Saturday January 26, 2008
The Ghan in a nutshell
By SONJA MUSTAFFA
Australia’s longest transcontinental train, The Ghan, travels between Adelaide and Darwin twice a week, at an average speed of 85km to 115km per hour.
Along the way the landscape changes from red desert sands and spinifex grass in Central Australia to lush greenery dotted with great ant castles in the Top End (Northern Territory). The train also crosses the Finke River, the oldest river in the world, which fills up only twice a century.
The Ghan was named in honour of the Afghan cameleers who contributed sweat and tears to the building of the railways, Overland Telegraph Line in 1872, outback towns and pastoral settlements.
The introduction of automobiles made the cameleers redundant. Many returned to Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Kashmir, Sind, Rajastan, Egypt, Persia, Turkey and Punjab (although they were collectively called Afghans) while their camels were set free.
The Ghan has two accommodation classes: the Gold Kangaroo Service comes with Twin Cabins that convert from a small lounge by day to upper and lower sleeping berths by night, Single Cabins that contain a lounge chair, stool and a fold-down bed, and the Deluxe Cabin, which has a twin bed and additional fold down bed.
The Red Kangaroo Service comes with Twin Sleepers and Daynighter Seats. Peak travel season is from May to July.
There is currently a promotion for Malaysian travellers at www.explorersway.com. For more information, visit www.australia.com. To view train accommodation visit http://www.holidaysallover.com.au/trains/great_train_journeys/ghan/accommodation.html
Related Stories:
Adelaide’s attractions
RSS
