Last month, I turned 30 and did a trip that I never imagined. This whole trip came about because, let’s be real, planning overseas travel while lockdowns still loomed felt like a dice roll last year. So instead, I mapped out something big right here in Australia. A proper, coast-to-coast (sorry, not you WA), gin-soaked, fine-dining, train-tripping 30th.

The centrepiece? The Ghan. Adelaide to Darwin. Three days. Two nights. A timeless journey straight through the spine of the country. We kicked off in Adelaide, rolling out into the endless horizon after a classy send-off. That first night, I slept like a baby in my cabin, lulled by the soft sway of the train. Then came Marla: an early-morning desert stop under a slowly waking sky. Campfires, barista coffee, warm croissants and a kind of stillness you don’t realise you need until you’re standing in it.

The vibe on board was old-school glamour. Think pressed linen, polished wood and beautifully plated meals with paired wines. I was one of maybe two young people (other than the staff) in sight at first, and I wasn’t mad about it.

But by the time we hit Alice Springs, a whole crew of under-40s suddenly appeared. Where had they been hiding? Apparently in different parts of the train. Most of us chose the camel ride because how could you not? My camel was called Cookie Monster. Icon.

Weirdly, none of us young folks were grouped together for meals or activities, which felt like a missed opportunity. But serendipity took over. You always meet characters on trains, but I didn’t expect the main one to be… a toy pig. He was travelling the world with a retired teacher from the US. I have since forgotten his name (and didn’t think to write it down), but he sat proudly on the table during meals, eyes full of adventure.

From Alice, we rolled through more Mars-like terrain until we reached Nitmiluk Gorge in Katherine. It was steamy, stunning, and deeply spiritual. A final dose of nature before arriving in Darwin, warm and wild at the Top End.

But The Ghan was just one chapter.

This whole birthday trip was a celebration of places and people:
• Brisbane – NRL Magic Round and the Gin Festival.
• Melbourne – A huge 30th shoutout to Lenita!
• Adelaide – Fine dining with Arthur and a relaxed, artsy vibe before the train.
• Darwin – Family time, tropical, sweaty and always charming.
• Hobart & Port Arthur – History, convict tales and coastal calm to round it all out.

This was a journey stitched together by moments: some planned, some pure chance. A celebration of 30 years on Earth and a reminder that you don’t need to cross oceans to find something unforgettable.

And while I didn’t bring back the name of that little pig, I did bring back something else: a full heart, dusty boots and the kind of joy that lingers long after the train stops.

Would I recommend The Ghan?

Absolutely! Admittedly, the lockdown-era prices were a bit lower than usual but it’s a solid experience worthy of the cost.