The Ghan experience | Alice Springs to Darwin | Gold Service review
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- Step aboard The Ghan for the second part of the 2979km trip from Adelaide to Darwin. Today's video begins in Australia's Red Centre - Alice Springs. We travel in Gold Service for this incredible experience. Find out what the cabin is like, see highlights from the journey and see a selection of the silver service meals on offer.
The Ghan is the world's longest passenger train (excluding trains that also feature freight cars, such as the Auto Train in the USA). Today's train has 36 carriages hauled by two NR class diesels and is 902m long.
This is the second of two videos documenting my experience on The Ghan. Watch the first video, from Adelaide to Alice Springs, here:
• The Ghan - taking Aust...
This video was filmed 19-20 October 2020 when there was no community transmission of COVID-19 in South Australia and the Northern Territory, so face masks were not required. A range of measures were in place on the train to minimise health risks including pre departure temperature checks and reduced capacities in the dining and lounge cars. Passengers were seated in a checkerboard layout in the dining car.
The Ghan is operated by Journey Beyond Expeditions.
The Ghan fares and timetable:
journeybeyondrail.com.au/gues...
🚉 Train: The Ghan
🚉 Operator: Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions
🚉 Locomotives: Two NR class diesels (NR75, NR109) operated by Pacific National
🚉 Cabin: C4
🚉 Route: Alice Springs railway station - Darwin Berrimah Terminal
🚉 Distance: 1420km
🚉 Train number: 1AD8
🚉 Class: Gold Service twin cabin, single occupancy (originally booked as Gold Service single cabin)
🚉 Travel dates: 19-20 October 2020
EQUIPMENT:
🚉 Camera: GoPro Hero 8, GoPro Hero 6 and iPhone XR
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Gold Service twin cabin tour
02:50 Dining times and excursions
03:15 Departing Alice Springs
04:10 Outback Explorer Lounge
05:00 Turn down service
05:25 Dinner
05:47 Day 2
06:27 Breakfast
06:42 Approaching Katherine
07:07 Katherine and Nitmiluk Gorge
08:29 External view of train
09:18 Departing Katherine
10:12 Lunch
10:34 Overview and thoughts
12:22 Adelaide River
13:55 Approaching Darwin
14:27 Darwin Berrimah Terminal, pros and cons
Image credits:
The Ghan route map: Bidgee, CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Map of the five lines comprising the Adelaide-Darwin rail corridor:
SCHolar44, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Photo of Adelaide River Railway Station:
Reinhard Dietrich, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Soundtrack:
Know Myself by Patrick Patrikios (CZcams Music Library)
It took me 54 hours in a bus back in 1986, Adelaide to Darwin...I'm still sufferiing from that journey.
Wow! That’s a long time on a bus! 😵💫
I went from Melb to Manjimup in WA ,it took me forever to get over that too.Train travel is the best imo
That's a long time it takes 9 hours on bus from Shepparton Victoria to Adelaide south Australia and back again
As a poor student I did a return Melbourne to Perth in 1994 with Greyound when they offered the service, only a couple of hours in Adelaide, along with rest stops in Bordertown, Ceduna, Kalgoorlie and who-knows-where on the Nullarbor to break it up.
I’d say that was around 48 hours, and just a book, my Walkman, an occasional VHS film on the TV and some temporary travel-friends to chat to. I’d also add that the night sky in the desert was captivating.
The only long coach ride I ever took after that was an eight hour trip from New Orleans to Dallas seven years later.
I’d say that’s what really kicked off my passion for flying and trains. 😅
Just imagine what the hippy trail back in the 60s and 70s would have been.
I’ll probably not get back to Australia after having taken the Indian Pacific and touring the country in 1990, but this south-to-north traverse was a wonderful reminder of the scale and dryness of the continent. Spending time in Alice Springs was a unique highlight and your advice to spend a week there was good. Thank you for your videos!
Thanks so much!
Very good review, at no point was I bored watching this, 10/10
Thank you so much! :)
I really enjoyed watching Parts 1 and 2 of this journey. Very interesting and well presented. I felt like I was on the train at times as I felt so relaxed.Thanks. I love the Aussie names like Darling and Murray Rivers and Katherine,great. And Alice Springs of course.
So glad you enjoyed it - thank you!
Thk u, awesome video, informative and succinct... for both part 1 & 2. Really helped with our research. 👍🙂❗
Thanks so much!
The cabin interior looks better in this one. I like the wood color. It gives a lavish impression.
Ah right - interesting. I preferred the lighter one. I guess it all depends on personal preferences. ;)
kerja dimana mas. aussie?
@@cherb6261 Hi. I work for a university in South Australia.
@@FromtheWindowSeat wow i typed indonesian language and you understand it. appreciate that. Very Good Job. good on you
@@cherb6261 Thank you! I used Google Translate. ;)
Great vlog,I had the chance to do this trip back in 2013 as a 50th birthday present to my self,really enjoyed it,in those days I has a single cabin.I want to do it again but in a bigger cabin.
Thank you! Sounds great. 😃
Thank you for part two of your gorgeous trip! 🇺🇸🇦🇺🇺🇸🇦🇺🇺🇸🇦🇺🇺🇸🇦🇺
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Loved both parts of this trip. There is a reason that most guests are of the wise age group, the price!!! Given lve had to spend the best part of 2020 living off my Superannuation because well Melbourne!! I do hope someday l will be able to enjoy such a beautiful part of Australia and in such a luxurious mode of travel. Thanks for sharing. 👍
Thank you so much. Yes, it is very expensive. I wasn’t planning to take this trip until many years into the future but then the pandemic happened and I had to cancel an overseas trip. It was awesome to see so many incredible places in my own country. 😍
Unfortunately it’s so expensive to see our own country.
It’s a crying shame that most Aussies have seen more of overseas than our own country.
Thank you for this awesome and captivating video! It's great to see something before deciding on a trip like this. I'm thinking Alice to Darwin would suit me. I appreciate the level of detail in your videos and seeing the scenery from the passenger's perspective. Thanks again! 🇦🇺🪃🐨
Hi Georgina. That’s great to hear. I’m sure you’ll love The Ghan. 😊
Just found your channel. The video presentation is top notch. Subscribed.
The Ghan is more of a relaxed holiday experience rather than just from A to B. On my bucket list along with the Indian Pacific.
I sleep like a log on trains no matter the rocking or noise.
Thank you so much! Yes, the journey really is part of the holiday. Happy travels!
Hey Mate, really good video. I can see you have put a lot of effort in editing. Waiting for more content
Thank you! Really appreciate that!
Wish I was there instead of being stuck in dismal lockdown in the UK, the Ghan looks fun 🙂
You guys are doing good with vaccinations so hopefully you'll have freedom soon! :)
These two Ghan videos were fantastic. Thanks so much for making them.
Thank you! Really appreciate that. I enjoyed making them. ☺️
@MichaelKingsfordGray Eh?
Loved your 2 videos @fromthewindowseat
What an incredible experience, would do it again!
Gorgeous trains, thanks for the video.
Thank you!
Thanks for this. Excellent attention to detail and honest.
👍
Awww - thank you! :)
Glad you went to King's Canyon on your trip. I went in 2006 and it was simply mind-blowing!
Yes, I loved it. 😍
Extremely well made vlog. Loved your commentary. 👍👍
Awww. Thank you so much! ☺️
Really enjoyed your trip thank you.
Thank you!
Really enjoyed it Adam! I can't wait for Sunday!
That's great - thank you! Hope you love it too. Look forward to your vlog!
These videos are wonderful. You do such an amazing job and they are so informative. Thank you.
Brilliant to hear. Thank you!
an amazing journey!
It was! :)
What an adventure!!!! Love to do that in near future. Thanks for sharing, great video✌️🍺
It was! Hope you get to experience it! :)
Fascinating excursion. Would love to ride the Aussie Rail!!
It was - you definitely should! :)
Absolutely loved this Ghan series...
Thank you. So happy to hear that. ☺️
@@FromtheWindowSeat I really enjoy these videos
@@tobiojo3875 Awesome. 😊
Nice trip, some good scenery!
Thank you. Yes, it was very enjoyable.
Great content! Thank you for putting these together mate!
Thank you! Glad you liked them! Editing them was quite fun ... I sort of relived the experience. ☺️
Thank you for a very enjoyable and informative video.
Thank you. I enjoyed making it. :)
Fantastic
Very well detailed
Thanks Adam
So good to hear - thank you!
I loved both your videos
Thank you so much!
Beautiful video with so much information 👍
Glad you liked it. Thank you!
This video is so awesome and amazing
Thank you so much!
Very well put together.Great insight to the trip..
Awww. Thank you! Very kind. ☺️
thank you so much l
Great vlog!
Thank you!
Thanks Adam. I enjoyed your journey. Cheers. Barry
Thanks Barry. Great to hear that.
Fantastic Presentation bro
Thank you! Cheers!
A very nice experience you are lucky to be going places enjoy your stay and all the best for future journeys
Thank you! Yes, I certainly appreciate travel more than ever. :)
Heaven on the earth is Australia 🇦🇺🌎🌏
Thank you!
Brilliant😃
Thank you!
Enjoyed the videos part 1 and 2
Thank you!
excellent...
Many many thanks ☺️
I'm always injoy while watching you vlog nice and good
Thank you 😊
Really enjoyable vlog. I wouldve thought the rocking of the carriage would put you to sleep, but anyway ,really enjoyed it.
Thank you! Yeah - you’d think so but I’m a light sleeper at the best of times. 🤓
It's always been a dream of mine, thank you. One thing you left out was: what did the kangaroo and crocodile taste like? Did you like it? Would you eat them again? 😇😊🙂😁
I've had kangaroo quite a few times (my dad cooks it on the barbecue and I always enjoy it - it's a very lean, red meat). Crocodile was okay but not particularly flavourful so glad I tried it but probably wouldn't have it again.
There is not much flavor in either meat.
John from London…..I did the adalaid to Alice spring part……loved it!
Hi John - hope you're enjoying the British summer! Yes, it's a great trip. :)
Only discovered your channel today.Looks great.I expect you'll get many subscribers as others become aware of it.
Thank you so much! I hope so! 🤞
Bravo
Cheers!
Hi, good day!
How're U going?
I'm Tomeaki Kyooka, from Japan.
I've already watched your journeys Aderaide-AliceSprings in this You-Tube.
It's great.
And now watching this video of your journeys AliceSprings-Darwin.
You seem you enjoy your journeys on the trains.
Very nice.
I usually take the flights.
But it was great to take the trains from Shanghai China to Hamburg Germany via Beijing, the trans Siberian railway, UlanBator, Moscow, Kiev and Berlin; and the Canadian of VIA RAIL from Montreal to Vancouver.
I'd like take the Ghan and Indian-Pacific in the future.
Thanks for your nice video.
Where are you going to next?
Hi. I'm well thank you. Yes, I do very much enjoy travelling by train ... I've liked trains since I was a child. I would love to try the Trans Siberian and VIA RAIL in Canada. Hopefully one day! Australians are currently not allowed to travel internationally because of COVID-19 ... we can only travel to New Zealand. My next trip will hopefully be on the Queensland Tilt Train from Brisbane to Rockhampton but it depends on border restrictions. Because there have been COVID-19 outbreaks in Australia some state borders are closed, meaning we cannot travel freely. Fingers crossed the situation improves. :)
@@FromtheWindowSeat
Yeah, me too.
I have also liked the trains.
Right, I hear the international borders have been still closed.
The things problem is this pandemic.
I wish if everyone in the world were vaccinated and this crazy pandemic to calm down ASAP.
Thanks for ur replying.
Have a nice weekend.
fantastic Sir
Thank you!
I would like to do this trip it looks great,such a fine Train and it looks good. A fun trip.
@@brucekilby9957 Yes, I definitely recommend it. 😊
Going on the trip in the next couple of weeks, thanks for a great video. 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃
Excellent. Hope you enjoy it! 😊
Ive taken Both Ghan and Indian Pacific twice each..I feel a lot comfy with Ghan actually but Indian Pacific food is just greater
Based on the current rate listings for the base service he obtained on this trip, it cost about $2,600 US (apparently one-way for both legs). For a slowish train trip through mostly desert-prairie over the course of less than 3 days, with basic meals of no great "wow" about them except for the deserts, snacks, and a rail car features which look fairly average by 1950s standards and a track surface which is just poor and uncomfortable, that price is just amazing. Amtrak is looking a lot better already.
Ah right - I didn't know that. Cheers.
Interesting- I’ve watched a lot of videos of the Ghan and there are Americans on the comments who say the opposite.
A matter of opinion I suppose.
Hopefully One day I wanna travel In Sha Allah
Exactly. God be willing.
@@wendellwhite5797 In Sha Allah I want to see it with my naked eyes and travel too enjoy the best is I want.
Good Job
Thank you!
When I was on sleepers, I hated when I had to sit backwards. Train companies don't care when they couple up a sleep coach to the main consist. Very disappointed anytime when it happens to me.
Fair enough.
Questioning your sleep experience, I wonder if the orientation of the bed makes a difference? I find that train cars tend to roll back and forth along the centre axis of the train. I find that if I can lie in the direction of travel, I sleep better, rolling with the sway tucking my backside against the wall .
Yes, that may be the case. It would be interesting to compare. The Platinum Class beds are positioned like that ... but they are a lot more expensive.
journeybeyondrail.com.au/guest-information/service-levels/platinum-service/
Better watching your utube channel than the junk on tv lol..very good mate. Job well done. 👍
Awesome to hear. thank you!
Great video, I like this train! Now I'm not sure, if I've seen this video or if it was the first part .. Btw. I saw Paul Stewart also traveled on this train :-)
Haha. Well you definitely commented on part one so I think you’ve seen both now. 🤣
Yes, Paul was messaging me asking a few questions before he set off. ☺️
@@FromtheWindowSeat Yes, I'm glad I saw the second part. It's good that Paul saw your video :-) I think you deserve more viewers, your content is very interesting and your videos are very well made! :-)
@@PeteBrandy Awww. Thank you! ☺️
Have read other reviews of the Ghan that also complained about difficulty sleeping, which would be a red flag for me as a light sleeper.
Yes, fair enough.
Love your videos. Seeing as you are a rail buff you should take a journey in India once
Thank you! I am keen to visit one day. ☺️
The only negative is there is no open air observation car/area that you get in north American luxury train travel. It looks a tiny bit claustrophobic, but still an amazing looking trip.
Cheers.
Yes, an observation car or a carriage with an outdoor deck would be great (although in Australia the heat can be quite oppressive in summer). Thanks for watching!
@@FromtheWindowSeat ooff! Yeah, forgot the outback heat.
Very good point.
Air conditioning GOOD.
Blazing desert BAD.
Cheers.
Nice Video My Friend 😊
Glad you liked it! :)
@@FromtheWindowSeat please Support Me visit my
I’d love the motion and sound of the train at night. Would sleep like a baby 😴
Great if that works for you. :)
I would love to ride on that train 👍
Yes, it’s a wonderful experience.
nope wasn't on second video either Tennant Creek stop but you could be right it might be early morning
Cheers!
2:35 Can the top bunk be lowered while the bottom is left as seating? And can you wind the window down?
Yes, I think you can lower the top bunk with the seating still there, but you will probably have to duck a bit - although the staff normally do that for you so I haven't tried. You can open and close the blinds but now the window - the train is fully airconditioned.
This time next week 2nd October
I'm going on this more for the experience and yes I wont get sleep lol
Wonderful! Enjoy!
I watched both you video and they were fantastic. One question is there room for your bags in the cabins or do you have to only bring a small of carry on luggage
Thank you! They recommend you check larger bags in and only bring smaller cabin type bags aboard but you can fit a moderate suitcase if you prefer.
Many thanks for uploading this - the second cabin you had (the older one) had really dirty and heavily scratched windows? Did it bother you at all? :)
I don’t think they were as dirty as they looked. The GoPro really emphasis the scratches. All the windows are cleaned in Alice Springs before departure. They were fine. 👍
@@FromtheWindowSeat Good to know as it would actually put me off! Thank you :)
I’d like to see how the platinum class accommodation is please
Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to see inside Platinum Class but Paul Stewart did get to see inside a cabin in his video:
czcams.com/video/wGiXnz7TapU/video.html
Looks more like punishment than pleasure😮
😂😂😂
Time to do a indian Pacific video now keep up the good work
Ha! Thanks! Might need a while to save up the funds for the IP! 😜
@@FromtheWindowSeat I hope it wills happen one day as a driver of these trains it's great to see a customers point of view
@@lethalleigh29 Awesome. So jealous! Driving these incredible locomotives would be incredible! 😻
Is Darwin so built up that the train terminal is 18 kms away? Great trip.
My understanding is that the last bit would have cost tens of millions of dollars for a railway that would only be used twice a week (as freight would go to the port, where the current terminal is), so they decided it couldn't be justified.
It’s a shame Darwin and surrounds don’t have good public transport- it’s a place that definitely requires a car to get around anywhere from everyone I’ve spoken to that lives there.
Hi! Loved the video. Just wondering if you travelled solo, and how the experience was if so?
Thank you - lovely to hear that! I was travelling solo - although I did know a couple of people travelling in Platinum, but there's a higher class so I only saw them when we got off the train in Katherine. I really enjoyed it - and there were always people in the lounge car if you wanted to have a chat. I ended up playing a game of cards with one group of travellers and chatted to various people I was sat with or near in the dining car. :)
I got to see the Ghan in katherine
Oh cool. Our stop in Katherine was incredible. :)
Hi. Curious to know. Did you do the Outback Spirit tour when you departed the train in Part 1 at Alice Springs. If so, what were your thoughts?
Hi Greg. I was on the Territory Complete package. I don’t think it was the Outback Spirit tour … I think it was APT and included Uluṟu and Kings Canyon. The tours were great and the scenery spectacular.
@@FromtheWindowSeat thanks for replying. I have booked an Outback Spirit tour. They are owned by Journey Beyond Rail, so the booking is all in one. It’s verrrry expensive but I figure it’s a once in a lifetime experience so….
Did you have to pay twice for breaking your journey? or was it one price because you continued your journey to Darwin so a Full Fare 1 way Adelaide to Darwin or 2 fares?
I purchased the ticket as part of a holiday package that included Uluru and Kings Canyon so it wasn’t a standard fare.
bet you were glad to get the hell out of Alice.
Actually I liked Alice. I’d heard bad things, and there are obviously some social issues, but I felt relatively safe and found it quite interesting.
Any pros and cons of USB charging of camera equipment in Cabins?
No, all fine. Just make sure you have enough USB adapter plugs. 👍
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thank You.
The compartments looks very narrow which I would feel I would spend must of my time in lounge or dining carriages.
Yes, you end up spending a lot of time in the lounge and dining cars. 😊
I’ve lived in Darwin my entire life and I had no idea we even had a train here 💀💀
In that case you are dead.
Ha! Well know you know. :)
Maybe that's because the terminus is so far out of town. I'm looking forward to enjoying this journey one day soon.
Great commentary Adam.But no Ghan for me claustrophobia would engulf me.
Fair enough. Thank you!
Can you tell me whether the trains have a cafe car, where you can get a sandwich or a salad, rather than a full meal?
There’s not a cafe as such. There’s a lounge car, which has snacks. And the dining car can cater to most dietary requirements if you let them know in advance. I’m sure they could make a salad on request.
The audio is not stable. It gets louder and quiter from time to time. The video quality is extremely good.
Sorry about that - I tried my best.
Can you tell me whether the rail cars are renovated Budd cars?
I don’t believe so. They are former Commonwealth Railways carriages but yes, they look similar from the outside.
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thank you!
is smoking allowed in the cabin ?
No. Smoking is not allowed on any train, bus or plane in Australia.
I'm from Canada. I would love to go on this rail journey.
Yes, you absolutely should once the borders reopen! :)
Rocky Mountaineer is on the bucket list as well!
@@interceptor7905 Oh yes, that’s on my bucket list too. 👍
美麗的
Thank you!
How much was the trip if you don’t mind me asking?
So I booked it as a two-week package including Alice Springs, Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kakadu. This is the tour:
journeybeyondrail.com.au/packages/the-territory-complete-2020-21/
I can't remember the exact price but it was around $7000 (it's cheaper if you book in advance and travel with someone else as twin-share).
Aus Flight Channel thank u
Wow! I spent a 6 weeks in Europe in summer 2016 for less than this costs! Wonderful history and beautiful surrounds. Interior looks a little dated and no wifi?
Still I really enjoyed your videos of the trip, I'm not much of a train enthusiast but I know people who are
@@debbieanne7962 Yep. I was meant to go to Japan, which may have ended up around a similar price, but of course Australians couldn’t travel internationally (and even interstate travel was complicated) in 2020. Thank you! I didn’t find it dated. Sure, it could be more modern but the accommodation is comfortable and sort of fits the journey. I’m glad there’s no wifi. It’s good to go off grid! 🤓😉
It's a pity the food portions are so poshly small. Don't they serve proper food?
This was an afternoon flight. If the flight had been a bit later I would have been served dinner which is generally more substantial and with a salad etc.
The food looks like ALL snacks to me! Very arty farty, but if you're paying that much money , why can't you have just a decent filling single course meal?
Because it’s fine dining and part of the experience. 🤷♂️
I get your point but with many courses they don’t need to be big
What is that at the 12:15 mark?
I think it's some sort of storage shed - possibly associated with a farm but I'm not sure.
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thank you...Cheers from the States!
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thanks! Cheers from The States!
It's a joke the operating costs of those locos
Yes, they’re very expensive.
The meals look very small
Well they are silver service restaurant style - so yes, the servings aren't huge. But when you have three courses, almost three times a day, it's more than enough. And if you're really hungry you can get snacks in the lounge car. ;)
You can travel half way around the world for two people for the price of this train, for what, a rip off, go overseas and get value for money...
Well if you’re Australian you can’t go overseas. We are banned from travelling overseas (unless you get granted an exemption) because of the pandemic.
There are plenty of amazing of things to discover in your own backyard. Australia is a wonderful country 😊
THE PRICE IS TO HIGH....
@@adrianho60 It’s expensive, yes. But I was meant to go to Japan in 2020 ... seeing that I couldn’t, I decided to do this instead. It was always on my bucket list ... just had imagined it would be many years into the future.
Entire Australia is deserted
No, only the middle. More than 80 per cent of Australians live in coastal areas (that you don't see much of on this journey).
ha,. ha,. = question ?? =do you make your bed at HOME ??= LUV YOUR VIDEOS= elizabeth nz xox
I do. Thank you.
The funniest thing about the menu is " sourced from local produce" .. I laughed my turds and farted out loud when it was crocodile tail and salt water Barramundi .. in central Australia near Alice Springs !!!
I guess "local" is a big place in Straya. What about the wichity grubs and sand devils. This menu is good for $$$, but a laughing stock for anyone with any idea of central Australian "produce".
Not wanting to be nasty but most of the video is lovely, the comedy is too much especially if you know Australia.
As you say, local is a relative term. Glad I could provide some comedy material. 😅