‘If we could put a final signature arrival as part of that journey, or departure, that would really round out the experience’: Hospitality boss says the Ghan to come into the city

A local industry leader has a vision to bring The Ghan into Darwin City, as a way to further capitalise on the iconic train and give passengers the welcome and send-off they deserve.

IMAGINE it – a rush of red across the CBD skyline, heads turning at an incoming whistle signalling the arrival of one of the world’s most famous trains into a bright and tropical terminus.

This is the vision Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce has to bring The Ghan into Darwin City, as a way to further capitalise on the iconic train and give passengers the welcome and send-off they deserve.

The Ghan currently departs and arrives at the Darwin Berrimah Terminal at industrial hub East Arm.

According to Ghan operator Journey Beyond’s website, the terminus has limited facilities with no cafe, newsagent, shower facilities and/or ATMs. Mr Bruce said the current terminus was not fit to effectively represent Darwin and the Top End.

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“Ideally you’d use the existing rail corridor to get them as close to Darwin CBD as possible,” he said. “And you would build a terminal in the tropical style of the Supreme Court and Parliament, and it would heavily feature local Indigenous cultural content so that it’s a destination in its own right.

“Then when The Ghan rolls in, what an amazing gateway to and welcome to Darwin and the Top End.”

Mr Bruce said by bringing The Ghan into the city, it could have further economic benefits for Darwin. “It will make them more favourable to open their wallets and spend more money,” he said.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce suggested the old rail corridor could still be used. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“It is already a fantastic product. It showcases some of the best the Territory has to offer and there’s a lot of packaging off the sides of it with accommodation and flights and restaurants.

“We just feel like if we could put a final signature arrival as part of that journey, or departure, that would really round out the experience.”

Mr Bruce said while it was a proposal that would take time and money to realise, Darwin regardless needed to explore how it better projects itself to domestic and international tourists.

A federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications spokesman said the commonwealth would consider any funding proposals if received.

“The Australian government would consider any funding proposal for the Adelaide-Darwin rail corridor through the budget processes, should the Northern Territory government identify it as a priority,” he said.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner was “all for ideas” to grow Darwin’s economy and make it an increasingly world-class place to live. “Investment in additional or better amenity for passengers at The Ghan terminal is something that could be considered but people don’t spend much time there and our priority remains getting passengers to their accommodation and accessing our restaurants, shops and enjoying all that Darwin has to offer,” he said.

Journey Beyond was contacted for comment.

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Originally published as ‘If we could put a final signature arrival as part of that journey, or departure, that would really round out the experience’: Hospitality boss says the Ghan to come into the city