The Ghan – Low to Moderate*
The Ghan and the Indian Pacific offer a few different styles of accommodation, and it’s worth thinking about your fitness and mobility when choosing the right one. If climbing up and down a bunk bed at night doesn’t appeal, then Gold Twin may not be the best fit.
Also keep in mind: it’s a rocking train, so you’ll want to have reasonable stability on your feet when moving around your cabin or heading to the dining carriage.
The off-train excursions are varied and generally there are options to suit most fitness levels, but you will need to be able to step up and down from the train sometimes onto uneven ground or steps.
Outback Spirit Tours – Moderate or good level of fitness and mobility*
They’re not hiking tours as such, but guests need to be comfortable being reasonably active.
In practical terms, a traveller should be able to:
- Get on and off a high-clearance 4WD coach without assistance. The steps are higher than on a normal coach, although there are grab rails and boarding isn’t rushed.
- Walk comfortably on uneven, rocky and sometimes slippery natural terrain.
- Manage steps, inclines and lookout walks.
- Cope with walking in heat and full sun.
- Do shorter sightseeing walks of around 100–400 metres, with some longer walks/hikes of 2–5 km, depending on the itinerary.
- Carry their own luggage at locations where porterage isn’t available.
*Fitness Levels – What our ratings mean
We want you to feel confident and comfortable on your journey. While this isn’t extreme adventure travel, some level of physical ability is important—mostly for safety, but also so you get the most enjoyment out of each experience. Here’s a general guide to help you understand what’s involved:
- Low Fitness (Minimum Standard)
You need to be able to walk up and down stairs unaided, with one hand free to hold the rail—especially important in the case of an emergency. If this sounds like you, it’s definitely worth having a quick chat with us. We’ll walk you through which excursions are realistic for you, and where there might be some limitations. - Moderate Fitness
You should be steady on your feet and able to walk over uneven ground, including stepping into a zodiac or other expedition vessel and from into shallow water and walking across wet sand to the beach. Some walks may include rocky areas, so good balance is important. Walks are generally up to 1–2 kilometres and could be in warm or humid conditions. - Good Fitness
No need to be training for a marathon—just a solid level of steadiness and confidence on your feet. You should be comfortable walking 3+ kilometres over uneven terrain, climbing over rocks, and navigating slightly more challenging water landings or natural waterholes. It’s active, but very rewarding.
