Overview
New for 2026: Two extra-luxurious new suites, Australis and Aurora, will be available to book on The Ghan — beginning now for travel in 2026.
Australis, the larger of the two, will be three times the size of a Platinum cabin. Aurora will be twice the size of a Platinum cabin. Both suites will feature large queen beds, separate sitting areas, expansive wardrobes, and stunning ensuite bathrooms with Jurlique toiletries. Design elements will include decorative timber accents, stone masonry, iron filigree, and coved ceilings.
The suites will also include exclusive off-train experiences, Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année, personalized in-suite bars, the option to dine in your suite, an exclusive unpacking service, and more luxurious amenities. Ask us about booking one of these two new suites for travel in 2026 and beyond on our Australia Luxury Rail Extravaganza.
The Ghan’s wild history started in 1878. That year, construction began on a line from Port Augusta.
For about 50 years, until 1929, the last leg to Alice Springs was on Afghan camels. That’s how today’s train got its name – The Ghan. The Alice to Darwin “Top End” route, dreamed of for more than a century, celebrated its 14th anniversary in 2018. The service has been swamped with travelers.
It takes 48 hours—two nights on board—to travel from Adelaide to Darwin over 1,852 miles of track. The Ghan has added Platinum luxury-class service. Our “Down Under Luxury: Australia Rail Extravaganza” tour, which includes “The Ghan Expedition” itinerary, operates from March to October. Several stops along the way make this a fascinating journey.
Accommodations
All service levels include dining, beverages and off-train excursions.
Australis & Aurora Suites: New for 2026
Two extra-luxurious new suites, Australis and Aurora, will be available to book on The Ghan — beginning now for travel in 2026.
Australis, the larger of the two, will be three times the size of a Platinum cabin. Aurora will be twice the size of a Platinum cabin. Both suites will feature large queen beds, separate sitting areas, expansive wardrobes, and stunning ensuite bathrooms with Jurlique toiletries. Australis will even have a coveted double sink in the bathroom, making getting ready even breezier for couples. Design elements will include decorative timber accents, stone masonry, iron filigree, and coved ceilings.
The suites will also include exclusive off-train experiences, Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année, personalized in-suite bars, the option to dine in your suite, an exclusive unpacking service, private transfers to and from the station, and more luxurious amenities.
Platinum Service
In September 2008, the Ghan kicked off a new luxury service, limited to 24 Platinum class cabins. The same service is now being offered on Indian Pacific departures.
Each Platinum class cabin is 82.5 square feet, including private, en-suite shower, sink and toilet, which is almost twice the size of Gold Service. The cabin is converted to lounge area by day, with a moveable table and two ottomans. At night, it converts to a double (6 ft. 4 in. long by 4 ft. 7 in. wide) or twin beds (6 ft. 4 in. long by 2 ft. 3 in. wide); the interior is finished in Tasmanian Myrtle wood. Each compartment has full-size shower, vanity with storage space, mirror and oversized panoramic window.
Additional amenities for Platinum Service guests include: included transfers at the beginning and end of your journey; access to the exclusive Platinum Club for dining and socializing; option to have continental breakfast served in your room.
Gold Service
Note that we do not currently book Gold Service because of the superiority and comfort of Platinum service.
Gold Service offers three cabin options:Â Gold Suite, Gold Twin & Gold Single.
Gold Suite cabins feature a 3/4 size double bed (6 ft. 3 in. long by 3 ft. 3 in. wide) plus a fold-down upper berth (5 ft. 10 in. long by 2 ft. 6 in. wide), lounge area, minibar and full en-suite bathroom. There are a very limited number of Gold Suite cabins on each departure.
The Gold Twin cabin is a three-seater lounge area by day, converting to upper and lower sleeping berths (6 ft. 6 in. long by 2 ft. 2 in. wide) at night. These cabins also have a compact en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and toilet.
The Gold Single cabin features a twin bed (5 ft. 10 in. long by 2 ft. 2 in. wide) that converts to a seat by day. Shower/toilet facilities are shared and located at the end of each carriage.
Another great benefit: complimentary off-train excursions in Alice and other stops.
Dining
Non-Platinum Service guests have their all-inclusive meals in the Queen Adelaide restaurant cars: breakfast, two-course lunch and three-course dinner. Seasonal, local ingredients are featured.
Platinum Service guests dine in the exclusive Platinum Club car.
Lounges
The Outback Explorer Lounge is the social hub of the train — with wide picture windows, bar service and snacks served throughout the day.
The Platinum Club is exclusive for Platinum Service guests. A Platinum Host serves cocktails, barista coffee and snacks.
IRT Insights
The Ghan — especially in Platinum Class — is definitely on our list of World’s Top 25 Trains. It is part of an elite club of trans-continental train services in the world. We love the fine feeling of other-worldliness waking at dawn on The Ghan, peering out to see the desert drenched in gold.
The Ghan is so long, it must be split in two and boarding is from two platforms. At departure, the two sections are linked back together. The train is more than half a mile long. It has two locomotives and 24 carriages — and all of that won’t fit on one platform. Sometimes more carriages must be added, and that extends the consist to almost a mile. This makes it one of the longest in the world.
IRT definitely recommends Platinum Service for all the extra perks and priority service. For an even greater level of luxury and comfort, we will be recommending one of two new beautiful suites, Australis or Aurora, that will be new on the train beginning in 2026.
Great Southern Railways operates The Ghan and the Indian Pacific.