Capital City Stations:
Darwin
Darwin, NT
The first section of the narrow gauge North Australia Railway from Darwin to Pine Creek opened in 1888. It was extended south to Katherine in 1926 and finally Larrimah in 1929, which was as far south as it got, never linking up to the Adelaide to Alice Springs railway. Darwin had its own railway station and workshops at Parap.
Northern Territory
A cross section of Australian towns and their railway stations, from extravagant to routine, archetypal to unique
Pine Creek, NT
Pine Creek railway station is a disused railway station and museum on the former North Australia Railway in the Northern Territory. The station is located 235 km (146 mi) from the original Darwin station, and was the southern terminus of the line until 1914. The station precinct is the most complete remaining example of infrastructure associated with the line.
Adelaide River, NT
The Adelaide River Railway Siding and Railway Bridge, which are now part of Adelaide River Heritage Centre, were constructed as part of the first leg of the North Australia Railway (NAR) which operated from 1888 until 1976. The centre has an excellent collection of The Ghan railway memorabilia and staff who run it are very happy to explain what the various items on display were for. The Centre is closed during the wet season.
MacDonnell Siding, NT
One of the most popular museums in Alice Springs, the Ghan Preservation Society Museum depicts the history of the original legendary Ghan railway, which ran between Adelaide and Alice Springs on 3' 6" track from 1929 to 1980. The siding at MacDonnell is beautifully and affectionately reinstated and is home to the museum. The station and rolling stock are on display at all times. The 'Old Ghan' runs 30 km down the track to Ewaninga each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Alice Springs, NT
There aren't too many places in the world that can claim year round blue skies, stunning landscapes and a vibrant, diverse community. Such is the boast of the quintessential Australian outback town of Alice Springs, affectionately known as The Alice. The town is roughly midway between Adelaide and Darwin, so its the perfect place for a stopover when travelling on The Ghan train.
Katherine, NT
The fourth largest town in the Northern Territory, Katherine is a regional centre that has retained its importance due to the growth in regional tourism. The town is the place from which to explore the stunning natural attractions of the region, which include Katherine Gorge, Edith Falls, Cutta Cutta Caves and Douglas Hot Springs. Katherine is 340 km south of Darwin; 1,184 km north of Alice Springs.