The Ghan has just been crowned ‘best train journey in Australia’ in the inaugural Australian Traveller Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards, the only consumer voted tourism awards in Australia.

Australian Traveller Magazine is the highest selling travel magazine in Australia, read by Australians who are inspired to explore their own backyard.

"These awards are voted for by the most important people in the industry - the travellers themselves. It's a real mark of what travellers really think about travelling in Australia," said Australian TravellerMagazine Editor, Elisabeth Knowles.

The Readers Choice Award was accepted by a Great Southern Rail Director of the Board, Daniel Fabri, at the inaugural awards ceremony at The Hilton in Sydney.

“It is a great honour to have been awarded a Readers Choice Award,” said Daniel. “Australian Traveller Magazine’s readers appreciate Australia has a unique and diverse range of travel experiences on offer.”

“The Ghan is one of the great train journeys of the world. From Darwin to Adelaide (or vice versa) guests can explore the true heart of Australia on a three day two night journey of a lifetime.”

“The Ghan is a legendary journey of breathtaking diversity; from the tropical splendor of the north, through the Red Centre to the temperate south,” said Daniel.

Named after the Afghan cameleers who once traversed this route, The Ghan becomes the holiday of a lifetime for tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists each year.

It is a journey for travellers of all styles and budgets with three distinct service levels available- Red Service, Gold Service and Platinum Service.

Red Service has just been re-launched following a major facelift and is the perfect option for family holidays with casual café dining and either Day/Nighter Seats or Red Sleeper cabins accommodation.

Gold Service remains a contemporary favorite featuring twin berth sleeping cabins, private compact ensuites and all meals included in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant.

Platinum Service, launched in 2008, is a world-class standard of rail travel designed to meet the needs of the discerning traveller with plush cabins featuring either twin or double beds and a full ensuite bathroom.