Each year, TIME Magazine embarks on a global hunt for the world’s most thrilling destinations, calling on its network of international journalists and industry insiders to nominate standout spots—from luxury hotels and mind-blowing cruises to outstanding restaurants, awe-inspiring attractions, and hidden gems.
The result? A carefully curated list of 100 extraordinary places that redefine travel, offering fresh, unforgettable experiences for explorers and culture-seekers alike, and one amazing South Australian epic bucket-list experience has made the list.
That one-of-a-kind adventure is The Ghan – a legendary train and one of the world’s most renowned transcontinental rail journeys from Adelaide to Darwin – all-inclusive journey through the heart of Australia.
Journey Beyond Executive General Manager Marketing Justine Lally says, “We are thrilled to share The Ghan, has been recognised in the annual @TIME Magazine List of World’s Greatest Places 2025.”
“We couldn’t agree more; our lady of the outback is an icon, and this inclusion is a testament to the continued investment in the experience with the introduction last year of our new Gold Premium cabins. In 2025 The Ghan is one of the world’s greatest places to be, there really is no better way to experience Australia than by train.” Lally added
For almost a century, The Ghan has been taking travellers deep into the heart of the Aussie Outback, rolling past sacred Aboriginal sites, endless red deserts dotted with kangaroos, and rugged gorges
Originally, the iconic train only ran between South Australia and the Red Centre, but in 2004, it extended its route all the way from Adelaide to Darwin, stretching nearly the full length of the country.
The Ghan celebrated the 21st anniversary of its inaugural transcontinental journey on 1 February 2025.
In 2024, The Ghan commemorated 95 years of unforgettable expeditions, with its origins tracing back to the 1930s and the Afghan cameleers who helped shape Australia’s inland routes. On its first historic journey, the train was named ‘The Afghan Express’—a nod to these early pioneers—before eventually being shortened to the iconic name we know today, The Ghan.
Over three or four days, passengers get to experience the real Outback with all-inclusive off-train adventures including heading underground at the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum in Coober Pedy in South Australia.
Also in SA, travellers step back in time at Quorn, a charming heritage town that once played a major role in the Ghan’s early rail history.
Visitors get the chance to explore the Flinders Ranges, where rugged mountain ranges and ancient landscapes tell the story of over 600 million years of history, and learn about the Dreamtime stories, bush medicine, and deep spiritual connections to the land from Traditional Owners and First Nations people.
The TIME Magazine recognition came in the same week Journey Beyond Rail unveiled The Journey—its first-ever coffee table book. This beautifully curated book captures 170 years of rail history in Australia, from the steam locomotive era to today’s world-class train experiences. Showcasing The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern, and The Overland, it’s a tribute to adventure, the breathtaking landscapes these trains traverse, and the people who shaped their legacy—a perfect keepsake for past and future travellers alike.
For more information on the book: click here
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