Customer Reviews

The Ghan from Adelaide to Alice - Australia By Rail

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The author and photographer try to convey the essence of riding the Ghan train from Adelaide to Alice. As the book explains, Ghan is short for Afghanistan. In the late 19th century, camels were introduced to the Outback, from Afghanistan. Because the searing conditions and limited railways meant that camels were the only alternative to penetrating the Outback. This was to last until cars became common. And when this railway was built, it took this name due to the camel trail it supplanted.

Anyhow, the Ghan is a magnificant and comfortable way to see central Australia. Going north from Adelaide, the photos reveal the bleak, harsh beauty of the Outback. Actually, it can quickly get pretty boring. The train is probably not worth riding more than once, unless it's for cost reasons.