Sydneysiders do and start the day with a swim: this one just happens to overlook Circular Quay from the hotel’s Recreation Deck. Or save your energy for exploring the Royal Botanic Garden and the Art Gallery of New South Wales next door. Later, wander the cobbled laneways of The Rocks, stopping in heritage pubs and sandstone shops.

    Be back in time for a late lunch at Flaminia, located within Pullman Quay Grand. Inspired by the great port cities of Italy, the restaurant celebrates the country’s coastal cuisines, from Cagliari’s spaghetti alla bottarga with spanner crab and lemon myrtle to warm Venetian ricotta fritters with orange mascarpone. All served with a side of Sydney Harbour views. Accor Plus Explorer members receive 15 per cent off the à la carte menu. Molto bene, indeed.

    Melbourne

    Day one

    The charming Tudor-style cottages at Fitzroy Gardens, one of Melbourne's most picturesque attractions.
    Stay opposite the leafy Fitzroy Gardens. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Start your weekend the same way you’ll finish it: enjoying your exclusive ALL Accor benefits. This time, it might begin with a complimentary welcome drink when you check in at the five-star Pullman East Melbourne. Perfectly positioned in East Melbourne, the hotel sits directly opposite the elms and red gums of Fitzroy Gardens and is a mere 10-minute stroll from the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Olympic Park.

    After dropping your bags in one of the 419 stylish rooms, head down to The Cliveden Bar & Dining for an early dinner. The Mediterranean-inspired kitchen prides itself on sourcing premium Victorian produce, so don’t miss locally driven dishes like the Aylesbury aged duck ragù with pappardelle and macadamia or the butter-braised Lakes Entrance monkfish.

    Next, head over to the MCG – lit up like the world’s most enthusiastic Christmas tree – to catch an electrifying session of Aussie Rules football or cricket. If you time your visit right, you might even score seats to the AFL Grand Final. For the ultimate sports enthusiast, the daily guided stadium tours are a rip-roaring crowd-pleaser.

    No matter what’s on your hit list, you can secure tickets and experiences through ALL Accor’s Limitless Experiences using your points.

    Day two

    Friends enjoying a hearty breakfast together at The Cliveden Buffet Breakfast before a day of exploring Melbourne.
    Fuel up before another day in Melbourne. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The next morning, use the raw throat you earned from screaming along at the MCG to whisper your coffee order at The Cliveden Buffet Breakfast. Here, you can replenish your strength with Victoria’s most-loved morning staples, featuring rich Gippsland Dairy milk and artisanal La Madre Bakery sourdough. If the Melbourne bug has truly bitten, venture out into the city streets to immerse yourself in its cult coffee culture.

    After checking out, make your way to Higher Ground. Built inside a 19th-century power station, this popular brunch spot is all about the drama, from its multi-tiered architecture to its high-concept menu, with bites like prawn toast benedict and chilli scrambled eggs with smoked yoghurt and banana pepper.

    A coffee shot or two not enough to feed your addiction? The Victorian capital never judges. Take a break from vintage shopping to visit a pioneer of the city’s high-concept coffee culture: ST. ALi Canteen – Collins Street will give you your fix, plus a mac and cheese jaffle seasoned with Vegemite salt if that’s your fancy.

    Alternatively, hold out for an Asian-Australian lunch of caramelised pork belly with pineapple or baked scallops in a salted black bean sauce at Miss Mi at the Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne On Spencer.

    Book your next perfect escape at ALL.com.