Patricia Newell-Dunkley – Photographs Reginald J.Dunkley
Greetings from down under where cold weather is raging,
but the sun is still shining.
This is an ideal time to travel on The Ghan, one of the
world’s great journeys and travel through the heart of
Australia in absolute comfort, while enjoying all inclusive
regionally inspired cuisine, and beverages. Well appointed
cabins and Off Train excursions that allow you to connect
to the places the train travels through.
The Ghan is an Australian experiential tourism passenger
train that travels between the cities of Adelaide, Alice
Springs, and Darwin in the Adelaide-Darwin rail corridor.
Operated by Journey Beyond Rail expeditions. It takes
Fifty-four hours to travel the 2,979 kilometres with a four
hour stop-over in Alice Springs. The Ghan has been
described as one of the world’s great passenger trains and
hailed as a National Treasure.
From Adelaide to Darwin or vice versa. The Ghan showcases
the diversity of this island continents, with inclusive Off Train
experiences in Maria to witness an outback sunrise.
Alice Springs has been heralded as the artistic capital of the
Northern Territory. With more Art Galleries per population than
anywhere else in the country. Quality Aboriginal Art that
directly benefits local aboriginal people.
Visit Ayers Rock (Uluru) and enjoy the scenery of Australia’s
rugged red centre. Enjoy a unique Camel tour.
The city of Adelaide was named after Queen Adelaide, the wife
of King William IV, and was founded in 1836. It was the only
freely settled province in Australia. Adelaide has a fascinating
history and is well worth a read.
The Ghan delivers much more than a train ride. It gives access
to parts of Australia no other holiday can offer. A perfect balance
of comfort and adventure, culminating in a moving travel experience
in the outback and beyond.
Here at Shelly Beach all is well. I had a huge flock of pure white,
Yellow-crested Cockatoos in the garden, feasting on nuts from the
two pine trees in the front garden. They are very clever. There has
been a lot of birds visiting including the nightjar.
The sea is very rough at the moment, but the surfers are enjoying
the challenge.
Cheers. Patricia.
