Ghan train a special way to traverse Australia

By Christiane Oelrich Oct 12, 2010, 3:06 GMT

Darwin, Australia - Australia is many things: an island, a country, a continent and the sixth-largest state in the world. Most of its cities are to be found along the coast, sometimes thousands of kilometres apart.

Flying would seem the obvious mode of transport but crossing Australia by train is also a viable option.

One way is to take a 60-hour ride on the 800-metre-long Ghan train as it speeds 2,979 kilometres through the heart of the continent from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south. The orginal Ghan ran from Adelaide to Alice Springs and was only extended to Darwin in 2004.

Building up to a speed of 115 km/h, the locomotive makes good headway as it pulls along the original stainless-steel coaches built by the American Budd company for the first Indian Pacific trains when they started running in 1973.

The tropical coast is quickly left behind and replaced by a more barren landscape made up scrub and deep red soil. Soon it's time for lunch and for Gold and Platinum Service customers, the restaurant offers a new luxury level of train travel in Australia.

The train makes its first stop in Katherine, around 320 km south of Darwin. Katherine Gorge is the main attraction of the nearby Nitmiluk National Park, home to the indigenous Jawoyn people, one of Australia's more than 500 Aboriginal tribes.

The train sets off once again and the Ghan's staff start focusing on the evening's requirements as the sun slowly sets.

Those sitting on the right-side of the train enjoy superb views of the sunset while those situated on the left have to wait until the following morning to enjoy their own natural spectacle.

At night, the beds are turned down in the cabins, which vary in size according to ticket price. Platinum cabins are approximately twice the size of the standard Gold Twin cabins with each room offering deluxe accommodation including double or twin beds, spacious en-suite and extended room service.

While the Platinum service proudly offers the opportunity to travel in style, the Ghan also provides the less expensive Red service.

After five hours of travel, night has fallen and train supervisor Dean Duka keeps an eye out for any issues that could delay the trip, such as flooding, freight trains or technical problems.

'Anyone who saved for a long time to go on this trip would rightfully be very angry if they didn't have time for some sightseeing in Katherine or Alice Springs,' he says.

The Ghan derives its name from the Afghan cameliers who carried goods from Adelaide to Alice Springs in the 19th century and the train made its maiden journey in 1929.

Duka is relaxed on this particular day as the Ghan rolls into Alice Springs bang on time.

A lot of travellers break up their journey by spending a couple of days at Alice, which is situated in the geographic centre of Australia near the southern border of the Northern Territory. It's the perfect location for a variety of trips, including Palm Valley and Ayers Rock in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Palm Valley is the only place in Central Australia where Red Cabbage Palms survive, offering visitors a glimpse of the area's tropical past even if the region is now largely dry scrubland.

Ayers Rock, also referred to as Uluru, is another must-see location.

Situated 335 km south-west of Alice Springs, Uluru is considered sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area. It has many ancient paintings and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The local Anangu request that visitors do not climb Uluru because of its great spiritual significance and the Australian government has indicated that it will look into banning the practice.

The Ghan continues its journey in the early afternoon and reaches Adelaide the following morning.

Apart from Platinum cabins, space is restricted but the long train and comfortable lounge areas provide enough space for a stretch of the legs.

The cheapest category of tickets, meanwhile, offer the same standard of comfort as a long-haul flight in economy class, with the added bonus of seeing some of the world's most stunning landscapes out the window.

Read more about Travel