The Journey is the Destination
Sometimes, the anticipation of the journey is the most exciting part. Months turn to weeks, weeks turn into days, and when you’re finally packed and ready to go, there’s still a long journey ahead before you even reach the destination. This journey is different. It’s not just about reaching a destination; it was about immersing myself in the experience of The Ghan itself, all while enjoying the new sophisticated new Gold Premium.
I boarded The Ghan in Darwin. But, before I stepped on the train there was a Welcome to Country, an introduction to the train crew, an all-aboard call, and a glimpse of the bold red locomotive leading the 1-kilometre line of carriages. Of course, I’d seen pictures of the iconic locomotive before, but seeing it in real life filled me with pride. The Ghan has been travelling through the Red Centre for 95 years, and today, I get to become part of its history.
Before I get the chance to appreciate the fact, I’m about to travel 2,979 kilometres across the country, I’m shown to my Gold Premium twin cabin. I first notice the selection of snacks and cold drinks waiting for me, but as I walk through the door, all the curated details become apparent.
Timber-like walls, creamy upholstery, comfortable furnishing, fresh linen and leather accents all make me feel at home. A lot of thought has gone into the design of these new carriages, and my favourite part is the large feature window, my own private view, a moving picture of a changing landscape full of colour. I’ve heard from other travellers to keep the blinds opens as we roll through the outback, so I make a mental note not to keep them open, hoping to see a night sky filled with stars and an outback sunrise each morning.
As The Ghan begins to gently roll away from Darwin, I put my bags away in the cleverly designed storage and walk to the Gold Premium Lounge carriage to kick off the journey with fellow travellers.
The automatic doors open after a light press of a button, and as I step into the lounge, I’m struck by the spaciousness and natural light flooding in from the expansive windows on both sides of the carriage. The colour palette of the furniture and carpet is just like an Albert Namatjira painting. We’ll be travelling through Namatjira’s Country, a pioneer of contemporary Indigenous Australian art, his artworks served as inspiration for the Gold Premium design, and it’s clear why. The tonal colours perfectly capture the Arrernte land we’re travelling through, while the nostalgic art deco detailing with pressed metal ceilings and hand blow glass sconces reference the old-world elegance of rail travel.
The first stop is in Katherine, a couple of hours away from Darwin and two days before the end of the journey. Time has slowed, I’m relaxed, it’s referred to as train time and I now understand why, I am in the here and now, and I am embracing the place I’ve found myself in. I’ve parked myself in the best seat of the house, or the train, I should say, and I’m ready to watch the landscape unfold before me. I can’t wait, and perhaps I’ll order another glass of bubbles to celebrate.
Words by Ella Chronowski
