The Ghan

The Ghan
The Ghan at Alice Springs in July 2015
Overview
Service typeTranscontinental passenger rail
StatusOperating
LocaleAustralia
First service1929
Current operator(s)Journey Beyond
Former operator(s)Commonwealth Railways
Australian National
Websitewww.journeybeyondrail.com.au  
Route
TerminiAdelaide Parklands Terminal
Darwin
Distance travelled2,979 km (1,851 mi)
Average journey time52 hours 30 minutes (average)
Service frequencyWeekly
Line(s) usedAdelaide–Darwin rail corridor
On-board services
Seating arrangementsAll in roomette/twinette compartments
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Auto-rack arrangementsYes
Observation facilitiesNo dome car
Entertainment facilitiesPiano
Technical
Rolling stockCommonwealth Railways stainless steel carriage stock
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Average length774 m (2,539 ft)[1]
Route map
Darwin
Katherine
Alice Springs
Marla
Coober Pedy
Adelaide

The Ghan (/ɡæn/)[2] is an experiential tourism-oriented passenger train service that operates between the northern and southern coasts of Australia, through the cities of Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin on the Adelaide–Darwin rail corridor. Operated by Journey Beyond, its scheduled travelling time, including extended stops for passengers to do off-train tours, is 53 hours 15 minutes to travel the 2,979 kilometres (1,851 mi).[3][4] The Ghan has been described as one of the world's greatest passenger trains.[5][6]

  1. ^ "About The Ghan". Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Ghan". ABC Pronounce. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 March 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Trainline 6 Statistical Report" (PDF). Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics. 2018. p. 108. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  4. ^ Timetables Archived 12 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Great Southern Rail
  5. ^ "TrainReview's guide to The Ghan". Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020..
  6. ^ Malathronas, John (8 December 2015). "11 of the world's most luxurious train journeys". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.