South Australia, Ghan and the Top End

Day 1 - Sunday 11 June 2023

Melbourne - Adelaide (lL,D)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel.  Your tour hostess and fellow travellers will meet you at the Melbourne Airport for our flight to Adelaide.  Upon arrival into Adelaide we are met by our local coach captain and travel into the heart of Adelaide to enjoly a light lunch at the Lions Hotel.  We then make our way to the Adelaide Oval to meet up with our expert guide and venture behind the scenes to discover hidden secrets and relive celebrated moments in the sporting, musical and civic history of this world famous arena. Our tour also includes the famed Bradman Museum where we will learn about Australia’s greatest ever cricketer.

After leaving the oval we travel through the “City of Churches” taking in the iconic building, parks and gardens that the city is renowned for.

Late afternoon we check into our hotel before dinner.

Overnight Adelaide: Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide (or similar)

Day 2 - Monday 12 June 2023

Barossa Valley (B,L)

After breakfast we travel up into the Barossa Valley wine region, our first stop is the Menglers Hill Lookout and Barossa Sculpture Park. See sweeping, 180 degree views of famed wineries and fields that make up the region’s stunning landscape. The park hosts a number of distinctive abstract art pieces that have been sculpted by a number of renowned artists at a duo of symposiums. 

For lunch we visit Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop and Eatery, talented chef Tim Bourke creates a daily menu that is enjoyed on the deck (weather permitting). Visit the Farm Shop and browse the exclusive items before we depart for the historic Seppeltsfield Wines and enjoy a heritage tour and tastings. Our tour includes a behind-the-scenes look through the estate’s treasure trove of historical buildings and spectacular surroundings. Learn of the Seppelt family history and their profound influence on the Australian wine industry.

After a wonderful day, we return to the hotel for a night at your own leisure.

Overnight Adelaide: Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide (or similar)

Day 3 - Tuesday 13 June 2023

Hahndorf (B,D)

This morning we visit St. Peters Cathedral to experience a guided tour of the church. Completed in 1904 after the foundation stone was laid in 1869, the Towers and Spires were built and consecrated in 1902 and have the heaviest and finest bells in the Southern Hemisphere. A major feature is the fascinating stain glass windows within the Cathedral, each with their own story.

Our next stop for the day is the Mount Lofty Lookout, providing us with amazing panoramic views across the city of Adelaide and its seaside suburbs. We then make our way to visit the Historic German Village of Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German village with many original buildings housing interesting German and Australian History. We take time to stroll along the main street with its numerous craft and souvenir shops and cafes to purchase lunch.

This afternoon we visit the Cedars, home of Hans Heysen where we enjoy a tour through the untouched family home and studio of one of Australia’s most celebrated artists. His inspiration stemmed from the Adelaide Hills area and the rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges.

We return to our accommodation to refresh before our dinner at the Mayflower Restaurant.  We have a short walk to and from restaurant for dinner.

Overnight Adelaide: Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide (or similar)

Day 4 - Wednesday 14 June 2023

Adelaide - Alice Springs (B,L,D)

We enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning before we checkout and transfer to the Adelaide Parklands Terminal to board The Legendary Ghan for our 12.15pm departure. On our rail journey we experience one of the most fascinating and great train journeys of the world where it takes us on an ultimate journey through the heart of the Australian continent. There’s no better viewpoint to watch the rolling pastoral lands of South Australia change into rugged Mallee scrub, as the spectacular Flinders Ranges disappear into the horizon.

Overnight The Ghan

Day 5 - Thursday 15 June 2023

Alice Springs (B,L,D)

Wake up with a coffee and step off the train to witness an unforgettable outback sunrise at Marla – a remote outpost 160 kilometres from the Northern Territory border. After more incredible outback scenery, we’ll arrive into Alice Springs in the early afternoon at approx 1.45pm. We will have time in Alice to experience one of the optional off train tours at own cost. Visit the Alice Springs Desert Park, join the Alice Explorer, do the "Discovery Walk" at Simpson’s Gap, take a scenic flight, ride a camel or just spend your free time down the mall.

Later this afternoon we are back on The Legendary Ghan for our 6.15pm departure for Katherine and Darwin.

Overnight: The Ghan

Day 6 - Friday 16 June 2023

Katherine - Darwin (B,L,D)

Welcome to Katherine! Upon reaching the Northern Territory we'll enjoy another full breakfast before leaving the train for a day of cultural delights. Endless options with our optional off train experiences await in Katherine (own cost). Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Katherine River gazing in wonder at towering sandstone cliffs. Alternatively, gain an insight into the culture and ways of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people, with an exclusive cultural experience. Spend the day with the Aboriginal people, sharing their culture, learning their ways and trying some of the skills developed over thousands of years. Activities include basket weaving; spear throwing, fire lighting, painting, and learning the Didgeridoo.

We can also choose to upgrade our excursion with a helicopter or scenic flight over Kakadu and Nitmiluk National Parks where aside from magnificent views, we may witness ‘Bolung’, the rainbow serpent who is believed to inhabit the deep green pools found in the Second Gorge.

A late lunch awaits back on board then kick back, and savour the last few hours of this epic journey. We arrive into Darwin at 5.30pm where we disembark The Ghan and transfer to our hotel for check in and dinner. 

Overnight Darwin: Double Tree by Hilton Darwin (or similar)

Day 7 - Saturday 17 June 2023

Darwin (B,D)

This morning we take in a leisurely highlights tour of Darwin, followed by a visit to the Cyclone Tracy Gallery, along with “Sweetheart” the crocodile and changing history of the Northern Territory all housed in the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. We then visit the Darwin East Point Military Museum housed in its original concrete bunker. On display is a fascinating array of weapons, photographs and equipment used by the men and women of the day as well as a short film of the dramatic footage of the Japanese bombing on Darwin harbour.

This afternoon, we have free time in the main town of Darwin, with an afternoon to explore on our own and do some shopping if you wish.

Dinner tonight is a wonderful Sunset Dinner Cruise on the waters of the Darwin Harbour.

Overnight Darwin: Double Tree by Hilton Darwin (or similar)

Day 8 - Sunday 18 June 2023

Darwin - Yellow Water (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast we depart Darwin and make our way into Adelaide River to view the Adelaide River War Cemetery, the most visited war cemetery in Australia. During the Second World War, Adelaide River was the headquarters of a large base and the war cemetery was created especially for the burial of servicemen who died in this part of Australia. The cemetery now contains 435 Commonwealth burials of service men and women.

We continue into Pine Creek, stopping to enjoy our packed lunch in one of the local parks

We then make our way to the hotel for checkin, before we enjoy the world renowned Yellow Water Sunset Cruise where crocodiles, birds and occasionally wild horses are seen amongst paperbark forests, pandanus, freshwater mangroves and exotic tropical trees.

After our cruise we check-in to our accommodation then gather for dinner in this unique setting beside Yellow Water Billabong. 

Overnight Cooinda: Gagudju Lodge (or similar)

Day 9 - Monday 19 June 2023

Kakadu National Park - Jabiru (B,L,D)

Today after breakfast we visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, where the displays include artefacts that illustrate the stories that the traditional owners wish to share with us. The Centre mixes contemporary techniques – such as videos – to cover various subjects, ranging from personal histories to bush tucker.

We then make our way to Nourlangie Rock where we witness ancient aboriginal rock art and also enjoy the scenic lookouts.

Next stop is a visit to the Marrawuddi Gallery followed by a local tour around Jabiru before we make our way to the Crocodile Hotel for check-in and lunch.  

Tonight we enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Overnight Jabiru: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile (or similar)

Day 10 - Tuesday 20 June 2023

Jabiru at Leisure (B,D)

Today is a day at leisure, relax by the pool and enjoy the ambience and take a moment to experience the magical area you are visiting. 

Optional Scenic Flights available - extra cost

Overnight Jabiru: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile (or similar)

Day 11 - Wednesday 21 June 2023

Jabiru - Adelaide River - Darwin (B,L,D)

This morning we enjoy a leisurely start before departing for Adelaide River for a highlight of the day, the Jumping Crocodiles. On arrival into Adelaide River, we enjoy a light lunch before we board the double decked cruising vessel for a wildlife cruise with a difference. The Adelaide River is home to an array of Top End wildlife including magpie geese, brolgas, kites and kingfishers along with the rivers most famous residents, the fearsome saltwater crocodiles. The cruise takes us to a feeding ground where we witness the giant crocodiles leaping out of the water using their tails for propulsion, often getting all four legs clear of the waters surface, a sight one will never forget.

After our cruise we make our way to our next stop, and immerse ourselves in the Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Experience - a chance to learn and understand the local customs and traditions of the aboriginal people of the region. 

Later this afternoon we return to Darwin and enjoy our last dinner at the hotel providing a wonderful finale to our tour. 

This evening after dinner transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Day 12 - Thursday 22 June 2023

Darwin - Home (B)

Tonight we say goodbye to the Top End and begin our journey home arriving in the early morning.  Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.