This luxury Aussie rail journey just ranked among the world’s best

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
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This isn’t just a train trip – it’s an experience of a lifetime.

Luxury train travel is well and truly on the rise. In recent years, both Australian and international brands have been expanding their offerings to welcome an influx of guests from around the world.

In light of this surge, the experts at Japan Rail Pass have analysed and compared thousands of reviews, Instagram hashtags and global search volumes to determine which ones you should add to your bucket list. But you won’t have to book a flight to jump onboard – one of the best rail journeys in the world is right here in Australia.

From the red heart of the outback to lush Top End landscapes, The Ghan is slow travel at its finest – with gourmet dining, epic sunsets and pure adventure along the way.

What is Australia’s best luxury train journey?

It won’t come as a shock to anyone that The Ghan came out on top as Australia’s best rail journey, ranking fifth in the world overall. The Ghan, as we know it today, was launched by Australian experiential tourism company Journey Beyond and traverses the vast expanse of red-dirt country between Darwin in the Northern Territory and South Australia’s capital city of Adelaide.

The Ghan travelling through Marla in South Australia
The Ghan has ranked among the world’s best luxury train journeys.

But its lore extends well beyond that, going much deeper than its current identity as a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. The history of The Ghan goes back as far as the late 1800s, when the first cameleers arrived in Australia. The camel drivers, primarily from parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Türkiye and Egypt, were vital to the development of Australia’s outback.

Often referred to as ‘Afghans’ or ‘Ghans’ – hence the train’s name – the men transported goods across thousands of kilometres. They worked tirelessly, connecting remote towns with coastal cities and facilitating crucial infrastructure projects and major rail lines.

the exterior of Broken Hill Mosque
The Broken Hill Mosque Museum holds the history of the cameleers. (Image: Steve Madgwick)

While the workers were eventually replaced by automobiles and trains, they have since been honoured by companies like Journey Beyond for their significant contributions to Australia’s trade, agriculture, mining and transport industries. Learn more about the cameleers with a visit to the Broken Hill Mosque Museum.

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What can I expect from a trip on The Ghan?

Australians have always known The Ghan is one of the country’s most memorable rail journeys. And while being recognised among the world’s best is a new feat for the train, take a closer look and it’s not hard to see why.

Over the years, The Ghan has undergone numerous upgrades to ensure the best experience for guests. From railway extensions and offboard inclusions to the recent introduction of brand-new cabin configurations, it’s no wonder it has made the list. If you’re keen to book, you can expect the journey of a lifetime.

Gold Service cabin onboard The Ghan
Watch the world go by from your cosy Gold Service cabin.

Trips are flexible, with multiple options to choose from. If you only want one night onboard, book a trip travelling between either Darwin or Adelaide to Alice Springs. After a little more? Go from Adelaide to Darwin (or vice versa) over two nights and three days. Or go all out with The Ghan Expedition, a four-day, three-night journey exploring the wonders of Australia’s heartland.

Onboard, you’ll find a dining carriage offering delicious food (two-course breakfast, a two-course lunch and a three-course dinner) and premium wines, as well as a range of cabins to choose from depending on your price point. Opt for the Gold offering to enjoy a twin or single cabin and access to the Outback Explorer Lounge. Get a little more with the Gold Premium and Platinum packages, such as priority check-in, tour preferencing and a private en suite.

The new Aurora Australis suite on The Ghan
The opulent Aurora Australis suites will be available from 2026.

Those joining The Ghan in 2026 should also consider splurging on the all-new Aurora Australis suites. In an Australian first, the ultra-luxe rooms will include butler services, an in-suite bar, private chauffeur, access to the Platinum Club Lounge and much more.

Don’t forget about the offboard experiences either. Guests can visit some of Australia’s coolest destinations, from famous outback towns such as Katherine to award-winning wineries in McLaren Vale. For a little extra, why not add on a scenic cruise of Nitmiluk Gorge, or a private helicopter flight over Uluru? Take your pick.

Offboard experiences with The Ghan in Alice Springs, NT
Choose from a range of unforgettable offboard experiences.

What other luxury train journeys made the list?

Coming in as the world’s best luxury train is the Rocky Mountaineer out of Canada, with a final rating of 8.88/10. This was followed by California’s Napa Valley Wine Train and the GoldenPass Express in Switzerland. Fourth place went to South Africa’s Rovos Rail, with The Ghan rounding out the top five with an impressive overall rating of 8.54/10.

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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How to spend three romantic days on Hamilton Island

(Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.

    Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.

    Day 1

    Morning

    A serene ocean-view room overlooking endless blue horizons.
    Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.

    Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.

    We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.

    After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.

    Afternoon

    A romantic beachside lunch as champagne is served.
    Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

    After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.

    After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.

    Evening

    A curated flatlay of dishes from Catseye Pool Club.
    Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)

    There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.

    Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.

    We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.

    Day 2

    Morning

    An 18-hole golf course set against sweeping ocean views.
    Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)

    A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.

    If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.

    Afternoon

    Artfully paired wines and bites from the Talk & Taste experience.
    Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.

    We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.

    Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.

    Evening

    The moody, atmospheric interiors of Bommie Deck.
    Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.

    Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.

    Day 3

    Morning

    A couple gliding across calm waters on SUP boards together.
    Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.

    The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.

    Afternoon

    A helicopter soaring above the iconic Heart Reef.
    Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.

    If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.

    Evening

    A couple standing at qualia, gazing out over the endless ocean horizon.
    Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)

    Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.

    Getting there

    Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.

    Visit hamitlonisland.com.au for more couples’ retreat ideas.

    This luxury Aussie rail journey just ranked among the world's best