| | | ||||||||||||
ghan outback tour train |
| ||||||||||||
|
lead topics Discount travel in Europe
Discount travel in the UK
Steaming to the South Rim
Canada's peak experience
An ultimate Highland fling
On top of the world
Tracking across the USA
Vancouver to the Maritimes
Through the Red Centre
London-Paris/Brussels
Crossing Europe in style.
South Africa 2010
| |
ghan drives through the outback...
past alice springs to darwin  Australia's Ghan tour train cuts through the Outback's Red Centre enroute to the tropical north.  Long the ultimate train to nowhere... the Outback's "train to Alice" has extended its reach. Since early 2004, Australia's fabled Ghan has ushered passengers across the continent's torrid Red Centre and onto the tropical Northern Territory coast, half a continent away. The new route -- Adelaide to Alice Springs to Darwin -- opens up intriguing travel possibilities for the timid tourist and adventurous traveler alike.The route's role in Australian life predates the Ghan... and the train's name recalls the matted trekway, over which Afghan camel trains hauled goods prior to modern railways. The the Ghan's historic rail path is riddled with broken promises. For nearly a century, the harsh Outback stood between Aussie engineers and the nation's dream of a transcontinental rail line stretching north from Adelaide to Darwin. The goal was partially realized in the 1920s, when the original line was built through South Australia and onto Alice Springs. A corresponding northern leg was partially-built and eventually abandoned. The railway underwent significant rerouting in mid-century but construction of the Darwin connection was deferred until the 1990s. Then, the AustralAsia Railway Corporation (AARC) was created to oversee development of the Central Australian Railway (CAR). Today's Ghan tracks the CAR's full 1850-mi/2980-km length in 48 hours. The railway itself "completes" the national rail network by providing interconnectivity among all of Australia's major cities and strengthening Darwin's role as a Pacific gateway. The journey's added length has enhanced the Ghan's already legendary appeal. Over two days, guests experience the dewy hillsides of the south, the dusty burnt rouges of the red centre, and the breezy northern tropics. Desert Park nature discovery and Katherine Gorge experience tours are among the tours and indigeneous cultural experiences offered en route. The Ghan's variety of accommodations can serve the most discerning travel party or the most casual backpacking troop. From the welcoming champagne toast, "Gold Kangaroo" guests are pampered with deluxe array of services and amenities. Elegant cabins convert from cozy sleepers to comfortable day lounges. Australian cuisine and wines highlight the entrain menu and the clubby bar/lounge sets the social pace. "Red Kangaroo" guests choose between sleeper cabin or Daynighter recliner and have access to both Diner/Buffet car and lounge. Beyond the Ghan's signature itinerary and services exist a number of attractive add-ons. Opportunities for off-track exploration include car rental which may be arranged for all destinations and MotoRail services enabling guests travel with car in tow. Great Southern Railway facilitates timely rail connections by Indian Pacific from Melbourne or Overlander from Sydney. Hotel coach transfer is available in Darwin. abc.net.au, 13 March 2007
thestandard.com.hk, 10 March 2007
baltimoresun.com, 04 February 2007
al.com, 21 January 2007
abc.net.au, 07 August 2006
abc.net.au, 26 May 2006
abc.net.au, 11 April 2006
By Michael Corder, iol.co.za, 11 April 2006
ABC News, 11 April 2006
iol.co.za, 22 February 2006
The Australian, 18 February 2006
Advertiser, 18 October 2005
abc.net.au, 17 October 2005
ETravelBlackboard, 26 July 2005
abc.net.au, 25 July 2005
Observer, 24 July 2005
Globe & Mail, 19 May 2005
News.com.au, 06 May 2005
abc.net.au, 01 February 2005
NineMSN, 20 October 2004
Chronicle, 05 September 2004
abc.net.au, 27 June 2004
TravelVideo.tv, 10 June 2004
iol.co.za,15 March 2004
The Observer, 07 March 2004
abc.net.au, 06 February 2004
abc.net.au, 04 February 2004
abc.net.au, 03 February 2004
abc.net.au, 03 February 2004
abc.net.au, 03 February 2004
bbc.co.uk, 03 February 2004
CNN, 02 February 2004
The Star, 02 February 2004
guardian.co.uk, 02 February 2004
smh.com.au, 02 February 2004
Taipai Times, 01 February 2004
CNN International, 01 February 2004
Mid-Day, 19 January 2004
Sunday Mail, 18 January 2004
Living Abroad Magazine, 16 January 2004
abc.net.au, 16 January 2004
abc.net.au, 15 January 2004
home presspoints leadtopics faq privacy policy link up site map Train Traveling and TrainTraveling.com. © 2001-2008 All rights reserved. Contact: traintraveling@usa.com
| | ||||||||||
