From Adelaide in the south of the country through the scorching desert of the center and on to tropical Top End (the northerly peninsula of land on which Darwin sits) runs one of the longest train journeys in the world. The Ghan covers 1,850 miles (2,980 km) in 54 hours and takes in the stunning diversity of the outback. The agricultural south gives way to vast stretches of desert and an interminable sun around Alice Springs.
The journey ends in lush, swampy terrain as it nears Darwin. The train, while not luxurious, has comfortable berths, and kangaroo and barramundi are often on the menu.