Special holiday itinerary to celebrate launch of the new Ghan extension

To celebrate the February 2004 launch of the new Alice Springs to Darwin railway extension, which will make a rail journey on the Ghan a trans-continental experience of truly epic proportions, the Northern Territory Tourist Commission and the South Australian Tourism Commission have approached tour operator Travelbag to create a special holiday itinerary.

Designed to showcase the stunning scenery located along Australia�s backbone on the north south corridor and stretching some 3,000 kms from the Timor Sea to the Southern Ocean, this suggested itinerary is bookended by a stay in the coastal cities of Darwin and Adelaide.

Starting from Darwin in the far north after using Brunei Airlines� new direct service from London and finishing in the far south in Adelaide, the itinerary also takes the opportunity to go �off the rails� and explore the more remote areas of the Top End like Kakadu and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Parks and to learn about Aboriginal customs as well as the local flora and fauna.

At Katherine the journey connects with the southbound Ghan arriving in Alice Springs in time to disembark and spend a few days discovering the Red Centre by taking a self-drive tour to Kings Canyon, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata-Tjuta (The Olgas), overnighting at Alice Springs Resort, Kings Canyon Resort and The Lost Camel respectively.

Returning to Alice Springs the rail experience continues down to Adelaide and whilst the train journey finishes here, no trip to South Australia would be complete without a visit to Australia�s third largest island, Kangaroo Island. Self-driving a Maui Spirit 2 deluxe motorhome from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island, this journey is punctuated with stunning coastal scenery, wildlife in abundance and fabulous wining and dining opportunities. This special 14-day �Planes, Trains & Automobiles� adventure starts from �1,765 per person. For further information contact TRAVELBAG on tel 0870 890 1458/www.travelbag.co.uk

-ENDS- For further media information contact Jovanka Ristich, Independent Public Relations, tel 01628 623003, email: ristichj@aol.com