germ@namur: The Ghan

1. What is the Ghan?

The Ghan is an Australian passenger train service operated by Great Southern Rail. It is a 2,979 km railway line crossing Australia from the south to the north, within a few days.

2. A bit of history

Originally, the train was called “The Afghan Express” and it was later shortened to “The Ghan”. The name refers to the Afghan cameleers who came to Australia during the 19th century to help explore and map the outback of the country. They used camels because those were the only animals capable of surviving in hot and dry weather. Their settlements soon required a railroad to make communication with the cities easier and to provide them with what they needed. The construction began in 1878 in the south in Adelaide and the first steam train to Alice Springs was inaugurated in 1929. There were plans to extend the line to Darwin, in northern Australia, but due to a lack of profitability this only became a reality in 2004. In the early years of the line, delays were frequent. The passengers tolerated them because it was the only possible route with enough available water to power the steam trains. During World War II, the Ghan also helped to transport troops. Soon after that, steam was replaced by diesel.

3. Travel options

Nowadays, four travel options are available to tourists who want to travel with the Ghan. The first one is the Ghan Expedition which lasts four days. It will operate until March 2020. On the first day, people travel from Darwin to Katherine, where they visit the Nitmiluk Gorge. The next day, the train stops at Alice Springs so that passengers can see this small town which is surrounded by hills. The third stop is Manguri and then Coober Pedy, known for its opal mines and underground houses designed to fight high temperatures. The journey ends in the big city of Adelaide. The second possibility is to travel from Adelaide to Darwin within three days. On the first day, the train runs all day long and people can enjoy the landscapes. The next morning, the Ghan stops in the centre of the country at Manguri and then at Marla. It finally arrives at Katherine, the last stop before continuing its way to Darwin. This crossing is proposed all year round. The last two options are to travel from Adelaide or from Darwin to Alice Springs in two days. This year, the Ghan is celebrating its 90th anniversary and a special trip is planned in August 2019.

4. More details

Moreover, the Ghan offers a wide range of services. Guests are welcomed with all-inclusive food and beverages. A variety of excursions are organised to make it an unforgettable journey. There are different service levels on board like Platinum, Gold or Red service. The prices depend on the date, the class, the number of travellers, the journey ... It ranges from $829 to $5 999.

This train expedition is considered as one of the world’s greatest ones, giving an access to some remote places of Australia. It is a good way to get an overview of its culture within a short time!