I had never heard of the Ghan before! You have probably been on the website but just in case here it is!

Hi Fiona
Thanks for that, we've already booked the trip on the Ghan, It's a 48 hour train journey from Adelaide to Darwin but stoping off at Alice springs. A bit of an adventure i hope but my wife is dubious, but as she wanted to go to Alice i had the choice of HOW we got there! lol

Adelaide is a very laid back city, very wide roads and lots of good shopping and eating. The Rundle Mall is a pedestrian shopping area. The Central Markets are worth a visit (open Tues, Thurs, Fri and Sat morn)
lots of stalls where you can try out different foods and some good Cafes.
If you like Museums and Art Galleries there are lots, I think the South
Australian Museum is the one with all the Aboriginal artifacts. I enjoyed the Migration Museum it tells the story of the early migration of the Europeans. They are mostly situated on North Terrace.
Adelaide's most popular beach is Glenelg and you can catch the old tram from Victoria Square, it takes about half an hour.
Hahndorf is about 30km south-east of Adelaide, it's a popular destination
its an authentic? German Village, complete with Antique Clock Museum and a brewery. I think you can go by local bus or a tour.
The Clare and Barossa Valleys are all within reach of the City, really pretty areas where you can visit the Vinyards and taste the wine. I'm pretty sure there are day tours if you don't have a car.
Another Area to visit if you have time is the Flinders Range, not far from Adelaide, a mountainous area with lovely scenery, and Kangaroos, Emus etc.
You can also take riverboat tours along the Murray River.
I spent a couple of days in Adelaide in September last year, I was only staying there as a stop off on my way out to the bush and eventually Alice Springs and didn't know much about the place but was quite taken with the city and people.
I hope you enjoy your ride on the Ghan, we had to wait for it to cross the road at a crossing when we out near Coober Pedy, it seemed to take forever to go by.
Taxis are not expensive and usually the drivers are only to willing to share their knowledge of the city with you.

Judith
as usual- a very informative post.

Thanks Fiona, I fell in love with Australia and am inclined to go on a bit about it. I arrived in Adelaide exactly a year ago today, tomorrow I'm flying from Germany to England for a visit, a slight difference. Still it's nice to go home (it's still home after 35 years abroad).

Ina
I forgot to mention Kangaroo Island, I didn't have time to visit there myself but friends have told me I missed something special.

Hi Again

Judith has given you good advice about Adelaide the Flinders Ranges is a 3 or 4 day trip so thats out Kangaroo island is very good The Barossa Valley if you are into wines is very good there are day trips from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island if you look up
http://www.viator.com
They do bookings of trips all over the world look on the map pick Australia then Adelaide and all the trips are there also
http://www.grayline.com.au

They also have much the same to get to the station get a taxie would be the best and say you are going on the Ghan train as there is two stations one for city and the other for country it should not cost much from the city square as the station is just of the edge of the square
The Ghan train trip are you going Gold kangaroo pass or just sitting we have friends just back and they had a very good time and would do it again they went Gold Kangaroo pass they said the food and service was very good
If you are hiring a car you can NOT take it to Kangaroo Island they do not let take them on the ferry so I am told by all companys

I dont know if it's relevant or not but we did the trip from Brisbane up to Cairns on The Sunlander a couple of years ago. You had to check your heavy bags in as you do at the airport and they had strict rules regarding the weight of cases, as I recall, they would refuse any case 26 kgs. or over on Health and Safety grounds. I dont know if the same applies to the Ghan, but as it was a union rule, I would imagine it would. Alan

Thanks all -as helpful as ever.

In regards to luggage on the Ghan.
Only take on board with you what you need for your time on the Ghan. The rest of your luggage will be stored in the baggage compartment at the end of the train... you won't get the opportunity to find anything you have forgotten.
My girlfriend and husband came out to Australia... spent a few days with us and we put them on the Ghan (at that time it was going from Melbourne and first stop Adelaide then onto the Alice where they did the 'Sounds of silence dinner'.
When we got to the train station they were told that their luggage was too big for their tiny compartment but they had no option but to take it on board (they had packed for a months travel) and it took up a LOT of space in their tiny sleeper. This happened because their travel agent failed to tell them to pack separately for their train journey.
Other friends have done the Ghan trip and loved it... hope you do too.
Cheers Geri

thank you geri for your kind reply, yes we did know about the luggage, but it is good to have it confirmed,