See the ancient Flinders Ranges landscape unfold before you on the full-day Afghan Express return trip from Port Augusta Railway Station to the historic outback town of Quorn.

Travelling the old Ghan route over red earth and bluebush plains from Port Augusta, you'll watch the ranges creep ever-closer before entering the Pichi Richi Pass with its rocky outcrops, dry riverbeds and beautiful hilly scenery.

The Afghan Express is the name railwaymen gave to the passenger train that ran from Terowie to Oodnadatta, through Quorn, in 1923. In time, this was abbreviated to the Ghan.

The railway was ultimately extended to Alice Springs by 1929. The Ghan used the Pichi Richi Railway route until 1956 when a new standard-gauge railway from Stirling North to Brachina bypassed the narrow gauge railway through the Pichi Richi Pass.

  • Full-day journey from Port Augusta Railway Station
  • Port Augusta to Quorn and return (78 km)
  • Approximately 6 hour return journey, including 2 hour stopover in Quorn
  • Wherever practicable, original Ghan steam locomotive NM25 and genuine timber-bodied carriages built in the late 1920s will be used
  • Diesel services use an historic Ghan locomotive, either NSU52 or NT76
  • Single (one-way) tickets are available for a one-way journey from either Port Augusta or Quorn
  • Departs Port Augusta at 10.30 am, and arrives at Quorn at approximately 12.15 pm. The return journey departs Quorn at 2.30 pm, arriving at Port Augusta at approximately 4.30 pm
  • Route map

Timetable

2024

DayDateTimeDeparts fromRemarks
March
Saturday30 March10:30 AMPort AugustaDiesel. May be steam hauled subject to fire risk and crew availability
April
Saturday13 April10:30 AMPort AugustaDiesel. May be steam hauled subject to fire risk and crew availability
Saturday27 April10:30 AMPort AugustaDiesel Port Augusta – Quorn, steam Quorn – Port Augusta. May be steam or diesel both ways depending on fire danger and crew availability
May
Saturday25 May10:30 AMPort Augusta
June
Saturday22 June10:30 AMPort Augusta
July
Saturday6 July10:30 AMPort Augusta
Saturday20 July10:30 AMPort Augusta
August
Saturday31 August10:30 AMPort Augusta
September
Saturday28 September10:30 AMPort Augusta
October
Saturday12 October10:30 AMPort AugustaDiesel. May be steam hauled subject to fire risk and crew availability

Current year fares

Adult return$118
Concession return$109
Child (4+) return$60
Family return (2 adults, 2 children)$297
Adult one-way$91
Concession one-way$84
Child (4+) one-way$46
Family one-way (2 adults, 2 children)$228

Bookings

See the bookings page for booking information.