A great way to really get to know Australia is to travel from Adelaide to Darwin. The easiest way to do this is to travel on the north-south transcontinental railway, the Adelaide-Darwin railway. The Great Southern Rail offers reasonable fares from Adelaide to Darwin and vice versa. Take the Ghan, which offers you great service, regionally-based dining, and comfortable accommodation.
Off-train journeys are available in Alice Springs and Katherine. However, if you are hoping to spend more time exploring, you can opt to break your journey at Alice Springs. The staff at BBM has picked out their top 10 things to see from Adelaide to Darwin.
Adelaide
The city of Adelaide is famous for its cultural vibe and historical architecture that is set in a beautiful backdrop of the River Torrens, the Adelaide Hills, and Gulf St. Vincent. You should spend a few days here exploring both the city and the surrounding nature.
1. ADELAIDE CENTRAL MARKET GASTRONOMIC TOUR
Take some time to meander the Adelaide Central Market which is open every Tuesday to Saturday. Here is where you can find 80+ produce stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables, along with gourmet foods. If that isn’t enough, head down to Adelaide’s Chinatown just a few blocks away.
44-60 Gouger St, Adelaide
www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au
2. RIVER TORRENS LINEAR TRAIL
Take some of the food you bought at Adelaide’s Central Market and go for a picnic at the River Torrens. The river connects Adelaide Hills to Henley Beach, and is the perfect place to relax. You can also rent paddle boats, go on a scenic cruise, or walk and jog on through the trail.
Alice Springs
Next stop is Alice Springs. The train ride from Adelaide to Alice Springs is 1,559km and takes around 25 hours.
3. ALICE SPRINGS ABORIGINAL ART AND CULTURE CENTRE
Alice Springs is the Aboriginal Art capital of Australia and is home to many Aboriginal artists. There are countless art galleries to visit and stores where you can purchase artwork. Alice Springs Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre is only one of many that offer several tours around the area. Here you can learn more about the local Aboriginal culture, music, and other traditions.
70-92 Todd St, Alice Springs
www.aboriginalart.com.au
4. FINKE GORGE NATIONAL PARK
Finke Gorge National Park is a wilderness reserve protecting the Finke River and is a great day trip from Alice Springs. Finke River is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the world, and here you will see ancient landscapes and Aboriginal sites. Between the gorgeous views of the sandstone hills, the waterholes and the tall palm trees, you will be in constant awe of your surroundings.
Alice Springs NT
www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/parks/find/finkegorge
From Alice Springs, you can also take day trips to Uluru and Kings Canyon.
5. ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is home of the Central Australian desert, where you will find millions of years old red rocks and domes. Experiences include watching the sunset over the landscape, exploring the surrounding waterholes, and learning about the local wildlife.
Related to You; Uluru Tours and Uluru Tours from Darwin
Lasseter Highway, Uluru NT
www.parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru
6. AYERS ROCK RESORT
Ayers Rock Resort is next door to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Here you can take classes in local art, listen to an Indigenous storyteller, and have the opportunity to dine under the stars while watching Aboriginal dance at the Sound of Silence.
www.ayersrockresort.com.au
7. KINGS CANYON
Kings Canyon offers the breath taking scenery of the red rocks as well. Whether you go for a sunrise hike, bike around the area, or fly over the canyon on a helicopter tour you will get to have a personal experience with the ancient land of Australia.
Darwin
Take the train from Alice Springs to Darwin to continue your adventure in Australia. Darwin is the perfect city with a tropical setting and plenty of cultural activities year-round.
8. CROCODYLUS PARK
Visit Crocodylus park to learn more about the 35-year research and conservation program for crocodiles. Here you can feed the crocodiles, hold a baby crocodile, and explore the World Class Crocodile Museum.
McMillans Rd, Knuckey Lagoon NT
www.crocodyluspark.com.au
9. MUSEUM & ART GALLERY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
This free museum offers exhibits ranging from Aboriginal art, dot paintings of the desert, carvings from Tiwi Island, and other crafts and art from nearby islands.
Conacher St, Darwin NT
www.nt.gov.au/magnt
10. BICENTENNIAL PARK
Also known as The Esplanade, Bicentennial Park runs from Darwin’s waterfront all the way to Lameroo Beach. It is the perfect place to take a relaxing walk and is open 24/7. Stop by the Northern Territory Parliament House to see the newest government building or Doctor’s Gully to feed the aquascene fish. There are often major festivals located here so check online to see if any happen to be on the same dates.
Darwin NT
The wide range of activities is the ultimate combination to understanding the historical, environmental, and urban settings of Australia.
www.greatsouthernrail.com.au