Time Magazine lists the Ghan among the world’s top 100 greatest places
Investment to improve an iconic Territory tourism experience has paid off, with nomination to a prestigious worldwide list. Read what’s happened.
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The Northern Territory’s only commercial passenger train is one of just three Australian inclusions onto a prestigious international tourism list.
Time Magazine has included the Ghan on its 2025 list of the World’s Greatest Places - the American publication’s annual listing of 100 top spots to visit on the planet this year.
Written by US-based travel writer Jessica Poitevien, the Ghan listing sings the virtues of the 3000km train route from Adelaide to Darwin, noting the vast landscape transformations in the country as the train travels south to north.
She acknowledged recent updates to the service introduced to mark its 20th anniversary last year.
Last year Journey Beyond, the Ghan’s owners, introduced a new gold premium service - described as similar to premium economy on an airline, which sits between the elite platinum service and the gold-double and single tickets at the route’s bottom tier.
The new service was singled out for praise by Ms Poitevien with the interiors including cabins, bar and dining spaces designed by Adelaide-based Woods Bagot, particularly catching her eye.
“For nearly a century, the Ghan railway has connected passengers to difficult-to-reach corners of the Australian Outback, travelling past sacred Aboriginal sites, through vast desert plains dotted with kangaroos, and to the gateway of ancient, crocodile-filled gorges,” she wrote.
“Originally the Ghan chugged between South Australia and the Red Centre only, but an extended route debuted in 2004, stretching nearly the entire length of the country from Adelaide to Darwin in the Northern Territory.
“Twenty years later, the iconic sleeper train celebrated the anniversary of its first transcontinental journey by welcoming guests to experience a new Gold Premium service.
“Launched last April, the contemporary design of Gold Premium suites and twin cabins serve as an extension of the surrounding landscapes, with cream-coloured seating, walnut timber, and polished brass detailing.
“In the exclusive lounge and dining carriages, burgundy leather banquettes and marbled tables are complemented by Aboriginal prints.
“The menu also draws inspiration from the land, with multi-course meals highlighting local ingredients and Australian beer and wine.
“Over three-or-four-day journeys, stops in Katherine, Alice Springs, and Coober Pedy allow passengers to explore the Outback via all-inclusive excursions such as a river cruise past 10,000-year-old Aboriginal rock paintings, a hike through Alice Springs Desert Park to see wallabies and other fauna, a stop at the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, and more.”
The only two other Australian destinations on the list were The Lodge Wadjemup on Rottnest Island and Bluey’s World in Brisbane.
International listings inlcude Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Shebara Resort in Saudi Arabia and the Populus building in Denver, Colorado.
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