12 Luxury Train Journeys Still Operating Around the World

3. The Ghan - Crossing Australia's Red Heart

The Ghan represents one of the world's great railway adventures, traversing the entire Australian continent from Adelaide to Darwin via Alice Springs, covering nearly 3,000 kilometers through some of the most remote and spectacular landscapes on Earth. Named after the Afghan cameleers who once traversed these same routes, The Ghan offers passengers a unique opportunity to experience the vast emptiness and raw beauty of the Australian Outback in unprecedented comfort and style. The train features luxurious cabins with private bathrooms, fine dining cars serving contemporary Australian cuisine with regional specialties, and panoramic lounges where passengers can observe the ever-changing landscape of red earth, spinifex grass, and endless skies. The journey includes off-train excursions that allow passengers to explore iconic destinations such as Alice Springs and Katherine Gorge, providing insights into Aboriginal culture, pioneering history, and unique wildlife. The Ghan's route takes passengers through landscapes that few people ever see, from the wine regions of South Australia through the MacDonnell Ranges to the tropical Top End, offering a comprehensive cross-section of Australian geography and ecology. The train operates year-round, with each season offering different perspectives on this ancient landscape, making every journey a unique exploration of one of the world's last great wilderness areas.