Great Southern Rail

Want to see more of Australia along the way? Just whistle!

There’s nothing quite like the magic and the romance of a relaxing train holiday. So when we pass through such amazing destinations, it’s only natural you might want to explore and discover a little more of the local attractions. Which is why our Whistle Stop Tours are such a great opportunity. They are specially designed to fit in with the train timetable so even if you only have a short time off the train, you’ll still have the opportunity to take in some of the area’s best sights. So why not take the time to look through the fantastic tours on offer and make the most of your chance to see some of the spectacular attractions of Australia’s Red Centre, Katherine Region and Darwin.

THE RED CENTRE REALLY IS THE CENTRE OF IT ALL.

While the Red Centre is world famous for the magnificent Uluru, the area has much, much more to offer – and the city of Alice Springs is right at the centre of it all. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing and comfortable tour of the Alice’s highlights or something slightly more adventurous like a helicopter tour, there are plenty of exciting ways for you to spend your time in Alice Springs.

ESSENTIAL ALICE SPRINGS TOUR

This tour enables you to see up to five of Alice Springs’ best highlights in the time you have available. You’ll travel to and from town by luxury coach and hear a brief history on Alice Springs before enjoying guided tours and entry to all the major attractions. The Royal Flying Doctor Service, National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame and Telegraph Station will give you a unique insight into life in outback Australia. The Reptile Centre is a great way to experience some of the local wildlife and the views from Anzac Hill make for a wonderful photo opportunity.

ALICE WANDERER

This tour is a great way to discover Alice Springs at your leisure and choose the attractions you would most like to see. Simply hop on and off the shuttle as it makes its way along the loop from one attraction to the next while the experienced guide tells you everything you need to know. There are gardens, museums, galleries, historic destinations and many more. The 70 minute shuttle loop allows enough time for you to get off and visit two attractions. Or you could always  take in the guided tour from the comfort of the shuttle then visit one attraction or do a spot of shopping in Todd Mall before reboarding the shuttle to the rail terminal.

ALICE SPRINGS DESERT PARK

The Desert Park lets you experience and feel these wonderful deserts first hand. Join an experienced guide on this journey of discovery. Take the time to stroll through a desert river and see and hear the bird life searching for water. Walk beside a dune in the red sand country, past a salt lake and feel the vastness of this country. Experience the cooler desert nights in the Nocturnal House watching some of the more difficult to see animals scurry amongst the desert plants. Stroll between the ironwoods and grasses in the Woodland.

ALICE SPRINGS HELICOPTERS SIMPSON'S GAP FLIGHT

In days gone by, explorers had to trek across the hot desert on foot. But these days there’s no need to walk in the heat when you can explore the Outback in a cool, comfortable helicopter! This is certainly an easy and spectacular way to see some of the best sites the Outback has to offer including the rugged Simpson’s Gap, the steep, ochre-coloured Mt. Gillen Ridgeline, the crystal clear water holes and the Larapinta Trail. It’s only from the air that you’ll experience the sheer magnitude of this ancient and timeless land and absorb the spirit of the Outback as your pilot reveals its mystery with a detailed commentary.

OLD GHAN TOUR

Learn about the history of rail on this tour to the Old Ghan Museum and Heritage Railway together with the National Road Transport Hall of Fame. You will enjoy a guided tour of the history of the legendary Old Ghan Train. The collection includes an operational heritage railway whilst the Museum itself houses a great collection of photographs and memorabilia, from construction in the mid 1920’s to when the narrow gauge closed in the early 1980’s. Explore at leisure the National Road Transport Hall of Fame where vehicles are props to the trials and tribulations of road transport pioneers.

PYNDAN CAMEL TRACKS

Experience early transportation on the back of a camel like the Afghan traders. Imagine the outback through the eyes of the Centre’s first explorers. Encounter the tradition of cameleers in Central Australia with a professional local guide. The ride starts at Pyndan Camel Tracks yards and goes into White Gum Station. The track follows an avenue of Iron Bark and Mulga trees, across a clay pan flat and climbs a slight incline to get sweeping views across the MacDonnell Ranges through Temple Bar Gap. Most days you will see kangaroos and wallabies, birds and lizards.

ALICE SPRINGS SHUTTLE

The Alice Springs Rail Terminal is located approximately three kilometres from the township. Our shuttle bus can take you into Alice Springs, where you can explore onfoot at your leisure. Enjoy a spot of shopping in Todd Mall, a coffee in one of the many local cafes or simple stretch your legs.

 TOP TOUR IDEAS IN THE KATHERINE REGION

The town of Katherine in Australia’s Top End is home to one of the area’s most spectacular natural wonders – the Katherine Gorge. Lucky for you, it’s not far from the train stop and you’ll have more than enough time to experience it in all its wonder by cruise boat or helicopter. With guided coach tours and shuttle buses into town also available, there really is a tour option to suit everyone’s budget and level of adventure, so get your camera ready and prepare to enjoy a truly awe-inspiring tour.

KATHERINE TOWN & GORGE AIR SPECTACULAR

Only from the air will you truly understand and appreciate the sheer size and power of the Top End. On this ultimate air tour you will fly from the Railway Station out over the Katherine Township. From your vantage point above the town, you will have a completely unique view of the area and will start to realise what it is to be in a remote town in the Territory, and what it must have been like for the first white settlers to this area – nothing but a vast and harsh terrain spreading for miles. From town, the tour takes you out to Nitmiluk National Park, where the beauty and size of the Nitmiluk Gorge river system unfolds below you. You will fly the length of the river and see all 13 of the amazing gorges each with their own characteristics and amazing natural features – something that is not possible by land or by water. After this flight you will begin to understand the significance of the Gorge to the local Jawoyn people which represents their food, water and life source in this harsh country. Landing at the Gorge you will have time to explore the Nitmiluk Visitors Centre before a 4WD transfer back to the Railway Station – driving back through the country you just flew over offering a different perspective on it all!

TWIN PARKS SCENIC FLIGHT

The remoteness of the Northern Territory is ideal to experience from the air.  The vast and formidable terrain of the Top End epitomises the description 'Outback Australia'. Take to the air for an awe inspiring view of our National Parks on a ‘Twin Parks Spectacular’. There is an opportunity to see two National Parks whether it be Kakadu, Nitmiluk, Gregory or Elsey (depending on the time of the year) the highlights are equally breathtaking and may include waterfalls, dramatic landscapes and meandering rivers.

GORGE BOAT CRUISE

Discover the beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge from the comfort of your cruise boat. Sit back, relax and take in the views that are sure to take your breath away. As you drift past the magnificent sandstone cliss that have been thousands of years in the making, keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife that calls the gorge home. Make sure you bring your camera too, because you’ll want to remember the spectacular views forever. Savour the feeling of being in this magical and ancient place, giving you many special memories that will last a lifetime.

NITMILUK GORGE BY HELICOPTER

What many people don’t realise is the Katherine River features not just one gorge, but an entire gorge system. Marvel at the sheer magnitude as you fly over ten gorges, each with its own distinct character and features. This really is the best way to fully appreciate this unique and amazing area. Who knows, your amazing views may even include sighting a herd of wild buffalo along the way. While you’ll be seeing much more than most earthbound tourists, it’s also worth keeping in mind this is just a small part of what is a 292,800 hectare wilderness park owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people.

NITMILUK FIRST GORGE CAFE CRUISE

Enjoy a morning/afternoon tea while you cruise the calm waters of the First Gorge. While enjoying a tea, coffee or cool drink you will take in the stunning scenery this gorge offers. Ideal for those wanting a relaxing and cultural cruise, you will see cliffs and sheer ledges of sandstone, learn about the history and geography of the Nitmiluk Gorge, and see sandy beaches used by freshwater crocodiles for nesting. There is an opportunity to take a short walk and visit a stunning Aboriginal rock art site. 

KATHERINE COUNTRY CLUB - BLISSFUL BREAK, GOLFING TOUR OR OUTBACK BOWLS

See the highlights of Katherine before arriving at the Katherine Country Club. Here you have a choice of three tours – The Country Club is air-conditioned and facilities include a bistro, tropical beer garden, poker machines, keno and bar. On the Blissful Break Tour, you simply have free time to relax and indulge in all the facilities available to you. The Golfing Tour includes golf clubs, buggy, balls and green fees for nine holes or try your hand at Outback Bowls, this includes rink fees, bowls, kitty and mat. Take the time to relax or play your favourite game in the beauty of the  Country Club.

KATHERINE TOWN & CYCAD GARDEN TOUR

Katherine is the fourth largest town in the Northern Territory and it has a wealth of history and unique attractions to discover, key of which is the Cycad Gardens. This unusual and exotic garden attraction contains over 200 different species of plants from the ancient cycad family, all nestled among a visually striking and prehistoric rocky landscape. Apart from an amazing collection of cycads – living fossils of the plant world, this enormous property also includes an assortment of succulents and cacti, as well as rare and endangered plants from around the world. You can take an informative self-guided tour around the property, via 1.4 kilometres of walking paths with interpretive signage. Pause along the walkways and see the prolific birdlife, with many unusual species feasting on the fruits.

This fascinating garden was planned as a conservation resource providing a conservation collection, gene pool, seed orchard, as well as a display collection of rare cycads. The owners travelled extensively to collect seeds from various habitats all around the globe and developed the site over a 23 year period, culminating in a stunning property housing around 40,000 cycads. Leaving Katherine you will be taken on a guided coach tour taking in the highlights of Katherine including the School of the Air and the Katherine Museum before arriving at Nitmiluk Visitors Centre where you can wander through the interpretive displays and the Bushtucker Garden, or enjoy a refreshment on the balcony

FIRST GORGE CANOEING

A unique and serene way to experience the Nitmiluk Gorge at your leisure. A reasonable level of fitness will come in handy but you certainly don’t have to be a professional canoeist to enjoy this self-guided tour. Be ferried to the top of the First Gorge where you can enjoy the views and go for a swim, then travel under your own steam back down to the boat jetty. There’s plenty of time to take in the spectacular scenery and admire the wildlife of the Nitmiluk Gorge. This is one tour you’ll remember forever.

GORGE EXPRESS SHUTTLE

The Gorge Express is a shuttle service that takes you through town and out to Nitmiluk Gorge Visitors Centre where you can wander through the interpretive displays or enjoy a refreshment on the balcony. The Gorge is not visible from the Visitors Centre but a 30 minute walk takes you up to the Sunset Look Out at the top of the Escarpment for a breathtaking view along the 1st gorge. The shuttle service with guided commentary will bring you back into Katherine Township for a brief 15 minute stopover before returning to the Railway Station.

KATHERINE TOWN SHUTTLE BUS

For those wanting a quick trip into Katherine town, the shuttle is the perfect option. Departing 15 minutes after The Ghan’s arrival, the shuttle stops in town where you can get off and explore the attractions at your leisure. Wander the streets of town and you will come across indigenous art galleries, the Katherine Visitors Centre and numerous little cafes for a cool drink and a snack.

TRANSFER BY AIR TO DARWIN CITY

Board your waiting helicopter at the Darwin Rail Terminal and take to the air to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the stunning Darwin Harbour and surrounds. Your pilot will provide informative commentary and point out the features along the way. This is only a short trip but what a way to start your time in Darwin. (The helicopter arrives at SKYCITY Darwin).

HOW TO BOOK YOUR TOUR

To book a Whistle Stop Tour in Alice Springs, Katherine or Darwin simply book and pay for your tour with the bar staff or your Hospitality Attendant at your earliest opportunity. Child Fares are valid for children aged 3-15 years inclusive.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The content of Whistle Stop Tours is subject to change without notice. All arrangements are subject to cancellation or modification due to inclement weather, late running of the train or other unforeseen circumstances. Fares are quoted in Australian dollars and include GST. All fares are subject to change without notice. Great Southern Rail does not own, operate or control Whistle Stop Tours. To the extent permitted by law, Great Southern Rail is not responsible for any injury, death, loss, accident, delay or irregularity whatsoever or expenses incurred resulting from a third party supplier’s acts or omissions. The travel services provided by these suppliers are subject to the conditions imposed by the suppliers and their liability may be limited by their tariffs, conditions of carriage, and agreements.